Reapplying to USNA (after a turndown)

[Capt MJ]

So I got turned down from being on the waitlist for NAPS. Here is some info about me as I am planning to re-apply next year and want to make sure my app. is even better.

I called them today after hearing about the turn down. Thy told me to take classes that translate to their freshman year classes, I told them that I was now committed to a college, so they told me to just do the best in the classes they offer and try to make them as similar to freshman year. (they told me dual-enrollment online classes arent needed). In addition, they said that the biggest factors that hurt me were my CFA and SAT scores. My CFA was mid for the most part (8 pullups, ~40-45 pushups and situps, 7:07 mile time). Currently I am working out a ton at the gym and at my job (beach surf camp instructor) and am starting to see progress. My SAT scores really sucked my highschool career (1040, both english and math were about equal with a difference of like 10-20). But I did state that I had to deal with adversity that was valid at the time and a unique life experience (was told to state that again most likely for the second application). For this, I am as of yesterday doing work on my SAT to make sure it is all good (DSAT now) by enrolling in this really good online course (Acely, its really good). They said my Grades were good and not really an issue, but one thing I fear is that they are going to see my senior grades from first semester. I got a C in Calculus and a C+ in Biology, my math teacher was brand new and could not control her class and my bio teacher was purposefully difficult. But second semester I got a A- in Calculus and a B- in Biology. Do you recommend I take any courses to make up the poorer grades first semester? Or does Second semester prove my true capability.


That was my explanation here is my game plan:

Over this summer (and already) work on SAT and Fitness for better scores

Get high grades in the college I am going to (I've been told the college I am going to is a lot better at getting high scores compared ot my high school, I got accepted into a Catholic College Prep school that is very strict and difficult in academics for preparation towards college)

(NROTC is not offered there, and Los Angeles does not have any cross-town NROTC programs as I have called both UCLA and USC, if I am wrong, someone please let me know if there is an NROTC program I can enter in Los Angeles)

Be involved in leadership anywhere possible that I am interested in

I am personally reading old navy books (1938-1950) to show additional proof of interest in the navy (books are good to read in general too)

I already have a letter of encouragement to re-apply for next year

Get into club or intramural sports (Water Polo and gym/weightlifting for sure. Cycling, sailing, or MMA practice without fights if possible)

And overall be a good students


Here are my questions (I will copy some from the paragraph summary I wrote):

Is there any cross-town NROTC in Los Angeles to attend?

Do you recommend I take any courses to make up the poorer grades first semester? Or does Second semester prove my true capability.

I have senior teachers that are willing to write letters of rec. for me towards the naval academy, does it matter whether or not I do a Senior vs College Freshman letter of rec?

Thoughts about my current status and plan?

Is there any advice or things I should in addition look for?
(and was this the right thread to post on?)

You are taking a thoughtful, intentional, analytical approach to your re-application strategy. Good.

This is your roadmap:

Previous Candidates & College Candidates

Previous Candidates and College Candidates page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Sat Sep 28 04:43:54 EDT 2024.

www.usna.edu

The focus will be on first semester college grades. They likely won’t make a final decision on your application until after they see those grades in the new year. Proving you can be successful in college courses similar to plebe schedule is key. They will probably not see your second semester.

Consider doing serious prep and re-taking standardized tests.

NROTC unit and cross-town school info is available online. You can join a unit as a “college programmer,” in non-scholarship status.

 

[Jonas]

You are taking a thoughtful, intentional, analytical approach to your re-application strategy. Good.

This is your roadmap:

Previous Candidates & College Candidates

Previous Candidates and College Candidates page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Sat Sep 28 04:43:54 EDT 2024.

www.usna.edu

The focus will be on first semester college grades. They likely won’t make a final decision on your application until after they see those grades in the new year. Proving you can be successful in college courses similar to plebe schedule is key. They will probably not see your second semester.

Consider doing serious prep and re-taking standardized tests.

NROTC unit and cross-town school info is available online. You can join a unit as a “college programmer,” in non-scholarship status.

Do you think I should re-do any of my Calculus or Bio online through a second party class course as I got a C and C+ first semester but then A- and B- second semester? Because I will also not be taking Calculus until second semester most likely.

 

[OldRetSWO]

Do you think I should re-do any of my Calculus or Bio online through a second party class course as I got a C and C+ first semester but then A- and B- second semester? Because I will also not be taking Calculus until second semester most likely.

Were they Semester courses or full year courses? USNA will be really looking at the final grade and if the Semester grade is really a "marking period" as opposed to your final grade then its clear from your final grade that you mastered the material.

 

[usnabgo08]

Agree with posts above. USNA is going to look for sustained grades, particularly across STEM subjects. If the report shows a mixture of grades that doesn’t clearly show a pattern of success, you put yourself at risk of the admissions board having doubt. Lets take the calculus example…if USNA will see the C and the A-, then I’d recommend having some sort of challenging math in the first semester (maybe your school can move courses around) so that you hopefully can knock it out of the park (A or high B) and put the C to sleep. Same would apply to how you have done in chemistry, etc.

 

[Jonas]

Were they Semester courses or full year courses? USNA will be really looking at the final grade and if the Semester grade is really a "marking period" as opposed to your final grade then its clear from your final grade that you mastered the material.

They are semester courses. For Calculus I got a C first semester and an A- second semester. For Bio I got a C+ first semester and a B- second semester. Im guessing second semester is the final grade, and thats what I got at the end of the school year, and A- and a B-. If they are looking at the final grade, am I all good? And by the way, I do not have Calc in my college until second semester, I am given College Algebra first semester and then Calculus the next semester (spring of 2025). Ill make sure to keep my grades high, but do you think I am all good?

 

[OldRetSWO]

They are semester courses. For Calculus I got a C first semester and an A- second semester. For Bio I got a C+ first semester and a B- second semester. Im guessing second semester is the final grade, and thats what I got at the end of the school year, and A- and a B-. If they are looking at the final grade, am I all good? And by the way, I do not have Calc in my college until second semester, I am given College Algebra first semester and then Calculus the next semester (spring of 2025). Ill make sure to keep my grades high, but do you think I am all good?

I'm not sure that we're connecting on this. Did you take Calc 1 first semester and Calc 2 the second semester? And Bio 1 first sem and then Bio 2 second sem? If you took Calc 1 both sems then it was a FULL YEAR COURSE and the final grade is what counts to a college.

If you are forced to take college algebra for a semester then go ahead but understand that it is not something that USNA wants. The vast majority of USNA mids start with Calc 1 so if you want to emulate a plebe's courses then you should take Calc 1 and then Calc 2.

 

[Jonas]

I'm not sure that we're connecting on this. Did you take Calc 1 first semester and Calc 2 the second semester? And Bio 1 first sem and then Bio 2 second sem? If you took Calc 1 both sems then it was a FULL YEAR COURSE and the final grade is what counts to a college.

If you are forced to take college algebra for a semester then go ahead but understand that it is not something that USNA wants. The vast majority of USNA mids start with Calc 1 so if you want to emulate a plebe's courses then you should take Calc 1 and then Calc 2.

No I took Calculus 1 and Bio 1 as basic GE high school classes. I just graduated from high school. First semester I got a C and second A- in Calc, and C+ first semester then B- second semester in Bio. because I got better grades second semester of my senior year of highschool for both of these classes. Do you recommend I still make up these classes online or is it not needed? And because i am put in algebra for first semester and calc second semester, should I take calc online?

 

[OldRetSWO]

No I took Calculus 1 and Bio 1 as basic GE high school classes. I just graduated from high school. First semester I got a C and second A- in Calc, and C+ first semester then B- second semester in Bio. because I got better grades second semester of my senior year of highschool for both of these classes. Do you recommend I still make up these classes online or is it not needed? And because i am put in algebra for first semester and calc second semester, should I take calc online?

I say again, If both semesters were the same course (Calc1/Bio1) then the FINAL GRADE is what matters. I would not worry about making up a course that you got an A- in. The B- is not great and maybe worth thinking about but it is Bio, not Chem or Physics which are more pertinent to the academies. As for the first semester college course, I'd be talking to the school about it because I would not want to take algebra for a semester in college. Never mind taking Calc online, take it in the college that you're attending.

 

[Jonas]

I say again, If both semesters were the same course (Calc1/Bio1) then the FINAL GRADE is what matters. I would not worry about making up a course that you got an A- in. The B- is not great and maybe worth thinking about but it is Bio, not Chem or Physics which are more pertinent to the academies. As for the first semester college course, I'd be talking to the school about it because I would not want to take algebra for a semester in college. Never mind taking Calc online, take it in the college that you're attending.

Ok that is good then, my final grades were better than my first initial grades. But, my college is making me take College Algebra before Calculus. Because of this, should I just strive for the best grades in Algebra and hope for the best? Or is there something that you think I should do?

 

[USMC Crayons]

Ok that is good then, my final grades were better than my first initial grades. But, my college is making me take College Algebra before Calculus. Because of this, should I just strive for the best grades in Algebra and hope for the best? Or is there something that you think I should do?

Maybe not possible, but check and see (you may already have) if your college will let you test out of Algebra and go into Pre-Calc or Calc. The college my DS is attending tries to funnel everyone into Algebra unless you have something like a 640 or higher on the math portion of the SAT which to me is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Jonas]

Maybe not possible, but check and see (you may already have) if your college will let you test out of Algebra and go into Pre-Calc or Calc. The college my DS is attending tries to funnel everyone into Algebra unless you have something like a 640 or higher on the math portion of the SAT which to me is absolutely ridiculous.

I already tried. I got a 17/30 (minimum 22) on a placement test for calc. They said I have one more try right before school potentially. Personally, I know I can learn Calc, all just depends on a teacher (why I got a C initially). Because of this, I need to most likely take Algebra which I find annoying. I have one more shot (have to teach myself whilst working on SATs for this years app.) but its most likely not going to be possible to change courses to Calc. Because of this, now should I try to take Calculus online so I can put it on my transcript before the application is over? What do you think?

 

[usna1985]

It sounds to me like you may be struggling with math both in class and on the SAT. I say this as someone who struggled with math!

For the SAT . . . prep, prep, prep. Do books or on-line study / tests every day. Treat it like an academic class. Understand why you go the wrong answer. Work on your pace. I improved my score from 520 to 700 without ever taking a prep class, but I did self-prep 5 nights a week and a couple of hours on the WEs for months.

If you can afford a prep class, that's an option and many people find them helpful. Also try the ACT. Some people do better on it. Try some practice ones (actual released tests) before you spend the money to do it for real.

For math class . . . if you can afford a tutor, definitely consider that. Get recommendations. Some people are brilliant but can't teach others. If you can't afford a private tutor, see if your college offers any free tutoring programs.

Also, be sure you are doing homework every single day. All of it, every day. If you don't understand something, get help immediately.

USNA isn't a huge fan of on-line classes. If you do that, do it in addition to your in-person coursework.

 

[Gomer]

Hi I am reapplying for USNA C/o 2029. I just got an invitation to do the Candidate visit weekend again. Is there anything I should do this time around that could make me seem like a better candidate? Or does this mean anything that I was invited again?

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Hi I am reapplying for USNA C/o 2029. I just got an invitation to do the Candidate visit weekend again. Is there anything I should do this time around that could make me seem like a better candidate? Or does this mean anything that I was invited again?

Don't read anything into being invited to CVW again, It is likely they invited all Candidates (or at least all Candidates that meet a particular threshold). I've never heard of any type of evaluation in connection with CVW, so if you go, just be a good guest.

 

[Jonas]

It sounds to me like you may be struggling with math both in class and on the SAT. I say this as someone who struggled with math!

For the SAT . . . prep, prep, prep. Do books or on-line study / tests every day. Treat it like an academic class. Understand why you go the wrong answer. Work on your pace. I improved my score from 520 to 700 without ever taking a prep class, but I did self-prep 5 nights a week and a couple of hours on the WEs for months.

If you can afford a prep class, that's an option and many people find them helpful. Also try the ACT. Some people do better on it. Try some practice ones (actual released tests) before you spend the money to do it for real.

For math class . . . if you can afford a tutor, definitely consider that. Get recommendations. Some people are brilliant but can't teach others. If you can't afford a private tutor, see if your college offers any free tutoring programs.

Also, be sure you are doing homework every single day. All of it, every day. If you don't understand something, get help immediately.

USNA isn't a huge fan of on-line classes. If you do that, do it in addition to your in-person coursework.

So because I am most likely taking College Algebra for first semester of college. Do you recommend I just do my best in that, rather than doing Calculus online in addition?

 

[OldRetSWO]

So because I am most likely taking College Algebra for first semester of college. Do you recommend I just do my best in that, rather than doing Calculus online in addition?

You already took Calc 1 and got an A- so taking it again (even online) to try to improve your record somehow is ridiculous.
If you really have no possible way to get a math beyond Algebra at your college then take it and crush it.

 

[Nolram]

Hi I am currently reapplying to USNA after being turned down from the NAPS waitlist. Is there any advice yall can give me? I'm not attending an ROTC at my college since I didn't apply for a scholarship and I think it is late to walk on to one. Another downside is I have to take Pre Cal my fall semester since I didn't do well on my math placement exam, but I am trying to study to take the CLEP college board exam for Pre cal to gain credit so I can get into Calc.

 

[IronmanDaremo]

Reach out to the unit, you can probably still walk on as college programmer. That's what my kid did.

My kid also had to take Pre-Calc based on his placement test for the year he went to regular college. Just rock it and get an A, and have Calc on your Spring course list.

 

[MidCakePa]

I'm not attending an ROTC at my college since I didn't apply for a scholarship and I think it is late to walk on to one.

It's not too late to join ROTC as a programmer. Register for the first class in the sequence -- voila, you're in. If your goal is truly to become a commissioned officer, then it makes compete sense to do ROTC. One, it's a potential nomination source. Two, it seems questionable that you're aiming for a commission (and USNA) but sitting out ROTC. Third, should USNA not work out, you'd be on the way to a commission nonetheless (and if you're a solid mid, maybe win a scholarship).

 

[Nolram]

It's not too late to join ROTC as a programmer. Register for the first class in the sequence -- voila, you're in. If your goal is truly to become a commissioned officer, then it makes compete sense to do ROTC. One, it's a potential nomination source. Two, it seems questionable that you're aiming for a commission (and USNA) but sitting out ROTC. Third, should USNA not work out, you'd be on the way to a commission nonetheless (and if you're a solid mid, maybe win a scholarship).

I checked my college and the date to apply as a programmer passed. Is my best bet to be a competative candidate is be triple qualifed (academically, physically, and medically)? I know when I do my BGO interview he's gonna mention why I passed up on ROTC, but if I can find something to replace it would that be fine, like a leadership position or something in that nature?