Filling out the Preliminary Application

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caseman

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We had a couple basic questions regarding the pre-app. We searched the forum and the USNA website, but couldn't find the answers.

My son is a Junior, just took the SAT but does not have scores back yet. He plans to start filling out the preliminary application for the USNA, but we had a couple questions:

1. His GPA is ~3.86 and is in the top 15% of class. Is it better to wait until your Junior year is done in June or fill it out when he gets SAT scores? By waiting, his GPA and class rank will rise based on how his grades are this semester. If he fills it out after receiving SAT scores, can he go back and update it later with new new GPA and class rank? Or once submitted it just floats into the abyss and someone has already made an evaluation based on what they read at the time of submission? ....Or, does it even matter as he has probably already has met the basic requirement regarding GPA, class rank, etc?

2. I see there is no "save" button on the application. I assume you must fill it out in one sitting and then hit submit? Does it make sense, or is there a way, to input all information you know currently (no SAT score yet) and fill in the missing information down the road?

thank you in advance
 
caseman said:
We had a couple basic questions regarding the pre-app. We searched the forum and the USNA website, but couldn't find the answers.

My son is a Junior, just took the SAT but does not have scores back yet. He plans to start filling out the preliminary application for the USNA, but we had a couple questions:

1. His GPA is ~3.86 and is in the top 15% of class. Is it better to wait until your Junior year is done in June or fill it out when he gets SAT scores? By waiting, his GPA and class rank will rise based on how his grades are this semester. If he fills it out after receiving SAT scores, can he go back and update it later with new new GPA and class rank? Or once submitted it just floats into the abyss and someone has already made an evaluation based on what they read at the time of submission? ....Or, does it even matter as he has probably already has met the basic requirement regarding GPA, class rank, etc?

2. I see there is no "save" button on the application. I assume you must fill it out in one sitting and then hit submit? Does it make sense, or is there a way, to input all information you know currently (no SAT score yet) and fill in the missing information down the road?

thank you in advance
Click to expand...
Hello,

I've been through this process before with several of the academies so I think I should somewhat be able to answer your questions.

1. The Pre-Candidate Application is just a screener that is looking for certain minimal requirements to enter the candidate stage. I wouldn't worry too much about what you answer on there as you will have many opportunities to update it as you go through the candidate process.

2.Yes, just fill it out in one sitting and once your DS becomes a candidate he will be able to update all that information.

Hope my answers were of use to you sir/ma'am.
 
USNA uses the first six (6) semester grades (and associated class rank) from High School.
That means through the end of Junior year.

What he needs to do is arrange for his official transcript to be sent to USNA directly from his High School.
To do that, he needs to have contact information (phone and EMail address) for whomever can send that.
It will probably be his "High School Guidance Counselor", or someone in "the office" who will be at the school over the summer.
USNA will NOT ACCEPT transcripts sent via another reporting service (like Parchment). They MUST come from the High School.

Transcripts should include the candidate number and be mailed to the following address:
Office of Admissions 52 King George Street Annapolis, MD 21402.

You're probably thinking, "how does he do this if he doesn't have a candidate number yet?". That's a good question!
If his preliminary application is good enough to make him an "official candidate", he will receive an ECandidate Packet Letter some time before the middle of May (which no doubt, will be after school lets out for summer vacation). In that letter, he will get the login information for the Candidate Information System (CIS) which is more often referred to here as the "portal". This information will include his candidate number.

Armed with this candidate number, he then gets a hold of whomever is at the school over the summer and informs them of his request for a transcript to be sent to the above address, referencing his candidate number.

Before he leaves for summer vacation, he should also get contact information (phone number/EMail) from;
1. His English teacher
2. His Math teacher
3. His Guidance Counselor

because he will need to get recommendations from the two teachers and "Candidate Academic Information" from the Guidance Counselor.
To get those - he needs to ask them first if they'll do it for him - and then let them know that they will receive an EMail from the U.S. Naval Academy, asking them to fill out an online form, or upload the information.

That ought to get you started!
 
I suspect acandidate2018 is correct. The pre-app is just a screener. You can wait for SAT scores assuming they're out soon. I don't think you need to wait until the end of the semester unless both coincide. I would think you could use PSAT scores which you should already have but I'm not certain about that not having seen the pre-app.

THParent is correct once you're a candidate... ie. past the pre-app.
 
THParent said:
Before he leaves for summer vacation, he should also get contact information (phone number/EMail) from;
1. His English teacher
2. His Math teacher
3. His Guidance Counselor
Click to expand...

Doesn't the candidate also need Chemistry or Physics teacher?
 
Not for USNA.
Just English and Math.

My DS did however get a stellar recommendation letter from his Chemistry teacher, which he included with his Nomination applications.
 
THParent said:
he will receive an ECandidate Packet Letter some time before the middle of May (which no doubt, will be after school lets out for summer vacation).
Click to expand...

Not in the Northeast. Public Schools in NY/NJ and nearby typically go past the middle of June and candidates there are able to speak with counselors and teachers after getting into CIS. That said you are correct to suggest getting contact info so that the candidate can work the application once school is out for the summer.
 
I appreciate everyone taking the time to write this out. My DS applied for NASS and SLE but hasn't heard back from either. He is just starting this process, and it seems so daunting!! This is all he's ever wanted to do, so he's very driven. All of the information shared on this thread has been extremely helpful for me as I watch him navigate this process. Thank you!
 
The process does seem daunting - but having seen my DS go through it - it is indeed manageable.
You just plod along and chip away at the "required actions" list under"APPLICATION STATUS" and the list of "REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS" in the Candidate Information System (online "portal").
Early on in this process, The CIS page will look something like this:
_________________________________________________________________________
APPLICATION STATUS:
Incomplete

REQUIRED ACTIONS:
Complete BGO Interview
Complete Medical Qualification Exam
Missing Required Documents - Personal Data Record
Missing Required Documents - Candidate Fitness Assessment
Missing Required Documents - Candidate Activities Record
Missing Required Documents - English Teacher Recommendation
Missing Required Documents - Math Teacher Recommendation
Missing Required Documents - Candidate Academic Information
Missing Required Documents - High School Transcript
Missing Required Documents - College Transcript
Missing Required Documents - Commanding Officer Recommendation

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
None

CANDIDATE DATA
Name
Candidate Number
Gender
Date of Birth
Phone Number
Email
Mailing Address
High School
Race
Ethnicity

REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
Personal Data Record
Candidate Fitness Assessment
Candidate Activities Record
English Teacher Recommendation
Math Teacher Recommendation
Candidate Academic Information
High School Transcript
College Transcript
Commanding Officer Recommendation

OFICIAL TEST SCORES
SAT
ACT

NOMINATIONS
None Received

ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR
Name
Email

MEDICAL STATUS
For information regarding your medical exam or status please visit DODMERB website

BLUE AND GOLD OFFICER CONTACT INFORMATION
Name
Home Phone
Email
Interview Submitted (date)
_________________________________________________________________________
 
His academics (and everything else) can always be updated! I can’t count the amount of times I sent in new scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and emails updating my activities. Yes, the prelim is to be done in one sitting. It isn’t as crucial as the rest of the app. In the normal app, you will have the chance to add everything you’d like, but for now it’s good to get your foot in the door. His current class rank is plenty and most candidates’ rise as well. They go on to update this throughout their senior year.
 
I also cannot stress enough that everything your DD or DS needs to know about this process is covered on the USNA.edu website.
There is a metric ton of information. Start with the five drop-down menu selections at the top.
 
THParent said:
USNA uses the first six (6) semester grades (and associated class rank) from High School.
That means through the end of Junior year.
Click to expand...

My school will not rank me until the first day of my senior year. Obviously I can’t wait that long so I’m thinking that I’ll just estimate on the preliminary application. Is this problematic?

If one were to take summer school the summer going into senior year, would the NA even consider it or would it be a waste of time? My high school is going to calculate summer school classes into GPA and class rank. But the NA recalculates GPA’s regardless so you never know?
 
My DS filled out the summer seminar applications for NASS, SLE and AFA using just his PSAT score and class rank estimate. His school does not formally provide class rank but they will give him the percentage rank (i.e. Top 10%, 15% etc.). In his case, his counselor gave him the exact percentage rank (10.9%) so he needs to bust it this semester to jump a handful of folks to make Top 10%. He was accepted to NASS and SLE but rejected from AFA. As I understand it, all of this opens his candidacy and the application will become available sometime in late May/early June. Then the real work begins!
 
Harleyboys98 said:
My school will not rank me until the first day of my senior year. Obviously I can’t wait that long so I’m thinking that I’ll just estimate on the preliminary application. Is this problematic?
Click to expand...
Not at all. If an estimate is the best you can do, that should be fine.
Your Guidance Counselor may be able to tell you, however. Have you asked?

Harleyboys98 said:
If one were to take summer school the summer going into senior year, would the NA even consider it or would it be a waste of time? My high school is going to calculate summer school classes into GPA and class rank. But the NA recalculates GPA’s regardless so you never know?
Click to expand...
Ultimately, USNA will consider all grades. If you receive an Offer of Appointment, your final transcript will be sent to USNA after you graduate from High School.

SAparent2023 said:
...As I understand it, all of this opens his candidacy and the application will become available sometime in late May/early June. Then the real work begins!
Click to expand...
You understand this correctly. The process takes months to complete.
 
Harleyboys98 said:
My school will not rank me until the first day of my senior year. Obviously I can’t wait that long so I’m thinking that I’ll just estimate on the preliminary application. Is this problematic?

If one were to take summer school the summer going into senior year, would the NA even consider it or would it be a waste of time? My high school is going to calculate summer school classes into GPA and class rank. But the NA recalculates GPA’s regardless so you never know?
Click to expand...

Do not let your school tell you they do not rank. They may not share the info but they do have some sort of rank for their files. Our school is trying to eliminate ranking but there was too much pushback on administration. Anyway, they clearly stated they had to keep a way to unofficially provide ranking even if they did succeed in their efforts.
 
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