From Texas A&M '21 to USNA 2023

A

AcadeMEEN

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Jul 7, 2018
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I have completed my first year in engineering (accepted to mechanical) at Texas A&M and am 100% sure I want to stop here and go to the Naval Academy. I want to take on the rigor of the academy, experience the incredible community there, and earn a commission to hopefully be a pilot for the US Navy in the future. I am not in the corps and am not on NROTC.

1) Am I just being an idiot? I was about 8 months younger than everyone... I don't know if I want to be a year older than everyone... (I am aware credits do not transfer and I will be spending 4 years.)

2) Ignore that first question, my heart wants the academy.

3) I pulled a mediocre 3.3 GPA in engineering with 16 hours per semester. Is the board going to weigh my college GPA more than my high school GPA (3.9 Weighted with lots of AP and IB and I moved for my senior year) and my high school athletics( Wrestling frosh, jv , jv , Varsity) and clubs or are they going to weigh them equally? Also, what can I do right now to make myself a more attractive candidate? I am working on my fitness, right now I'll get 50-60 push ups, 70 sit ups, 7:20 ish mile, 5 pull ups (weak spot, are they really really important?), and I haven't tested the other 2. Is it worth it taking my planned coursework (18 hours) next semester or should I focus on taking part in clubs and such? I will have 2 jobs next semester and am working over the summer. Also will my internship in mech-E matter as much as it does for regular colleges?

Am I hopeless? I did not realize the academy was a quality program until about 4 months ago and have decided it is a great path for me. I will be turning 19 this summer.

Thank you for reading all that.

I believe I will also be applying to USAFA, I am a Colorado native and it would be great to go home, but Navy first choice.
 
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You will NOT be a year older than everyone. There are applicants with a few years of college, successful re-applicants who were not offered an appointment on their first (or second, or third try) and applicants coming from the enlisted ranks, applicants who don’t make it in in the first try but are offered the Navy prep school or prep scholarship. In fact, a year away from home in a college environment usually works in a candidate’s favor.
 
Re question #3: Your college performance isn’t bad at all. Getting a 3.3 with 16 credits in a solid engineering program should make for a good foundation for your application (especially because it builds on a very good high school record). The key is to mimic as much of a plebe’s class schedule as much as possible, so load up on STEM and English.

As for the rest: Academics should continue to take precedence. Don’t know how the jobs and internship factor in, but I know academies value candidates who succeed in high-stress situations. Keep working on the CFA — yes, pull-ups matter — because you’ll need every aspect of your application working hard for you. Don’t leave points on the table, if you can help it.

Finally, start working on your “personal story” that will be the basis for essays and interviews. Be clear and compelling on why USNA, why Navy, why now, why no ROTC, etc.
 
A few thoughts. First, your college grades will be weighed more heavily than h.s. However, your h.s. performance won't be ignored. Second, if your 3.3 was mostly Bs with a couple of As, that will be better than on A+ and the rest C+. Still, if you were in all/mostly engineering courses, that's not bad.

As to what to do . . .

Do REALLY well on your classes this semester. USNA won't look at your application until January, when first semester grades are in. These grades are the most recent reflection of you academically -- make them count.

Talk to your English/math profs from last year or this semester. Make sure they understand how important attending a SA is to you so that you will get a strong rec. If you were in huge lecture classes last year, try to take at least one small section English/math course this semester so your prof knows you. Remember, USNA won't look at your application until January, so you have time to impress a prof in the fall and then ask for a rec.

Look for ways to lead during the school year. Your jobs may provide that opportunity. Maybe try to be active in one club at school and take on a leadership role in a project, etc. (BTW, be careful that your two jobs don't doom your academics. If you need to work this much for financial reasons, make sure you discuss this with your BGO, especially if it's having an impact on your grades). Grades are more important than lots of ECAs, but you do want to have some activities.

Continue to work on your CFA (no rush to take it as a college student). Be sure to practice the test in the required order with the allotted rest breaks. It's very different than doing each element on its own. Try to find some sport in which you can be active, preferably one that involves running. And, yes, the CFA will really matter, especially if you're not involved in organized sports, as it is the only measure of your ability to handle the physical rigor of USNA.

Review the sticky above on reapplying. While intended for reapplicants, there is a lot of good gouge for college students as well.
 
Thank you for reading and replying to my post.

I will be working endlessly to make sure I come out on top this academic year and have already begun arranging recommendation letters.

Something I'm a little worried about is my leadership resume. To the best of my knowledge, the only leadership I've done was at my internship, my 3 jobs on campus (this summer and in the fall), and through my classes (I generally end up being the one who does group projects and facilitates others do work.) I was never captain of my wrestling team, a student organization officer, or anything of the like. The majority of my leadership will be my 2 different positions where I essentially help guide freshmen through difficulties of freshman year engineering as a mentor, tutor, and peer teacher. I am actively trying to get involved with engineers without borders at my university. I have done volunteering (in large quantities), but I probably wouldn't accept that if I was on the admissions board.

I've begun worrying a lot more about the quality my application as I found out I am in a very competitive district and there's probably only 1 or 2 spots at the academies for which I am applying, if any...

I will be taking my CFA as late as possible to make sure I max it out while not putting my application in jeopardy.

Thank you for not only your very helpful response, but the others you have written on this forum. Google is my best friend, but your responses are everywhere and very helpful.
 
Don’t confuse leadership win titles or volunteering. While both are certainly components of leadership, they’re not the same thing. Ask yourself, “Where have I made an impact on an organization or individuals. How have I left them in better shape than when I found them?”

That’s true leadership. Your time as an engineering tutor and mentor may be the answer. Dimensionalize your positive effect on others and you may be pleasantly surprised by what you see.
 
I don't think it's too late to join the Corps of Cadets/NROTC at TAMU as a sophomore. Would be a good move I think.
 
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