KP_KRegister
Member
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2018
- Messages
- 28
Totally agree with Capt MJ - "The application process in itself is a test of YOUR perseverance, attention to detail, planning and execution skills. "
I was actually planning on taking a gap year this year too, until I realized that i could take a gap year after 3/c year for religious reasons, reapply (a much easier application where you’re almost guaranteed your spot back), and join the next year’s class to continue my education at USNA. If you’re planning on taking the gap year right after high school, you don’t need to apply until this time next year.Does anyone have advice about taking a gap year before applying to the SAs?
If you take a gap year right after high school..do they use your high school grades when applying?I was actually planning on taking a gap year this year too, until I realized that i could take a gap year after 3/c year for religious reasons, reapply (a much easier application where you’re almost guaranteed your spot back), and join the next year’s class to continue my education at USNA. If you’re planning on taking the gap year right after high school, you don’t need to apply until this time next year.Does anyone have advice about taking a gap year before applying to the SAs?
Yes!If you take a gap year right after high school..do they use your high school grades when applying?I was actually planning on taking a gap year this year too, until I realized that i could take a gap year after 3/c year for religious reasons, reapply (a much easier application where you’re almost guaranteed your spot back), and join the next year’s class to continue my education at USNA. If you’re planning on taking the gap year right after high school, you don’t need to apply until this time next year.Does anyone have advice about taking a gap year before applying to the SAs?
The application process takes time. There are no awards for getting your application in ahead of everyone else, and your application will mean very little without a nomination. All Members of Congress (MOC) have different dates at which they open up their nomination application process (sometime in the Summer), and those nominations aren't typically handed out until November or December.
> Agree, key being "timely manner" . I think the original comment was to deter the "race" to be first - I don't think there is any benefit to rushing it to be first, but there is certainly a benefit to being "timely." If you want to demonstrate interest and motivation, call your BGO early, introduce yourself, and tell him/her your plan of action.Getting the application done in a timely manner makes a candidate stand out to he BGO and will not hurt with the board.
Does anyone have advice about taking a gap year before applying to the SAs?
> I've never had a candidate apply from a "gap year," but don't think I would recommend it unless there was a really good reason. I've also never heard of anyone voluntarily leaving USNA and reapplying and graduating with another class. Again, I would think it would have to be a very good reason (I suspect that USNA would be receptive to a religious mission but not a year as a beach bum). Even if USNA readmits, I think it would be very awkward starting with one class and ending with another... everything revolves around you Class identity , starting with Plebe Summer and continuing through Reunions. We had a guy in my Company that was separated during 2nd Class year, went to the fleet for a year, and rejoined our Class for First Class Year. He was really never part of the Class, the Company, and I don't think anyone has seen him since graduation.I was actually planning on taking a gap year this year too, until I realized that i could take a gap year after 3/c year for religious reasons, reapply (a much easier application where you’re almost guaranteed your spot back), and join the next year’s class to continue my education at USNA
^^^ +100I disagree wholeheartedly. As a BGO and MOC interview panel for many years, one of the things that we look for is motivation and a measure of motivation is speed/diligance in getting the application completed. When candidates pop up on my BGO portal (usually May), I send them an intro/welcome email and I stress the need to get things started before the end of the school year so that they can get their completed application to the Admissions Board soon after it starts up. Why? Because at that point they are fresh and there is an empty class to fill. As soon as they start, they will begin slotting candidates to the piles of Yes, Maybe and No along with some LOAs. It is true that actual offers will not be made until there is a nomination but getting into the right "pile" is key to getting through THIS part of the admissions process. If you want to push closer to a due date, do that with the nomination packages because all of the MOCs that I know of process them at one time, generally after the due date. The USNA Admissions Board begins meeting in Late Aug or early Sept and will continue up till the spring. I've seen many hear recommend candidates to keep working to improve CFAs and keep retaking the SAT. Getting the application done in a timely manner makes a candidate stand out to he BGO and will not hurt with the board.
Agree wholeheartedly. Hence my suggestion to prepare early and be done with SAT/ACT before summer prior to senior year, and prepare for CFA early as well. Get your “optimal” package in early. Sure, many kids do not know they want to apply to USNA till their senior year. For those who do know early on, I see everything to gain by starting and getting ready early. From reading this forum, you already know what may give you a better chance. Don’t wait to be at your best before the deadline.There’s a balancing act, I believe, between timely submission and optimal package. Certainly, earlier submission is better than later submission. But not if there’s room to improve significantly, whether it’s SAT/ACT or CFA. I’d argue that submitting an application with a 50-point improvement on SAT in October is fine, or waiting until December to submit CFA because it allowed the candidate to push performance to above average.
I know this because I’ve spoken to several mids at USNA who have done this for religious reasons. Not every situation is the same, and so while someone who has taken a gap year may not “be a part of the class”, someone else who does may very well integrate smoothly with the new class. Two years is more than enough time.> Agree, key being "timely manner" . I think the original comment was to deter the "race" to be first - I don't think there is any benefit to rushing it to be first, but there is certainly a benefit to being "timely." If you want to demonstrate interest and motivation, call your BGO early, introduce yourself, and tell him/her your plan of action.Getting the application done in a timely manner makes a candidate stand out to he BGO and will not hurt with the board.
Does anyone have advice about taking a gap year before applying to the SAs?> I've never had a candidate apply from a "gap year," but don't think I would recommend it unless there was a really good reason. I've also never heard of anyone voluntarily leaving USNA and reapplying and graduating with another class. Again, I would think it would have to be a very good reason (I suspect that USNA would be receptive to a religious mission but not a year as a beach bum). Even if USNA readmits, I think it would be very awkward starting with one class and ending with another... everything revolves around you Class identity , starting with Plebe Summer and continuing through Reunions. We had a guy in my Company that was separated during 2nd Class year, went to the fleet for a year, and rejoined our Class for First Class Year. He was really never part of the Class, the Company, and I don't think anyone has seen him since graduation.I was actually planning on taking a gap year this year too, until I realized that i could take a gap year after 3/c year for religious reasons, reapply (a much easier application where you’re almost guaranteed your spot back), and join the next year’s class to continue my education at USNA
Does anyone have advice about taking a gap year before applying to the SAs?
Does anyone have advice about taking a gap year before applying to the SAs?
> I've never had a candidate apply from a "gap year," but don't think I would recommend it unless there was a really good reason. I've also never heard of anyone voluntarily leaving USNA and reapplying and graduating with another class. Again, I would think it would have to be a very good reason (I suspect that USNA would be receptive to a religious mission but not a year as a beach bum). Even if USNA readmits, I think it would be very awkward starting with one class and ending with another... everything revolves around you Class identity , starting with Plebe Summer and continuing through Reunions. We had a guy in my Company that was separated during 2nd Class year, went to the fleet for a year, and rejoined our Class for First Class Year. He was really never part of the Class, the Company, and I don't think anyone has seen him since graduation.[/QUOTE]I was actually planning on taking a gap year this year too, until I realized that i could take a gap year after 3/c year for religious reasons, reapply (a much easier application where you’re almost guaranteed your spot back), and join the next year’s class to continue my education at USNA