Applying to Academy after missing deadline...

[BonoDex]

Hello everyone, I am in an interesting situation in which I am unsure of the results of the decisions that need to be made. Let me start by explaining the situation in a simple manner: In my 10th grade HS year, I decided I wanted to apply for the Naval Academy. I was perfectly eligible, and I began to research what needed to be done in order to apply. However, during the beginning of my 11th grade year, I had a lack of common sense and gave up my dreams for the chance of being closer to my high school sweetheart (foolish, I know...).

Now that I have realized my mistakes and that I still really want to achieve my goals of going to the Academy, I am really needing some opinions on whether it is too late for me or not. I am currently a senior, and will graduate in May. I have missed the deadline for the class of 2022, and cannot apply for that class. That leaves me with having to wait an entire year before I could even go, because I would have to apply for the class of 2023. If I were to begin the application process in April once they open, would I even be considered for appointment after being 1 year late? Does anybody have any advice, or ideas on what the best route to go about this is? Any information would be appreciated...thanks!

 

[Kierkegaard]

The only requirement here is that you must be at least 17 but no older than 23. So yes, you can apply for the next class! The average age for an entering plebe is actually 19. If you're attending college this fall, be sure to do well in calc, chem, and English and you could even have an advantage if your record is solid.

 

[BonoDex]

That is very good news! Really, it would almost be more beneficial to spend a year in college to get used to the rigorous expectations that college life holds, and then apply as a transfer student. I am very glad to know that it is not too late to continue to pursue my goal to attend the Academy.

 

[THParent]

You may be able to validate some classes but be advised, you won't be a "transfer student" by normal college thinking.
If you get into USNA, you will be there for four years (Plebe summer + 8 semesters).

Just so you know, you'll be a "freshman" for your first two years!

If what you ultimately want to do is commission as an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps, you may consider applying to NROTC in April rather than the USNA (or you could do both, to keep your options open). If the college you're going to has an NROTC program already, that would be outstanding. With NROTC, your path to Ensign/2nd Lieutenant could ultimately be a semester or two faster than USNA.

Have a look at the college you're planning to attend and inquire as to whether they have an NROTC program. If they do, consult a guidance counselor before you sign up for classes, and make your class load mirror that of a freshman in the NROTC program.

 

[AROTC-dad]

+1 THParent....

My DS was declined by the Service Academies in 2015, so he started college as a "walk-on" AROTC cadet. During the start of his freshman year, I asked him if he wanted to reapply to USNA and USMA? He said no, because he didn't want to take 5 years to achieve his goal of serving as a commissioned officer.

Later in his freshman year, he earned a 3.5 year Army scholarship.

The point is for some candidates, commissioning with a gold bar through the service academy is an essential part of the goal. For others, it is all about the end result, no matter what path it takes to get there.

Good luck!

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Take a look at the sticky about reapplicants at the top of the page....alot of that pertains to you even if you didn't apply this year. Go to a 4 years college, take a STEM oriented class load, and kick butt. Participating in ROTC would be a bonus. Good luck.

 

[Capt MJ]

Hello everyone, I am in an interesting situation in which I am unsure of the results of the decisions that need to be made. Let me start by explaining the situation in a simple manner: In my 10th grade HS year, I decided I wanted to apply for the Naval Academy. I was perfectly eligible, and I began to research what needed to be done in order to apply. However, during the beginning of my 11th grade year, I had a lack of common sense and gave up my dreams for the chance of being closer to my high school sweetheart (foolish, I know...).

Now that I have realized my mistakes and that I still really want to achieve my goals of going to the Academy, I am really needing some opinions on whether it is too late for me or not. I am currently a senior, and will graduate in May. I have missed the deadline for the class of 2022, and cannot apply for that class. That leaves me with having to wait an entire year before I could even go, because I would have to apply for the class of 2023. If I were to begin the application process in April once they open, would I even be considered for appointment after being 1 year late? Does anybody have any advice, or ideas on what the best route to go about this is? Any information would be appreciated...thanks!

Go to USNA.edu. There is a complete section on college applicants in Admissions, with recommended courses. Read every page, drop down and link. Build a timeline. Do the legwork from researching primary resources.

Whatever you do, don’t waste a year - show academic, athletic and leadership achievements unabated from HS.

Ditto nom websites.

Ideally, you will attend a college where you can be a NROTC college programmer. No scholarships, too late this year. Excel there.