LOA for the Class of 2015

Ok Mom -that was a clear answer. I am definitely not an early LOA candidiate. I was just hoping that they would not hog all the MOC noms in my area, so there would still be some available for normal human beings.
 
dpt135 said:
I was just hoping that they would not hog all the MOC noms in my area, so there would still be some available for normal human beings.
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I do not intend to sound rude in any way, but the naval academy is not looking for "normal". Even if you don't receive an LOA you still need to be an extremely competitive candidate through your academics, leadership roles, and physical/medical qualification. USNA does not want to invest in somebody who is "normal". They are looking for those who are going to become successful officers in the navy and marine corps. :thumb:
 
Your answer was not rude and I completely agree with you. I really don't feel that I am only "normal". I think I am a competitive applicant in all areas and could be a successful officer upon graduation. Yet, I have been very humbled and in awe of some of the amazing qualifications that people have posted on these threads. I am trying not to get discouraged and to just keep my chin up.
 
Same here, dpt135. I felt so defeated last year when I read of all the outstanding candidates receiving their big blue folders, and I was left out in the cold. I have come to the realization that a successful candidate is not so because they have been a super-star at everything they ever attempted. I believe what makes a candidate "out of the ordinary" is the characteristic of perseverance. A successful candidate will constantly improve on their weakest aspects, rather than just focusing on what they are good at. This is what I strive to accomplish every day, and this goal is what keeps me pushing on.
 
usnajosh said:
Same here, dpt135. I felt so defeated last year when I read of all the outstanding candidates receiving their big blue folders, and I was left out in the cold. I have come to the realization that a successful candidate is not so because they have been a super-star at everything they ever attempted. I believe what makes a candidate "out of the ordinary" is the characteristic of perseverance. A successful candidate will constantly improve on their weakest aspects, rather than just focusing on what they are good at. This is what I strive to accomplish every day, and this goal is what keeps me pushing on.
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Although always striving to improve is a desirable attribute, I do not think THAT is what primarily defines the truly outstanding candidates. I think MOST of them shine based on their outstanding achievements, both academically and all the other areas of importance; probably having excelled every step of the way.
 
Certainly all successful candidates have outstanding achievements. As far as excelling every step of the way, I don't think the academy would ask the essay question where the candidate must describe a major challenge or obstacle they have had to overcome if that were the case. My point is that good candidates excel even after they have experienced failure, and they push themselves even harder because of it.
 
usnajosh said:
Certainly all successful candidates have outstanding achievements. As far as excelling every step of the way, I don't think the academy would ask the essay question where the candidate must describe a major challenge or obstacle they have had to overcome if that were the case. My point is that good candidates excel even after they have experienced failure, and they push themselves even harder because of it.
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Conquering an obstacle or some hardship does not necessarily imply previous failures or sub-standard performance. Certainly - it can. Answering that question does not necessarily involve telling some story that involves previous failure or shortcoming on the part of the candidate

Besides, if I recall, the actual question asked for the academy's online "personal statement" is:

How does attending the Naval Academy help you obtain your goals and what event in your life has helped shape your character?​

That "event" does not necessarily have to involve some "obstacle." In fact, it could very well be a huge success story. Everybody loves a good rags-to-riches story, but I'm guessing there aren't a lot of "rags" in the stories of those who have a consistent history of success.

In fact, I recall a segment of the "personal statement" of one of my sons was something to the effect: I have learned by observing the misconduct and loose words of others; how a single incident can irreparably damage one's reputation and credibility. One's status as a leader does not end when they walk out of the classroom or off the baseball diamond. It is a never-ending responsibility that follows you everywhere you go and at all times. You cannot choose your moment to be a leader. [just paraphrasing - but it was something along those lines]

If one wants to tell a story of woe and how they overcame it - that's great!

I'm guessing the personal statements of the LOA recipients are not fraught with stories of how they have overcome their shortcomings.

Of course you do not have to "excel every step of the way." However, I don't see anything in the "personal statement" question that is speaking directly at any of a candidate's stumbles along the way. Again - I maintain, that there probably isn't a lot of stumbling amongst the super-qualified and LOA recipients.

I don't think everybody necessarily has a story about a character-shaping failure in their life. It could just as easily be a character-shaping success or experience. I certainly don't think a candidate would be downgraded because of their lack of a previous character-shaping failure that they overcame. That would be just one type of story. Perhaps a good story. But not everybody is going to have a story like that to tell.
 
usnajosh said:
Certainly all successful candidates have outstanding achievements. As far as excelling every step of the way, I don't think the academy would ask the essay question where the candidate must describe a major challenge or obstacle they have had to overcome if that were the case. My point is that good candidates excel even after they have experienced failure, and they push themselves even harder because of it.
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In addition, I think the academy is keenly aware that many of the new Plebes have never experienced any significant failure in their life - in some ways, it's the essence of high achievement. There just aren't many of those stories to be told without making it seem contrived.

I don't know if this still goes on, but I recall as a first-set squad leader assigned to Plebe detail (many moons ago) that we were instructed to insure that every Plebe in the squad was pushed to the limits of FAILURE. There was a tacit recognition that many of them have not experienced much failure in their lives and that their mettle was to be tested. We wanted to see them recover from their failure - even if it was something as simple as not knowing their rates.
 
Memphis, you are right. I should have looked up the question and quoted it precisely. I think I paraphrased it in that manner because in my personal essay I wrote about overcoming certain failures. Maybe most people who make it to plebe summer never have failed, and that is great. But I certainly hope the Academy takes into account failures that were made and the steps a candidate has taken to overcome them, or else I should just throw in the towel now. My firm belief is that the character of a person is not determined by the manner by which he conducts himself in his success, but rather how he handles himself in defeat. Maybe that is a flawed way of looking at things, and that would be a failure on my part, but its what helps me sleep at night. Now how far that flies with the Admissions board, well, I'll leave that up to you and the other more experienced members to determine.:thumb:
 
usnajosh said:
Memphis, you are right. I should have looked up the question and quoted it precisely. I think I paraphrased it in that manner because in my personal essay I wrote about overcoming certain failures. Maybe most people who make it to plebe summer never have failed, and that is great. But I certainly hope the Academy takes into account failures that were made and the steps a candidate has taken to overcome them, or else I should just throw in the towel now. My firm belief is that the character of a person is not determined by the manner by which he conducts himself in his success, but rather how he handles himself in defeat. Maybe that is a flawed way of looking at things, and that would be a failure on my part, but its what helps me sleep at night. Now how far that flies with the Admissions board, well, I'll leave that up to you and the other more experienced members to determine.:thumb:
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I think you're fine!

I'll bet you had a great story. And I'm sure the academy is impressed with those who overcome failures and have learned from their experience. If that was truly a character shaping event in your life - then it was the right story to tell.

Other people's "character" come from sources other than their past failures, however.

Maybe somebody had an uncle whom they greatly respected and served in the military. Maybe that uncle influenced their character and gave rise to the notion that serving one's country is a noble and valued endeavor. It could be a story like that, theoretically. No failure or obstacle involved. Yet, character-shaping nonetheless.
 
I received my LOA on Saturday (dated September 22)... I am not a recruited athlete...

Yorktown, VA
 
LOA arrived in the mail today 10/20/10: file complete--still need the nom.
 
Would you all post your test scores and what you are involved in? Just curious as to what your package looks like.

Thanks!
 
Received my LOA in the mail today 10-20-10. 5th District of Virginia.
Stats:
690 SAT Math
680 SAT Reading
4.5 GPA weighted 4.0 unweighted
My school doesn't have class rank
Attended the Roanoke Valley Governor's School for Math and Science for four years
Varsity indoor track 9-12 captain 12
Varsity outdoor track 10-12
Varsity soccer and captain 11-12 (Club Soccer 9-12)
NASS
Boys State representative
FTC Robotics Team Captain 10-12
Junior Class VP
Senior Class cabinet
FCA President 11-12
NHS
Heavily involved at my church, student leadership team and volunteering every week with little kids
 
In my experience, most MOC's don't play games with their constituents seeking noms; ie, they do their best to award noms to as many prospects as possible (they have ten noms available for each open slot). They also want as many appointees from their slates as they can wrangle - gives them "bragging rights" so to speak. Prep yourself as completely as you can for your interviews, and practice being interviewed. You probably will have only 20 - 30 minutes before a rep's panel, less for a senators'. Best wishes to you all.
 
When I got home from school I went on DoDMEB and found, "SubAgency: NALOA." :biggrin:
It's only been ten days since my CIS was completed so this was pleasantly surprising.
And now the nomination...it's the only thing standing between me and Annapolis.

Washington 5th District
 
cylee1208 said:
When I got home from school I went on DoDMEB and found, "SubAgency: NALOA." :biggrin:
It's only been ten days since my CIS was completed so this was pleasantly surprising.
And now the nomination...it's the only thing standing between me and Annapolis.

Washington 5th District
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Congratulations! Now - don't do anything stupid.

No high school "pranks."

No bungee jumping.

No alcohol.

Drive safely.
 
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