Do I have a shot?

S

Senator

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Hi, I've been eyeballing the Naval Academy for a long time and I am continuing to be proactive on the (2026) application process. Two months ago I had the great privilege of attending NASS which further solidified my interest in USNA. With my given stats, do I have a shot at getting an appointment or at least an offer to attend NAPS?

GPA: 3.78/4.88 (unweighed/weighed)
(I'll have completed 11 AP classes by the time I graduate)
Class rank: 125/852 ~15% of my class (I go to a very competitive school where kids can take these accelerated GPA programs that almost literally inflate kids' GPAs)
SAT: 1240 (I'm working on it!)

Competitive swimmer for more than 11 years
- I did the CFA and I reached the max scores on everything except for the ball throw and shuttle run

SGA Student Body Rep (1 year)
Chorus Officer (1 year)
Swim & dive team captain (2 years)
Club founder and president (1 year)
Over 200 service hours (i know that's not a requirement, but my school requires at least 90)

Outside school:
Congressional intern (with local congressional rep)
Volunteer advocate and community leader for food-insecurity related issues.


I would really appreciate what you all think. Thanks
 
The only way you don’t have a shot is to not apply. Get all your apps in order to include your MOC apps. Work on that SAT/ACT, especially the math. You can look at the class profile and these boards and find those with better and worse stats. All you can do is control you in this process. Your school profile will speak for itself if you school is that competitive, so don’t worry about that. When spring comes with a positive or not yet outcome… all you can do is look yourself in the mirror and say you did your best.
 
Most candidates typically compete against those on the Nomination Slates they are on. More than one NOM will give you more than one bite at the apple. We don't know what your competition looks like on your slate(s). We also don't know how your Members of Congress will nominate (there are three different methods), which can affect the ability of USNA to Appoint you from that slate. For example, if you're on a slate that has a Principle nom (#1) and 9 others are required (by the MOC) to be looked at in order, you may be number 9 and not get the Appointment. You may even be more qualified that those above you on that slate, because the MOC can use any method to choose how they pick nomination candidates and wether to put them in an order or not. There are 3 methods that MOCs use for presenting nomination slates-you can read lots about that on this forum-and remember you have no control how a MOC chooses nominees. Apply for a VP NOM and any others youre eligible for. Bottom line: bring your SAT up as much as you can (even try the ACT). Take the toughest courses you can senior year. Stay out of trouble. Good luck
 
I have met quite a few Midshipmen in the last four years and I can tell you that the common thread in all of them is that they expected to get in, because they did their level best. Even one that I know quite well who didn't get in until his third try, expected to get in eventually.

Certainly this is anecdotal evidence, but the point I am trying to make here is that the one thing that they all have in common is determination.
Some call it "grit" - but whatever it is - they have it.

You put your best foot forward and try. That's all you need to do. There are a lot of people out there who don't lean into life.

My one point of advice here is to get that SAT score up. :)
 
Senator said:
Hi, I've been eyeballing the Naval Academy for a long time and I am continuing to be proactive on the (2026) application process. Two months ago I had the great privilege of attending NASS which further solidified my interest in USNA. With my given stats, do I have a shot at getting an appointment or at least an offer to attend NAPS?

GPA: 3.78/4.88 (unweighed/weighed)
(I'll have completed 11 AP classes by the time I graduate)
Class rank: 125/852 ~15% of my class (I go to a very competitive school where kids can take these accelerated GPA programs that almost literally inflate kids' GPAs)
SAT: 1240 (I'm working on it!)

Competitive swimmer for more than 11 years
- I did the CFA and I reached the max scores on everything except for the ball throw and shuttle run

SGA Student Body Rep (1 year)
Chorus Officer (1 year)
Swim & dive team captain (2 years)
Club founder and president (1 year)
Over 200 service hours (i know that's not a requirement, but my school requires at least 90)

Outside school:
Congressional intern (with local congressional rep)
Volunteer advocate and community leader for food-insecurity related issues.


I would really appreciate what you all think. Thanks
Click to expand...
Take the standardized tests multiple times; the academy super scores. Test taking is a skill. Study for them like it is a job (it is). Khan Academy has a great free program.

Work on your Congressional essays now - and mark your deadlines. Our moc gave points for early complete applications.

Get your medical records now - at least back to age 14. You do not want to complete the Dodmerb questionnaire from memory. Refer to the medical records for precision (and make sure medical records match billing records). Last thing you want is a nomination and/or letter of assurance and then have to deal with a dq on Dodmerb.

Work on a plan B. Contact nrotc recruiter in your area now - you are ahead of the cycle. You want on their radar now, before school starts. Normal interview process has boards in December, but they can fast track you (ISR - Immediate Scholarship Reservation) and award that scholarship to candidates before the boards meet. Work on your application with the recruiter and do not submit until best possible.

If you do not get an appointment for class of 2026, nrotc will put you in a great spot to apply for 2027 (with rotc as an additional nomination source).
 
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navysports.com

Men's Swimming & Diving

The official Men's Swimming & Diving page for the Naval Academy
navysports.com navysports.com

you may have a magic ticket as far as admittance either direct to USNA or NAPS.

contact the navy swim coaches directly. Have your coach contact the Navy coaches directly.

being a recruited sports candidate can make all the difference in the world

assuming that along with those 11 years of competition you have decent times.
 
navysports.com

Wave I Recap for Navy at USA Swimming Olympic Team Trials - Naval Academy Athletics

Rising sophomore Garrett McGovern and recent graduate Luke Johnson placed first and second, respectively, in the 800 freestyle timed final to highlight Navy's efforts
navysports.com navysports.com

And as far as swimming do you have to be as good as the two sighted in this article?

No

You may not end up being a highly recruited swimmer——-but if you are at least walk on good——with good grades and test scores etc——you end up being a freebie for the swim team.

just a little interest in you , on the coaches part , can separate you from the pack as far as admissions..
 
On the Navy Sports website they have published some times for sports to help gauge if you are competitive enough to have interest from the coaches. I would advise reviewing those, if close, then filing out the interest forum for potential student athletes they have on the site.
 
THParent said:
I have met quite a few Midshipmen in the last four years and I can tell you that the common thread in all of them is that they expected to get in, because they did their level best. Even one that I know quite well who didn't get in until his third try, expected to get in eventually.

Certainly this is anecdotal evidence, but the point I am trying to make here is that the one thing that they all have in common is determination.
Some call it "grit" - but whatever it is - they have it.

You put your best foot forward and try. That's all you need to do. There are a lot of people out there who don't lean into life.

My one point of advice here is to get that SAT score up. :)
Click to expand...
THParent is on to something. I agree the vast majority of successful candidates have lots of determination and confidence. Ive learned that confidence is a good leadership trait.
 
Since this is the OP's first post also good to look back at the numerous older threads on the topic of "what are my chances?............". Honestly, none of us work in admissions and can only provide insight based on prior experiences. Being recruited for a USNA sport is no guarantee of admission and you still need to be 3Q AND have a NOM to be in the RUNNING for an appointment. Also many older threads on the topic of being recruited for a sport. Coaches know how to find athletes who have excelled in h.s. at the regional/state/national level. No one pays tuition to attend USNA, so the incentive for being a sports recruit is different at SA's then civilian colleges. I would say being realistic is also a good thing when applying to any highly selective college. More apply to SA's then get appointments, so clearly many who have apparently great stats will end up with a TWE. You are competing with top students from the entire country, so it helps to be realistic and also have a Plan B in the event you don't get an appointment.

While determination and confidence are good to have, if you aren't a top math student (for example), all throughout h.s., you aren't being realistic if you expect to get amazing math scores on the SAT/ACT no matter how many times you take those tests. No amount of tips/tricks/test taking skills will make up for your lack of math expertise. The official USNA website also shows the profile of the student body, so you can do a self-assessment on your own of where you think you might stack up and where you need to improve to increase your competitiveness in your time remaining in h.s.
 
The fact is that a recruited athletic can get in when someone with similar stats would stand absolutely no chance.

They can get in direct they can be picked for NAPS. And if no nom was self generated a nom can be found for the applicant.

This is for those actively and seriously being recruited by a USNA coach.

There are those who might show up on a recruit list that are considered more walk ons with great grades and SATs.

If I had only one bit of academic advice for a grandson or daughter who wanted to attend the USNA it would be——-get really good at one sport.

I have sat thru quite a few sessions where SAs made a recruitment pitch for sports for my own kids or for kids I coached..Many of these kids did not have USNA direct grades or test scores.

Not once have I heard this from any SA coach——“ we may have a tough time getting you in”

The spoken or unspoken trump card if admission says no on a direct appt -—-NAPS or other prep school.
 
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Thank you for all those great responses and feedback! Unfortunately, I am not competitive enough to get recruited. I've been plateauing in the sport for the past two years, and realistically I won't be improving any time soon.

For now I'll stick to the things I can control.

Thanks everyone!
 
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