Realistically... too late to apply or not?

[buffalo]

Greetings,

I am an applicant to the AFA. My application is complete, so I will now be playing the waiting game. If I do not receive an appointment my plan was to do either AFROTC or NROTC and try again next year.

A large reason why I did not apply to the USNA is because I did not think I would be able to get a nomination to both the AFA and USNA. However, this past week my MOC had a Nominee Reception event. There (to receive my AFA nom), I learned that she had only nominated four people to the USNA. This has really sparked my interest again in applying. While the AFA would be my first choice, I would be honored to attend the USNA and would choose that over ROTC if given the opportunity. So my question, is it (realistically) too late to apply?

Thanks!

 

[Katienavy?]

Ahh, why not give it a shot?
It's unrealistic on January 31st

 

[gdesena]

Are you planning on going through a year of ROTC, then reapplying? If so, I'm not sure how true this is, but I've heard that about 40% of the mid's at USNA did not come straight out of high school.
So if you're still interested in the academies, I highly recommend reapplying. Plus, it shows you're dedicated which is a good thing.

 

[time2]

Perhaps the number varies from year-to-year but the stats for class of 2012 are posted here: http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/documents/2008_PlebeProfile_ClassOf2012_0725.pdf

That indicates that 27.5% were from someplace other than high school.

 

[buffalo]

Are you planning on going through a year of ROTC, then reapplying? If so, I'm not sure how true this is, but I've heard that about 40% of the mid's at USNA did not come straight out of high school.
So if you're still interested in the academies, I highly recommend reapplying. Plus, it shows you're dedicated which is a good thing.

My first choice would be to get an appointment this year and enter right out of high school. If that does not happen, I will go to college and do ROTC. Given how important going to a service academy is to me, I can assume that I will reapply next year.

Given the scenario that I do not get into the AFA, but do apply and get into USNA, I would go there before doing ROTC.

I was planning to apply to both AFA and USNA, but then I figured I would not be able to get a nomination to both places. Knowing that I will be able to receive a congressional nomination to the USNA changes things. The main reason why I originally chose the AFA over the USNA because of the location. I love the mountains (skiing), so Colorado Springs is more appealing than Annapolis. Not the best decider, I know.

 

[Katienavy?]

So apply...
But think about this: given the scenario of not getting into AFA, but into the NA, would you be happier spending the time at Annapolis rather than reapplying and getting into AFA for 2014?
If yes, then hurry up!

 

[buffalo]

Well I did go ahead and fill out the preliminary application. It will probably be a challenge to finish everything out in time, especially depending on how long it takes for the real application materials to arrive. However, I will give it my best shot!

So apply...
But think about this: given the scenario of not getting into AFA, but into the NA, would you be happier spending the time at Annapolis rather than reapplying and getting into AFA for 2014?
If yes, then hurry up!

My primary goal is service in the military and a service academy education. Given the uncertainty of gaining an appointment to any of the service academies, I believe I would take the UNSA appointment if the above scenario were to occur. Although I love the mountains (and skiing), I believe I would be happy in Annapolis. In November I was in D.C. visiting GWU. After that my family decided to make the relatively short drive to Annapolis. We were not on Academy grounds for very long, but I did get a good impression of the area.

 

[Mom1315]

Well I did go ahead and fill out the preliminary application. It will probably be a challenge to finish everything out in time, especially depending on how long it takes for the real application materials to arrive. However, I will give it my best shot!



My primary goal is service in the military and a service academy education. Given the uncertainty of gaining an appointment to any of the service academies, I believe I would take the UNSA appointment if the above scenario were to occur. Although I love the mountains (and skiing), I believe I would be happy in Annapolis. In November I was in D.C. visiting GWU. After that my family decided to make the relatively short drive to Annapolis. We were not on Academy grounds for very long, but I did get a good impression of the area.

what "real" application materials are you talking about? My son did his whole application on-line, including submitting his essay. The only thing that was a hold up was the official transcripts and the letters of recommendation, but if your teachers and counselors are willing to do that quickly, you should be able to do it. Has the Academy taken the online application Off-line? If so, I was not aware of that. Check the website and see if you can still do it online. Good luck to you!

 

[buffalo]

what "real" application materials are you talking about? My son did his whole application on-line, including submitting his essay. The only thing that was a hold up was the official transcripts and the letters of recommendation, but if your teachers and counselors are willing to do that quickly, you should be able to do it. Has the Academy taken the online application Off-line? If so, I was not aware of that. Check the website and see if you can still do it online. Good luck to you!

First you must fill out a preliminary application with basic details. This is what I have done. If/when the USNA decides that you are competitive enough to fully apply they will give you access to the full online application. I don't know how long this will take at this late stage of the game.

 

[Mom1315]

First you must fill out a preliminary application with basic details. This is what I have done. If/when the USNA decides that you are competitive enough to fully apply they will give you access to the full online application. I don't know how long this will take at this late stage of the game.

ah, got it. I don't remember that because my son went to summer seminar and then finished the actual app. online. Good luck to you. I am sure they will look at the preliminary application right away, I know there were people in the Admissions office today, so they will likely be working on Friday also, after the 5th things should move along for you. I guess you can always give them a quick call mid-day on Monday and show your interest. They will likely look you up and maybe could speed up your access to the online app. Happy New Year to you!

 

[Just_A_Mom]

buffalo - yes, you will get a "Candidate Number" in the mail and a letter explaining the process to you. It shouldn't take long at all - a week or two.
It really doesn't take that long. The essay is probably similar to your AFA essay and/or MOC nomination essays.
You have time to get it completed - they can use your CFA that you did for your AFA application.
Aim for mid-end Jan completion.
Good Luck!

 

[bigcox]

have you done DODMERB yet? that will take some time...good luck!!

 

[buffalo]

Does anyone have the USNA essays by chance? My two AFA essays were:
1. discussing (in 250-300 words) which aspect of the AFA experience do I anticipate will be most challenging and how I expect to succeed and
2. A setback I have faced, how I resolved it, how it affected me, and how I would react in the future.

I certainly think it will be doable if the candidate number does come relatively soon. I am already DoDMERB qualified, which I consider to be the most time consuming hurdle. My AFA CFA was alright, but not great (low pushup score), so I will probably want to retake it. If I score well, I could ask the AFA if they might look at the new score. Teacher recommendations/evaluation should be fairly easy to attain.

 

[buffalo]

I would also like to add that I really appreciate all of the positive encouragement and advice that I have received thus far. Thanks!

Happy new year!!!

 

[Mom1315]

Does anyone have the USNA essays by chance? My two AFA essays were:
1. discussing (in 250-300 words) which aspect of the AFA experience do I anticipate will be most challenging and how I expect to succeed and
2. A setback I have faced, how I resolved it, how it affected me, and how I would react in the future.

I certainly think it will be doable if the candidate number does come relatively soon. I am already DoDMERB qualified, which I consider to be the most time consuming hurdle. My AFA CFA was alright, but not great (low pushup score), so I will probably want to retake it. If I score well, I could ask the AFA if they might look at the new score. Teacher recommendations/evaluation should be fairly easy to attain.

Here is the topic of the USNA essay my son wrote for admission to 2013. I am not sure how many words it neede to be, I am guessing 500 or less as his was 460.
Naval Academy Application Essay

Q:
Describe what led to your initial interest in the naval service and how will the Naval Academy help you achieve your long range goals and describe a personal experience you have which you feel has contributed to your own character development and integrity

 

[Katienavy?]

It's 300-500 words altogether.

 

[buffalo]

Thanks for the topic and length pmlutton and Katienavy. Two more to add to the list of essays I need to write.... Really though the first topic will be an interesting one to ponder. Rather than specific interest in the naval service, I began with interest in military service. I see AFA, USNA, AFROTC, NROTC, as a way to accomplish that broader goal. Hmm...

 

[usna2012mom]

Be sure to check with MOC and ask if she is willing to accept another application. She may have submitted her slate already.

 

[buffalo]

My letter from the USNA came today. I am now an official candidate to the USNA. Deadline is March 1, correct? Regardless, I plan to get everything done ASAP.

 

[usna2012mom]

I believe the deadline for your candidate packet is Mar 1. The nominating sources have deadlines that are much earlier. You said that your MOC said that she has nominated four to USNA. Please make a call to MOC office and make sure that they will still take a look at your application.
Good Luck...keep us posted