Do I need recommendation letters from my 11th grade English, and math teachers.

[lw65647]

So I have been recently confused about who can write my recommendation letters. So my question is, do recommendation letters from 11th grade English and math teachers have more weight in the nomination/admission process. Also, am I able to get a letter of recommendation from any other teachers.

 

[MidCakePa]

USNA stipulates that assessments must be done by your 11th-grade math and English teachers specifically. (I believe exceptions can be made, but that’s up to USNA to decide.) Keep in mind, they’re assessments, not recommendations, that follow a particular template. USNA is asking about certain characteristics, for which your teachers will rate you.

 

[lw65647]

USNA stipulates that assessments must be done by your 11th-grade math and English teachers specifically. (I believe exceptions can be made, but that’s up to USNA to decide.) Keep in mind, they’re assessments, not recommendations, that follow a particular template. USNA is asking about certain characteristics, for which your teachers will rate you.

So these assessments go to the USNA admissions. So the letter of recommendations is for senators, right? Can this be any teacher, or is it the same 11th-grade teacher assessments? Thanks for answering my questions. I'm new to the admissions process.

 

[Heatherg21]

Okay-so apples and oranges here. First tip is to totally compartmentalize each application. The criteria for an MOC may be different than that for an SA and may be different from that of another MOC for which you are eligible.
This is the first major hurdle in the SA process. Nuance. Details. Attention to detail. Ability to follow and master the instructions and manage deliverables. Meeting timelines. You need to become intimately familiar with each application’s details.

 

[St.Katherine]

So I have been recently confused about who can write my recommendation letters. So my question is, do recommendation letters from 11th grade English and math teachers have more weight in the nomination/admission process. Also, am I able to get a letter of recommendation from any other teachers.

To make everything clear for you (DS went through this cycle):
On the USNA electronic application, there are prompts to click and write the teachers’ names for two evaluations (11th Grade-Math/English) and one recommendation (other). USNA will send email messages to them. Once sent, the recorded dates sent will reflect on your portal. You will then advise your teachers to check their inbox and spam box. You need to list the teachers’ names who will evaluate you in Math and English. The third teacher name “other” will write a recommendation not an evaluation. Critical that you only write a name(s) who think highly of you (no miss homeworks or “spot ate my paper” excuse). If a teacher gives a hint to admissions that you are late in turning homeworks, you can forget it. Similarly, the CFA administrator needs to be notified about your fitness test and the BGO for your interview. CFA administrator and BGO are normally the same person. With DS, the BGO interviewed and the assistant administered the CFA. Hope this helps.

 

[St.Katherine]

So I have been recently confused about who can write my recommendation letters. So my question is, do recommendation letters from 11th grade English and math teachers have more weight in the nomination/admission process. Also, am I able to get a letter of recommendation from any other teachers.

Continued discussion...
With state Senators and Representatives recommendations and evaluations, each has its own preferences:

Here in our state—>

Representative 1 requires three recommendations from any source.

Senator 1 requires two teachers’ evals, Math, English, and one teacher recommendation, Other.

Senator 2 requires three teachers’ recommendations, Math, English, Other.

 

[justdoit19]

I’ll add: FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS.

If you are wondering and inquiring in general, that’s fine. But EVERYTHING is laid out very plainly. Follow the instruction. There really shouldn’t be any question about the PROCESS once you are a candidate.

Inquiring about the process here, on the forums, will get you lots of answers. Some applicable and good, some not so much perhaps for your situation.

You will have an admissions counselor, and a BGO available. But 99 pct of what you wonder, about the way to do things, is in the instructions of those you are applying to.

Occasionally, processes are tweaked. Or MOC’s change office. So what is applicable for one year, may be slightly different for subsequent years...and we wouldn’t necessarily know that here. So make sure and follow instructions directly from each individual application.

Good luck!!

 

[2020USNAMom]

Two totally different set of letters - USNA vs MOC. You need letters from English and Math teachers for your USNA application - those are non negotiable, so make sure to get working on those early. In our state, three letters of recommendation were needed for the MOC application. My mid used one teacher (and he was not a math or English teacher), a coach, and a local leader. For MOC letters, get recommenders who know you well and can write a really good letter highlighting your strengths.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

So these assessments go to the USNA admissions. So the letter of recommendations is for senators,

First, the USNA Admissions and MOC processes are separate and distinct from each other. Further, every MOC can be different. Be careful not to mix the two up.

A word of caution for all applying next year --this Forum is a good source of information and perhaps some comradery as you go through this long process (always remember, its a marathon --not a sprint; all you need to do is look at the STILL WAITING threads for prior years to recognize that you may not get the instant gratification of an LOA or early Offer of Appointment). However, when it comes to submission of the USNA application, there is one official source -- USNA. edu Admissons website. Same goes for your MOC nominations -- look to the MOC office. While the members here are well meaning, there are often subtle errors. Some answer based upon their experience (and one , even successful, data point doesn't make a rule), and others rely on their experience in prior years (and there are frequently minor changes in the process, especially in the last year).

The admonition above to read the instructions (aka "RTFQ/ATFQ" in the fleet) is good.... there are no trick questions or instructions--just do what the instructions say, and you should be good to go.

Good luck to all '26 Candidates .....

 

[lipton_hot_tea]

For every letter you request or email you give to the school for an evaluation, make sure you babysit it. Things happen and a lot of people are supervising grandkids or kids virtually schooling while working from home. Don't be afraid to follow up with those you have requested a letter from or submitted their email for an evaluation. Get a ruler and make boxes next to their name and write the date you contacted them (or submitted their email) and then the date you received it or when the office or school confirmed they had it. Dont take I'll send it next week as it being done. It takes 5 min to do this but as time goes on it helps you see what may be missing and who you need to followup with.
When you submit an email to the school, make sure to tell that person so they don't delete it.
Tell your parents or guardian the important dates and ask them to put it in their phone. For example if Senator A wants everything in by Sept 30 and is saying tentative interviews are Nov 1 - 3, have them put it in their phone now. This way if they are asked to do something extra on that date they can say No or be sure not to schedule an appointment.

Many steps in the process have forms to print sign and scan back back make sure you know the hours of Staples or a copy shop if you don't have a printer and scanner.

 

[usnabgo08]

CFA administrator and BGO are normally the same person.

This is a generalization - BGOs CAN help administer the CFA, but wouldn't necessarily label that they normally perform this function.

The third teacher name “other” will write a recommendation not an evaluation. Critical that you only write a name(s) who think highly of you (no miss homeworks or “spot ate my paper” excuse). If a teacher gives a hint to admissions that you are late in turning homeworks, you can forget it.

An extra LOR is acceptable - but should not just be another "Johnny or Sara is a great person" - needs to speak to unique observation of candidate's character, leadership, and how they are as a person-citizen. The additional LOR does not have to be a teacher or school official.

 

[usna1985]

Definitely check on your MOC due dates. Some are very early, especially in hyper-competitive areas. A few years back, one of the MOCs in our area had a due date around 10 Sep. Schools didn't even open until after Labor Day, so candidates had to prepare early to get done anything that involved their school.

Also, missing an MOC deadline is usually fatal. In areas where there are far more qualified candidates than the 10 nom slots, MOCs can easily cut down their list by eliminating all who miss the submission deadline.

In less competitive areas, the above may not be (as much of) an issue.

 

[St.Katherine]

This is a generalization - BGOs CAN help administer the CFA, but wouldn't necessarily label that they normally perform this function.



An extra LOR is acceptable - but should not just be another "Johnny or Sara is a great person" - needs to speak to unique observation of candidate's character, leadership, and how they are as a person-citizen. The additional LOR does not have to be a teacher or school official.

— It’s not extra or additional recommendation, it’s required (one only) in the USNA electronic application. The recommendation prompt follows the two evaluations prompts.
— Here in our city, the BGO, CFA administrator, AROTC PFT administrator is the same person. It’s not generalization, it’s actual living/breathing human being.

 

[usnabgo08]

It’s not extra or additional recommendation, it’s required (one only) in the USNA electronic application. The recommendation prompt follows the two evaluations prompts.

Maybe this is the candidate academic information form, where the school official enters academic information and can offer comments (which could be in the form of an LOR). Otherwise, what I stated above about the additional LORs is based on what USNA Admissions briefed BGOs a few days ago. Additional LORs (whether 1-3) is a change of previous guidance in the past - it used to be that additional LORs were not required or desired.

Additionally, it is a generalization since what you observed is one instance (your view). It is not USNA Admissions expectation or desire to have every BGO administer the CFA and I know of no majority of BGOs, who by default, administer the CFA. Candidates can certainly ask BGOs for assistance.

 

[St.Katherine]

Maybe this is the candidate academic information form, where the school official enters academic information and can offer comments (which could be in the form of an LOR). Otherwise, what I stated above about the additional LORs is based on what USNA Admissions briefed BGOs a few days ago. Additional LORs (whether 1-3) is a change of previous guidance in the past - it used to be that additional LORs were not required or desired.

Additionally, it is a generalization since what you observed is one instance (your view). It is not USNA Admissions expectation or desire to have every BGO administer the CFA and I know of no majority of BGOs, who by default, administer the CFA. Candidates can certainly ask BGOs for assistance.

Last entry:
Pardon, you don’t have a clue with USNA’s brand new application published last summer. Stop the useless banter because you are confusing the HS kids reading this, especially the fellow who initiated this post. I watched DS filled/completed the new application. We waited and waited for the new application to be published. DS was on it on the first day.

it’s not my view with regards to BGO. He is alive and well. Of course, that’s the truth... “A Few Good Men?”

 

[Harbormaster238]

Driving my self nuts, SAT/ACT scores, 33 ACT/ 1430 SAT/ 740 EWR /690 math....is this competitive? 96 gpa with three AP'S calc and English and American history, volunteer firefighter , sailing team, a number of leadership roles in the fire department, outside groups and at school.

 

[usnabgo08]

As other BGOs have said, review USNA Admissions for the actual information. That is where I pull my information from.

The Admissions Brief (video current as of Oct 19, 2020,

) and per the physical USNA Admissions Brief as of Dec 2020, the only two REQUIRED recommendations are English and Math (see 39:44 of the video). This same information was reiterated a few days ago to BGOs. Any additional LOR is additional, NOT REQUIRED.

Required Admissions Documents:
1. Personal statement
2. Candidate Fitness Assessment
3. Candidate Activities Record (Extra Curriculars)
4. Candidate Academic Information
5. Math Recommendation (completed by previous or current year teacher)
6. English Recommendation (completed by previous or current year teacher)
7. High School/College Transcript
8. Official SAT or ACT scores
9. BGO Interview
10. DODMERB Medical Examination

 

[OldRetSWO]

Similarly, the CFA administrator needs to be notified about your fitness test and the BGO for your interview. CFA administrator and BGO are normally the same person. With DS, the BGO interviewed and the assistant administered the CFA. Hope this helps.

I've been a BGO for a very long time as I'm about to start my thirtieth cycle so I MIGHT know a little bit about the process.

I have NOT administered the CFA this millennium. Maybe once to a Reserve Sailor back in the distant past but that was a special case
as he did not have a gym teacher/coach to go to.

The Candidate (or their Parent) have never needed to notify ME that they need an interview. I see that they are a candidate before
they do as I am notified from Admissions when they become a full fledged candidate and then email THEM to tell THEM to get busy
on their application and at what point I will interview them.

That is how BGOs at USNA carry out their end of the process as defined by Admissions and reinforced during periodic re-training.

 

[A6E Dad]

for any future candidates, your BGO is not normally your go-to person to administer the CFA

BGOs are certainly authorized to administer it, as are any Commissioned officers, but in the large majority of cases the CFA is administered by a HS Phys Ed teacher or Coach.

Keep in mind that BGOs typically have many candidates assigned to them, and may not have the time available to travel and administer 15-20 CFAs. If you have trouble finding someone who can do it, by all means talk to your BGO, and they will be more than willing to to help find someone or do it themselves.

Math and English teacher evals can be from 11th or 12th grade. The caveat is that if you are applying a second time, you can't use the same teacher again.

Regarding the extra letter of rec, it is not required but it is certainly not discouraged. As mentioned above, the additional letter should be from someone who can provide some additional detail not available in other parts of the application. Also, it does not need to be from a teacher, it can be from anybody.

There was a change to the application this year. In previous years, these additional letters were just that, letters, that were mailed to USNA. Now, with the new system, they can be submitted electronically, making it more efficient. But the policy around them is the same as it has been.

 

[NextGen89x2]

DS just went through this. Now accepted to class of USNA 2025.

On Math/English recs: If you want to submit early, and have no reason not to, use 11th grade. If you would rather use 12th grade, then you can wait until the end of first quarter of 12th grade. My DS 11th grade math teacher had a reputation for writing really harsh LORs. Most students avoid using her as a recommender if at all possible. DS 11th grade Comp Sci teacher is also his current BC Calc teacher. This teacher came to him last year and said, if you can hold off until later on math, please let me write it, rather than your current teacher. DS decided to wait. It caused him to not go final on application until end of Oct, even though everything else was in by August. Because he had also applied to USAFA, his medical was in process, so he was ok with waiting. He did communicate with his admissions officer throughout - letting her know that his Calc BC teacher really wanted to do the rec, and that he was just waiting for that.

Different SA have different lists of persons eligible to administer the PFA. Try to pick one person who meets all requirements so you don't have to do it more than once. DS got HS gym teacher to do his. He email the Physical Education Department and asked if there was a teacher who had done them before and if they would be willing to do his. Two of them volunteered. One did it. This satisfied both USAFA and USNA.

His extra LOR (we tell our kids to always do one if given the opportunity) came from a History teacher he had twice - in 8th grade and in 10th grade. He and this teacher really get along, and this teacher thought highly of DS classroom leadership skills. His alternate to this was his supervisor at summer volunteer position - she wrote many other great LORs for him.

Also - something we suggested DS do for LOR (especially for SAs, MOC, and ROTC) was to peruse lists of "traits of an officer in the military." Read about what the Navy and/or MC look for in an officer. Pick a few qualities you think that you have or are developing. List those, and then give the LOR writer a few bullets of examples of where you have shown these qualities. Try to pick examples from their class and/or organization so they can use these if they would LIKE, when writing their LORs. Most teachers/LOR writers really appreciated this and most used it - some did not, but they had good stories of their own instead.

Lastly - sorry - on a roll here. For OH at least, applicants have to collect their LORs from writers and submit them as part of a packet. This is VERY different from the Common App, where you never SEE the LOR. But if this is how your MOCs do their nomination packets, it gives you a chance to see what different people write and then to pick one that best rounds out your application when it is time to send in the USNA LOR.

As everyone else has said, always follow this year's directions, and communicate with your admissions officer. They should be able to work through any questions you have. DS found his admissions officer to be prompt in responding and very helpful. GOOD LUCK!