22 year old plebe?

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lschmidt

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5-Year Member
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Mar 31, 2008
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I originally applied to the naval academy during high school like most kids do. I completed the preliminary application and became an official candidate, but never went further than that because I got accepted into school elsewhere and stopped applying for USNA.

Fast forward until now, I'm 21 years old and a junior in college. I've been back and forth between full time and part time credits, so I have at least another few years of school left. For some reason I got the urge to re-apply to the naval academy. As I understand, you must be no older than 23 years old for the year you would start - and it is too late to apply for Fall of 2008. This means that I can still apply for Fall of 2009, when I'll be 22 years old.

I'm just wondering if this would be really uncommon for such an old first-year student at USNA. After all, I would be starting as a first-year in the same year that all my current friends will already have an undergraduate degree.

Anybody know of 22 year old plebes?

PS I have a 29 ACT and 1290 SAT but they were taken a few years ago. Will I need to re-take them? Also will I need to supply college transcripts or no (my previous college credits would do me no good I'm assuming...)? I also had a 3.8 cumulative GPA in high school..any idea how hard it would be for me to get accepted?
 
Age limit is 23 for reporting in (at least for my old school). I had a few classmates around 23...


You might get the nickname "grandpa" but that's about it.
 
Yep.

Pretty funny, thinking a 22-year-old is "old".

Now that I'm 40, I'd commit mass murder to be that "old" again. :frown:
 
I'm not sure what the maximum age for entry is here, but I have a 24 year old plebe who's a prior enlisted marine, so she must have been at least 23 when she entered. It's actually not uncommon at all, there's a lot of people here who were either prior enlisted or who went to college for a few years like you. They actually tend to do better here on average, because they have seen normal college life and aren't worried about missing a few parties like most of the kids here that are straight out of high school are. Good Luck! It's definitely worth it.
 
My personal view is that being an "older" plebe can be either easier or more difficult depending on the personality of the individual involved.

Why it's harder:

(1) Playing the "games" required at USNA is, in my opinion, easier as an 18-yr-old who hasn't seen the world beyond h.s., which involves a lot of "games."

(2) You're taking "orders" from people usually younger than you who have a lot less "real world" experience than you do. It takes a lot of maturity to deal with that.

(3) You know what you're missing. If you haven't been to school parties, had the ability to go off campus any time you want, had your car with you, etc., it's easier to deal with not having all that.

(4) You have to give up certain things (I believe, for example, that plebes are not allowed to drink alcohol regardless of their age) that may not be "fair."

Why it's easier:

(1) You're more mature and have a better perspective on what is important in life.

(2) You've probably given up something (time spent at another college, a job, etc.) to come to USNA, which makes it more valuable to you.

(3) You typically have stronger academic preparation because you've had college-level work.

(4) You've probably already been away from home.

(5) Because you have more perspective and done something other than go to h.s., you're less likely to become totally dismayed when you blow a chow call, have a lousy uniform inspection, fail a test, etc.

I would encourage older students to reflect on being an older plebe. As someone who changed careers after the military, I had an analogous situation where I was a newbie in a profession taking direction from people a decade younger. Some people can handle it; some can't.
 
Focus on the "why," not your age...

Ischmidt -- you've gotten some great feedback here -- but think about the "for some reason" you mentioned that got you to re-think a SA. If those "some reasons" are valid (and only you know that) you really have nothing to lose. You can continue your present studies toward a degree between now and reception day for Class of 2013, go through the process, and with any luck, you'll have to decide whether or not to accept an appointment this time next year! REGARDLESS, you'll be the same age then whether you apply or not! :smile: And, it won't matter what people think of your age -- think of what you can bring to your class -- you'll only make the Class of 2013 stronger with your age, experience, and wisdom... well, maybe not wisdom... but you'll find, as has been posted by others above, that you'll have maturity that will be valuable, to yourself, and your classmates.

Best of luck!
 
everyone here is totally right. there are several guys for next year's class that will be even older than you would be your plebe year. we've got a NAPSter here that is going to turn 23 the day after i-day, talk about cutting the limit close. i think the biggest problem you will face is having someone younger than you in your face telling you what to do. i know a lot of priors had some problems with that during indoc here. you'll be fine as a 22 year old, even looked up to by some of your fellow plebes. you will have a maturity and self confidence about you that kids who have never been away from home before won't have.

my vote: go for it.
 
I wouldn't worry about age...I'll be 21 during plebe summer and 22 during plebe year. If anything I think I am more grateful to be given this amazing oppurtunity (my allergy waiver was approved today so I am estatic). Honestly, I don't think I could have done it straight out of H.S., but now I think I'm more focused and ready to accomplish this goal. Don't let anyone try to talk you out of it because your "older", if you want it go after it, the worst they can say is no. Good luck!
 
lschmidt said:
I originally applied to the naval academy during high school like most kids do. I completed the preliminary application and became an official candidate, but never went further than that because I got accepted into school elsewhere and stopped applying for USNA.

Fast forward until now, I'm 21 years old and a junior in college. I've been back and forth between full time and part time credits, so I have at least another few years of school left. For some reason I got the urge to re-apply to the naval academy. As I understand, you must be no older than 23 years old for the year you would start - and it is too late to apply for Fall of 2008. This means that I can still apply for Fall of 2009, when I'll be 22 years old.

I'm just wondering if this would be really uncommon for such an old first-year student at USNA. After all, I would be starting as a first-year in the same year that all my current friends will already have an undergraduate degree.

Anybody know of 22 year old plebes?

PS I have a 29 ACT and 1290 SAT but they were taken a few years ago. Will I need to re-take them? Also will I need to supply college transcripts or no (my previous college credits would do me no good I'm assuming...)? I also had a 3.8 cumulative GPA in high school..any idea how hard it would be for me to get accepted?
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I definately think the experience wil help you. Depending on ACT/SAT I believe they can't be more than 3 years old but don't quote me on that. Also you do need to supply college transcripts. College credits wont do you any good at the academy however some lucky upperclassmen get to pursue a masters atthe local college while still at academy which may help you at that college. This class of 2012 was pretty tough I got Naval Academy Prep school. but it won't be any harder for you or biased just because your in college.
 
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