Am I competitive?

[moak]

Ok, I’m going to do this a little different. To be quite honest I was impressed but I guess I’d recommend every available SAT & ACT. Then think about what the other guy or gal isn’t doing. Just an example my daughter finished her first year of college on her own while in high school with no help. Only one in the entire school district. Do something that makes YOU stand out that ONLY you did. How about working for your Congressman? Just some ideas kid, good luck to you, I think you got the right stuff. You know there are approx 36,000 kids trying to get into the three main academies. When your out there hurting just think about those kids trying to take your spot and kick ass!

 

[believe2023]

Thank you so much for responding. I have taken the essay on the ACT for back up schools. I am applying for NROTC as a plan B. I have not taken the CFA consecutively, but I am confident I will still max pushups, pull ups, and sit-ups. The only thing I worry about is the mile and running in general. I have been working on this a lot and will continue to do so until NASS and after.

I think your grades are fine! Just don’t slide below what you already have. Like others said focus on your test score. That’s the easiest fix since you already tested well.

NROTC and USNA only look at your Verbal and Math. So in your ACT try to get 36E 35M. This will give you 36 for the ACT. 35E 34M will be 35 ACT. ACT 35 with this breakdown translates to SAT 1600. That’s how NROTC equalize to SAT. Like others said improving your ACT for these 2 sections will get you a perfect test score for the Navy. With Verbal Math 34+ or 1500+ your percentile is 99%. So your class rank bumps to 1%.

Army and Air Force only super score. Army gives you extra points on Reading if you do well on your Writing 9 will bump your Reading to 32, Writing 10-12 to 33-36.

I would also finish Venturing and get your Summit Award! Other than that I think you look great! Like to strongly encourage you to get your ACT Score to the level above. With that you are academically perfect!

I have been reading that the USNA does superscore?

 

[Old Navy BGO]

For the many who keep posting asking about their chances - first you are asking the wrong people, I doubt any selection board members read this site so those that do aren't the ones making the decisions.

First, I don't like the "chance me" questions, because there are so many variables, including where you are and the competitive field. That being said, there are many on with BGO experience that can provide input on whether a candidate is Qualified for Admission (the first "Q") and or give advice on what can be done to improve chances of getting the Q. I've seen enough to accurately predict how the Admissions Board will view an applicant. From there, its in the hand of Noms and Appointments, and its really about which candidate is more competitive than the other, and thats where the variables kick in.

Second the people you have to sell yourself to are the selection boards, how you do in the interviews is a huge part of the decision so doing mock interviews and preparing to answer the most likely questions.

While the interviews may be a major part of the Nominations process, I don't think the BGO interview is "a huge part of the decision." Admissions doesn't really tell us how the BGO interview weighs, but my view is that the BGO interview does not make or break a candidate, except perhaps at the extremes. I've seen TOP 5% interviews who don't get admitted. I've never seen a NOT RECOMMENDED get in ( frankly have given only one NOT RECOMMENDED in 15+ years, and I am confident that candidate had so many other red flags in his application that he didn't have a chance). There is no need to practice BGO interviews -- just be yourself and you will do fine.

USNA has a 6% acceptance rate, its easier to get in Duke, Cal Tech or Dartmouth; good academics matter but so do extracurriculars and especially having leadership positions like team captain or class president. Take your best shot but have a backup plan.

No doubt, USNA is competitive and alot of good kids don't get in, but won't necessarily say its harder or easier than any of the other big league schools. It's really comparing apples and oranges. While USNA tries to attract kids that are competitive for these schools, we are looking for a lot more as well.

 

[OldRetSWO]

^--- Plus 1 on all Old Navy BGO's points. After 25 yrs as a BGO and many yrs on my Senator's All-Service interview committee, I too can usually tell if someone will be Qualified for Admission and at least competitive for acceptance.
I too have never had a "NOT RECOMMENDED" get in

 

[USMA 1994]

+2 to Old Navy BGO. As a FFR/BGO/ALO, we cannot assure that you get in but we could sure keep you out if their were large red flags.

You also have to take the 6% with a grain of salt. They calculate that number based on everyone who opens a file. It takes very little effort to open that file. For an applicant who completes the process, is medically qualified and has a competitive application, the chances are much greater. More like 1 in 3 or better depending where they live. This is a marathon and just completing the process significantly increases the chances for a strong candidate.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

As a FFR/BGO/ALO, we cannot assure that you get in but we could sure keep you out if their were large red flags.

Please don't misinterpret my comments as the BGO can "keep you out". The instance I was referring to was so bad that the "NOT RECOMMENDED" write up was essentially a foregone conclusion. We don't see the rest of the application (other than SAT/ACT scores), but it was obvious that there had to be multiple red flags and no way USNA would have accepted him even with 800/800 SATs.

Let's face it, most candidates applying to USNA are pretty motivated and sharp kids to start with, and I would expect that NOT RECOMMENDED or BELOW AVERAGE interviews are pretty rare.