How important is getting the application done by the first admission board meeting?

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navyhopeful2020

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Sep 23, 2018
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Hi all,
As applications start to roll in, I had a question that was brought up in a discussion today. Obviously, the admissions board for USNA operates on a rolling basis and they start convening and reviewing applications the first week of September. My question is how much of an advantage does having your application complete (besides medical and nomination) by this first board meeting really give you?

More specific to my application, I plan to retake the SAT in August. I currently have a 760 M 740 E but I'm shooting for that perfect math score and am likely to get it. Academics are a stronger component of my application, but Navy likely won't see my August SAT scores updated until late September. Should I request the admissions board to hold off on reviewing my application or should I complete the application by the first time the admissions board convenes? Thank you in advance!
 
There isn't really that great an advantage to getting in so early. Most admission decisions won't be made until next calendar year. Nomination decisions won't happen until December of January. Early is good, but a better application is better. Keep in mind you can submit additional SAT/ACT scores after submitting your application and they will superscore, but make sure you've taken the time to put together the best application you can.
 
It is in a candidate's best interest to submit completed applications to the Academy and the NROTC scholarship prior to the first board whenever possible. However, it is also important to keep in mind that SAT and ACT scores are but one part of the entire application. As a BGO and a dad of a 2/C Mid who scored near-perfectly on the SAT and was wait-listed on his first attempt, I can say with some degree of certainty that nobody can predict what the admissions board with decide. I agree with kinnem's point that once you submit your application you can still continue to retake the SAT and ACT as many times as you wish; the scores will be updated in CIS. You can also resubmit CFA scores, as well as submit updates of any senior-year achievements in athletics, academics, community service, etc. until the final deadline on 31 JAN. With this in mind, to answer the OP's question directly: try not to overthink the process; there is no procedure of which I am aware for requesting admissions to hold off on reviewing your application, and I would strongly advise against attempting to do so. At the end of the day, I urge all my candidates to do their level best while also completing the NROTC application early. Don't give up the ship!
 
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It is not critical to be done before the first board meets. For various reasons, doing so can be nearly impossible for some candidates. However, submitting your package earlier rather than later helps in various ways. First, it triggers your invitation from DODMERB, which lets you navigate -- and hopefully clear -- the medical stuff earlier. Second, it triggers your BGO interview, so that's out of the way (and your BGO will be grateful to you for that as well). Third, during nom interviews, it allows you to tell your interviewers that your package is submitted, which shows motivation. Fourth, it removes this as a "to do" item during your busy first semester senior year.

If your scores improve after the Board has reviewed your package -- and if the decision was unfavorable -- the Board will relook at your package to determine if the higher scores make a material difference. If you have received a favorable decision, the new scores will be included in your package for use as decisions on appointments are made.

If you believe your scores are not good at all (as opposed to not as great as you would like), then it may make sense to wait until your new scores are available.
 
Just my opinion ...and I don't know anything about you other than what is posted above.... the difference between a 760/740 SAT and 800/800 SAT isn't what is going to get you in or keep you out of USNA.

Keep in mind, the Admissions Board only determines "Qualification" for Admission; those extra few points may help when it comes down to Noms and Appointments deciding who among a highly competitive slate of Candidates is offered an appointment, but that determination doesn't come until all MOC have their nominations in, and all candidates on the slate have their applications in and have been reviewed by the Admissions Board.
 
navyhopeful2020 said:
...Should I request the admissions board to hold off on reviewing my application...
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All great advice above from well-informed, long-time members who know what they're talking about.

As for the line that I have quoted, I don't think that it would be wise to contact Admissions to "hold off" on reviewing your application. To me, that sends the signal that you're sort of high-maintenance. You don't want that.

That is just one man's opinion, however!
 
THParent said:
I don't think that it would be wise to contact Admissions to "hold off" on reviewing your application. To me, that sends the signal that you're sort of high-maintenance.
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This! It signals that the applicant does not have his/her s—- together. Better to just submit the application when it’s fully ready, no?
 
Also, Board review is not always FIFO (first in, first out). So the fact your package is complete at the Board doesn't mean it will be reviewed immediately.
 
navyhopeful2020 said:
Hi all,
As applications start to roll in, I had a question that was brought up in a discussion today. Obviously, the admissions board for USNA operates on a rolling basis and they start convening and reviewing applications the first week of September. My question is how much of an advantage does having your application complete (besides medical and nomination) by this first board meeting really give you?

More specific to my application, I plan to retake the SAT in August. I currently have a 760 M 740 E but I'm shooting for that perfect math score and am likely to get it. Academics are a stronger component of my application, but Navy likely won't see my August SAT scores updated until late September. Should I request the admissions board to hold off on reviewing my application or should I complete the application by the first time the admissions board convenes? Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...

My DD’s admissions counselor told her she could update her SAT scores after submitting her application but to email her and let her know to expect them. Good Luck!
 
Everyone pictures a secret meeting where all of these Admirals and Generals are in a secret meeting voting on who makes the next class and this is petty far from the truth. The admission's process is fairly objective where your admission's counselor will prepare your package and calculate your WCS from a basic set of criteria. Say 5 points for a 750 Math SAT score and 10 points for a 800 Reading SAT score and so on and on. Once your file is complete, the "board" reviews the package submitted, agrees or may change the scoring and then and has only two outcomes: Qualified or Non-Qualified. Qualified candidates are then placed on a "waiting list" for nominations to come in and everyone that was qualified is then racked and stacked against nomination slates. This is why they tell you to keep submitting updated accomplishments. As some one mentioned earlier a 760 or 800 will probably not change the outcome from the board but it will increase your WCS that will be used to resolve the slates.
 
Norfolk63 said:
It is in a candidate's best interest to submit completed applications to the Academy and the NROTC scholarship prior to the first board whenever possible. However, it is also important to keep in mind that SAT and ACT scores are but one part of the entire application. As a BGO and a dad of a 2/C Mid who scored near-perfectly on the SAT and was wait-listed on his first attempt, I can say with some degree of certainty that nobody can predict what the admissions board with decide. I agree with kinnem's point that once you submit your application you can still continue to retake the SAT and ACT as many times as you wish; the scores will be updated in CIS. You can also resubmit CFA scores, as well as submit updates of any senior-year achievements in athletics, academics, community service, etc. until the final deadline on 31 JAN. With this in mind, to answer the OP's question directly: try not to overthink the process; there is no procedure of which I am aware for requesting admissions to hold off on reviewing your application, and I would strongly advise against attempting to do so. At the end of the day, I urge all my candidates to do their level best while also completing the NROTC application early. Don't give up the ship!
Click to expand...
Hi, I was just curious when you mentioned "waitlisted" for your DS...Does that mean that he didn't initially get an appointment, accepted admission to another college but then got an appointment in late spring and withdrew from the other college so that he could report with the plebe class on time? Or did he attend another college and then re-apply for the following year?
 
NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful said:
Norfolk63 said:
It is in a candidate's best interest to submit completed applications to the Academy and the NROTC scholarship prior to the first board whenever possible. However, it is also important to keep in mind that SAT and ACT scores are but one part of the entire application. As a BGO and a dad of a 2/C Mid who scored near-perfectly on the SAT and was wait-listed on his first attempt, I can say with some degree of certainty that nobody can predict what the admissions board with decide. I agree with kinnem's point that once you submit your application you can still continue to retake the SAT and ACT as many times as you wish; the scores will be updated in CIS. You can also resubmit CFA scores, as well as submit updates of any senior-year achievements in athletics, academics, community service, etc. until the final deadline on 31 JAN. With this in mind, to answer the OP's question directly: try not to overthink the process; there is no procedure of which I am aware for requesting admissions to hold off on reviewing your application, and I would strongly advise against attempting to do so. At the end of the day, I urge all my candidates to do their level best while also completing the NROTC application early. Don't give up the ship!
Click to expand...
Hi, I was just curious when you mentioned "waitlisted" for your DS...Does that mean that he didn't initially get an appointment, accepted admission to another college but then got an appointment in late spring and withdrew from the other college so that he could report with the plebe class on time? Or did he attend another college and then re-apply for the following year?
Click to expand...
"Wait-listed" is a selection status by USNA admissions. It means that a candidate was deemed to be qualified to receive an appointment, however, due to the level of competition, other candidates were selected to receive an appointment first. The wait-listed candidate then waits until other appointed candidates either decline their appointment or lose their appointment due to other circumstances (such as a DODMERB medical issue). Like most universities, USNA admissions will invite more people to the party than can actually attend.

In my son's case, he was selected for the USNA wait-list, waited to see if a spot would open up (which it did not)... In the meantime, he accepted his NROTC scholarship at a local university in our home state. He then started a brand-new application to the Naval Academy for the next incoming class while working to stand out in the classroom and in NROTC at the local university. College re-applications close in January. By the first week of Feb he found out that he was selected for an appointment provided that he finished the spring semester strong at the local university. He then finished the semester, surrendered his NROTC scholarship (which is kinda scary) and showed up for I-Day in Annapolis at the end of June. It is not a transfer. It is a start over. He had to attend plebe summer and basically re-do his 4th class year at the Academy (though he did validate a few classes which were a virtual repeat of his freshman year in our home state).

The point is this: IF he had not applied for a NROTC scholarship back in high school at the same time as he was applying to USNA, none of this would have been possible.
 
Norfolk63 said:
"Wait-listed" is a selection status by USNA admissions. It means that a candidate was deemed to be qualified to receive an appointment, however, due to the level of competition, other candidates were selected to receive an appointment first. The wait-listed candidate then waits until other appointed candidates either decline their appointment or lose their appointment due to other circumstances (such as a DODMERB medical issue). Like most universities, USNA admissions will invite more people to the party than can actually attend.

In my son's case, he was selected for the USNA wait-list, waited to see if a spot would open up (which it did not)... In the meantime, he accepted his NROTC scholarship at a local university in our home state. He then started a brand-new application to the Naval Academy for the next incoming class while working to stand out in the classroom and in NROTC at the local university. College re-applications close in January. By the first week of Feb he found out that he was selected for an appointment provided that he finished the spring semester strong at the local university. He then finished the semester, surrendered his NROTC scholarship (which is kinda scary) and showed up for I-Day in Annapolis at the end of June. It is not a transfer. It is a start over. He had to attend plebe summer and basically re-do his 4th class year at the Academy (though he did validate a few classes which were a virtual repeat of his freshman year in our home state).

The point is this: IF he had not applied for a NROTC scholarship back in high school at the same time as he was applying to USNA, none of this would have been possible.
Click to expand...

Informative post that shows how things can turn out. To help lurkers and newbies, in the second go-round, do you know the nom source? NROTC? Elected official? Other?
 
The selection criteria is the same regardless of whether you are the first of last applicant to submit your information. DODMERB is probably the best example of getting things moving, since you may require some sort of medical waiver and can run of time toward the end of the process.
 
Norfolk63 said:
NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful said:
Norfolk63 said:
It is in a candidate's best interest to submit completed applications to the Academy and the NROTC scholarship prior to the first board whenever possible. However, it is also important to keep in mind that SAT and ACT scores are but one part of the entire application. As a BGO and a dad of a 2/C Mid who scored near-perfectly on the SAT and was wait-listed on his first attempt, I can say with some degree of certainty that nobody can predict what the admissions board with decide. I agree with kinnem's point that once you submit your application you can still continue to retake the SAT and ACT as many times as you wish; the scores will be updated in CIS. You can also resubmit CFA scores, as well as submit updates of any senior-year achievements in athletics, academics, community service, etc. until the final deadline on 31 JAN. With this in mind, to answer the OP's question directly: try not to overthink the process; there is no procedure of which I am aware for requesting admissions to hold off on reviewing your application, and I would strongly advise against attempting to do so. At the end of the day, I urge all my candidates to do their level best while also completing the NROTC application early. Don't give up the ship!
Click to expand...
Hi, I was just curious when you mentioned "waitlisted" for your DS...Does that mean that he didn't initially get an appointment, accepted admission to another college but then got an appointment in late spring and withdrew from the other college so that he could report with the plebe class on time? Or did he attend another college and then re-apply for the following year?
Click to expand...
"Wait-listed" is a selection status by USNA admissions. It means that a candidate was deemed to be qualified to receive an appointment, however, due to the level of competition, other candidates were selected to receive an appointment first. The wait-listed candidate then waits until other appointed candidates either decline their appointment or lose their appointment due to other circumstances (such as a DODMERB medical issue). Like most universities, USNA admissions will invite more people to the party than can actually attend.

In my son's case, he was selected for the USNA wait-list, waited to see if a spot would open up (which it did not)... In the meantime, he accepted his NROTC scholarship at a local university in our home state. He then started a brand-new application to the Naval Academy for the next incoming class while working to stand out in the classroom and in NROTC at the local university. College re-applications close in January. By the first week of Feb he found out that he was selected for an appointment provided that he finished the spring semester strong at the local university. He then finished the semester, surrendered his NROTC scholarship (which is kinda scary) and showed up for I-Day in Annapolis at the end of June. It is not a transfer. It is a start over. He had to attend plebe summer and basically re-do his 4th class year at the Academy (though he did validate a few classes which were a virtual repeat of his freshman year in our home state).

The point is this: IF he had not applied for a NROTC scholarship back in high school at the same time as he was applying to USNA, none of this would have been possible.
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Wow, that is really wanting it. DS is applying for AROTC scholarships but to stay so focused for a year despite the disappointment (and I think you said your DS had 1500+ SAT's as well?!). Great testament to your DS keeping his eye on the prize. I hope he had some serious fun in that extra year in your home state.
 
Capt MJ said:
Norfolk63 said:
"Wait-listed" is a selection status by USNA admissions. It means that a candidate was deemed to be qualified to receive an appointment, however, due to the level of competition, other candidates were selected to receive an appointment first. The wait-listed candidate then waits until other appointed candidates either decline their appointment or lose their appointment due to other circumstances (such as a DODMERB medical issue). Like most universities, USNA admissions will invite more people to the party than can actually attend.

In my son's case, he was selected for the USNA wait-list, waited to see if a spot would open up (which it did not)... In the meantime, he accepted his NROTC scholarship at a local university in our home state. He then started a brand-new application to the Naval Academy for the next incoming class while working to stand out in the classroom and in NROTC at the local university. College re-applications close in January. By the first week of Feb he found out that he was selected for an appointment provided that he finished the spring semester strong at the local university. He then finished the semester, surrendered his NROTC scholarship (which is kinda scary) and showed up for I-Day in Annapolis at the end of June. It is not a transfer. It is a start over. He had to attend plebe summer and basically re-do his 4th class year at the Academy (though he did validate a few classes which were a virtual repeat of his freshman year in our home state).

The point is this: IF he had not applied for a NROTC scholarship back in high school at the same time as he was applying to USNA, none of this would have been possible.
Click to expand...

Informative post that shows how things can turn out. To help lurkers and newbies, in the second go-round, do you know the nom source? NROTC? Elected official? Other?
Click to expand...
Great question! A college applicant (whether NROTC or not) must complete the entire USNA application from scratch and submit their first semester college transcript - which better resemble the classes plebes take first semester at USNA (with strong grades). College applicants must also receive a Nomination just like high school applicants. They re-apply to their Senators, District Representative, VP, and President (if eligible). Chances are, a college applicant will "re-win" the same nominations from the previous year's app AND pick up one or two more. In my son's case, he received Noms from our District Representative (a repeat) and picked up our senior Senator (which was new).

In addition, NROTC applicants have the added advantage of being eligible to apply for a Nomination from their Commanding Officer (CO) of their NROTC unit. The unit CO submits a Nomination form directly to the Academy with a letter of recommendation. https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/_files/documents/ROTC-NOM-FORM-2016.pdf

IMHO this is HUGE! In my son's case, he had to apply to the CO for the Nomination and was interviewed by the CO who himself was an USNA graduate who wrote a glowing letter of recommendation which (jokingly) mentioned how he had tried to talk my son out of leaving his unit to pursue USNA but was convinced the candidate truly desired the additional challenge and rigor of the Academy. IMHO (again) this was the tipping point with his second application. As a result, he did manage to receive his CO's Nomination = for a total of 3 Nominations on the second application (compared to a single Nomination on his high school app).
 
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@Norfolk63 ,my DS is in basically the identical situation this year. i have 2 questions though, if you can recall: 1. how long did it take for NA admissions to show that your transcripts had been received? DS ordered his the last week of December from his university but they have not shown up yet in the candidate portal. just wondering how long that takes to appear. and 2. does a NROTC CO nomination also show up in the portal? my son has 2 noms that show and his CO interview went great although the CO also joked that he doesn't want to lose my son in his rotc unit because he is highly thought of and also a SUB which apparently is rare haha. anyway that NOM hasnt appeared in the portal either. just wondering if its too soon. TIA
 
mcfamilyof4 said:
@Norfolk63 ,my DS is in basically the identical situation this year. i have 2 questions though, if you can recall: 1. how long did it take for NA admissions to show that your transcripts had been received? DS ordered his the last week of December from his university but they have not shown up yet in the candidate portal. just wondering how long that takes to appear. and 2. does a NROTC CO nomination also show up in the portal? my son has 2 noms that show and his CO interview went great although the CO also joked that he doesn't want to lose my son in his rotc unit because he is highly thought of and also a SUB which apparently is rare haha. anyway that NOM hasnt appeared in the portal either. just wondering if its too soon. TIA
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This late in the admissions cycle, the hard-working Admissions Team tends to get overwhelmed with a wave of last-minute applications. It takes time, especially for transcripts to be scanned and processed.
 
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