Advice on applying to USNA

F

FlapJack11

New Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2021
Messages
2
Hey Everyone! I wanted to post on here to get as much advice as possible so please let me know what you think about my situation. I have always thought about applying to the Naval Academy but always debated the idea because I had no idea what I truly wanted to do with my life. I have recently made the decision that it is the path I want to go down so if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated. I'm going to start with some background information...

Background Info:
I am a senior in high school and I am about halfway through my senior year so it is too late for me to apply for the class of 2022. I was thinking I could attend one year of an in-state school and then apply next year for the class of 2023. I have a 30 on my ACT and a 3.8 cumulative GPA for high school. Should I retake the ACT or keep the score I have? I also have many extracurriculars so I hope that will boost my overall appeal.

I have been doing a lot of research over the last few months on how to apply for appointments and fill out the preliminary application in general. What should I be doing now to prepare for next year? Any certain steps I should take to put me on the right track? Any answers would be great.
 
Hey! My first and only question, why do you think it's too late to apply? Applications don't close for another few weeks. If you are willing to put in the effort, I would at least try. I would apply for the VP nom and at least see where that would get you. You may never know, you could get in. I would also apply for Navy ROTC. If you're in JROTC or have a family member that has served, that opens up more noms for you. Please PM me if you need anything, I'd be more than happy to help!
 
You’re on the right track. Do some key things between now and the next application cycle:

One, finish high school strong. Cap off your transcript with outstanding grades rather than petering out.

Two, once in college, take a plebe-like course load, e.g. calculus, chemistry, English, U.S. history. Make sure it’s freshman level or higher, to prove that you’re capable of college-level academics.

Three, if it’s available, join your college’s ROTC detachment. You’ll get some exposure to cadet life, show your commitment to becoming a commissioned officer, and have another nomination source. What’s more, if Plan A doesn’t pan out, you’re already on Plan B.

Four, improve your fitness level. No matter what it is now, it could be better for the CFA and beyond.

Finally, it doesn’t hurt to take the ACT again. There’s always room for improvement.
 
ParachutePanda said:
Hey! My first and only question, why do you think it's too late to apply? Applications don't close for another few weeks. If you are willing to put in the effort, I would at least try. I would apply for the VP nom and at least see where that would get you. You may never know, you could get in. I would also apply for Navy ROTC. If you're in JROTC or have a family member that has served, that opens up more noms for you. Please PM me if you need anything, I'd be more than happy to help!
Click to expand...
Thanks for replying! to answer your question, I haven't applied for any nominations yet, and the congressional nominations in my state close at the end of summer. I could apply for VP I guess. Would I fill out an actual application to USNA if I apply for the VP nomination?
 
FlapJack11 said:
Thanks for replying! to answer your question, I haven't applied for any nominations yet, and the congressional nominations in my state close at the end of summer. I could apply for VP I guess. Would I fill out an actual application to USNA if I apply for the VP nomination?
Click to expand...
Yes, they're separate applications but you never know until you try.
 
My flip suggestion is to take a shot this year just to prepare yourself for next year. It might be helpful to run through it once now just to see what it takes, maybe where you need some work and be more ready if you do choose to reapply next year. The academies love reapplicants who won't take no for an answer, and who knows, you might get in.

My more thoughtful question, however, is about what exactly you recently decided. Do you just want to go to USNA or do you want to be a US Navy officer or something else? Because this is more than just school, and it's also not the only way to become an officer. Consider the entire career and then be sure to open your arms to any possibility that'll take you there, including opportunities offered by other branches. If you're thinking USNA are you also thinking NROTC? There are also ships in the Coast Guard, planes in most services, bad ass gun slingers in all branches, and so on, so dig in to what brought you to this path so you are making the best effort to get there successfully.
 
Best advice I can give is to make sure you absolutely 100% want to attend the Naval Academy. This place was built to be a challenge and if you are second guessing coming here it will make your life miserable. If you don’t apply this year I would definitely do ROTC at college. You can join as a college programmer and get a taste of the military lifestyle. If you then choose to reapply make sure to take a plebe-like schedule and kill it academically.
 
Here is my opinion to OP…at this point, I would NOT apply to a SA. You have missed the MOC deadlines. And the chances for the VP are slim, even for an exception, outstanding applicant. It would be difficult at this point, imo, to slap together an application. I would question your desire and reason for applying (rightly or wrongly…). You will have to address all this in your BGO interview.

Maybe all your reasons and responses for the delay in applying are valid and make sense. But as posted, not so much to me. I would advise to follow USNA.edu and SAF instructions/advice for reapplicants: attend college, take and excel in STEM/plebe like schedule, join the ROTC unit (that you may fall in love with) and have an amazing freshman year. You will be adding a nominating source, showing you CAN succeed, demonstrate leadership and commitment to serving, and have a stronger package, imo, than applying at this point. Bc at this point, to me, it seems like an afterthought, vs a goal.

There is still adequate time to apply to NROTC. Is that something you have done, or are considering? Something to think about.
 
justdoit19 said:
Bc at this point, to me, it seems like an afterthought, vs a goal.
Click to expand...
justdoit19 said:
It would be difficult at this point, imo, to slap together an application.
Click to expand...
Agree 100% with @justdoit19, though we’re clearly in the minority. I used to tell my kids: Every contact you make with an SA (or any college) is an opportunity to make a great impression. Never take for granted that someone notices you and the impression you make affects your chances of admission. (This goes for job searches too, by the way.)

Echoing @justdoit19: Regardless of your good intentions (and the well-intended encouragement above), your application package will be slapped together in a rush. While others have had months to pull things together, you’ll have weeks. It’s just not fair to believe it’ll be as polished, tight and convincing as others. The VP nom will be an extreme long shot. And that BGO interview will feel like a rear-guard action.

Now, say you apply again next time, and USNA pulls out your old file and says “Let’s, start here, shall we. What kind of impression did they make last year?” Maybe you’ll be fine. Maybe you won’t. I, personally, don’t think the risk/reward profile makes this worth your precious time. Instead, focus on getting into that state school, joining ROTC, improving your fitness, nailing your academics. And equally important, exploring every angle of becoming an SA mid and AD officer so that this time next year, you’ve made an incredible impression on the powers that be.
 
OldRetSWO said:
FWIW, that LT was NOT an academy grad - was actually former Army Enlisted then commissioned in the Navy Medical Service Corps.
Click to expand...
.
I know that .… I had a Segway moment. I got hung on the word Pedigree.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top