Updates to application

SBHS2018

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Feb 9, 2017
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I have items that I feel would be significant to add to my application. I know I should submit these to my admissions officer. I just wasn't sure what was the best way to do that. Could someone advise?
 
Should I type it up in a word file or just keep to short and sweet in the body of an email
 
I would type it up in a word file. Descriptions help. Do what you think would benefit you the most.
 
Updates to your application must be verified by a school official or must be independently verifiable (e.g., certificate, letter from organization, etc.). For items that have official letters or certificates from the organization or are otherwise verifiable on their face, submit copies of those. If you have new items that don't fall into that category (e.g., being elected team captain or president of a club) type them up, have your school official endorse them (the same one who endorsed your original activities record works) and then send by email or snail mail to your RD.

Note that new items should be "significant." That would include things like attaining Eagle Scout, receiving a merit scholarship, being elected to a school or club office, making varsity in a sport, being elected team captain, etc. Things such as joining a new club aren't going to make much difference. If in doubt, go ahead and send them in -- it won't hurt.
 
Updates to your application must be verified by a school official or must be independently verifiable (e.g., certificate, letter from organization, etc.). For items that have official letters or certificates from the organization or are otherwise verifiable on their face, submit copies of those. If you have new items that don't fall into that category (e.g., being elected team captain or president of a club) type them up, have your school official endorse them (the same one who endorsed your original activities record works) and then send by email or snail mail to your RD.

Note that new items should be "significant." That would include things like attaining Eagle Scout, receiving a merit scholarship, being elected to a school or club office, making varsity in a sport, being elected team captain, etc. Things such as joining a new club aren't going to make much difference. If in doubt, go ahead and send them in -- it won't hurt.
The update would include recent employment. At my current job I am responsible for training new employees and closing up shop at the end of the shift. Also there has been what I would consider a significant change in our family structure. My grandfather who was recently discharged from a 3 month stay in the hospital has come to live with my family. He requires around the clock care in which I have been assisting with.
 
A letter from your employer would be useful for the first. For the second, if you've not yet had your BGO interview, that might be a good place to mention it.

As a general matter, lots of candidates have family members with health issues. I had one several years ago whose mother was dying of cancer (and died during the course of the application process). Thus, caring for a sick relative is not, in and of itself, likely to make much difference for your USNA application, especially at this late point in the process. What matters in terms of a USNA application is the impact this activity has on your life. IOW, if -- as a result of the need to care for your GF, you were unable to pursue ECAs or sports for a period of time or had to quit work, that would be an important fact. Here, it sounds like you're actually doing more (recent employment) -- not less -- since your GF came to live with you.

Otherwise, this is something you could simply email your RD about without any endorsement. However, as noted above, a sentence or two about the impact of this would be helpful. For example, you spend three hours a night doing X for your grandfather. Or, you've had to forego certain activities (sports games, etc.) to care for your GF. Or, what you've learned from doing this in terms of service to others.
 
The update would include recent employment. At my current job I am responsible for training new employees and closing up shop at the end of the shift. Also there has been what I would consider a significant change in our family structure. My grandfather who was recently discharged from a 3 month stay in the hospital has come to live with my family. He requires around the clock care in which I have been assisting with.

You should definitely update it, then, and your employer can send USNA an email or a letter via snail mail. They may eventually ask your employer how you are at your job (rating things such as your cooperativeness, alacrity, and other factors...)

And USNA1985 is absolutely correct that it needs to be verified by your employer or counselor, but it would be acceptable (if your BGO regularly communicates with you) to bring it up in an email ahead of time or during your BGO interview.
 
They may eventually ask your employer how you are at your job (rating things such as your cooperativeness, alacrity, and other factors...)

I have never heard of USNA reaching out to an employer. I'm not sure it's even legal to do so unless the candidate submits an additional LOR from that employer. And even then . . . probably not.

The letter I'm suggesting would simply state that you have worked at X employer since Y date. You work X hours per week and have Y responsibilities. This simply supports factually what you are telling Admissions. LORs from employers can be helpful if a candidate has to (or chooses to) work many hours such that it impacts on his/her ability to play sports or participate in ECAs. Or it is the candidate's primary activity.

One of the reasons for/benefits of the BGO interview is it allows candidates to discuss aspects of their situation that may not be evident from the "paper" you submit or the LORs from your teachers. Many BGOs will ask general questions to elicit such information. If you're not asked about this specifically, you will almost certainly be asked at the end if you have any questions. You can always say, "No, but there is something that I wanted to tell you about that there wasn't any place to discuss on the materials I submitted."
 
The update would include recent employment. At my current job I am responsible for training new employees and closing up shop at the end of the shift. Also there has been what I would consider a significant change in our family structure. My grandfather who was recently discharged from a 3 month stay in the hospital has come to live with my family. He requires around the clock care in which I have been assisting with.[/QUOTE]


If your application lacks of leadership skills, the new job duties might add to your leadership bucket. My DS wanted to add the leadership award he got from his school, so he emailed the admission officer asking if he can add it. The officer emailed that “definitely yes” and asked my DS that the school consular send email directly to the admission officer with the information. Ask your admission officer describing briefly what you want to add, and he might direct you what to do.
 
USMA uses a employer evaluation form. Does USNA have something similar. This would cover the change in duties.
 
So ignore what I said earlier because I guess that's just an Army thing.

You'll probably have to ask your employer to send something. Do some research maybe, or ask someone who's been in your shoes?
 
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