Question

Cotton&Alligators

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2013
Messages
49
My son applied for an NROTC scholarship and a B&G rep from the USNA sent an email asking son if he would be interested in going to USNA. Does this happen often ? We had no idea the application would be reviewed by USNA.
 
Yes...

This happened to my first DS, he applied for the NROTC "only" and received an email asking if he would be applying for the Academy. I can only assume it continues to be the same thing. My DS applied 2 years ago.
 
If your child is even considering this option, he really needs to get on it, as in yesterday.

The fact is to get an appointment he must have a nomination from an MOC. Many MOCs will be closing out their boards within the next few weeks. Some may have already closed, many will have end of Sept/mid-Oct as their dates.

Applications for a nom., usually include transcripts, recommendations and essays.

I would highly stress to find out today when they close their boards.
 
When DS applied for NASS he received a post card from West Point encouraging him to apply there. When he logged on with the "candidate" number on the card it just had his name and address, and then a bunch of cool army/academy pics with a prompt to start the application now kind of thing. I think they must have some kind of shared recruiting tool that if you apply to one program you may get solicited by another.
 
USNA and NROTC have "shared" info for the last several years. The candidates typically show up in the BGO system; I believe there is now an indicator if they have only indicated an interest in NROTC (i.e., didn't apply for NASS, have not filled out a contact card, etc. for USNA -- only NROTC).

However, in some cases, candidates may not be aware of USNA or understand how it is the same/differs from NROTC. So BGOs are encouraged to contact those individuals to gauge knowledge and interest. That's all.
 
It might be added that the sharing is very imperfect and untimely. I have gotten NROTC candidates on my BGO page AFTER the congressional nominating process has long been completed. Unless the NROTC candidate is eligible for some non-member-of-congress nomination source (Presidential, military parents, etc.) it is a wasted effort. I have been told (unsubstantiated rumor, here) that the passing of names from NROTC to USNA is initiated by NROTC and it is really a zero priority action for them and more of a housekeeping item. Like many things in life, it all is great in theory, but in practice it goes nowhere as far as either program is concerned.
 
Last edited:
OPTIONS

Cotton...A,

My 1st DS went NROTC only, DS2 went all out for the Academy & NROTC. That said PIMA is correct. If your child is going to submit for the Academy, they need to start the process yesterday. The days and times are drawing to a very quick close for the MOC's.

When the train pulls out there is no stopping it.

Check the application dates for your MOC's and "IF" your child is going to apply it will be a very long night tonight because they really need to act with speed. The drawback to that are the potential errors in acting quickly.

You will hear that it is not at all a good idea for the parents to help with this process. Because of the time frame and the need to react quickly you may be inclined to jump in there and help. Watch for the feed on how far you should go with support. IMO form all the guidance that was given to me, I would not step in at all.

Good luck...
 
You guys are touching on my concern. Why would B&G officer email back and forth with my son at this late date ?

Edit, I called USNA admissions and was told by the Lt. in admissions it was not too late.
 
Last edited:
I think you are confusing the boards that posters are talking about. It is not too late for admissions since that board will not close until Feb next yr.

It is the MOC's board that you need to be concerned about. I.E., your Congressman, and two senators, unless like usna1985 stated your DS can get a presidential or ROTC nom. I know for when our DS applied his MOCs closed out their submission date 9/30. IOTW, if the application for the nom was not postmarked by 9/30 AND COMPLETE by that date, they would not even consider them for a nomination.
~~~~ Typically, MOCs will ask for recs, essays and transcripts, including official SAT/ACT scores. SAT/ACTs are the tricky things because there is a lag time for them to send to specific organizations. DS's MOC's even asked for a passport picture to be included in the application.

No nomination = no appointment. Thus, if your child is not a qualified military dependent, or in JROTC, and can't be boarded by your MOCs because they have closed their applications, than for a typical candidate there is only one nom left. Vice Presidential. Hence, why we are saying you need to get on the ball as in yesterday to get those MOCs noms.
 
Last edited:
Pima, you are correct. I called my Congressman and they told me 10-31 is the date. Thanks for pointing me down the right road.
 
Make sure your child goes online and checks for the Sens. due dates. Each MOC sets their own deadline.

I say your DS because many will tell you that if you have to stay on top of him, it begs the question how badly he wants it. Not every kid wants to attend an SA as their route for commissioning.

If USNA is like AFA he has to fill out the PCQ.
 
You also need to be aware that the USNA deadlines for starting an application and completing the application have been changed starting with the Class of 2018. You need to start that app nlt Dec 31 and complete it by Jan 31 as I recall - check www.usna.edu/ Admissions to be sure.
 
Back
Top