Only applying to one Academy

random_name

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Does it look bad when applying for nominations to only be applying to one academy? I thought I read somewhere that this doesn’t look good to the committee for a few reasons.

I am asking this question for a friend who would like to apply only to the Naval Academy and would not accept appointments to other academies. It has been his dream to attend the Naval Academy forever. He’s in a less competitive district near a large Air Force base. Not sure if it matters but if it’s relevant his stats are great. He has a 35 ACT, 4.0 GPA, all 5’s in 11 AP’s, Boys State, pilots license, varsity sports, very good CFA, and endless other leadership positions and awards. He wants a long career in the Navy as a pilot.

If he doesn’t receive an appointment for 2024 his plan will be to go NROTC and reapply.
 
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I think so but not positive. He was honest and upfront in his interviews I know that. They can sniff out BS pretty quickly and that is a lot worse than only applying to one SA for sure.
 
Was he asked in the interviews why he was only applying to Navy?
I'm sure he was. He had various reasons. I would ask him for you but during Plebe summer we won't have contact - sorry.

In everything honesty is the best and only policy and it is a pillar at the Academy.

We met several at a nomination ceremony that only applied to one SA. Maybe a BGO will reply but I really don't think it's a bad thing.
 
I think so but not positive. He was honest and upfront in his interviews I know that. They can sniff out BS pretty quickly and that is a lot worse than only applying to one SA for sure.

Ok thank you! My friend definitely wants a career in the military but he is ships and water all the way. If he didn’t receive a pilot slot he would be happy with SWO or whatever. He just wants to be on a ship.
 
I think honesty is a good thing. If your friend wants to attend USNA only and has absolutely no interest in the other SAs, he should then only apply to USNA. I would suggest that he explains his passion in his essays, and of course during interviews.
 
As a BGO, if I have a candidate who is only applying to USNA and not NROTC or other service academies my first thought is that they haven’t done their homework regarding their chances of getting in and they’re showing poor judgment by putting all their eggs in one basket. That being said, if the candidate has a good explanation and can show me that they have a good plan (including backup plans) then I would have no problem with it if that’s what he/she really wants. In this case I would expect to see a NROTC application too though. USNA is great but ultimately you should be seeking a commission in the Navy, not just a cool diploma. Not official, just one BGO’s opinion.
 
Or USMMA. I’m no expert on their program, but one can join the Navy after commissioning.
 
I have zero problem with someone who only applies to one SA. At the end of the process, even if you get into several, you have to decide. Deciding up front isn't an issue. I would advise the young man to research the other SAs for two reasons. First, to ensure he doesn't want to apply. Second, so he can explain (if asked) why he only wanted USNA (and by default, didn't want any of the others).

Also, for me it's also not a requirement to apply to NROTC. For some folks, it's a SA or nothing. Again, provided candidates can explain their decisions, it's their decision.

The last thing I want is someone applying to a bunch of SAs or ROTC programs just to "look good" when, after considered thought, that person has no interest in them.
 
If you don't want to become an Army officer, or an Air Force officer you shouldn't apply to those academies. In some districts, if you apply for noms to all three, you may lessen the chance of getting a nom to USNA.

There are plenty of threads where candidates end up with a nom to a place they don't want to attend. It won't look bad applying to only one.

However, as mentioned above, if someone applies to USNA but does not also apply to NROTC that would raise questions, and there would need to be a good explanation of why
 
Does it look bad when applying for nominations to only be applying to one academy? I thought I read somewhere that this doesn’t look good to the committee for a few reasons.

I am asking this question for a friend who would like to apply only to the Naval Academy and would not accept appointments to other academies. It has been his dream to attend the Naval Academy forever. He’s in a less competitive district near a large Air Force base. Not sure if it matters but if it’s relevant his stats are great. He has a 35 ACT, 4.0 GPA, all 5’s in 11 AP’s, Boys State, pilots license, varsity sports, very good CFA, and endless other leadership positions and awards. He wants a long career in the Navy as a pilot.

If he doesn’t receive an appointment for 2024 his plan will be to go NROTC and reapply.
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In our District, the applicant can request a nomination to 1 SA, unless she or he would also like to add the USMMA. Their are too many requests for USNA, USAFA, and USMA in our district.
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So, I am not sure why it would be odd to seek a single nomination. Also, the candidate is more than likely passionate about a particular service.

Instead, I would be surprised if the applicant didn’t get a question about applying to the particular Service ROTC Scholarship program.
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Seems to be a pretty good consensus that only one Service Academy is fine, as long as you are backing up with NROTC, and I agree 100%.

I have heard one of my local Senators comment about how they like to see Candidates apply to all Service Academies, because it shows a commitment to serving, but I don't think applying to one works against you if you articulate your reason , ie. I want to be a Naval Officer, I want to be a Marine, etc. Do consider USMMA though ..the more I hear about it, the more I like their program.

I think the guiding principle with this question, and many of the other questions that come up about activities on this Forum, is that you should do what is right for you, and not because it punches a ticket or looks good on your application. Don't apply to West Point if you don't want to roll around in the mud and play grunt, or Air Force if you have no interest in Aviation. On the other hand, by all means apply to all Service Academies if you are open minded and can see yourself as an Officer in any of the Service Branches. (Also, keep in mind that one of the great benefits of USNA is that you have the option of doing anything , playing in the mud with the Marines and SpecOps, flying Navy Air, or getting haze gray and underway (or underwater).
 
My Mid class of 2022 only applied to USNA and was adamant his interest was only with the Naval Academy - he applied for NROTC scholarships but was only wanted to be a Naval Officer and stated so in his essays and interviews. He received a nomination, a LOA and an appointment and will be entering his second yer at the Academy
 
As mentioned in a few of the above posts, consider USMMA. It offers an excellent background in ships which you can use in a career in commercial shipping. However, approximately one-third of each graduating class opts to go active duty, mostly Navy. My DS (USMMA class of 2013) is a Navy pilot. My DD (USMMA class of 2021) turned down her USNA appointment in favor of Kings Point. Lots of mids at USMMA had USNA as their first choice, but most are happy they ended up at USMMA. Just food for thought.
 
My D only applied to USNA. It was not a problem when getting noms at all. Her reason was the academics, location and ideas of USNA spoke to her more than other service academies. She did get in. Best of luck to your friend.
 
For a contrarian view, I didn't apply to NROTC, though I did apply to 2 SAs. For me, it was all or nothing -- I either was going to be in the military full-time or I wasn't. There are folks who only apply to ROTC and not to a SA. Thus, I have no issue with someone who does the opposite -- why waste everyone's time if you aren't interested in ROTC? The key is a thoughtful explanation.
 
So I am doing the same thing - USNA only and NROTC - its a win-win for me. If I get in USNA 2024 then that's awesome. But getting NROTC at one of my top 3 schools is just as good and I will work my butt off. I want Naval Aviation and I want it bad! One way or another this guy is wearing an Officer's uniform at graduation in 2024.
 
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