Hey as some of you know I am trying again for USNA, and maybe another Academy or two (To keep options open)! But anyways you all have given great advise as well as admission reps that I should take Calc, Chem, and an English. At Syracuse I am enrolled for Aerospace Engineering so I am required to take Chem and Calc. However, the writing course which I guess counts as an English course I get credit for because I got a 4 on the AP English Language and Composition exam. Thus, now I get 2 electives, my top two choices are International relations and Critical Issues facing the US because the English electives available to me don't sound to interesting. Will it kill me not to take an English class?
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usna1985
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Depends on: (1) how well you did in English in high school; (2) how well you scored on the verbal section of the SAT/ACT and (3) what you're taking "instead" of English.
You should be carrying at least 15 hours and, in addition to Chem and Calc, your other courses should be "real" courses. If you did ok in h.s. English and scored reasonably well, it won't "kill" you not to take English. Non-science/math courses that would be viewed favorably by USNA would include those in majors that the school offers, such as economics, political science and history. Courses in areas such as criminal justice, sociology, psychology and the like would probably not be viewed as favorably. One of them is ok, but don't load up on them.
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I was in your position a few years ago (seems like yesterday). I went to Univ. of Washington in Seattle for a year while reapplying. I was also on the NROTC Scholarship, which undoubtedly helped me.
As far as classes go, I took Calc and Chem the whole year, as well as classes like Military History of the US, World War I, and a computer programming course. In addition, I was also taking the required NROTC classes. It was 17-18 credits each quarter, and I managed to maintain a 3.2 GPA and still have a great time. I was/am a History major, and took classes that would help me get into USNA AND helped me in my major if I had failed to secure an appointment. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
If you haven't already, I highly recommend looking into the school's ROTC programs and getting involved. Even if you don't have the scholarship, you can still do the college program (you're an ROTC student, but you don't get the monetary benefits).
As far as classes go, I took Calc and Chem the whole year, as well as classes like Military History of the US, World War I, and a computer programming course. In addition, I was also taking the required NROTC classes. It was 17-18 credits each quarter, and I managed to maintain a 3.2 GPA and still have a great time. I was/am a History major, and took classes that would help me get into USNA AND helped me in my major if I had failed to secure an appointment. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
If you haven't already, I highly recommend looking into the school's ROTC programs and getting involved. Even if you don't have the scholarship, you can still do the college program (you're an ROTC student, but you don't get the monetary benefits).
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Re-applying as a college Freshman
My son will be a freshman on a Navy NROTC scholarship and has re-applied for USNA. He will be taking the challenging courses that have been recommended for re-applying.
How does the process differ? He hasn't heard back from his BGO yet; but he has some questions:
Does the personal statement have to be totally different than what he submitted last year, even though the sentiments are the same?
Does he use college or high school senior math and English teachers?
Is there a place on the activities section of post-high school activities?
My son will be a freshman on a Navy NROTC scholarship and has re-applied for USNA. He will be taking the challenging courses that have been recommended for re-applying.
How does the process differ? He hasn't heard back from his BGO yet; but he has some questions:
Does the personal statement have to be totally different than what he submitted last year, even though the sentiments are the same?
Does he use college or high school senior math and English teachers?
Is there a place on the activities section of post-high school activities?
usna1985
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- Jun 9, 2006
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Your son may want to consider requesting a new BGO -- maybe where he is going to college. It gives CGO yet another view of him; the original BGO's view is unlikely to change significantly for the better or worse.
I would do a different personal statement. I would think that your son has a different perspective today than he did a year ago. Deciding to reapply is a huge deal and the reasons that go into that are important.
I believe they want college recs but please confirm with CGO b/c I may be incorrect.
I had a candidate a few years ago who was accepted after 3 full years of college. It happens.
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That's a great idea about asking for a B&G officer closer to his college because he won't have much opportunity to get home.
I have been extremely naive about the term CGO. Just what is a CGO and how do you find out who a CGO would be? Is that the person to contact in reference to asking for a more local B&G officer.
Who knows, though, after going through a semester of NROTC, he may decide that that will be the way he wants to go. But, at this point, he doesn't want to let go of his USNA dream. But, either way, he will fulfill his goal of becoming a Naval officer!
Thanks.
I have been extremely naive about the term CGO. Just what is a CGO and how do you find out who a CGO would be? Is that the person to contact in reference to asking for a more local B&G officer.
Who knows, though, after going through a semester of NROTC, he may decide that that will be the way he wants to go. But, at this point, he doesn't want to let go of his USNA dream. But, either way, he will fulfill his goal of becoming a Naval officer!
Thanks.
CGO is the Candidate Guidance Office. Your son should be able to ask who his CGO regional director is, and that person should be able to point him to a BGO. If home is in a different USNA region than school, he may need to explain the situation to the directors of both regions, to figure out the best way to deal with it.
usna1985
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Typically, they assign you a BGO based on your high school. I'm not sure how they handle college applicants other than I once had someone as a senior in h.s. and then again the next year when he reapplied -- not sure where he was attending college. In that case, I asked to have him moved to a new BGO as I didn't have a favorable opinion of him and it was unlikely to change. Thus, I wanted the guy to have the benefit of a new BGO who might have a different view.
Even of if you have a BGO who loved you, that means you'll likely get another glowing review from the same person. Better, IMO, to get a glowing review from another BGO.
So, if you are assigned to the same BGO, ask Candidate Guidance or your Area Coordinator to have you reassigned. They should be very willing to do so.
Even of if you have a BGO who loved you, that means you'll likely get another glowing review from the same person. Better, IMO, to get a glowing review from another BGO.
So, if you are assigned to the same BGO, ask Candidate Guidance or your Area Coordinator to have you reassigned. They should be very willing to do so.