Other Service Academy Appointment

[devildolphin24']

Got a DD here who really wants USNA. Applied to the other academies, and is hearing some positive things back from some of them regarding their respective applications, but no word on USNA. So I got a question; if DD gets an appointment to "X" Academy, is it a good idea to tell USNA about it, in hopes that it might make here more competitive? Thanks and good luck everyone.

 

[THParent]

I don't think that it would hurt, but I wouldn't expect it to help, either.

Each academy produces officers for each branch of the service, which in turn have vastly different missions from each other. What is desireable in the incoming class at one academy may not make a difference at all, at another academy.

 

[kinnem]

Her competitiveness will depend on her whole person score. There are no extra points for acceptance at other academies. At some point it comes down to what they want their incoming class to look like. As THParent says, one might look great for one academy and not so much for the other.

 

[devildolphin24']

I don't think that it would hurt, but I wouldn't expect it to help, either.

Each academy produces officers for each branch of the service, which in turn have vastly different missions from each other. What is desirable in the incoming class at one academy may not make a difference at all, at another academy.

Any examples of how one person may be better optimized for one academy over another in the eyes of admissions?

 

[devildolphin24']

Her competitiveness will depend on her whole person score. There are no extra points for acceptance at other academies. At some point it comes down to what they want their incoming class to look like. As THParent says, one might look great for one academy and not so much for the other.

Does the whole person score change each year? Where I can I find this?

 

[MidCakePa]

My guess of how that conversation would play out...

Parent: “My child received an offer from SA1. Just thought you should know.”

SA2 Admissions: [Extended pause.] Thank you for informing us. [The real thought in their head: “And your point is?]

 

[shiner]

Any examples of how one person may be better optimized for one academy over another in the eyes of admissions?

A simple example would be someone looking at USNA who has a resume full of maritime activities like competitive sailing, Sea Scouts and/or Sea Cadets, NJROTC, lifeguard, teach a maritime activity, work a job at a maritime activity, etc.

Each SA would place a different value on these activities, but the resume speaks to motivation towards the branch and that would be recognized by the selection committee.

 

[shiner]

The real thought in their head: “And your point is?"

My only counterpoint would be in athletic recruiting. This obviously does not apply to all candidates, but... if you were being recruited by one SA and had a preference of another, this could have a small degree of merit because the coach can either pick you up on their team or potentially play against you for the next 4 years. Depending on the candidate, it could possibly sway them.

 

[usna1985]

As a general rule, USNA doesn't care what other SAs do it in terms of admissions with, as noted, the possible exception of a highly recruited athlete. However, at this point in the year, I would guess that those folks have already received offers of appointment.

It's not uncommon for candidates appointed to another SA not be appointed to USNA. The converse is also true.

 

[USMA 1994]

Remember this is not a National Competition for the most part. Your DD may be the slate winner at one academy and could be in the middle of the pack at the other depending who else has applied and who they are competing against. While they are all different, I doubt that the WCS calculation is significantly different between the academies.

 

[time2]

Does the whole person score change each year? Where I can I find this?

USNA does not reveal the formula used for their whole person score. Part of the reason is to prevent 'gaming' of the application system. If you look at posts from the past on here, you can find some who got an appointment to one SA but got a TWE to another, so clearly there are some differences in the formulas each SA uses. While getting a MOC NOM is a regional things, the criteria for being 3Q is determined by USNA and is the same regardless of where you live.

 

[USMA 1994]

If you look at posts from the past on here, you can find some who got an appointment to one SA but got a TWE to another, so clearly there are some differences in the formulas each SA uses.

I would not agree that this tells us the formulas are different. It only tells us that the competition is different. The only way this would prove out is if the same 10 individuals from the same MOC district received nominations to multiple academies and the slate winners are different between the academies.

Being 3Q and getting an appointment are two totally different things. Around 50% of applicants that reach this step do not get an offer.

Again, their is no real secret sauce for the admissions process. The academies do weight the components a little different but the overall process is fairly objective and known to the public. Academic performance is weighted the highest then demonstrated leadership in extracurricular activities is next. Physical fitness in terms of the CFA is next and then their may be some input from the interview. Strong candidates have high achievement in all areas. As I mentioned before, most high school applicants are competing on the MOC slate and that is dependent on this year's slate of candidates.

 

[time2]

I think you missed my point. My example was the SAME applicant applies to several SA's (and has a NOM) and gets an appointment to one but a TWE to another. Obviously, there are some differences in the SA process that makes this happen.

People often focus on the geographical issue of getting a MOC NOM. The criteria for being 3Q is the same nationwide and isn't determined by region.

None of us work in admissions, so we have no way to know the exact formula USNA is currently using. How WP might have done it several years ago based on that often misquoted Rand study doesn't mean USNA operates the same way.

 

[A1Janitor]

I think you missed my point. My example was the SAME applicant applies to several SA's (and has a NOM) and gets an appointment to one but a TWE to another. Obviously, there are some differences in the SA process that makes this happen.

People often focus on the geographical issue of getting a MOC NOM. The criteria for being 3Q is the same nationwide and isn't determined by region.

None of us work in admissions, so we have no way to know the exact formula USNA is currently using. How WP might have done it several years ago based on that often misquoted Rand study doesn't mean USNA operates the same way.

Yes, for candidates that don’t win their slate who have to compete with the top 150 in the national pool. Which is tough.

The point is in any district, a WCS might win a slate for one SA but not another based on competition. It comes down more to competition to the individual SA than difference in the points between SA. And also the puzzle piece they need.

 

[Kierkegaard]

Might be beating a dead horse by now, but I say don’t tell them. This isn’t akin to a hiring process where you might use other job offers as leverage for scoring a better salary. As was mentioned, people get into USNA can be rejected by other academies, and vice versa. Each Academy has their own similar but distinct admissions process, and they are unlikely to care what another Academy’s decision was.

 

[SADad]

A simple example would be someone looking at USNA who has a resume full of maritime activities like competitive sailing, Sea Scouts and/or Sea Cadets, NJROTC, lifeguard, teach a maritime activity, work a job at a maritime activity, etc.

Each SA would place a different value on these activities, but the resume speaks to motivation towards the branch and that would be recognized by the selection committee.

For what it's worth, DS is a Sea Cadet Petty Officer, and he has an appointment offer from USMA, but not from USNA. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

There are so many variables, all a candidate can do at this stage is to take things as they come.