High School Senior looking for advice

jerry1

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Oct 7, 2016
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I'm a high school senior. Right now I have a 3.66(top 25% of class) but it should be more like a 3.75 by the time I graduate because of weighted AP classes. I scored a 1330/1600 on the SAT and did four years of marching band and have lots of community service. I know well that the date to apply and attend USNA has passed. For the past couple years my first choice for college has been Virginia Military Institute which is in-state, I'm a legacy because my dad went and my parents are willing to pay my tuition because they saved up money for me. I am finishing up my application for VMI and am planning on doing early decision. Now looking at all my options I see that the USNA is a great option. I don't know how my chances would have been to be accepted but I'm now thinking that I might try to attend the SA after a year at VMI. There are pros and cons to both. I am leaning toward trying to commission into the Marine Corps but right now I'm not really in good enough shape physically. Also I'm looking at majoring in Mechanical Engineering which both schools have a good program in. I'm looking at playing rugby too. If I do VMI like i planned i might completely fall in love and want to finish my degree but I feel as USNA will put me on a better track to succeed as an Officer in the Marine Corps and beyond. Statistics online indicate that USNA grads make 20,000+ more just 5 years after graduating.( http://www.payscale.com/college-salary-report/best-schools-by-type/bachelors/public-schools ) Maybe that shouldn't matter at all though. My dad definitely wants me to do VMI, he didn't accept a commission though. I just want to do whats best for me. Although braving rat year and then excelling enough to get accepted enough to get accepted to USNA before doing plebe year is daunting, this time at VMI to get in shape and prove I can do well in an intense military environment could be imperative to me getting accepted into the Naval Academy. According to the USNA class of 2020, they only accepted 85 kids with prior college experience making admissions seem competitive. I'm also worried about how my credits from a year at VMI and from AP courses in High School would transfer. The vibe i get from other threads is that VMI is a fine institution but when it comes to commissioning as an officer, a SA will leave you more prepared which is why i want to pursue it. Is it worth it to entertain the idea of doing 4 years of USNA after a year of VMI, or nah? I'm trying to get the jump on this question as early as possible so come next year I'm not regretting not trying. Thanks to anyone willing to respond!
 
Hi Jerry. Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders and a solid plan. There really is no harm to putting in an application next year and seeing what your options would be. I can not speak to VMI but the academy certainly is a special place. I will clear one thing up, AP courses and credits from other institutions for the most part do not transfer. You will need to complete 4 years at the academy if you choose that route. The exception to this is on some AP tests if you score a 5 it will validate you out of a course and thereby place you in a higher course. https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Candidate-Information/Course-Validation-Policy.php

Best of luck to you regardless of what you choose!
 
Two thoughts. First, it's not too late to apply to USNA for this year -- application deadline is Jan. 31. It MAY be too late to apply for an MOC nomination. Most VA options close pretty early. Yes, you definitely can apply to USNA from VMI.

Second, be sure YOU want to attend VMI. You can apply to USNA from any civilian college -- doing well at a 4-yr school is more important (with some caveats) than the school you attend. As with any military school, the desire must come from within or it either will be a failing endeavor or you will be miserable every single minute. Neither of those is good.

Best of luck to you!
 
Two thoughts. First, it's not too late to apply to USNA for this year -- application deadline is Jan. 31. It MAY be too late to apply for an MOC nomination. Most VA options close pretty early. Yes, you definitely can apply to USNA from VMI.

Second, be sure YOU want to attend VMI. You can apply to USNA from any civilian college -- doing well at a 4-yr school is more important (with some caveats) than the school you attend. As with any military school, the desire must come from within or it either will be a failing endeavor or you will be miserable every single minute. Neither of those is good.

Best of luck to you!

Thanks. I don't understand how I could still get nominated if the dates for my senators and representative from congress have already passed. How is it not too late too apply? What is the Jan 31 deadline even for? Also I have considered a civilian college but the reason I still want to do VMI is because I know I can still be happy with my choice and successful if USNA doesn't work out or if I decide it's not right for me. I don't want to be stuck at a civilian 4-year college if USNA doesn't work out for the same reasons it wouldn't at VMI.
 
This has genuinely sparked my interest. Can anyone shed some light on if its possible to get an appointment to USNA for the class of 2021 if I missed the deadline for my members of congress?
 
To be clear, the application deadline for USNA is Jan. 31. MOC deadlines are set by individual MOCs. If the deadline for all your MOC nom applications has passed, from a practical standpoint, it's likely too late for this year. The only thing you might do is contact each of your MOC SA coordinators, explain your situation, and ask if there are any options. The answer is likely "no," but it rarely hurts to ask if you do so in a respectful manner.

For many candidates across the country, MOC noms may still be open -- it depends on where one lives. VA is a very competitive state so nom applications close earlier there than in certain other places.
 
In FL it's too late for a nomination from a senator but NOT too late for a congressional nomination.
I believe our congresswoman closes applications in December. Look at the website for the congressman in your district.
 
but I feel as USNA will put me on a better track to succeed as an Officer in the Marine Corps and beyond

Jerry1: I wanted to address your comment above. Highly successful Marine Officers come from every commissioning source possible (NROTC, USNA, PLC, OCC). I think most of us would concede that there are both pro's and con's to each approach but in the end things level out fairly quickly in the fleet.

Physical fitness is important in any military branch but even more so in the path to becoming a Marine Officer. I recommend you start focusing on this aspect of your preparation immediately.
 
To be clear, the application deadline for USNA is Jan. 31. MOC deadlines are set by individual MOCs. If the deadline for all your MOC nom applications has passed, from a practical standpoint, it's likely too late for this year. The only thing you might do is contact each of your MOC SA coordinators, explain your situation, and ask if there are any options. The answer is likely "no," but it rarely hurts to ask if you do so in a respectful manner.

For many candidates across the country, MOC noms may still be open -- it depends on where one lives. VA is a very competitive state so nom applications close earlier there than in certain other places.

Thanks for clearing things up for me. Just so you guys know I'm from Congressional District 2 in Virginia which I read on here is supposed to be particularly competitive to get a nomination and I can definitely see why.

Jerry1: I wanted to address your comment above. Highly successful Marine Officers come from every commissioning source possible (NROTC, USNA, PLC, OCC). I think most of us would concede that there are both pro's and con's to each approach but in the end things level out fairly quickly in the fleet.

Physical fitness is important in any military branch but even more so in the path to becoming a Marine Officer. I recommend you start focusing on this aspect of your preparation immediately.

This is definitely something to think about. I am definitely taking your advice about physical fitness.
 
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