Reapplying to USNA (after a turndown)

usna1985

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Below is a sticky posted years ago and recently updated. It provides information for those reapplying to USNA after being turned down.

PLEASE NOTE: While every attempt has been made to make this sticky accurate, the information below has not been reviewed, approved or endorsed by USNA.


You got the TWE this year and are considering reapplying for next year. Now what?

First, USNA looks favorably on those who reapply. They like the persistence and the maturity of post h.s. candidates. About 1/3 of each entering class has a year or more of post h.s. education. However, as a reapplicant, you have to address your "weaknesses" from your original application or make your already stellar application even stronger. Submitting essentially the same packet is unlikely to produce a different result.

Second, contact USNA Admissions, preferably waiting until June or July, when things are a bit slower. Ask your Regional Director what specifically you can do to improve your package in the coming year. You may also want to talk to your BGO. Don't guess. Don't assume. If you don't know what held you back, you can't "fix" it and, until you do, your chances of admission don't increase. If you didn't get a nom, try contacting your MOC's SA rep and ask what you can do to improve.

Third, enroll at a 4-yr college -- not a community college unless this is all you can financially afford, in which case make sure USNA knows this is the reason. The college itself isn't all that important. Take the following courses -- calc, hem w/lab, English, history and, if possible physics. Get As or high Bs. I cannot emphasize this enough. Taking and doing well in the plebe courses demonstrates more than anything that you can handle the load at USNA. Take other courses or get low Bs and below and it's unlikely your status with USNA will change.

Fourth, with respect to leadership, sports and ECAs . . . USNA realizes there are limits on what freshman can do, especially at large universities. That said, look for ways to make yourself stand out. For example, do something productive during the summer, such as getting a job or helping at a non-profit. Once at college, find a small project (i.e., fundraiser) that you can lead or take a large role in leading. Play organized sports (intramurals, club sports, etc.). Your grades are still of PRIMARY importance so don't go so overboard with activities that your grades slip. But at the same time, try to do some things that show USNA you can handle academics AND the other stuff that USNA will throw at you.

Fifth, consider asking for a new BGO. The reason is that you want another BGO to say that you're great. Your current BGO is unlikely to change his/her opinion of you and a fresh perspective is always a good thing; if you liked your first BGO, you can always keep in contact. A second great rec helps. If you're assigned the same BGO, ask the Area Coordinator for someone else, maybe a BGO near your college. Note: there is no requirement to change BGOs and many successful reapplicants keep the same one. But, for the reasons stated above, having a second BGO can help you -- and my be logistically easier depending on the location of your college and your schedule.

Sixth, check with your RD about retaking SATs/ACTs. USNA considers standardized tests to be a predictor of college success. The better predictor is how well you actually do in college "plebe" courses. However, if your SATs were lower than 650V/700M, you probably should retake them because it might help. As noted, if in doubt, ask your RD.

Seventh, re-evaluate your CFA. Did you max out on every event? If not, there is room for improvement. USNA focuses on crunches (sit-ups), push-ups and the mile run but every event counts. While the CFA technically is pass/fail, an excellent score helps. This is particularly true if you’re not participating in college varsity sports and, as a freshman, it's quite likely you're not. So get with a coach or trainer, work on any events you didn't max, and retake it.

Should I write new essays?

Yes. You will have matured a lot in the year since you first applied and that increased maturity will inevitably show in your essay. It’s not that USNA will (necessarily) compare the old vs. new, but rather that you can help show how you have matured and improved through your essay.

Should I submit my new USNA application package right away?

No. Things are different for college students/reapplicants than for h.s students. USNA won’t consider your application until first semester college grades are in, which is typically near the end of January. Thus, DO NOT RUSH to get your package into USNA – take the time to get in more ECAs, sports, better essays, etc. BTW, this does not apply to MOC deadlines, which typically are the same for all applicants.

Does it matter what college I attend?

Not really, provided it’s a 4-yr college. USNA recognizes that people may need/want to attend certain colleges for various reasons, including financial. Obviously, attending MIT and receiving all As isn’t going to hurt! But it’s not required. Reapplying to USNA may not work out, so choose a college where you expect to be happy for the next four years.

Should/must I do NROTC?

Doing ROTC can help in many ways. First, it can help you confirm that a military lifestyle/career is what you really want. Second, it provides a another source for a nomination. Third, it helps demonstrate your interest in the USN. The above said, it’s not a requirement for a successful reapplication. There are various reasons that some candidates can’t or don’t want to do ROTC. If you excel in other ways, the fact you didn’t do ROTC shouldn’t be an issue.

Prep school vs. college – which should I do?

USNA says college. There are some exceptions which include (but aren’t limited to): you need help with study skills or time management; your high school was terrible and didn’t prepare you well; you need to build independence and learn to live away from home. Going to prep school (including Foundation schools) believing this will increase your chances of admission is risky. View with skepticism the numbers prep schools tout in terms of SA admissions – be sure you’re looking at “self prep” numbers, not numbers that include “sponsored” prep students. A year at prep school is absolutely terrific for some and a total waste of time and money for others.

What should I during the summer after my senior year?

First, take couple weeks of vacation. You deserve it and probably need it. After that, do something that will improve your chances of being appointed next year, which basically means doing something productive. For many, this means work. USNA understands that candidates about to enter civilian college may need to get a job in order to help finance their education. That's perfectly fine and expected.

If you're lucky enough not to need a job, consider what you can do to improve yourself or the lives of others. Volunteer. Take an intensive language course. Participate in sports camps. Something other than hanging around the house or mall all summer.

People who are successful at USNA are those who like to keep busy – and summers at USNA are jam-packed. Thus, show USNA that you can do something useful with your free time.

A few other notes:

You will get a new candidate number and will need to resubmit everything to USNA. You need to retake the CFA. You do NOT need to redo your medical (DODMERB exam is good for 2 yrs) unless something in your medical situation has changed.

You will in all likelihood maintain your current district/state of residence, even when you go to college. In that case, you reapply to the same MOCs.

In terms of teacher recs, USNA prefers recommendations from your college profs. However, if you’re in a huge lecture class (>100 students) where the prof doesn't know his/her students, USNA will accept recommendations from your senior year h.s. English and math teachers. If you have small sections in college, you should use your college prof.

USNA has told BGOs that it is important for reapplicants to improve on ALL areas of their application -- grades, CFA, standardized tests and continued leadership. IOW, it's no longer enough simply to get As in the plebe courses -- you want to push yourself across the board.

Doing all the above is not a guarantee of an appointment. But, for those who remain determined, it's the best path.

Finally, the moment you receive a TWE (or the new on-line equivalent), you tend to think that reapplying to USNA is the only answer. However, along that journey, many young men and women find that they really love their civilian school. Many open a new USNA application only to pull it weeks or months later.

The fact is that, much as you wanted to attend USNA, you may well find that “Plan B” turns out to be an exceptional Plan A and soon you can’t imagine being anywhere else. Embrace that! There are many paths to success in life – USNA is only one of them.

Reapplicants who do receive USNA appointments may still struggle with the decision whether to leave their civilian school, where they’ve had success, made friends, etc. I worked with one who loved her civilian school and wasn’t sure she wanted to “start over” at USNA. She ended up doing so, was extremely happy, and graduated from USNA in the top 50 of her class. However, it wasn’t an easy decision – and it may not be for you.

If the desire for USNA still burns, go for it. But, if the USNA flame is replaced by a love for your new school/life, be thrilled it’s worked out so well for you and celebrate your success.

Best of luck!
 
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in our district, getting a new BGO is required for reapplicants.. Our BGO brought it up on the first interview, saying that our district was successful in having 2 college reapplicants appointed by the academy last year, but that BGO didn't interview them the second time - someone else did because that was the standard practice in our district.

Having a different BGO is not a USNA requirement. It is often a good idea , for the reasons stated above. In this case, I discussed with the Candidate early in the reapplication cycle, and offered to transfer him to another BGO , and he elected to stay with me. Among other things, we held off his interview until Christmas so that I could comment on his college experience and provide something new in the recommendation.
 
I don't know if this is normal either, but when I reapplied, I interviewed with the Regional Director. He submitted the evaluation but worked closely with my original BGO for it since he was tracking with my process already.
 
I guess it depends how you define "requirement." The BGO handbook says that re-applicants SHOULD have a new BGO assigned, as it gives the Admissions Board one more (another) data point. So while it doesn't say..."MUST"...I read this as...a re-applicant should a different BGO unless some circumstance prevents it or is unreasonable. Ref: Appendix F, p. 71.

I would also say that some of the admission package might carry over -- i.e. multiple BGO interviews might be considered in helping to define the "whole person."
 
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I do have a question about going to a 4-year college as opposed to a community college. I am taking all my Senior year classes at a local community college, and have acquired a pretty good amount of college credits in this time. I am still waiting to hear from USAFA, but with a TWE from USNA, my plan C is to continue at the community college, and get my Associate's degree there. Is this better or worse than enrolling in a 4-year college?
 
USNA prefers a 4-year college -- I think, but am not sure, because they believe the courses are more rigorous and possibly the overall structure of a 4-yr college where "everyone" is going to school full-time. However, you also have to do what's best for you in the event you don't get into a SA. If that's an Associate's degree, then that's how you should proceed.
 
If "College candidates cannot be reviewed until their first semester grades have been received" does that mean that college re-applicants are not eligible for an LOA whatsoever?
 
They are eligible but very rare for a reapplicant. USNA usually won't issue one because they won't review a reapplicant until they get their first semester grades, so Jan at the earliest. Usually by then the Nom process has been completed so if USNA decided to appoint you they would issue an appointment vice an LOA. Not to say there is not the rare one for a reapplicant, but don't count on it.
 
"Fourth, with respect to leadership, sports and ECAs . . . USNA realizes there are limits on what freshman can do, especially at large universities. That said, look for ways to make yourself stand out. For example, do something productive during the summer, such as getting a job or helping at a non-profit. Once at college, find a small project (i.e., fundraiser) that you can lead or take a large role in leading. Play organized sports (intramurals, club sports, etc.). Your grades are still of PRIMARY importance so don't go so overboard with activities that your grades slip. But at the same time, try to do some things that show USNA you can handle academics AND the other stuff that USNA will throw at you."

I find the above very helpful, particularly as we are developing plans for the summer and deciding how many activities to fit in in addition to getting a job. For example, thinking about a fundraiser for a local not-for-profit and improving foreign language skills via cultural exchange.
 
DS is currently a high school senior & a candidate waiting for appointment with USAFA. We're hoping that he gets an appointment! He also has a solid plan B which is a 3-2 engineering program (Chemical Engineering) at a private college. He's taken regular Physic course, AP classes in Chemistry, Biology, and Calculus as well as Individual Study - Research methods & Practicum at a public university under the mentorship of a professor. Should his USAFA application is not successful this year, can he reapply to USNA as a first choice instead of USAFA. He also has solid plan B which is a 3-2 engineering program at a private college and plan on majoring in Chemical Engineering.
 
I think your question is regarding nominations, as the application to each SA is completely independent (no order required).
From a nomination perspective, that will be up to the MOCs, however, there shouldn't be any binding precedent from what was chosen this year to what would be selected for next year.
 
Listed in the sticky there were several prescribed courses to help create a Plebe schedule; after seeing the Youngster Schedule listed earlier, what is the usual number of credits that a Plebe takes? Also, in the event that I am able to test out of Calc 1 and 2 as well as Calc Based Physics 1, what classes should I consider to take at my civilian school -or- should I retake the basics to ensure a stable foundation and GPA boost (as well as freshman fiends, etc.)?
 
Plebes typically take 16/17 hours. If you test out of Calc 1 and 2, take Calc 3. That is required as a youngster. If you test out of Physics 1, take Physics 2. Core engineering courses and chemistry work as well.
 
Plebes typically take 16/17 hours. If you test out of Calc 1 and 2, take Calc 3. That is required as a youngster. If you test out of Physics 1, take Physics 2. Core engineering courses and chemistry work as well.
Thank you!
 
One issue that is not addressed in the post, but I am sure it happens somewhat frequently -- son received a DQ from DODMERB that was not submitted for waiver review by USNA prior to TWE. Waiver was approved for AFROTC. Waiver was denied by USAFA. If son decides to reapply to USNA, is there any way to trigger a ruling from the waiver authority sooner than later, or is it the long wait each time? Any other advice for handling?
 
One issue that is not addressed in the post, but I am sure it happens somewhat frequently -- son received a DQ from DODMERB that was not submitted for waiver review by USNA prior to TWE. Waiver was approved for AFROTC. Waiver was denied by USAFA. If son decides to reapply to USNA, is there any way to trigger a ruling from the waiver authority sooner than later, or is it the long wait each time? Any other advice for handling?

In the link below, paragraph 3 addresses the USNA waiver process. It looks like two conditions must be met, roughly paraphrased; if a record if deemed competitive and if it's a condition for which a waiver might be possible.

The Services have different missions, therefore different standards for waivers, used by each Service's waiver authority. Something for which the AF might pursue a waiver could be a complete no-go for Navy. Assuming your DS was 3Q, which USNA doesn't share, with a competitive record, I would blame the DQ condition.

This is just one strand of speculation, based on info you provided. The BGO crew will likely have better insight.


https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/_files/documents/MedicalAppendix1.pdf
 
That is helpful, CaptMJ. Do you think it would be prudent to email his admissions officer whether this is a condition that USNA deems waivable (or send an email directly to USNA medical)? Stated differently, if would be foolish to go through the whole process again, unless there is a possibility of a waiver being granted. Whether a particular condition can be waived by USNA seems like a question that could (and should) be answered.
 
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