Applying to both USNA and USMA?

[Acti0nJackson]

I'm a junior and I'm trying to plan out where I want to apply next year. Is it practical to apply to both schools? I'm not quite sure which I would want to attend, but I'm worried it might be too much work if I applied to both.

 

[Candidate25]

Applying to more than one academy gives you more chances to potentially attend an academy. I personally applied to 3 and while it was a lot of work, it is a good time to learn time management skills and how to prioritize things. Keep in mind you have to apply for nominations as well.

 

[MidCakePa]

Your decision should start with which branch you want to serve in — the one whose mission you find most compatible with your own interests and capabilities. Some candidates know from the start that only one branch fits the bill. Others — like my DD — are willing to serve in any branch. The decision is a personal one that should be made by you and only you (though input from others can always help).

Once you’ve determined that, then apply to the accession source(s) that fits you well. For some, it’s the academy route. For others, it’s ROTC or OCS.

Many candidates apply to multiple SAs, both DOD and non-DOD, and for multiple ROTC scholarships. Yes, it’s a lot of work. Simply put, comes down to how much you want it. If you go this path, start early and organize well.

 

[FrauTeufelshund]

My DS has applied to both. Yes, SA applications are more work than a regular college application but if you want it enough you won't let the amount of work scare you off at all. Do you want this enough?

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

I'm a junior and I'm trying to plan out where I want to apply next year. Is it practical to apply to both schools? I'm not quite sure which I would want to attend, but I'm worried it might be too much work if I applied to both.

Most MOC's request that people apply to more than 1 SA. This gives the MOC more options to provide a Nomination for those who meet the MOC criteria. It also helps the applicant have a higher chance of getting into a SA. Each case is different.

 

[Pineapple74]

My DS applied to all three; USNA, USMA, and USAFA. He also applied for all three ROTC scholarships. All of this on top of his plan B schools and colleges to apply the ROTC scholarship at in case the SA didn't work out. I'm not going to sugar coat it, he was busy from June until December of his Senior year. But the ROI was worth it. He received appointments at two of the three SA, and earned all three ROTC scholarships. He's living his dream at USAFA and is so grateful he didn't box himself into only one path.

 

[THParent]

The old adage applies here, I think.

"What does a West Point Cadet and a Naval Academy Midshipman have in common?"

Spoiler

"They were both accepted to West Point!"

 

[A1Janitor]

My son only applied to USNA because he didn’t want to attend the other ones.

The work isn’t much more to apply to both. Do your work in Word and save it. Be organized.

 

[Heatherg21]

As others have stated, #1 which branch can you see yourself serving in? What career path does one have that you want to pursue? If more than one SA meets those criteria, then apply to them.
It is a lot of work. Our DS applied to 4 SA's, all nomination sources, and NROTC plus his top 5 schools. Then you toss in scholarship applications, CFA training, academics, and regular life. It isn't easy.
But the rigors of academics, military training and responsibilities, and physical requirements at any of the SA's won't be easy either. If you really think you cannot find the time to apply to more than one, and master time management, the rigors of a SA may not be for you. And that's okay, it's not for everyone.
But, if you really want it, dig deep. Buy a binder, notate each due date, each deliverable, each point of contact for each SA, and nom source. Use a whiteboard to track all due dates.
And for sure start the process as early as you can. Submit good, quality applications. And good luck!!

 

[Zenith2025]

I'm a junior and I'm trying to plan out where I want to apply next year. Is it practical to apply to both schools? I'm not quite sure which I would want to attend, but I'm worried it might be too much work if I applied to both.

What helped me decide to only apply USNA instead of both USNA and USMA was realizing that I'm only attending the school for 4 years and then serving for a minimum of 5 years. While I loved both schools I preferred the career options of the Navy over those in the Army and chose to only apply to Navy.

 

[A1Janitor]

What helped me decide to only apply USNA instead of both USNA and USMA was realizing that I'm only attending the school for 4 years and then serving for a minimum of 5 years. While I loved both schools I preferred the career options of the Navy over those in the Army and chose to only apply to Navy.

I like seeing kids with their heads screwed on straight.

My son picked USNA because of the weather.

 

[knoxgw]

Do the academies talk to each other about admitted candidates? Would one have a lower chance of getting into navy if they had gotten into army (and/or vice versa)?

 

[VAcadetmom]

Do the academies talk to each other about admitted candidates? Would one have a lower chance of getting into navy if they had gotten into army (and/or vice versa)?

They do not. Many applicants are admitted to multiple academies and have to choose. My son only applied to USNA and CGA because those were the services which had the career options that most interested him.

 

[justdoit19]

Fortunately, most of the work can be done during the summer. And as already mentioned, much of the work can be used for multiple purposes. For example, once your resume is done, that is a map for all applications, as well as nomination sources. So you won’t be starting from scratch each time.

Neither of my boys (Mids) are organized people (although their method works for them ), but they each applied to multiple programs, in parallel. It IS a lot of work. And a commitment. You have to want it!!

 

[krabbypatty]

Just offering my two cents here, I was an applicant to USMA, USNA, and USAFA as well as 6 civilian schools my senior year of highschool. I not only did the individual applications to each service academy along with the nomination applications, but the common app, UC app, and the cal state app. If you create outlines for your essays, resumés, and get teachers to write letters of recommendations, then the applications really are just copy and paste. A lot of people stress about how taxing the application to a service academy can be, but once you break it down you'll find that the USMA and USNA applications are more or less the exact same. You only have to do the CFA once, the essays and interviews are pretty similar (although you will have to tailor it to army/navy preferences after commissioning), and you will probably use the same people for letters of recommendations.

What you do need to do is 1) finish as much as you can during the summer and aim to have your service academy apps in by september 2) create a document that keeps track of what parts of the application you have left 3) decide which academy you want to attend more as you will likely have to give preferences to your nomination sources

The hardest part of college applications is getting involved in extracurriculars. Filling out the application should be the easiest step.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

I'm not quite sure which I would want to attend, but I'm worried it might be too much work if I applied to both.

Afraid of the work on the application ? Why do you want to attend a SERVICE (caps intended) ? Trust me, the "work" on the application is just the start.

Do the academies talk to each other about admitted candidates? Would one have a lower chance of getting into navy if they had gotten into army (and/or vice versa)?

I don't think they talk among themselves, and frankly... I don't think it matters. As a BGO, I am happy when somebody who is committed to serving our country gets into a Service Academy. (I will admit though, I love to rub it in to my local West Point counterpart when the great candidates pick Navy over Army. Seriously, USNA doesn't perceive other Service Academies as competition for admissons...more Offers of Appointment are turned down in favor of the Ivys than USMA or USAFA.

Bottom line, apply to where you want to attend and to serve !

 

[Wahoo Fan]

My son applied to both USNA and USMA, and here are my thoughts after watching him go through the process. Yes, it is a lot of work. Not quite double the work as applying to only one SA, but close.

First you should make a resume listing all your sports, extracurriculars, awards, service hours, job history, leadership experience, academic achievements and stats, etc. You can then copy and paste from this document to help you fill out the various applications. You will also hand this resume to each of your interviewers and email it to all the people who will write you a recommendation.

It is true that maybe one or possibly two of your essays will overlap among the different applications, but you really need to rework or rewrite your essays for each application since the questions are not exactly the same. The essay writing takes a tremendous amount of time. Keep in mind that you are not only completing applications for USMA and USNA, but also separate applications (including multiple essays) for each nomination source.

You do only one CFA for USNA and USMA, but you need to submit videos to USMA of the push-ups and pull-ups. Many applicants have had to redo the USMA videos because they did not meet USMA’s specifications, so this requires extra time and work.

You will need to schedule separate interviews for both USNA and USMA.

You will need to get teacher recommendations for both USNA and USMA as well as for nominations applications, and perhaps supplemental letters of recommendation.

Perhaps the most significant consideration has to do with nominations. If you don’t live in a competitive district, then getting nominations to both USNA and USMA may not be difficult. But if you live in a competitive district, it may be very difficult to get a nomination to more than one academy. In that case, your best shot may be to apply to only one SA so as to maximize your chances of getting a nomination to it. For example, your congressman/congresswoman or Senator may specify that you must choose only one SA to compete for. How would you strategize that situation? Apply for USNA from the congressman and USMA from the Senators? Or vice versa? These are tricky situations for applicants from competitive districts.

I agree with other comments above about considering which service is right for you. Do you really see yourself equally happy in the Army and the Navy/Marine Corps?

 

[AFCGN2025]

the post above me really says it all. As a current applicant to the class of 2025, I want to emphasize the rewriting if every single essay even if the wording is very close. A few times in the application process I was considering recycling an essay that I had already written, but when I read it I saw that even the slightest difference in the question made my answer “poorly written.” Essays tell a lot about you so definitely don’t cut any corners and make sure you sit on them (reread them multiple times and have someone else read them as well) before you submit them.

Good Luck!

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

the post above me really says it all. As a current applicant to the class of 2025, I want to emphasize the rewriting if every single essay even if the wording is very close. A few times in the application process I was considering recycling an essay that I had already written, but when I read it I saw that even the slightest difference in the question made my answer “poorly written.” Essays tell a lot about you so definitely don’t cut any corners and make sure you sit on them (reread them multiple times and have someone else read them as well) before you submit them.

Good Luck!

Youre spot on. most of the essay questions from different SA's and MOCs, etc. are slightly different. You must make sure you answer the question/intent of the essay.

 

[St.Katherine]

I'm a junior and I'm trying to plan out where I want to apply next year. Is it practical to apply to both schools? I'm not quite sure which I would want to attend, but I'm worried it might be too much work if I applied to both.

Suggestions:
Print both (USNA & USMA) applications, compare, and you will notice most requirements are identical. Examples: teacher recommendations/evaluations (USMA-Physics, Math, English; USNA-Math, English), CFA (requires video upload for USMA), Extracurriculars (USMA-dropdown menu of ECs, USNA-type in ECs)