Strengthening USNA Application as Junior

[invictus_crab.29]

Hey all,
I am currently a high school junior working towards the USNA Class of 2029. I've had the general goal of an SA since middle school but feel that my application won't be the strongest without serious work. Getting my Summer Seminar and representative nomination applications in has really made me realize now is the time I have to put in the work if I want to get accepted.

I think I am pretty competitive in some areas, but was wondering if I could get suggestions on what to do to strengthen my application for when the time comes. My long-term goal is to service select SEAL at USNA but I'm focusing on the first hurdle of getting a USNA appointment. For context, my congressional district is not super competitive. Here's what I've got so far:

Academics:
- SAT 1370 (EVBRW 700, Math 670)
- ACT 29 Composite, 8 Writing (27 Math, 28 Science, 32 English, 30 Reading)
- 3.67 GPA
- On track to earn Associates Degree from local college
- AP Classes:

• AP World History: Modern - 4
• AP English Language & Comp - 3
• AP Biology - 5
• AP Physics - Taking
• AP English Literature and Composition - Taking

- Studying for SAT and ACT retakes

Athletics:
- 3 years JV cross country completed
- 2 years JV track and field (distance) completed
- Weightlifting
- Looking into swim team and wrestling. No water polo or rowing where I live

Leadership, Extracurriculars, Work:
- History of sailors in family with USNA graduate
- Civil Air Patrol Cadet - close to Mitchell Award (cadet officer) with lots of volunteer time and leadership positions
- Summer job with manual labor - 40 hrs/week
- Food bank volunteer
- Church leader
- Looking into SCUBA diving and more work opportunities

I'm sure the same question gets brought up a lot, but I appreciate your time!

 

[Kierkegaard]

You didn't mention your course selection. GPA on its own doesn't tell much of anything. Anyone could get a 3.7 GPA if they took easier courses but if you were taking AP physics, chemistry, etc. then that's a solid metric. You'll want to challenge yourself with rigorous courses and earn good grades. Boring but that's the truth--No magic formulas for admission.

 

[scottb]

Hey all,
I am currently a high school junior working towards the USNA Class of 2029. I've had the general goal of an SA since middle school but feel that my application won't be the strongest without serious work. Getting my Summer Seminar and representative nomination applications in has really made me realize now is the time I have to put in the work if I want to get accepted
I think I am pretty competitive in some areas, but was wondering if I could get suggestions on what to do to strengthen my application for when the time comes. My long-term goal is to service select SEAL at USNA but I'm focusing on the first hurdle of getting a USNA appointment. For context, my congressional district is not super competitive. Here's what I've got so far:

Academics:
- SAT 1370 (EVBRW 700, Math 670)
- ACT 29 Composite, 8 Writing (27 Math, 28 Science, 32 English, 30 Reading)
- 3.67 GPA
- On track to earn Associates Degree from local college
- Taken all AP classes available so far
- Studying for SAT and ACT retakes

Athletics:
- 3 years JV cross country completed
- 2 years JV track and field (distance) completed
- Weightlifting
- Looking into swim team and wrestling. No water polo or rowing where I live

Leadership, Extracurriculars, Work:
- History of sailors in family with USNA graduate
- Civil Air Patrol Cadet - close to Mitchell Award (cadet officer) with lots of volunteer time and leadership positions
- Summer job with manual labor - 40 hrs/week
- Food bank volunteer
- Church leader
- Looking into SCUBA diving and more work opportunities

I'm sure the same question gets brought up a lot, but I appreciate your time!

Look into Boys State

 

[OiledPancakes]

Hey all,
I am currently a high school junior working towards the USNA Class of 2029. I've had the general goal of an SA since middle school but feel that my application won't be the strongest without serious work. Getting my Summer Seminar and representative nomination applications in has really made me realize now is the time I have to put in the work if I want to get accepted.

I think I am pretty competitive in some areas, but was wondering if I could get suggestions on what to do to strengthen my application for when the time comes. My long-term goal is to service select SEAL at USNA but I'm focusing on the first hurdle of getting a USNA appointment. For context, my congressional district is not super competitive. Here's what I've got so far:

Academics:
- SAT 1370 (EVBRW 700, Math 670)
- ACT 29 Composite, 8 Writing (27 Math, 28 Science, 32 English, 30 Reading)
- 3.67 GPA
- On track to earn Associates Degree from local college
- Taken all AP classes available so far
- Studying for SAT and ACT retakes

Athletics:
- 3 years JV cross country completed
- 2 years JV track and field (distance) completed
- Weightlifting
- Looking into swim team and wrestling. No water polo or rowing where I live

Leadership, Extracurriculars, Work:
- History of sailors in family with USNA graduate
- Civil Air Patrol Cadet - close to Mitchell Award (cadet officer) with lots of volunteer time and leadership positions
- Summer job with manual labor - 40 hrs/week
- Food bank volunteer
- Church leader
- Looking into SCUBA diving and more work opportunities

I'm sure the same question gets brought up a lot, but I appreciate your time!

How’s your fitness? They say the CFA is pass or fail but some also say it plays some factor, and if you are thinking about SEALs might as well get into shape now. Is XC/Track competitive at your school? Work extra hard to try to make varsity this year.

What about clubs/leadership? Any sort of organizations at your school you can earn a leadership position in or presidency in a club? Try to join ASB/Student Govt

Another thing you can do is things outside of school to show athletic promise. I worry that JV sports only on an application would not look appealing. I did marathons and an Ironman Triathlon on the side in order to boost the athletic side of my app. They were impressed by this and it is an amazing thing in an interview to talk about.

 

[invictus_crab.29]

You didn't mention your course selection. GPA on its own doesn't tell much of anything. Anyone could get a 3.7 GPA if they took easier courses but if you were taking AP physics, chemistry, etc. then that's a solid metric. You'll want to challenge yourself with rigorous courses and earn good grades. Boring but that's the truth--No magic formulas for admission.

Edited to include the AP classes. All of my other courses are dual credit or honors. I've researched the reccomended classes and have AP Physics II and AP Chemistry planned for next year. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Academician]

Your résumé looks good. Continue to look for ways to engage and lead in CAP, sports teams and other groups. Start prepping for the CFA (as I imagine you are now) and compare your results with the averages published by USNA and the others SAs. I also encourage my students to have a Plan B and Plan C in place too. A" is USNA (and the SAs), Plan "B" is one or several ROTC scholarships, and then "C" is the set of civilian universities that you apply to as part of the ROTC application process. Best of luck!

 

[blinkus]

Hey all,
I am currently a high school junior working towards the USNA Class of 2029. I've had the general goal of an SA since middle school but feel that my application won't be the strongest without serious work. Getting my Summer Seminar and representative nomination applications in has really made me realize now is the time I have to put in the work if I want to get accepted.

I think I am pretty competitive in some areas, but was wondering if I could get suggestions on what to do to strengthen my application for when the time comes. My long-term goal is to service select SEAL at USNA but I'm focusing on the first hurdle of getting a USNA appointment. For context, my congressional district is not super competitive. Here's what I've got so far:

Academics:
- SAT 1370 (EVBRW 700, Math 670)
- ACT 29 Composite, 8 Writing (27 Math, 28 Science, 32 English, 30 Reading)
- 3.67 GPA
- On track to earn Associates Degree from local college
- AP Classes:

• AP World History: Modern - 4
• AP English Language & Comp - 3
• AP Biology - 5
• AP Physics - Taking
• AP English Literature and Composition - Taking

- Studying for SAT and ACT retakes

Athletics:
- 3 years JV cross country completed
- 2 years JV track and field (distance) completed
- Weightlifting
- Looking into swim team and wrestling. No water polo or rowing where I live

Leadership, Extracurriculars, Work:
- History of sailors in family with USNA graduate
- Civil Air Patrol Cadet - close to Mitchell Award (cadet officer) with lots of volunteer time and leadership positions
- Summer job with manual labor - 40 hrs/week
- Food bank volunteer
- Church leader
- Looking into SCUBA diving and more work opportunities

I'm sure the same question gets brought up a lot, but I appreciate your time!

What do you intend to major in? USNA accepts AP credits, so you should definitely cross-reference on the admissions website. I don't think it would help with appointment, but it will help in the long run!

 

[A1Janitor]

What do you intend to major in? USNA accepts AP credits, so you should definitely cross-reference on the admissions website. I don't think it would help with appointment, but it will help in the long run!

What do you mean by accepts AP credits?

 

[blinkus]

What do you mean by accepts AP credits?

Basically allows for you to receive college credit for AP/IB classes in High School. Most colleges, including Annapolis, accepts it! In traditional colleges, it allows you to graduate earlier and not take the class in College. No idea if this is the same policy at USNA.

USNA Course Validation Policy

Course Validation Policy page for Academics at USNA.edu. Updated Tue Sep 05 07:55:06 EDT 2023.

www.usna.edu

 

[Butter Cup]

Apply for Boys State. If you get selected run for a high position if possible. Boys State will be a box you can check on your USNA Application and you can also submit the position you held. Apply for SAME Camp, Society of American Military Engineers. The camps are incredible. The Marine Corps Camp at Camp Lejeune is fantastic.

 

[Bduett]

My DS went to boys state, tried to be strategic in running for his position but also realistic. He ran for senator because he knew if he won he would get one on one time with the Senator right before he would be putting in his application for SA nomination. Was elected to his party but didn’t win it out…. C’est la vie

He got a nom from her anyway.

 

[phatman]

I think you have a nice start to your resume. Like others' suggestions. I'm a big fan of taking SAT/ACT early and often. Have seen people dramatically increase scores by doing so and of course that is a big help w/ getting into SAs

 

[invictus_crab.29]

What do you intend to major in? USNA accepts AP credits, so you should definitely cross-reference on the admissions website. I don't think it would help with appointment, but it will help in the long run!

I'm not entirely sure, but I've thought about physics, Arabic, or oceanography. I've heard that USNA is best for STEM-related majors even though many career-focused people choose easier majors like English. Looks like none of my APs translate to USNA credit yet but its good prep anyway.

 

[usna1985]

I don't see any math classes. As a senior, you should be taking calculus (or pre-calc at a minimum). Assume you've already taken chemistry.

Study for the ACT/SAT to boost the math score.

One thing USNA considers is class rank. A GPA in a vacuum is meaningless.

I've heard that USNA is best for STEM-related majors even though many career-focused people choose easier majors like English

The above is only somewhat accurate. USNA is primarily a STEM school, so all majors have a lot of STEM and the overwhelming majority of mids major in a STEM discipline. I'm not aware of any correlation between a service career and one's USNA major. As for English being easier -- it is if you like to read a lot and write a lot of papers. If you don't enjoy the subject or aren't good at writing, it probably wouldn't be easier for you.