Hey everyone!
I'm back once again. I know each year the application stresses out a new couple thousand people, and as a three-time applicant I feel I have a unique perspective on it. So use this thread to ask questions, give advice, ect. to those running the gauntlet this year and the years to come. As for my credentials, 1410 SAT, 9 nominations, BGO ranked top 5 percent twice, top 10 percent in HS, Boys State, HOBY, Swim Captain with school records, helped my soccer team get to the state tournament for the first time in 15 years, and maxed nearly everything on the CFA with exception to the basketball throw and the mile (80 some feet and a 6:30 run). I didn't write all that to toot my own horn, ultimately because I got rejected all three applications. I am writing those stats because that got me really close to the finish line, but I was never able to cross it. That being said, I have extensive experience in every single one of those categories, except getting accepted, so feel free to ask. I am going to give the no BS answers that people don't often give, especially in regards to reapplying.
Common Questions:
Am I competitive with "x" stats?
If you're on this website, you're probably nationally competitive, but it comes down to congressional districts and what state you're from. If you're from most areas in the DMV, you either have to be a recruit, son of a big name officer, be the second coming of Christ himself, or rely on a Presidential nomination. Don't be discouraged, its just very very hard to get accepted out of the DMV area. If you're from the midwest, you probably got a decent shot, especially if you're congressman and senators don't agree to make sure that one applicant can get a single nomination from them at most, which is how I got 5 my second app. Any big Naval Port also usually applies to the DMV area.
Which Service Academy should I go to?
This question really bothers me roughly 50 percent of the time, because I think a decent amount(still less than 50 percent) of people want to go to the service academy for its prestige and name, but the ONLY reason you should go to a service academy is for the service. You're ultimately going to be an officer in the Navy, AF, USMC, Army, etc., and you will be responsible for people. If you don't want to be in the Navy or USMC, don't go to the Naval Academy. Ultimately each of the SA's are schools, but their goal is to prepare officers for their respective service. I'm sure I'll probably take some heat for this response.
What steps should I take when reapplying?
If your goal is to join the military, apply/become a college programmer in a ROTC unit. One, it removes all those filler questions in nomination interviews and BGO interviews, and shows your commitment regardless of whether or not you'll get in. The classes you schedule will determine your chances of getting in. I took the "plebe" like courseload with Calc and Chem, did decent, and got rejected. The only people I knew who got in from ROTC did it with one hard class (calc) and filled it with some relatively similar classes that are much easier. The whole "plebe" like courseload didn't get me any favors in the admission team meeting. If you're in ROTC, let your officers know relatively soon after the school year starts. They will most likely be on your side and there is a nomination you can get, even though its nearly impossible to get an appointment out of. I'm sure I'll get even more heat for this answer.
With all that in mind, what USNA did last year with deadlines made me lose nearly all the respect I had for the institution and I am still very salty I got rejected all three times
Post comments and advice below, and hopefully this thread can be used for years to come!
I'm back once again. I know each year the application stresses out a new couple thousand people, and as a three-time applicant I feel I have a unique perspective on it. So use this thread to ask questions, give advice, ect. to those running the gauntlet this year and the years to come. As for my credentials, 1410 SAT, 9 nominations, BGO ranked top 5 percent twice, top 10 percent in HS, Boys State, HOBY, Swim Captain with school records, helped my soccer team get to the state tournament for the first time in 15 years, and maxed nearly everything on the CFA with exception to the basketball throw and the mile (80 some feet and a 6:30 run). I didn't write all that to toot my own horn, ultimately because I got rejected all three applications. I am writing those stats because that got me really close to the finish line, but I was never able to cross it. That being said, I have extensive experience in every single one of those categories, except getting accepted, so feel free to ask. I am going to give the no BS answers that people don't often give, especially in regards to reapplying.
Common Questions:
Am I competitive with "x" stats?
If you're on this website, you're probably nationally competitive, but it comes down to congressional districts and what state you're from. If you're from most areas in the DMV, you either have to be a recruit, son of a big name officer, be the second coming of Christ himself, or rely on a Presidential nomination. Don't be discouraged, its just very very hard to get accepted out of the DMV area. If you're from the midwest, you probably got a decent shot, especially if you're congressman and senators don't agree to make sure that one applicant can get a single nomination from them at most, which is how I got 5 my second app. Any big Naval Port also usually applies to the DMV area.
Which Service Academy should I go to?
This question really bothers me roughly 50 percent of the time, because I think a decent amount(still less than 50 percent) of people want to go to the service academy for its prestige and name, but the ONLY reason you should go to a service academy is for the service. You're ultimately going to be an officer in the Navy, AF, USMC, Army, etc., and you will be responsible for people. If you don't want to be in the Navy or USMC, don't go to the Naval Academy. Ultimately each of the SA's are schools, but their goal is to prepare officers for their respective service. I'm sure I'll probably take some heat for this response.
What steps should I take when reapplying?
If your goal is to join the military, apply/become a college programmer in a ROTC unit. One, it removes all those filler questions in nomination interviews and BGO interviews, and shows your commitment regardless of whether or not you'll get in. The classes you schedule will determine your chances of getting in. I took the "plebe" like courseload with Calc and Chem, did decent, and got rejected. The only people I knew who got in from ROTC did it with one hard class (calc) and filled it with some relatively similar classes that are much easier. The whole "plebe" like courseload didn't get me any favors in the admission team meeting. If you're in ROTC, let your officers know relatively soon after the school year starts. They will most likely be on your side and there is a nomination you can get, even though its nearly impossible to get an appointment out of. I'm sure I'll get even more heat for this answer.
With all that in mind, what USNA did last year with deadlines made me lose nearly all the respect I had for the institution and I am still very salty I got rejected all three times
Post comments and advice below, and hopefully this thread can be used for years to come!
