Last Application (Enlisted to USNA)

SeanBrom

HN Brombosz, USN
Joined
Apr 10, 2016
Messages
68
Good Evening All!

It has been a couple of years since my last time on this form, but it's nice to be back! Sadly, I am applying to the Naval Academy for my last time. After this year, I will be too old for the next I-Day. Between my first application in High School and now, I've enlisted in the Navy, became a Corpsman, and I recently returned from my first deployment. The Naval Academy is still my goal, however unrealistic it may be at this point. My intent with this post is two different questions.

1. Any particular advice for my last application?
2. Anyone with Prior Enlisted experience in the application process?

Thank you all for the support you've offered me through the years, and good luck to everyone else applying now and in the future! Go Navy!
 
Good luck to you!! My son has a couple priors in his company and they are ADORED by their peers. That’s all I can add tho this. You will be welcomed and looked up to!!
 
Good Evening All!

It has been a couple of years since my last time on this form, but it's nice to be back! Sadly, I am applying to the Naval Academy for my last time. After this year, I will be too old for the next I-Day. Between my first application in High School and now, I've enlisted in the Navy, became a Corpsman, and I recently returned from my first deployment. The Naval Academy is still my goal, however unrealistic it may be at this point. My intent with this post is two different questions.

1. Any particular advice for my last application?
2. Anyone with Prior Enlisted experience in the application process?

Thank you all for the support you've offered me through the years, and good luck to everyone else applying now and in the future! Go Navy!
Have you had a discussion with anyone in Admissions about what might have held you up in past packages? That will give you a hint on what to emphasize in this package.

This is quite the gamble, since most enlisted personnel go to NAPS for a year, and that puts you past your eligibility. But go for it! People do directly access from enlisted.

Keep us posted.
 
First, congratulations on the first deployment, and thank you for serving !
Second, talk with your Career Counselor and your chain of command. Getting them on your side is critical.

It's too late now to change their impression of you , but hopefully they recognize you as a star performer and someone they would like to see as an Officer, It's also too late to change anything in your HS record, but your application/essays should emphasize what you have learned in the Fleet and what you can contribute to the Navy. As CAPT MJ noted, most (but not all) prior enlisted come through NAPS, but since another year would make you ineligible, its very important to show your academic preparedness, ie.. how did you do in HS ? how did you do in HM A school, and go out an rock the SAT/ACT.

Finally, attending USNA is not the end all... there are several ways to earn a commission, and to serve. Regardless of outcome with USNA, always have a Plan B, C, D....

Good luck !
 
I too, will echo @Old Navy BGO's point that USNA isn't the end-all, beat-all of existence. I heard a sea story of a Navy SEAL who dropped out as a Plebe because he had already been there and done that, and didn't appreciate upperclassmen younger than he with vastly less experience, telling him how to do things. ;)
 
I heard a sea story of a Navy SEAL who dropped out as a Plebe because he had already been there and done that, and didn't appreciate upperclassmen younger than he with vastly less experience, telling him how to do things.

That is actually one of the hardest adjustments for any prior enlisted to endure. It's not just the Upperclass, because many of the upperclass recognize and respect the prior service and lay off a bit (unless the prior has a bad attitude). It's dealing with the day to day BS (aka the USNA Harassment package) for 4 years that chafes at the typically more mature, experienced, already seen the world, Midshipman. We lost a handful of prior enlisted from my NAPS class -- they were okay with NAPS, but once they saw the USNA Harassment package they had to look forward to for 4 years, they went back to the Fleet.
 
@SeanBrom hey brother. Do you have any college credits? You’re wearing a Navy uniform so I don’t know if you’ve been green side. Check out the Marine PLC program. There’s a few enlisted to officer programs. It sounds like you want to be a line officer but we also have Medical Department programs you might be interested in. Talking to your career counselor is a great idea but have you spoken with others who have gone from enlisted to the Academy?

I met a young Devil Doc at Walter Reed a couple weeks ago. He had also been denied admissions and was about to give up. It would be great to keep HMs like you and him moving up and running the Hospital Corps but I recommend looking into any officer program that you find interesting. HM advancement opportunities as I’m sure you know are dismal. The money is better and the retirement check is bigger as an O. Keep motivated.
 
Great advice above so won't repeat it.

There is someone in Admissions dedicated to Enlisted applicants. I suggest you contact him and ask what has held you back on prior applications. Is it something you can address at this point -- or not? I would emphasize that this is your last time, so you want to do everything possible.

When you write your "essays," I would make sure you weave in that this is your last try. I would also focus on the maturity you will bring not only as a seasoned military member but as a corpsman. Tell a story in response to the questions that shows what USNA is getting in you -- was there a time when you had to make a critical medical decision, when you had to act on your own in a medical or other context, etc? You're not just some kid straight out of h.s. -- you're an adult who has seen and done a lot. You only get about 500 words -- MAKE THEM COUNT!
 
Have you had a discussion with anyone in Admissions about what might have held you up in past packages? That will give you a hint on what to emphasize in this package.

I actually did, and they felt I didn't have the most competitive ACT scores. But I'll be taking it again this September and hopefully, given it's been a few years since my last test, I should show some improvement.
 
First, congratulations on the first deployment, and thank you for serving !
Second, talk with your Career Counselor and your chain of command. Getting them on your side is critical.

It's too late now to change their impression of you , but hopefully they recognize you as a star performer and someone they would like to see as an Officer, It's also too late to change anything in your HS record, but your application/essays should emphasize what you have learned in the Fleet and what you can contribute to the Navy. As CAPT MJ noted, most (but not all) prior enlisted come through NAPS, but since another year would make you ineligible, its very important to show your academic preparedness, ie.. how did you do in HS ? how did you do in HM A school, and go out an rock the SAT/ACT.

Finally, attending USNA is not the end all... there are several ways to earn a commission, and to serve. Regardless of outcome with USNA, always have a Plan B, C, D....

Good luck !

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post! I had a weak first two years of high school but I pulled it around my junior and senior year. Also I graduated on the deans list out of A School so hopefully that is reflected on my application somewhere. Thank you again, Sir!
 
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@SeanBrom .... I am hanging on every thread here. How/How much are you preparing for the Math sections on the ACT(or SAT)? Break the sections down, do a lot of practice sprints, and full Math sections ... over and over and over. It’s really hardening you’re abilities. Also, look at quickly graphing Linear and Nonlinear problems, versus simultaneous equations etc.

I want to see you succeed.
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@SeanBrom have you spoken with others who have gone from enlisted to the Academy?

Thanks for the response Devil Doc, Yeah I haven't seen much online for enlisted to Academy experiences, plus Academy grads I've talked to didn't have much to say in regards to prior enlisted. Thank you for your time and kind words!
 
Great advice above so won't repeat it.

There is someone in Admissions dedicated to Enlisted applicants. I suggest you contact him and ask what has held you back on prior applications. Is it something you can address at this point -- or not? I would emphasize that this is your last time, so you want to do everything possible.

When you write your "essays," I would make sure you weave in that this is your last try. I would also focus on the maturity you will bring not only as a seasoned military member but as a corpsman. Tell a story in response to the questions that shows what USNA is getting in you -- was there a time when you had to make a critical medical decision, when you had to act on your own in a medical or other context, etc? You're not just some kid straight out of h.s. -- you're an adult who has seen and done a lot. You only get about 500 words -- MAKE THEM COUNT!

Thank you for taking the time to read and reply to my post! There is a Fleet Admissions Liaison and I was given his contact information. I haven't personally heard back from him but I gave his email to my Career Counselor and they said they have been in touch with him. I really like your advice on the essay portion as well, I'll keep those things in mind while writing. Thank you again!
 
Practice for your ACT retake, assuming it happens. There are lots of free options - online, your library. The testing service may release old tests for a small fee. Practice under real test conditions. Don’t assume you’ll do better b/c it’s been awhile. The opposite is likely to happen. You have time - spend an hour a day working to improve your score, with a focus on math.
 
Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post! I had a weak first two years of high school but I pulled it around my junior and senior year. Also I graduated on the deans list out of A School so hopefully that is reflected on my application somewhere. Thank you again, Sir!
Do questions. Then more questions. Do them every day. Most ACT improvement programs will have you do practice questions and tests. The tests are helpful showing areas that need improvement and progress, but it will get back to doing questions. Every. Day.
You said September. The first test day is the 12th. If you can do 50 questions/day on average, that's 2,450 questions.
Good luck!!!! Improve anything you can to help with the admission packet.
 
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I too, will echo @Old Navy BGO's point that USNA isn't the end-all, beat-all of existence. I heard a sea story of a Navy SEAL who dropped out as a Plebe because he had already been there and done that, and didn't appreciate upperclassmen younger than he with vastly less experience, telling him how to do things. ;)
The West Point Plebe year was tough for my prior DD for just this reason. Nothing like getting yelled at by someone your little brother's age. Plus, she was a direct appointment so she initially struggled a little getting back into the academics. There were times I thought I would come home, see her car gone, and a cloud of dust out Thayer Gate. But she kept reminding herself that Plebe year was not just about her, it was about developing the upperclassmen, giving them a chance to lead and make mistakes. Her cynicism has turned to admiration for the academy and the opportunities she has been afforded. It has been great being able to watch her grow as a leader.
When she bumps into gloomy lower-class priors she tells them to try and give it to the end of their second year.
 
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