Current Plebe

Navyboy17

Navyboy17

USNA '21, Student Naval Aviator
5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2016
Messages
55
I am a current member of the class of 2021. This forum really helped me in the application process and I had many mentors and received a lot of advice through this site.

I wanted to post this for any questions anyone might have (Application process, advice, plebe summer, etc.)

We are currently starting up our academic year, so replies may be slow, but feel free to ask a question on this thread or PM me anything. I'd like to help out future classes as much as I can. This is a great institution.

Go Navy!
 
Navyboy17 said:
I am a current member of the class of 2021. This forum really helped me in the application process and I had many mentors and received a lot of advice through this site.

I wanted to post this for any questions anyone might have (Application process, advice, plebe summer, etc.)

We are currently starting up our academic year, so replies may be slow, but feel free to ask a question on this thread or PM me anything. I'd like to help out future classes as much as I can. This is a great institution.

Go Navy!
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Good luck to you as you get into ac year. Very nice of you to offer "current mid" perspective - so valuable.
 
Navyboy17 said:
I am a current member of the class of 2021. This forum really helped me in the application process and I had many mentors and received a lot of advice through this site.

I wanted to post this for any questions anyone might have (Application process, advice, plebe summer, etc.)

We are currently starting up our academic year, so replies may be slow, but feel free to ask a question on this thread or PM me anything. I'd like to help out future classes as much as I can. This is a great institution.

Go Navy!
Click to expand...

Good job getting in and surviving the summer!

I'm a hopeful for the class of '24. I was wondering what sort of leadership and athletic type ECAs you did in high school to help you get in.

Thanks!
 
Congrats on finishing Plebe Summer. Good luck to you!

I will throw a few questions out there that might help out and give some perspective...

What surprised you the most about Plebe Summer? What part did you dislike? Like the most?

How does it feel now that reform has happened?

Did you validate any classes? If so, what?
 
1)Once CPR, how did you deal with the wait?
2)Now that you are at the academy, are you still confident in your decision to skip a traditional college experience
3)What are your thoughts about shot gunning the plebe class after you've bonded with your company mates?
 
NavyHoops said:
Congrats on finishing Plebe Summer. Good luck to you!

I will throw a few questions out there that might help out and give some perspective...

What surprised you the most about Plebe Summer? What part did you dislike? Like the most?

How does it feel now that reform has happened?

Did you validate any classes? If so, what?
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Plebe Summer is a weird period. I can't narrow it to what surprised me most, but plebes are forced to stay flexible. Waking up and not knowing your schedule for the day was frustrating for me. Also, I HATED being woke up by hands pounding on my door every day. Little things like that irritate you over Plebe Summer. However, it is the people around you that motivate you to push through it. The bonds I have developed with my classmates are already unbreakable and I'm sure these will continue to strengthen as the year progresses. I really enjoyed that camaraderie.

Transitioning into the academic year is a relieving, but stressful, feeling. Now, you are able to wake yourselves up and have some types of freedom. However, academics are shaping up to be beyond challenging on top of plebe professional knowledge on top of all your plebe duties.

I did not validate any classes. I am starting on the base level as a plebe. I did not want to validate any math classes because I felt that my abilities were not strong enough to advance quite yet. However, I do regret not validating out of English because if I were to do it again, I would take every validation exam, just to see what my options are. Validating classes plebe year can open up schedules big time in 2/C and 1/C year.
 
MichaelW22 said:
1)Once CPR, how did you deal with the wait?
2)Now that you are at the academy, are you still confident in your decision to skip a traditional college experience
3)What are your thoughts about shot gunning the plebe class after you've bonded with your company mates?
Click to expand...

I actually received my nomination in September and received an appointment two weeks later. My turnaround was very quick, so I did not have the normal CPR experience. My advice is to stay strong and always have a plan B.

I do not regret my decision. Yes, plebe summer and plebe year aren't fun, but it's the experiences you have and the people you meet that make it worth it. I was not attracted to the normal party-style college life. Recently, it has been tough to see so many of my hometown friends off and enjoying their "orientations" and what not at their new schools. The Naval Academy is unique. It is unlike any other place in the world. You mature at a much faster rate and make friends very quickly because they go through the same tough times as you.

So last year's 2020 class was shotgunned, but they were sent together as a unit. For example, all of the plebes from one company were moved to another. They remained with their own classmates but were sent to a new company with different upperclass than they had their plebe year. I personally hope I stick with my company. I have really enjoyed my upperclass for the great leaders and mentors they are.
 
qwertyuiopsmile said:
Good job getting in and surviving the summer!

I'm a hopeful for the class of '24. I was wondering what sort of leadership and athletic type ECAs you did in high school to help you get in.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I participated in four sports at a varsity level, 4.0 GPA, and had a lot of leadership opportunities. However, I do not believe these activities are why I got in. Yes, get involved in your school and keep up the grades, but you need to be passionate. Know why you want to come here. Everyone has their own reason, and they need to be honest with themselves and passionate about it when presenting that reason to the board. I guarantee that there are people who were denied acceptance to the Naval Academy that are very qualified to be here. Some of my own classmates tried three times to get in before they were finally accepted. Perseverance goes a long way. If rejected, try again. If you're rejected a second time, stand back up, dust yourself off, and try again. Resilience is everything. No one can tell you what you need to have on your resume to get in. Find your purpose. Exemplify that purpose. Make a difference in your community and perform to the best of your ability in everything you do.
 
Seeing your friends go off to freshman year can be hard. Don't worry, in another year or so that will go away. You will see some very talented and smart kids struggle in school and drop out for a variety of reasons. You will see some transfer schools and head back home. Others will take 5-6 years, have huge piles of debt and struggle for jobs. Not all will face these challenges, but it was more than I expected. As you travel the world, learn to fly, take the helm of a ship, lead and train others... all that angst of seeing them doing their thing will go away!

Biggest advice I can give you to settle into academic year... find a routine and step away from social media while studying. It's a tough balance but academics are the #1 item. Also, don't think more hours of studying is better. Stay awake in class and absorbing the info can go a long way. Good luck!
 
First off I wanted to say good job on getting in and pushing through all the way up to now. I do have a question.

What would be your advice to someone that didn't do the best they could have in high school? Looking back at it I know what I did wrong and what I coukd have done to prevent. I could have cranked out great grades and all, but personal issues held me back and I was too blind to realize what was wrong then. I know grades and all are a big deal. What would you recommend I try and do to pursue the Academy even if I get denied multiple times? I've been dwelling on this and wondering what the best direction would be from the perspective of someone who is now a plebe.
 
hova said:
First off I wanted to say good job on getting in and pushing through all the way up to now. I do have a question.

What would be your advice to someone that didn't do the best they could have in high school? Looking back at it I know what I did wrong and what I coukd have done to prevent. I could have cranked out great grades and all, but personal issues held me back and I was too blind to realize what was wrong then. I know grades and all are a big deal. What would you recommend I try and do to pursue the Academy even if I get denied multiple times? I've been dwelling on this and wondering what the best direction would be from the perspective of someone who is now a plebe.
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I have a few friends in my company who have either been prior enlisted/prior college. If you are attending a civilian university, make sure you load your coursework with a "plebe like" schedule with many credits to prove that you can handle it. Definitely go to school if you currently aren't. The admissions board most likely wants to see that you are putting out and pushing to be the best you can be. This entire institution is based on the effort and attitude you have.
 
Navyboy17 said:
I have a few friends in my company who have either been prior enlisted/prior college. If you are attending a civilian university, make sure you load your coursework with a "plebe like" schedule with many credits to prove that you can handle it. Definitely go to school if you currently aren't. The admissions board most likely wants to see that you are putting out and pushing to be the best you can be. This entire institution is based on the effort and attitude you have.
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That makes sense setting up my schedule like that. Say if I went in as enlisted first. I believe I heard that you can be eligible for the Academy age-wise up until 23 years of age. Is that true? Where would I stand by taking that route?
 
hova said:
That makes sense setting up my schedule like that. Say if I went in as enlisted first. I believe I heard that you can be eligible for the Academy age-wise up until 23 years of age. Is that true? Where would I stand by taking that route?
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If you haven't already, take the time to read every page, dropdown and link on USNA.edu. All the answers are there on the basics, at the primary source.
 
Capt MJ said:
If you haven't already, take the time to read every page, dropdown and link on USNA.edu. All the answers are there on the basics, at the primary source.
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I would love to read more, but who knows how much longer the USNA website and network will be down. The best thing for me to do is come here in the mean time.
Navyboy17 said:
Internet is back up at USNA, but the servers to all usna.edu related sites are still down as far as I can tell.
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(Quoted from this thread.)
 
Navyboy17 said:
I am a current member of the class of 2021. This forum really helped me in the application process and I had many mentors and received a lot of advice through this site.

I wanted to post this for any questions anyone might have (Application process, advice, plebe summer, etc.)

We are currently starting up our academic year, so replies may be slow, but feel free to ask a question on this thread or PM me anything. I'd like to help out future classes as much as I can. This is a great institution.

Go Navy!
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for offering to help us! I am currently a Junior in High School and a hopefully a future member of the class of 2023. I was wondering what leadership roles you had during High School. Everyone tells me to assume leadership positions but I do not know what I can do since I am not a Boy Scout or Varsity Captain. I appreciate any help I can get, THANK YOU!!!!!
Sincerely,
*Edited by Mod*
 
Last edited by a moderator:
JohnJr1601 said:
Thank you so much for offering to help us! I am currently a Junior in High School and a hopefully a future member of the class of 2023. I was wondering what leadership roles you had during High School. Everyone tells me to assume leadership positions but I do not know what I can do since I am not a Boy Scout or Varsity Captain. I appreciate any help I can get, THANK YOU!!!!!
Sincerely,
*Edited by Mod*
Click to expand...

Hello! Another current plebe here. My biggest suggestion as far as leadership roles is to find something you're truly passionate about and try to excel in that up to a leadership role. Being in a lot of clubs and sports can look impressive on a resume, but when it's time for interviews your B&G and academy panelists will want you to be passionate about the things you're a part of. Essentially, being in student council is nice but if you're more passionate about music, being a drum major or choir president will be more impressive when you're able to speak of your passion and accomplishments in that group. As always, this is just my personal experience and opinion! Good luck!
 
Navyboy17 said:
I am a current member of the class of 2021. This forum really helped me in the application process and I had many mentors and received a lot of advice through this site.

I wanted to post this for any questions anyone might have (Application process, advice, plebe summer, etc.)

We are currently starting up our academic year, so replies may be slow, but feel free to ask a question on this thread or PM me anything. I'd like to help out future classes as much as I can. This is a great institution.

Go Navy!
Click to expand...
I just wanted to say how much I appreciate current plebes, cadets, and moderators on this site. They don't get paid. They are just here to help shape the finest fighting force on the planet. Thanks to all!
 
Congratulations on your appointment and subsequent completion of plebe summer. I hope you can find the time to answer a few questions.

First, what is “shotgunning” of the plebe class? Second, what was your best/favorite/most fun experience during plebe summer?

Thanks
 
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