Stories from college reapplicants

I am a reapplicant this year. I am studying physical oceanography at Old Dominion University, still waiting to hear back from USNA class of 2020. I was rejected out of high school, but I was not expecting to get in the first time anyways (started app relatively late). First semester at ODU I came out with a 3.6, all A's are obviously preferred but I did my absolute best in all my classes. I took 16 hours, including chem 1 with lab, geology with lab, precalc (calculus preferred, but was unable to take freshmen year for my major), english, and naval science with NROTC midshipman (I am not in ROTC but you are free to take the same classes). I tried to mirror my schedule with the plebe curriculum as much as possible.

On top of that I joined the ODU rowing club team (raced multiple times throughout semester at large regattas), I joined a campus church group and got over 30 hours of volunteer work in around VA beach/Norfolk from tutoring less fortunate kids, handed out hot meals, etc... I also joined the ODU propeller club to learn more about the large shipping industry around Norfolk and to expand my knowledge of shipping/the sea in general. I attended workouts with NROTC mids that were preparing for BUD/s and special forces routinely and made a lot of great connections, and definitely helped me get into shape for the fitness test!
pull ups: 18
push ups: 75
sit ups: 85
BB throw: 61 ft
Shuttle: 8.9 seconds
Mile: 6:14
I tried very hard to spread myself thin while still maintaining relatively good grades, I wanted to put no doubt in USNA Admissions that I could handle life at the Academy. By doing so I made a lot of great connections, as well as friends. Another tip I HIGHLY recommend is to get to know your professors, sit in the front of all your classes, participate, and act professional. Let them know your intentions, being that you need an english and math prof LOR it can never hurt to become close with them. My profs wrote extraordinary letters of rec, and got them done in a timely manner. Most profs understand the significance of wanting to lead and serve your country at the highest level, and do not hesitate with helping you out. This also implies you must do GREAT in their classes, ESPECIALLY english and math!

I am applying from Maryland, and unfortunately did not receive an outside nomination to USNA, only presidential from my father's service (USNA class of 1990). I received a nom to USMMA, and still waiting to hear back as well. I am certainly not getting my hopes up for either school because that is the nature of the beast, whether I get in or not, I learned a lot about myself in the process, and do not regret it one bit! Second semester I am taking 17 hours, and still doing many of the same clubs. ENJOY your time in college, it is certainly the good life and is 100% what you make of it. At the end of the day, leave nothing on the table. I know I did my absolute best, and I completely accept if that is not up to USNA's standards. Reality is harsh, but you have to be realistic about the process. Good luck to all, I have learned a ton from this forum.
 
raceplace said:
I am a reapplicant this year. I am studying physical oceanography at Old Dominion University, still waiting to hear back from USNA class of 2020. I was rejected out of high school, but I was not expecting to get in the first time anyways (started app relatively late). First semester at ODU I came out with a 3.6, all A's are obviously preferred but I did my absolute best in all my classes. I took 16 hours, including chem 1 with lab, geology with lab, precalc (calculus preferred, but was unable to take freshmen year for my major), english, and naval science with NROTC midshipman (I am not in ROTC but you are free to take the same classes). I tried to mirror my schedule with the plebe curriculum as much as possible.

On top of that I joined the ODU rowing club team (raced multiple times throughout semester at large regattas), I joined a campus church group and got over 30 hours of volunteer work in around VA beach/Norfolk from tutoring less fortunate kids, handed out hot meals, etc... I also joined the ODU propeller club to learn more about the large shipping industry around Norfolk and to expand my knowledge of shipping/the sea in general. I attended workouts with NROTC mids that were preparing for BUD/s and special forces routinely and made a lot of great connections, and definitely helped me get into shape for the fitness test!
pull ups: 18
push ups: 75
sit ups: 85
BB throw: 61 ft
Shuttle: 8.9 seconds
Mile: 6:14
I tried very hard to spread myself thin while still maintaining relatively good grades, I wanted to put no doubt in USNA Admissions that I could handle life at the Academy. By doing so I made a lot of great connections, as well as friends. Another tip I HIGHLY recommend is to get to know your professors, sit in the front of all your classes, participate, and act professional. Let them know your intentions, being that you need an english and math prof LOR it can never hurt to become close with them. My profs wrote extraordinary letters of rec, and got them done in a timely manner. Most profs understand the significance of wanting to lead and serve your country at the highest level, and do not hesitate with helping you out. This also implies you must do GREAT in their classes, ESPECIALLY english and math!

I am applying from Maryland, and unfortunately did not receive an outside nomination to USNA, only presidential from my father's service (USNA class of 1990). I received a nom to USMMA, and still waiting to hear back as well. I am certainly not getting my hopes up for either school because that is the nature of the beast, whether I get in or not, I learned a lot about myself in the process, and do not regret it one bit! Second semester I am taking 17 hours, and still doing many of the same clubs. ENJOY your time in college, it is certainly the good life and is 100% what you make of it. At the end of the day, leave nothing on the table. I know I did my absolute best, and I completely accept if that is not up to USNA's standards. Reality is harsh, but you have to be realistic about the process. Good luck to all, I have learned a ton from this forum.
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What a wonderful life you are living! Many hopes for a BFE, but either way you are a fabulous person on your way to many more successes! I wish you all the best.
 
time2 said:
I agree. Applicant should be able to clearly describe what they actually did/accomplished in whatever roles their were in. For example in some h.s., Student Government is nothing but a popularity contest and once elected you really don't do anything, while in other schools you actually accomplish/lead things of substance. Simply saying your were 'class president' without being able to describe accomplishments adds very little to your resume. SA's know this so they look beyond labels. That is part of the reason suggesting candidates do this/that may be misleading when you really don't know the school and if that activity really adds value from a leadership perspective.
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How do you convey this type of information to the SA. Are you putting it in the remarks section?
 
time2 said:
I agree. Applicant should be able to clearly describe what they actually did/accomplished in whatever roles their were in. For example in some h.s., Student Government is nothing but a popularity contest and once elected you really don't do anything, while in other schools you actually accomplish/lead things of substance. Simply saying your were 'class president' without being able to describe accomplishments adds very little to your resume. SA's know this so they look beyond labels. That is part of the reason suggesting candidates do this/that may be misleading when you really don't know the school and if that activity really adds value from a leadership perspective.
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So glad to hear this! My DS was class VP for one year -- said they did nothing (class only had 43 students) so opted to use his time and gain leadership skills outside of HS (Boy Scouts, community service organizations, etc.). He was team captain for 2 sports, but also concerned that not having the "class president, NHS president, etc." labels would affect how his leadership skills were viewed -- all his college and scholarship applications seem to ask for titles, too -- they should be accompanied by what they accomplished in that leadership role!
 
Anne99, DS is current plebe Class of 2019. Wait listed until June of 2014, in fact, came home from States to find the TWE in the mailbox. Talk about a roller coaster ride. At that point I think he was fairly resigned to it and had an excellent plan B in place. His plan B was firmed up in March with the idea that if he didn't get in as Class of 2018 he was reapplying for 2019. He left for Plan B, I'd say not as eagerly as his midsibs had left on their college journey, but he left with an agenda in mind. College classes mirrored the plebe schedule. He was a recruited athlete and joined their D1 team knowing he needed to stay in shape.
He reviewed his HS application and decided that although he Captained a nationally ranked team, over multiple seasons, and worked during school, as well as other leadership opportunities, it apparently wasn't enough and so he ran for office at Plan B. (Which by the way, was an eye opening experience as he said it's a wonder anything ever gets done in politics). He also joined the ROTC program (Army, as Navy wasn't an option there) and participated in their early morning workouts even though as an athlete he was exempt.
As a college reapplicant he didn't come up for review until January, and I can tell you that he haunted the secretary at the Registrar office at Plan B until he received confirmation from USNA that his fall semester transcript had been received.
And then we waited...and hoped that this time it would be enough. I can tell you that he was resolved to apply again and again if that attempt was unsuccessful. I can also tell you that the year away served him well. He matured tremendously, learned to plan ahead and deal with beaurocracy, and to deal with people who didn't understand the SA application process without our help. That year also helped a lot during plebe summer, as he didn't suffer from homesickness, which was huge. He'd already learned that he could manage that aspect of being away.
If I can say anything at all about this process it's this. There is no rhyme or reason to it. If you live in a highly competitive area (like us), your MOC's may not rank their slate. You may have had a huge number of kids apply from your area, next year you might be the only one. There may have been numerous kids with stats similar to yours and it came down to one tiny detail on the WCS...its difficult to know. Try not to read too much into everyone else's stats, you'll make yourself crazy wondering why not my kid? Just remain as you are the loving supportive parent they can turn to. God bless him on this journey, it's worth it. GO NAVY BEAT ARMY⚓️☘
 
These stories have been very helpful! Hoping to hear from even more.
 
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