Back Again

[LMilew]

I’m currently a college freshman who was highly considering the Naval Academy during my junior and senior years in high school. I am a Div. 1 athlete on the women’s track and XC team at my college. I never completed my application to the Naval Academy because I accepted a scholarship elsewhere; however, I am seriously regretting my decision to not challenge myself and attend USNA - I want to reapply for the class of 2013. So far, at a very challenging college I have a 3.51 (Physic, Calculus, a writing-intensive freshmen seminar and a motor learning class). I have a few questions about the reapplication process:

1) Is it absolutely necessary to retake the SAT/ACTs?
I had a 720M/600V in high school, would they still accept that?

2) The admissions website says I need letters of recommendation from my math and English teachers; however, college isn’t quite as personal as high school – while I’m sure these letters of recommendation couldn’t hurt me in anyway, they won’t help me like my high school recs did. Would they reaccept high school letters of recommendation if they were re-written? Would the admissions committee look down on college recommendations that aren’t as persona?

3) Would skipping a year of interest/application to USNA look bad?

4) I had already gotten a congressional nomination, and I understand I have to reapply for another one. Is there less of a chance of getting one out of college than in high school, or less of a chance getting one from the same congressman?

5) Is my college GPA sufficient enough?


I got a lot of help from this site the first time around, so hopefully you all can help me out again!

 

[Zaphod]

1) Is it absolutely necessary to retake the SAT/ACTs?
I had a 720M/600V in high school, would they still accept that?

I am no expert on the subject of applying to USNA from college, so I cannot answer whether it is NECESSARY or not. However, I see no harm whatsoever in taking them again, especially if you can show a marked improvement over your last scores.

2) The admissions website says I need letters of recommendation from my math and English teachers; however, college isn’t quite as personal as high school – while I’m sure these letters of recommendation couldn’t hurt me in anyway, they won’t help me like my high school recs did. Would they reaccept high school letters of recommendation if they were re-written? Would the admissions committee look down on college recommendations that aren’t as persona?

My guess is that they would want to see current recommendations. That said (and your BGO is your best guide to this), I wouldn't throw out your old ones just yet.

I would go and speak to your professors and express your interests. Engage in dialog. You might be surprised how easily you get what you need. By the same token, you may learn who to avoid like the plague.

3) Would skipping a year of interest/application to USNA look bad?

No, so long as you're honest about everything. You received a scholarship, which is nothing to sniff at. Still, your interest in USNA has remained and, after a year, you've decided to try again. I see nothing potentially wrong with that scenario.

4) I had already gotten a congressional nomination, and I understand I have to reapply for another one. Is there less of a chance of getting one out of college than in high school, or less of a chance getting one from the same congressman?

That will depend entirely upon your MOC and his/her proclivities, as well as who you're up against this time around. I can't see how being in college would act as a negative unless your grades were no good.

5) Is my college GPA sufficient enough?

If your 3.51 has been earned in a curriculum that reasonably matches that of a Plebe at USNA, then it's certainly not a BAD GPA, by any means (bloody well better than anything I got as a Mid!).

As always, however, the best answer to "What are my chances?" is "Apply and find out for real!" Good luck!

 

[pknguyen44]

Hi LMilew, I;m also a college freshmen apply to USNA. Since my test scores and GPA in high school weren't so great, I got NAPS with a 3.13 in college taking similar courses as you. So far, I think you're looking quite competitive. I didn't retake any of my ACT/SAT's, but like Zaphod said, it wouldn't hurt to retake them.

The chances of you getting a nomination is as good as the next person, even if you're applying from college. As far as your GPA goes, if I got into NAPS with a 3.13, I think you stand a good chance. Hope that helps!

 

[usnabgo08]

I don't know the answer to the recommendations. I am not sure if they want college or high school. My roommate, who was accepted after his sophomore year in college, believes he had college recommendations....ask your BGO.

Your course load (Physics, Calc, English) looked pretty good...just keep some math/science courses next semester. Your GPA is really strong. Admissions is going to want to see that you can handle yourself in college, after all they are trying to determine, in part, if you could handle the academic rigor here. SAT/ACT can't hurt to retake, however, I don't think they will be the main factor after 3 semesters at college. I never retook them and I had decent SAT/ACT but nothing outstanding!

Running on a Div I NCAA XC/TF team, I believe, is a very STRONG plus to your application. The varsity commitment coupled with your GPA helps to show you can handle yourself athletically and academically. I am not sure of your stats, but you might want to consider emailing or calling the coaches. If they are interested, they will have to get a special paper signed in order to talk to you....though, if you initiate contact they might be able to respond to you.

It sounds like you could have a very competitive application. What college are you running for?

 

[LMilew]

Thanks for all the help. I'm finishing up a second Physics class, and Calc 2 this semester, and I have Chemistry and Biology on my schedule for next semester, so I think my courses are in order.

I took an official visit for track/xc during my senior year in high school, so running there would definitely be possible. Also, I red-shirted my entire freshman year, so I'd still have almost all of my eligibility. I'm at the College of William and Mary right now.

 

[usna1985]

1) Is it absolutely necessary to retake the SAT/ACTs?

First, on all of these questions, I'd check with CGO. They are the only official source. That said, I don't think retaking SATs is a priority. The main purpose of SATs is to predict your ability to excel in college. If you are already taking college courses equivalent to plebe courses, you will prove your ability with your GPA.

2) The admissions website says I need letters of recommendation from my math and English teachers;?

I think letters from current professors would be more useful. Again, contact CGO. When I applied to law school, they wanted letters from my college profs. I'd graduated 8 years earlier. They ended up taking recs from my employers, etc.

3) Would skipping a year of interest/application to USNA look bad?

No, quite the contrary. Just be prepared to explain over & over & over again what caused you to change your mind. Not a problem but people will ask. In fact, I would suggest that you consider addressing it in your USNA essay.

4) I had already gotten a congressional nomination, and I understand I have to reapply for another one. Is there less of a chance of getting one out of college than in high school, or less of a chance getting one from the same congressman?

No re college. IF you have the same MOC and IF they remember that you got a nom in the past, you'll need to explain why you really intend to complete your application this time. In fairness, they may be hesitant to give you one again given that you "wasted" it last time. OTOH, you may find that they are impressed with your determination to reapply. Hard to say. But do think through your motivation and your answers. I'd suggest doing mock interviews but NOT to the point that your answers sound rehearsed.

5) Is my college GPA sufficient enough?

Looks good to me.

 

[LMilew]

If I attended Summer Seminar in 2006 and received an evaluation from my squad leader, would the Academy still have a record of that evaluation?

 

[Clif]

Hey LMilew!

You mind me asking you were you go to school? (PM me if you don't want to publicly post.) I'm also competitive in XC/T&F.

Something that will give you a boost is getting permission from your college/NCAA to begin transfer dialog with other colleges; get your current coach on your side. Hopefully they will be supportive. Then talk to the USNA XC and track coaches. Send them a recommendation from your high school coach and college coach with your best times (with dates) AND send a copy to the Admissions office with your Candidate #. It is pertinent information that can help your application.

My advice (though I know I'm not as sage as many on here) is to take the SATs (or ACTs) again -- you'll be amazed at how much easier they will seem than they did in high school. If anything, it will confirm that you didn't lose any high school knowledge!

Ask your BGO, but I would get college professors. It will look better and enforce that you've made the leap to college. For recommendations, butter up some of your professors -- talk to them about why you're going, make sure they know this is important to you. Even if you don't have the most personal relationship with them, you can build repertoire with them -- and then let your grades, attendance, and presence in office hours speak for themselves. If you have to wait until next semester around midterms to get your recommendations from new professors (giving you time to work into their good graces) do that. But talk with your BGO -- s/he might have better ideas.

For congressmen, don't worry so much. Apply to every place and haggle them if you have to for interviews. I wouldn't have gotten one if I hadn't called my congressman every day for like 3 weeks. If you get interviews polish yourself up to look professional -- and a step up on high school students and sell yourself! Tell them why YOU are so much more prepared for USNA with a year or two of college under your belt (about 30% of mids come with prior service/education).

Finish your application early -- while they won't review your application until January, you want yours to be in the first round of ones they do see -- you'll be competing for more slots so your chances are marginally better (but it could make all the difference).

And your GPA is around the same as mine -- so you're looking good. Use your essay to put to rest questions about skipping a year (I realized that I am capable of great things in the military and it has driven me to apply again -- go for positive) and show them your determination/drive and what you learned in your years at college that will make you a capable officer in the Navy.

Best of luck! May you have the luck I did!