Advice

[navy22]

I didn’t know I wanted to go to USNA until end of my junior year so I had no AP classes. Just a few honors and de. I took AP this year but can I compensate for the fact that I didn’t take the hardest courses by getting good test scores and showing leadership through clubs and sports?

 

[MidCakePa]

Yes, you can compensate for not taking your school’s hardest classes by doing exceptionally well on SAT/ACT, athletics and leadership. But know that those compensating factors may still not be enough to gain offer of appointment. Fact is, your transcript and class rank still account for the largest part of the application package. And you’ll be up against candidates who have SAT/ACT, athletics and leadership that are comparable to yours, who also took a lot of AP courses. Do your best at this point, but manage your expectations and work on Plan B.

 

[usna1985]

Also, if USNA is really your goal and it doesn't work out this year, you can always reapply next year. That way you'll have this year of tough academics plus a semester of college to add to your package.

 

[MidCakePa]

To add to usna1985, the presumption here is that your goal is to be commissioned as an active-duty officer, not just attend USNA. So yes, if you don’t get offer of appointment this time around, try again next year and the year after. A significant chunk of every plebe class was not “direct appointments,” i.e. straight out of high school. And make sure you’re working on Plan B, i.e. NROTC scholarship at a civilian college. If you get one, you’re on your way to getting a commission. And you can still choose to reapply to USNA, this time with the added benefit of having NROTC on your resume.

As a “late bloomer,” you’re not alone. Know it will take hard work, but you have several options to achieve your goal.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

And you’ll be up against candidates who have SAT/ACT, athletics and leadership that are comparable to yours, who also took a lot of AP courses

Of course you can recover from a slow start, but Admission to USNA is very competitive. Strong SAT/ACT scores and a good application will get you the "Q" from the Admissions Board, but much of the competition is head to head, direct competition with other persons in your MOC slate at the Noms and Appointments level. If all other things are equal , the stronger academic profile will prevail. (I use the term "all other things equal" here frequently, but nobody is every truly equal -- there are so many factors that is impossible).

By the way, I would not recommend that you emphasize that fact that you didn't take the more advanced classes in your Personal Statement , i.e.
" I started taking AP course my Senior year to be competitive for USNA....." USNA looks for those that naturally challenge themselves, not someone that is doing something as a means to the end.