Tips for Junior Year

[seb.g.b]

Hey everyone,

Been a long time lurker of SAF, and finally decided to create an account. USNA has been my dream school as Ive always been interested in the military, and the Navy is where I feel like I belong. Im currently a rising junior in high school. I have posted many times asking questions about USNA on reddit, as well as tried even reaching out to mids at the academy. However, I feel like this is the best place to ask as there are not only many mids on here, but also USNA grads and mid parents. I was wondering if any of you had any insight tips or advice for a rising junior for me to help increase his chances of getting into USNA. Before you say to look at every dropdown on the USNA site, please keep in mind I have done that dozens of times (its an obsession i know :/) and am looking for more tips that only people who have been through the process could give rather than whats merely on the site and general things such as keep grades up, do sports, etc. However, any and all pieces of advice regardless of it being about junior year, completing the application, or anything in general that would help me get into the academy, anything and everything is very helpful. Thank you in advance.

 

[NJROTC-CC]

If you have been lurking for a long time, you probably already know what you need to do. If you have more specific questions, bring them on. However, these are what is important in an application:

1. SAT scores
2. Grades in tough classes (AP)
3. Leadership positions
4. Varsity sport(s)/ fitness (practice doing the CFA in order)
5. Community Service
6. Other ECA's

As a rising Junior, you should be practicing SAT questions/tests this summer . Take SATS more than once.
Do practice interviews (make a list of every possible question and be prepared how you will answer it.)
Make sure you know what makes a good essay
Make a timeline of all events/submissions that will be part of the process
Run alot

Just keep at it and ask if you have specific questions.

 

[MidCakePa]

If you’ve fully scrubbed the USNA website as well as this website, then there really isn’t much more to say, unless you have a specific question.

Keep your nose clean. Have a Plan B, C, D and so forth. Turn in the best application you can as early as you can — emphasis on the former. And make sure you’re doing this for the right reasons.

 

[usna1985]

There's no "magic" in getting accepted to a SA. Biggies are doing well in STEM classes and leadership. I'm going to say a word about that b/c it's an area that many don't really understand.

It's not all about being elected club president or student body president or becoming an Eagle Scout -- though all those things are great. Some people aren't "popular" in terms of being elected. That doesn't mean you can't lead. Every organization -- in school and out -- is ALWAYS looking for people to help with/take on projects. Here are a few examples (depending, of course on the organization): bake sales, lawn clean up, fundraiser, adoption day (e.g,. for pets), visiting nursing homes, children's activities during adult event, membership drives, building stuff, repairing stuff.

I get very tired of kids telling me that, because they weren't elected to something, they really "don't do anything" to lead.

Start with something that YOU are passionate about. Kids, animals, the homeless, the environment, education, sports, special needs citizens -- whatever. Find a group in or out of school that works with this cause. Go to them and say, "I have time, talent and energy. How can I help?" If you demonstrate commitment, it's only a matter of time until you get increasing responsibility which turns into leadership.

 

[Capt MJ]

It’s never too early to prepare for the CFA. Do the research, look at YouTube videos, invest the time so that this is a block that is easily and successfully checked off. Be sure to practice the parts individually to build skills and comfort, then do full practices “by the book” at intervals to see where you stand. You want to exceed the average. If pull-ups are a problem, install a pull-up bar and try every time you go by. Google Stew Smith’s CFA prep. Don’t leave the CFA to the last minute; a bit of advance prep will allow you to knock it out.

Develop, plan and prepare your organization system - Excel spreadsheet, colored folders, whiteboard, dedicated calendar, tabbed binders, whatever works for you. The act of application, with all its deadlines, requirements, documents, etc., is a test in itself, of your attention to detail, perseverance, thoroughness, patience. If you have read every page, link and dropdown on USNA.edu, as well as your elected official sites, you know you have to manage multiple nom streams, your DODMERB process, your actual application.

Do your due diligence on USMA, USAFA, USCGA, USMMA, and on those Service missions, to rule them out or in. This also prepares you for an interview question that might ask why you aren’t considering other services. You want to be able to respond confidently.

Do your parallel research on NROTC scholarships. If the goal is to become a Navy or Marine Officer, the prudent candidate ensures a viable alternate path. If USNA is still the dream, an NROTC unit is a nomination source.

Keep your eye on your long-term goal, and commit to avoiding situations where an impulse decision could sink your choices. Here on SAF, every year we seem to have candidates who post “well, I did X (stupid behavior involving alcohol, drugs, DUI, misdemeanor, etc.), will this hurt my chances?”

 

[justdoit19]

I have a couple adds, gone through preparing junior year to apply twice now. These are “extra’s” beyond the drop downs and stuff above.

Junior’s are beginning to be upperclassmen. Along with that comes uppercase nefarious activities. Think parties, peer pressure, doing stupid stuff Bc you think you all that kind of stuff. Both of my DS’s ended up having to pull away from the social elements of their friend groups (if a party gets busted, you can get into trouble by association kind of stuff). Junior year its important to stay out of trouble. Or even the perception of trouble.

Another thing is to really develop relationships with your teachers, administrators and staff. You will need all of them on your side, wanting to evaluate you well, wanting to help you during the summer (when they may be off duty). So be that kid that they know. If you have an administrator on ‘your team’, who is there year round, even better. Kind of a point person. My sons had that and we were SO THANKFUL because they really came in handy (their relationships with school staff can be helpful when maybe your English teacher isn’t responding).

Along the lines of establishing relationships, is being a leader beyond “in charge of clubs/teams”. Be the kid that the teacher can count on to help the substitute when she is gone. Lead in the classroom. True it’s not a leadership for points box on the application, but it’s something you can discuss in essays, interviews, etc.

Another thing I think can get overlooked is community involvement. There’s lots of opportunities to add to your ability to apply through your community.

Good luck, and good for you for being proactive in preparing to apply!

 

[NJROTC-CC]

It’s never too early to prepare for the CFA.

Great point! It takes a LONG TIME to train to be in condition to max out the CFA. My DS started training for it (indirectly through PT activities in NJROTC and now varsity cross country) during his freshman year in HS. But, it's never too late. As they say: "Rome was not built in a day" Summer is a great time to train!! Get to it!!!

 

[NJROTC-CC]

Both of my DS’s ended up having to pull away from the social elements of their friend groups (if a party gets busted, you can get into trouble by association kind of stuff). Junior year its important to stay out of trouble. Or even the perception of trouble

How true. Remember: "If you want to soar like an eagle, don't fly with turkeys"

 

[justdoit19]

How true. Remember: "If you want to soar like an eagle, don't fly with turkeys"

Fortunately they are good friends. Both boys explained to them why they can’t even be around that kind of stuff. Good friends will support because they want the best for them. DS’s remained parts of the rest of their lives, just not the “party scene” that happens. I don’t fault all that at all. It’s often part of high school growing up. But joining a SA is a huge goal, and requires attention to those kinds of details.

 

[THParent]

There is no recipe that mixes the batter that is you, just right to go into the USNA oven.
Every year, they send TWEs to Valedictorians with 1600 SAT scores. Do the very best you can and submit the best application you can.
If you have been doing something for years that sets you apart from others, make sure you write about it in your essay.

Let the chips fall where they may, and have a solid Plan B and Plan C. Don't lose a year because you only apply to USNA and don't hear that they turned you down until May.

 

[seb.g.b]

If you have been lurking for a long time, you probably already know what you need to do. If you have more specific questions, bring them on. However, these are what is important in an application:

1. SAT scores
2. Grades in tough classes (AP)
3. Leadership positions
4. Varsity sport(s)/ fitness (practice doing the CFA in order)
5. Community Service
6. Other ECA's

As a rising Junior, you should be practicing SAT questions/tests this summer . Take SATS more than once.
Do practice interviews (make a list of every possible question and be prepared how you will answer it.)
Make sure you know what makes a good essay
Make a timeline of all events/submissions that will be part of the process
Run alot

Just keep at it and ask if you have specific questions.

I do have a question regarding sports, and it's due to my school. I understand that the academy wants people who letter in more than one sport. The problem for me is that I am a swimmer, so the sports that I am good at is sports in water. I am on varsity swim. However, my school is really small and not a big sports school, so we do not have water polo. As much as I want to play water polo, and would most likely be on varsity for it, I am trying to start it as a sport at my school however there's a big chance it wont be able to be started due to our school size. How would this affect my application and chances of admission as I want to be able to play another sport, however the only other sport I am capable of playing and doing well in is not available to me in my school. Thanks

 

[NJROTC-CC]

I do have a question regarding sports, and it's due to my school. I understand that the academy wants people who letter in more than one sport. The problem for me is that I am a swimmer, so the sports that I am good at is sports in water. I am on varsity swim. However, my school is really small and not a big sports school, so we do not have water polo. As much as I want to play water polo, and would most likely be on varsity for it, I am trying to start it as a sport at my school however there's a big chance it wont be able to be started due to our school size. How would this affect my application and chances of admission as I want to be able to play another sport, however the only other sport I am capable of playing and doing well in is not available to me in my school. Thanks

Is there a chance you could get water polo started as a club sport and be captain or president of the club? I think that would show real initiative and look great on an application.

 

[OldRetSWO]

If you have been lurking for a long time, you probably already know what you need to do. If you have more specific questions, bring them on. However, these are what is important in an application:

1. SAT scores
2. Grades in tough classes (AP)
3. Leadership positions
4. Varsity sport(s)/ fitness (practice doing the CFA in order)
5. Community Service
6. Other ECA's

As a rising Junior, you should be practicing SAT questions/tests this summer . Take SATS more than once.
Do practice interviews (make a list of every possible question and be prepared how you will answer it.)
Make sure you know what makes a good essay
Make a timeline of all events/submissions that will be part of the process
Run alot

Just keep at it and ask if you have specific questions.

I do have a question regarding sports, and it's due to my school. I understand that the academy wants people who letter in more than one sport. The problem for me is that I am a swimmer, so the sports that I am good at is sports in water. I am on varsity swim. However, my school is really small and not a big sports school, so we do not have water polo. As much as I want to play water polo, and would most likely be on varsity for it, I am trying to start it as a sport at my school however there's a big chance it wont be able to be started due to our school size. How would this affect my application and chances of admission as I want to be able to play another sport, however the only other sport I am capable of playing and doing well in is not available to me in my school. Thanks

One sport is not a problem, commit yourself to it and hopefully be good at it and even more hopefully become captain but one sport is not a problem, especially if you can show that you are training/not idle the rest of the year.

 

[OldRetSWO]

If you have been lurking for a long time, you probably already know what you need to do. If you have more specific questions, bring them on. However, these are what is important in an application:

1. SAT scores
2. Grades in tough classes (AP)
3. Leadership positions
4. Varsity sport(s)/ fitness (practice doing the CFA in order)
5. Community Service
6. Other ECA's
.

I'm kind of interested in where you're getting number 5 from. I've been a BGO for almost thirty years now and have NEVER seen admissions
comment "not enough community service" or "no community service"or otherwise list it as a requirement (even suggested) in what we use when
counseling applicants. I am not anti-Community Service by any means but from my longterm view of USNA, it is looked at similarly to other
ECAs like clubs, scouts, church, etc and by all means, try to get a leadership role in whichever of them you do. Bottom Line - I think that you roll
5 and 6 together into "ECAs".

 

[NJROTC-CC]

Community service is an entire section on my MOC’s application for nominatiion. It even breaks it down to how many hours of community service each year in high school. I would recommend to everyone that they print out their MOC’s application and show it to DS or DD so they can see what they are looking for. But I agree that any and all EC’s are helpful

 

[OldRetSWO]

Community service is an entire section on my MOC’s application for nominatiion. It even breaks it down to how many hours of community service each year in high school. I would recommend to everyone that they print out their MOC’s application and show it to DS or DD so they can see what they are looking for. But I agree that any and all EC’s are helpful

I guess that your MOC is hot about that but as I said, it is not a hot button for USNA itself and I've seen plenty of successful applicants without significant Community Service.

 

[seb.g.b]

Is there a chance you could get water polo started as a club sport and be captain or president of the club? I think that would show real initiative and look great on an application.

I actually am in the process of doing that right now. My swim coach (mainly a water polo coach as he played polo in HS) wanted to be able to have a polo team. I started the initiative, gathered enough sign ups and brought it to our atheltic director and did everything I could from a student standpoint to get it up and running. It got approved by him and our principal and was sent to the district board for approval, where it would be made possible if they approve it. Unfortunately, they declined it due to funding in May. However we are trying to appeal the decision and are awaiting for a new decision, however there is still no guarantee it will be approved. If we do get it approved, my coach said I would most likely be captain as I've done almost everything to get it up and running, and was only hindered by the district board's decision.

 

[DaddyC]

There's no "magic" in getting accepted to a SA. Biggies are doing well in STEM classes and leadership. I'm going to say a word about that b/c it's an area that many don't really understand.

It's not all about being elected club president or student body president or becoming an Eagle Scout -- though all those things are great. Some people aren't "popular" in terms of being elected. That doesn't mean you can't lead. Every organization -- in school and out -- is ALWAYS looking for people to help with/take on projects. Here are a few examples (depending, of course on the organization): bake sales, lawn clean up, fundraiser, adoption day (e.g,. for pets), visiting nursing homes, children's activities during adult event, membership drives, building stuff, repairing stuff.

I get very tired of kids telling me that, because they weren't elected to something, they really "don't do anything" to lead.

Start with something that YOU are passionate about. Kids, animals, the homeless, the environment, education, sports, special needs citizens -- whatever. Find a group in or out of school that works with this cause. Go to them and say, "I have time, talent and energy. How can I help?" If you demonstrate commitment, it's only a matter of time until you get increasing responsibility which turns into leadership.

Going into my daughters senior year, what is more beneficial? Using free time for community service, or piling up on classes? She is a multi sport athlete with is very time consuming, but she isn’t really sure what path she should take. She just returned from the track camp, and was invited back in the fall for an official visit. Her plan is to do whatever it takes to get into the academy, even though she has other scholarships opportunities at a division 1 level. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[NJROTC-CC]

Courses and grades always come first IMHO

 

[Old Navy BGO]

I don't know if this has been mentioned above...but Junior year is critical when it comes to your Math and English teacher evaluations. Keep in mind, its not an Letter of Recommendation, but rather an evaluation. Your Math and English teachers will evaluate not only your aptitude for higher education, but also your classroom demeanor and and leadership. No need to be a suck up...but this is the time to make sure your teachers know you. (Don't be the kid in the back of the room, wisecracking or worse, unknown to the teacher).