Post Grad Steps for Admittance

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SScott91

5-Year Member
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Dec 13, 2009
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Hi all, my Name is Sean and I am currently Senior in high school. As a child I used to dream of attending the USNA. I lost sight of that dream up until recently, and have sort of slipped in my academic career. I am not seeking an appointment for this year, although I did go ahead and fill out the candidate application. Academically I currently have a 2.7, after my grades slipped my Junior year. I have only taken the SAT once, and I recieved a 540 on Math portion and 640 on the Verbal portion. I do have leadership experience, primarily through boy scouts; I am an Eagle Scout and have served on staff at the National Youth Leadership Training Conference. I played two years of high school football before getting injured (ankle) and while I haven't played a varsity sport I have kept myself in shape. To make a long story short I am wondering if there are cases where people who might not have met the criteria for appointment directly out of high school have that have done things to get them considered in the future? I am interested in the prep school, but realize one doesn't just choose to attend. I will be the first college student in my family, and due to this haven't had any guidance in the college process from my parents, contributing to my lack of knowledge on this subject (in the end it is all on me.) Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks, Sean
 
Hi Sean, Although my son did go from high school to the Academy, I have heard of many who did not go directly. If your goal is to get into the Naval Academy, when you start out in you freshmen year at college, try to take the same classes that the Academy will give their freshman class. English, Calculas, chemisty and the like. This credits will not transfer, but if you do well you can test and validate and move to an upper class. Make sure that you fullfill the rounded ideals that they want. Acedemic, Leadership, Volunteer, an Athletic. Do well in all of these, and you have agood chance of getting in!

Good luck! Julie
 
Over 1/3 of entering USNA students have at least some post-h.s. work. USNA looks favorably on college students b/c they bring experience and maturity to the class.

THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING for college students are college courses and grades. This is especially true if your h.s. grades/SAT scores weren't what you would have liked. You must try to take as many of the following courses as possible your FIRST semester of college: Calculus, Chemistry with lab, English, History, Physics. Physics isn't imperative but it helps. Do not waste your time with other courses that you think are equivalent or just as hard -- the ones mentioned are the only ones USNA really cares about.

You MUST get As (preferably) or high Bs in those classes. Being honest, low Bs and Cs probably won't cut it. Good grades in plebe college classes demonstrate to USNA more than h.s. grades and classes or test scores that you can handle college-level work of the type plebes will take.

You want to stay in shape and do well on the CFA. Sports are fine but they aren't mandatory for college students and it's much more important to do well in academics, assuming you played some sports in h.s. If you didn't play sports in h.s., try joining a community league or find some level at which you can play in college. You do NOT have to play varsity sports in college.

If you had ok leadership in h.s., don't worry about it in college. USNA knows that opportunities for leadership for freshmen are few & far between. Rely on what you did in h.s.

BTW, it doesn't matter what college you attend as long as it's a "real" college. Community college is ok. I don't know how USNA feels about on-line colleges; if you're considering this, I would check with Candidate Guidance before going down that road to ensure they will accept it.

Good luck!
 
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input. Right now I plan on attending Holy Cross College, which is a 4 year college with connections to the University of Notre Dame. (Perhaps you've seen the movie Rudy.) I plan on playing baseball and participating in intramural sports, and will try to take advantage of any leadership opportunities that become available through Holy Cross or Notre Dame. I am also going to take the SAT again in march after going through the prep book, (took it cold last time.) If anyone has any other ideas I would truly appreciate input, as I am truly going to strive to make this happen.

Thanks, Sean
 
You can retake the SAT but your freshman college classes and grades in them are much more important. This is USNA's view, not mine. Thus, if I were you, I'd save the money on the prep course and maybe take Calc or Chem at community college over the summer.
 
Just by way of encouragement, my daughter recently attended a forum with three midshipmen home for Thanksgiving. One was a direct admit from HS, one had gone to the prep school and one had two years of NROTC at Tulane (in New Orleans). There are many paths.

Work hard and make your good luck.
:smile:
 
Thank you for the encouragement. I talked to a man from my congressman's office today. He sort of gave me a rundown of the procedure, and told me basically what you guys have told me. I'm going to retake the SAT, and really study for the math portion, as he said math is the most important subject and it is the one I find most difficult. Is there anyway to get into the NAPP School? I realize you don't just ask but I was wondering if there were steps to take to try to gain admittance, other then basically being directed to the prep school by the academy. Thank's so much.

Sean
 
Basically, Admissions locks in on SAT/ACT scores for a couple of reasons: First, they are standard exams and it minimizes the need to establish grade equivalencies for every school in the US for comparison purposes. Second, they are designed to be predictors of performance on the college level. You would be better advised to focus your attention on earning the best grades you can in a course of study resembling that you would encounter as a plebe at USNA. That should be more significant than retaking the SAT/ACT. Keep your focus on your goal. Best wishes.
 
s there anyway to get into the NAPP School? I realize you don't just ask but I was wondering if there were steps to take to try to gain admittance, other then basically being directed to the prep school by the academy.
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I assume you mean NAPS. I would be extremely surprised -- shocked -- if it were offered to someone already in college. If you're a h.s. student, there isn't anything you can do to get in other than indicate your willingness to accept an appointment to NAPS if offered.
 
Yeah that's what I mean, right now... But i mean for the fall if it were somehow possible.

Thanks
 
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