Preliminary Applicant to Official Candidate

[NavyFam]

I'm curious as to how many applicants are ruled out during the preliminary application phase. For example: how many preliminary applications are completed vs. how many become "official candidates" in June. Do they really vet a lot of applicants during that phase?

 

[TV4caster]

I will let more knowledgeable folks chime in on how many the NA weeds out, but there are a lot of applicants who simply take themselves out of the mix by never completing an application or stopping well short of finishing.

 

[CAmidparent]

I will let more knowledgeable folks chime in on how many the NA weeds out, but there are a lot of applicants who simply take themselves out of the mix by never completing an application or stopping well short of finishing.

There is a lot of controversy of this... Google it!! Many colleges do not agree with the NA stats that they are one of the most selective colleges because they claim they have 12,000+ applicants, but only 1200 are admitted. This is just false. NA counts every student who even applies to NASS, and who even STARTS an application (not even finishing) as part of the 12,000. In particular, Google Prof. Bruce Fleming and his research. He is a current professor at NA and has some very interesting insight into the whole process... He is one who is not afraid to speak his mind...EEK!

 

[AROTC-dad]

I would agree that SA's measure the number of applications differently than traditional colleges.

However I vehemently disagree that they are not among the most selective institutions.

The inherent nature of mandatory military service substantially reduces the number of potential applicants, but those applicants must jump through far more hoops than any traditional college. The fact that an applicant must do the CFA, show leadership achievements, secure a nomination, be "well rounded" and also keep a high GPA and SAT/ACT differentiates a SA candidate from a typical college applicant. SA's should be compared amongst each other and not with Ivy's or any other elite college even though US News & WR tries to do otherwise.

 

[usna1985]

To answer the OP's question, the answer is complicated.

When you complete the preliminary application, you can be immediately designated an official candidate. This is typically based on your SAT/ACT scores. There is no "magic" number but a 600/600 will be good enough. However, some do become official candidates with lower scores.

If, during the course of the year, the scores improve or for other reasons, someone can later become an official candidate -- IOW, the initial determination is not set in stone.

Those who do not complete their applications vet themselves out of the process.

 

[usnabgo08]

A lot of the "vetting" is automatically done...in other words, whatever is submitted (self-reported) on the NASS or preliminary candidate questionnaire is used to determine if an applicant becomes an official candidate. USNA Admissions has the final say on if an applicant becomes an official candidate (as USNA1985 implied above), so sometimes applicants are "personally" vetted.

 

[NavyFam]

Thank you, usna1985 and usnabgo08. That's exactly what I'm trying to figure out. I assume my DS is "on the bubble" scholastically. So, I'm trying to make sure that they would not have moved him this far in the process (he is now medically Q'd, CFA Q'd and has 2 noms) if he was going to be not Q'd scholastically. His 7th semester GPA (yes, it was reported to USNA) and SATs scores are higher now then they were when he did his preliminary app last January.

 

[usna1985]

I have never heard of a situation where someone is moved out of "official candidate" status. Once you're in, you're in.

It is a separate question whether you are "Qualified." That happens only after you are an official candidate. Some official candidates are not deemed qualified. Many of those enter the NAPS/Foundation pool -- meaning they are in the mix for a NAPS appointment or Foundation scholarship. That doesn't mean it's a done deal -- just an option.

Let me rephrase. If he were not an "official candidate," he would not have been allowed to submit a package, do the medical, etc. The fact he has gone that far means he's definitely an official candidate. That does not mean he is qualified by the Board. That is a separate determination. Your DS can try asking his RD -- sometimes they relay this info, sometimes they don't.

 

[NavyFam]

Thank you! Just trying to read between all of the lines while waiting, ever patiently, for the BFE!

 

[TV4caster]

I will let more knowledgeable folks chime in on how many the NA weeds out, but there are a lot of applicants who simply take themselves out of the mix by never completing an application or stopping well short of finishing.

There is a lot of controversy of this... Google it!! Many colleges do not agree with the NA stats that they are one of the most selective colleges because they claim they have 12,000+ applicants, but only 1200 are admitted. This is just false. NA counts every student who even applies to NASS, and who even STARTS an application (not even finishing) as part of the 12,000. In particular, Google Prof. Bruce Fleming and his research. He is a current professor at NA and has some very interesting insight into the whole process... He is one who is not afraid to speak his mind...EEK!

I know

I think the method of counting applications should be different for SA's since there are so many extra steps versus a school with a "normal" admission process. Should they count everyone who even starts an application? Probably not. But it also sure shouldn't be people who have completed all the processes either. If a kid gets 90% of the way through and gets word at their physical that they are DQ'd and therefore doesn't finish their essay, that should count as an application.

 

[falconchic88]

I believe you also become an official candidate when you receive a Nom, even if you weren't previously deemed competitive by USNA. I know that's how USAFA does it, and would guess USNA is the same.