Turned Down/ Re apply help

[Davey_Crockett]

So my USNA portal status changed to turned down 15 minutes ago. I have pursued this my entire life and I am not quitting. Which brings me here. I am still in shock yet the mindset I have developed instantly seeks guidance to make myself the most outstanding candidate that cannot be rejected next year. I have just emailed my admissions counselor asking for feedback. As for reapplying goes I believe my resume was outstanding and it earned me an NROTC scholarship. My grades were horrible and that was most likely the factor. What academics in college will make me competitive? Also when it comes to reapplying should I tweak my essays or use the same ones? I am medically qualified so will I have to do another DodMERB? I want to compete for an LOA and I'm not sure how to go about that. I want my application done asap. Should I wait until I can get some letters of recommendation from NROTC? I am all over the place in determination. I would like any sort of guidance from successful reapplicants. I'm willing to show my "resume" to look for areas to improve on. I just need a list of things to get after. I need something to work on. I am so motivated and determined. USNA admissions probably just did me a favor.

 

[cluelesscandidateparents]

New to all this but if you got an NROTC scholarship you were not that bad, all USNA candidates are excellent and plenty dont make it, very limited space. Do well in your college classes and NROTC and reapply. The NROTC can recommend you. I believe DoDMERB is good for two years.

If in the end you dont make it to USNA dont feel sorry for yourself…. NROTC officers are as capable as USNA.

As far as essay update it with your new NROTC experience next year.

Keep your chin up and chase your dream

 

[Davey_Crockett]

New to all this but if you got an NROTC scholarship you were not that bad, all USNA candidates are excellent and plenty dont make it, very limited space. Do well in your college classes and NROTC and reapply. The NROTC can recommend you. I believe DoDMERB is good for two years.

If in the end you dont make it to USNA dont feel sorry for yourself…. NROTC officers are as capable as USNA.

As far as essay update it with your new NROTC experience next year.

Keep your chin up and chase your dream

Thank you!

 

[Capt MJ]

So my USNA portal status changed to turned down 15 minutes ago. I have pursued this my entire life and I am not quitting. Which brings me here. I am still in shock yet the mindset I have developed instantly seeks guidance to make myself the most outstanding candidate that cannot be rejected next year. I have just emailed my admissions counselor asking for feedback. As for reapplying goes I believe my resume was outstanding and it earned me an NROTC scholarship. My grades were horrible and that was most likely the factor. What academics in college will make me competitive? Also when it comes to reapplying should I tweak my essays or use the same ones? I am medically qualified so will I have to do another DodMERB? I want to compete for an LOA and I'm not sure how to go about that. I want my application done asap. Should I wait until I can get some letters of recommendation from NROTC? I am all over the place in determination. I would like any sort of guidance from successful reapplicants. I'm willing to show my "resume" to look for areas to improve on. I just need a list of things to get after. I need something to work on. I am so motivated and determined. USNA admissions probably just did me a favor.

Take a breath. You very smartly planned for a strong alternate plan, excellent.

- College courses. Excel in a challenging plebe-like schedule. USNA.edu has the plebe academic schedule. Mirror that as best you can.
- Nominations. You will apply for all the same you did this cycle, plus an ROTC nom, so you will want to be a strong performing midshipman. That nom from your PNS is a strong recommendation.
- DoDMERB. Good for 2 years from date of exam. You will just have to update any changes in your medical history.
- Essays. Using same essays sends two possible messages: 1) You have not grown, matured, gained new perspective. 2) You did not want to invest the time to bother.
- “Competing for an LOA.” Forget that - the SA gives those out for various reasons. Your goal is an appointment, and you want to submit a strong application.
- Re-applying. When the portal opens for the next class.
- See: https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Apply/Previous-Candidates-and-College-Candidates.php

 

[Davey_Crockett]

Take a breath. You very smartly planned for a strong alternate plan, excellent.

- College courses. Excel in a challenging plebe-like schedule. USNA.edu has the plebe academic schedule. Mirror that as best you can.
- Nominations. You will apply for all the same you did this cycle, plus an ROTC nom, so you will want to be a strong performing midshipman. That nom from your PNS is a strong recommendation.
- DoDMERB. Good for 2 years from date of exam. You will just have to update any changes in your medical history.
- Essays. Using same essays sends two possible messages: 1) You have not grown, matured, gained new perspective. 2) You did not want to invest the time to bother.
- “Competing for an LOA.” Forget that - the SA gives those out for various reasons. Your goal is an appointment, and you want to submit a strong application.
- Re-applying. When the portal opens for the next class.
- See: https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Apply/Previous-Candidates-and-College-Candidates.php

Awesome advice thank you. I am excited to get back to work again!

 

[Anonymous121]

Not the same as I never wanted to attend a SA... but I did want to commission as an officer. I started trying in 2012 and I finally was commissioned this year. Keep trying, trying and trying.

 

[Davey_Crockett]

Same goal here. I’m grateful and At the end of the day I will be able to commission. Thank you !

 

[usna1985]

There is a sticky on Reapplying at the top of this forum that answers many of your questions. Keep in mind that simply reapplying is unlikely to be sufficient -- you have to improve your package, either to address specific "weaknesses" or just to improve a bit across the board.

Love your attitude! Good luck to you.

 

[RAI923]

So sorry to hear your disappointment as I have seen it first hand. You can read some of my older posts in which I talk of DS very same path. My advice….
1. Work on what you can. Workout like you never have before and retake the CFA before you leave for college.
2. Sign up for SAT/ACT in June. Your schoolwork will taper off so study and take practice exams. You’ll thank yourself in July when your score jumps. Unless your scores were perfect retake.
3. Go to college and figure out what your college self is learning from your hs self. Keep a journal. Mid semester begin the esssys fresh. Your candidate profile will include your previous as it will be applications.
4. Establish relationships with new professors one day one so they can write accurate evaluations.
5. Enjoy your NROTC experience as it will be an essential part of your growth and success plebe summer should you make the jump. You may very well end up in the unit 4 years so be careful about indicating you are already planning on jumping ship.
5 Enjoy college but keep your eye on the prize. Go to football games and thén the library. Work on time management. Live in the present.
Good luck.

 

[justdoit19]

Great advice already. What I’ll add, is that a ‘not now’ from USNA is not a reflection on you as a person. There is simply not enough room for all the outstanding candidates that apply. Period! Every year, there are outstanding, amazing candidates that are not appointed.

NROTC is a wonderful opportunity. And even if not on scholarship, joining a unit is still an option. And applying for a college programmer scholarship. Or reapplying to USNA.

It is not uncommon to not make it in on your first try!! It’s more uncommon to make it in the first attempt.

There are lots of opportunities to commission. And there are great ways to prep for another go around applying. Read at USNA.edu, and here, advice for reapplicants.

*Note: if you feel you *must* reach out, give admissions some time before contacting them/following up. A few months. They are super busy. You will most likely get a better response later on. Although all you need to know about reapplying is provided on their website, and here on the forums. Especially if you can identify your own weakness (grades).

 

[USNA_STEM_Prof]

So my USNA portal status changed to turned down 15 minutes ago. I have pursued this my entire life and I am not quitting. Which brings me here. I am still in shock yet the mindset I have developed instantly seeks guidance to make myself the most outstanding candidate that cannot be rejected next year. I have just emailed my admissions counselor asking for feedback. As for reapplying goes I believe my resume was outstanding and it earned me an NROTC scholarship. My grades were horrible and that was most likely the factor. What academics in college will make me competitive? Also when it comes to reapplying should I tweak my essays or use the same ones? I am medically qualified so will I have to do another DodMERB? I want to compete for an LOA and I'm not sure how to go about that. I want my application done asap. Should I wait until I can get some letters of recommendation from NROTC? I am all over the place in determination. I would like any sort of guidance from successful reapplicants. I'm willing to show my "resume" to look for areas to improve on. I just need a list of things to get after. I need something to work on. I am so motivated and determined. USNA admissions probably just did me a favor.

A few observations/questions:

- "My grades were horrible" -- care to provide your high school GPA? Your grades couldn't have been that bad if you got an NROTC offer.

- "What academics in college will make me competitive?" -- Generally, anything STEM. It's hard to find people willing to put in the work for engineering degrees. That said, I know from experience that comparing a 2.4 GPA electrical engineer to a 3.8 GPA history major is a fool's errand. I'm likely biased from personal experience but I've gone much further as a middle of the pack STEM guy than peers who were top of their class liberal arts types.

- I'll add that while USNA is amazing, it isn't the end -- it's the beginning. You'd leave there an O-1 as you would from NROTC, so while you continue pursuing your dream, please keep in mind that the end result of your preferred path is the same destination of the path you're already on via NROTC. An inflection point will come where you'll be better served channeling your energy into being the best darn student and midshipman at your NROTC unit. I'm not saying you're there now, it's early, but please keep that in mind.

Good luck and keep pushing forward.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

I haven't read all the Answers above, so might be some duplication here ...
First, starting point, read the Sticky above about reapplying. Some good information there.
Second, slow down -- USNA isn't going to even consider your application until they see your first Semesters College grades.
It's okay to get the reapplication on file, but until you have some college under your belt, your application isn't going to be any different than it is now.

My grades were horrible and that was most likely the factor. What academics in college will make me competitive?

See Sticky-- take a strong STEM course load, excel , and show USNA that you have the ability to excel in rigorous academic environment.
As an aside, how "bad" were your grades ? What were SAT's ? When the dust settles (ie. when this years class is complete), reach out to your Admissions Counselor and have a candid discussion about competitiveness . I get the whole drive and desire, never quit thing, but at some point it becomes futile if you don't meet the academic requirements.

Also when it comes to reapplying should I tweak my essays or use the same ones?

I think I said this in the Sticky --wait until Thanksgiving; include something about what you have learned and how you have grown the first semester of college. Your current essay wasn't successful, so don't reuse it.

I want to compete for an LOA and I'm not sure how to go about that.

There is no such thing as "competing for a LOA." As a practical matter, the LOA is used as a tool to give quick feedback to attract and retain desired Candidates. USNA "may" give an LOA to a really good reapplicant they want to get - usually somebody who made it deep into the season and got declined because they just couldn't find a slot.

 

[fude87658]

So my USNA portal status changed to turned down 15 minutes ago. I have pursued this my entire life and I am not quitting. Which brings me here. I am still in shock yet the mindset I have developed instantly seeks guidance to make myself the most outstanding candidate that cannot be rejected next year. I have just emailed my admissions counselor asking for feedback. As for reapplying goes I believe my resume was outstanding and it earned me an NROTC scholarship. My grades were horrible and that was most likely the factor. What academics in college will make me competitive? Also when it comes to reapplying should I tweak my essays or use the same ones? I am medically qualified so will I have to do another DodMERB? I want to compete for an LOA and I'm not sure how to go about that. I want my application done asap. Should I wait until I can get some letters of recommendation from NROTC? I am all over the place in determination. I would like any sort of guidance from successful reapplicants. I'm willing to show my "resume" to look for areas to improve on. I just need a list of things to get after. I need something to work on. I am so motivated and determined. USNA admissions probably just did me a favor.

Once you do ROTC, you might not want to go back to USNA. You made a lifestyle at your college and made friends. That's how it is for a lot of people. Many people who were rejected told me they want to reapply the instant they got rejected. Though, they didn't bother reapplying anymore as it was fun doing ROTC in college.

 

[dakiti~]

That’s true. When I visited regular universities and SAs, I felt different atmosphere and they are all good. It’s hard to decide which one to choose.

 

[Heatherg21]

A few observations/questions:

- "My grades were horrible" -- care to provide your high school GPA? Your grades couldn't have been that bad if you got an NROTC offer.

- "What academics in college will make me competitive?" -- Generally, anything STEM. It's hard to find people willing to put in the work for engineering degrees. That said, I know from experience that comparing a 2.4 GPA electrical engineer to a 3.8 GPA history major is a fool's errand. I'm likely biased from personal experience but I've gone much further as a middle of the pack STEM guy than peers who were top of their class liberal arts types.

- I'll add that while USNA is amazing, it isn't the end -- it's the beginning. You'd leave there an O-1 as you would from NROTC, so while you continue pursuing your dream, please keep in mind that the end result of your preferred path is the same destination of the path you're already on via NROTC. An inflection point will come where you'll be better served channeling your energy into being the best darn student and midshipman at your NROTC unit. I'm not saying you're there now, it's early, but please keep that in mind.

Good luck and keep pushing forward.

I just knew you would be a valuable contributor.

 

[bubblyroses]

So my USNA portal status changed to turned down 15 minutes ago. I have pursued this my entire life and I am not quitting. Which brings me here. I am still in shock yet the mindset I have developed instantly seeks guidance to make myself the most outstanding candidate that cannot be rejected next year. I have just emailed my admissions counselor asking for feedback. As for reapplying goes I believe my resume was outstanding and it earned me an NROTC scholarship. My grades were horrible and that was most likely the factor. What academics in college will make me competitive? Also when it comes to reapplying should I tweak my essays or use the same ones? I am medically qualified so will I have to do another DodMERB? I want to compete for an LOA and I'm not sure how to go about that. I want my application done asap. Should I wait until I can get some letters of recommendation from NROTC? I am all over the place in determination. I would like any sort of guidance from successful reapplicants. I'm willing to show my "resume" to look for areas to improve on. I just need a list of things to get after. I need something to work on. I am so motivated and determined. USNA admissions probably just did me a favor.

I really admire your outlook on being turned down. I was in the same boat back when I got rejected from boarding schools, but I took on the same attitude that you did and ended up getting in, eventually! I think it's made me a better person and I know it's going to make you a better person too. Good luck, keep at it, don't give up, and you will prevail! As far DODMERB goes, I'm pretty sure the physical is good for 2 years (someone can correct me if i'm wrong), but you will have to compete for a nomination again. Once again though, I am very impressed by your determination, and I'm sure the academy will be as well.

 

[Davey_Crockett]

So sorry to hear your disappointment as I have seen it first hand. You can read some of my older posts in which I talk of DS very same path. My advice….
1. Work on what you can. Workout like you never have before and retake the CFA before you leave for college.
2. Sign up for SAT/ACT in June. Your schoolwork will taper off so study and take practice exams. You’ll thank yourself in July when your score jumps. Unless your scores were perfect retake.
3. Go to college and figure out what your college self is learning from your hs self. Keep a journal. Mid semester begin the esssys fresh. Your candidate profile will include your previous as it will be applications.
4. Establish relationships with new professors one day one so they can write accurate evaluations.
5. Enjoy your NROTC experience as it will be an essential part of your growth and success plebe summer should you make the jump. You may very well end up in the unit 4 years so be careful about indicating you are already planning on jumping ship.
5 Enjoy college but keep your eye on the prize. Go to football games and thén the library. Work on time management. Live in the present.
Good luck.

Understood. Thank you!

 

[Davey_Crockett]

A few observations/questions:

- "My grades were horrible" -- care to provide your high school GPA? Your grades couldn't have been that bad if you got an NROTC offer.

- "What academics in college will make me competitive?" -- Generally, anything STEM. It's hard to find people willing to put in the work for engineering degrees. That said, I know from experience that comparing a 2.4 GPA electrical engineer to a 3.8 GPA history major is a fool's errand. I'm likely biased from personal experience but I've gone much further as a middle of the pack STEM guy than peers who were top of their class liberal arts types.

- I'll add that while USNA is amazing, it isn't the end -- it's the beginning. You'd leave there an O-1 as you would from NROTC, so while you continue pursuing your dream, please keep in mind that the end result of your preferred path is the same destination of the path you're already on via NROTC. An inflection point will come where you'll be better served channeling your energy into being the best darn student and midshipman at your NROTC unit. I'm not saying you're there now, it's early, but please keep that in mind.

Good luck and keep pushing forward.

Heard you loud and clear. GPA was a 3.5. Also I was lucky enough to get a google meet meeting with my admissions councilor tomorrow to find areas to improve on.

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

That’s true. When I visited regular universities and SAs, I felt different atmosphere and they are all good. It’s hard to decide which one to choose.

I think in general people do end up being happy no matter where they end up.

I know a lot who did not get the school,of their dreams but I can’t remember a grad I know personally of any school SA or civi saying they did not like their school they attended and graduated from. And wished they had not attended.

And I don’t in real life know many or any that transferred civi schools because they were truly unhappy. Change of majors or $$ problems or poor grades I have seen those transfers.

The one differences I have seen personally over the years between a SA and a civi school is that folks who leave a SA or turn down a SA tend to be explaining and defending that decision 30+ years later. Even when no one asks.

No one feels the need to do that explaining or defending 30+ years later when they have turned down state, U, or tech.

Not a reason to pick or not pick a school for sure

 

[usna1985]

Here's what I considered when I ultimately chose USNA over a civilian school: If I go to USNA and hate it, I can always attend the civilian school. If I go to the civilian school, will I always wish I'd attended USNA? And if I did go the civ school and regretted that decision, I probably wouldn't be able to go to the SA later.

Now, of course, I very much wanted to attend USNA. Obviously, if you're 80% civ school and 20% SA, you probably should be at the civ school.

I would also say that NO ONE should ever have to apologize for not attending a SA or for leaving one. SAs are not for everyone. There are many paths to success in life and most of them don't go through a SA.