USNA Class of 2027 Waiting and Speculating

gordt said:
all moc and senators have a principal nom, it just depends if they have enough seats to give it as well as other noms
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I'm not sure that is accurate. My understanding is that there are several options as to how MOCs can rank their slates:

1. Unranked slate. This allows the academy to select any of the nominated individuals without bias.
2. Principal nomination with the remainder of the slate unranked. This would direct the academy to appoint the principal nominee for appointment if they are fully qualified.
3. Ranked Slate: This option would direct the academy to appoint the highest ranked candidate who is fully qualified.

It is my understanding that all MOCs COULD have a principal nom, but that other constructions of slates beyond the unranked slate have fallen out of favor in order to give the academies maximum flexibility in the selection process.
 
gordt said:
all moc and senators have a principal nom, it just depends if they have enough seats to give it as well as other noms
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I think this might be clearer for people if they understood the Senators and Representatives
have choices with regard to how they submit their slates of up to 10 nominees for 1 appointment. The excerpt below can be found at the Congressional guide at the link.

“Nominees may be submitted in three categories: without ranking, with a principal candidate and nine ranked alternates, or with a principal candidate and nine unranked alternates.15 When the Member specifies a principal candidate, that individual will be appointed to a DOD academy as long as he or she meets all other admission criteria.(Note 16)”
 
Hi! I just received my appointment about a week ago after receiving both a LOA and a Medical Waiver (a very stressful process if I must say). The USNA is one of my top choices; however, I want to go into the medical field. I know that is possible to receive a medical school billet following graduation from the academy, but the process is very selective and rigorous, with only about 15 spots available to the class. I also got accepted into the University of Miami on the pre-med track, where it is possible to pursue a master's degree in my major, helping with the research aspect of getting into medical school. At a civilian school, I would major in biomedical engineering, and at the USNA, I would major in Robotics and Control Engineering (double majoring in Chemistry if possible). I want to go into the Navy and am not opposed to doing something that isn't in the medical field before I go to medical school (if I was to go to the Academy), whether that may be in aviation, SWO, etc as I also want to pursue engineering. This decision is weighing on me heavily, and I need some outside advice. Should I consider a civilian school or the USNA?
 
gordt said:
all moc and senators have a principal nom, it just depends if they have enough seats to give it as well as other noms
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This isn’t correct. Principal refers to a method of slate presentation. REPS/Sen’s s can choose how they want to present their slate to USNA.

An unranked, competitive slate does not included a principal nominee, and at this time is the most common method. Imo, it’s the best, as it leaves the decision up to the SA. Who know best what they are trying to build with the current class.

*Cross posted with capt MJ

Beyond primary source provided, here is additional discussion:

Nominations FAQ

Below are answers to many Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) re the nomination process. Thanks to USNABGO08 for assistance. As always, we've made every effort to be accurate but the below has not been reviewed or approved by any SA or MOC contact. NOTE: Nominations are a fairly complex...
www.serviceacademyforums.com
 
KenBro20 said:
Hi! I just received my appointment about a week ago after receiving both a LOA and a Medical Waiver (a very stressful process if I must say). The USNA is one of my top choices; however, I want to go into the medical field. I know that is possible to receive a medical school billet following graduation from the academy, but the process is very selective and rigorous, with only about 15 spots available to the class. I also got accepted into the University of Miami on the pre-med track, where it is possible to pursue a master's degree in my major, helping with the research aspect of getting into medical school. At a civilian school, I would major in biomedical engineering, and at the USNA, I would major in Robotics and Control Engineering (double majoring in Chemistry if possible). I want to go into the Navy and am not opposed to doing something that isn't in the medical field before I go to medical school (if I was to go to the Academy), whether that may be in aviation, SWO, etc as I also want to pursue engineering. This decision is weighing on me heavily, and I need some outside advice. Should I consider a civilian school or the USNA?
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Congrats on your appointment! Ultimately only you can decide which one would be best for you, but USNA is definitely a difficult road to go to medical school. That said, it can be done if you want it badly enough. My roommate did it as well as a few of my friends. Most of them were chemistry majors; one was an english major who took a few chemistry classes (maybe organic? whatever was needed to qualify). I can't think of any engineering majors who went directly to med school out of the academy. Unless you have a LOT of credits that you're entering with, majoring in both engineering and chemistry would be very difficult as there is not a great deal of overlap in requirements and engineering majors already have a lot of credits to complete the major. You can, though, as I said, major in engineering and take just the chemistry courses needed to get into med school. That would still be a lot of credits, though--one of my son's good friends is a robotics major and I know he has 21 credits this semester. 19-21 credits per semester is quite common for engineering majors. You could always take a class as summer school instead of summer leave (which really isn't too bad; summer school is pretty laid back and can be fun).

I have a friend from USAFA who went to medical school after his service commitment (he did maintenance for five years). He then went to USHUS for medical school while still in the AF and incurred an additional commitment. He didn't seem to mind. That would be easiest if you service selected something like SWO which only has a five-year commitment. If you did aviation first, you'd be around 10 years in (so early 30s) before you could go to med school, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you make O3 pay while in med school even if you were a higher rank. That would be a little painful to get a pay cut, I think.

I think it's great that you have so many interests that you want to pursue. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get to do everything. If medical school is really your goal, then the more obvious choice is to go to a civilian school, major in biomedical engineering, and then try to go to medical school with the military and serve as a doctor. Or go to medical school first and then go to OCS (Officer Candidate School) to join the military as a doctor. That way, you get your engineering degree, medical school, and service time. Of course, just because it's the most obvious way does not make it the best choice for you individually. How much do you really want to attend USNA? That is ultimately what would change your decision. If you really want to go to Navy, then I'd commit to doing my very best knowing that I might have to take the long road to medical school. Either way, it's a testament to your hard work so far that you were accepted. You'll be able to find great challenges for yourself wherever you go.

Sometimes we have to give up the good for the best. And sometimes there is no clear right answer and you just make the best decision you can and don't look back. Good luck!!
 
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KenBro20 said:
Hi! I just received my appointment about a week ago after receiving both a LOA and a Medical Waiver (a very stressful process if I must say). The USNA is one of my top choices; however, I want to go into the medical field. I know that is possible to receive a medical school billet following graduation from the academy, but the process is very selective and rigorous, with only about 15 spots available to the class. I also got accepted into the University of Miami on the pre-med track, where it is possible to pursue a master's degree in my major, helping with the research aspect of getting into medical school. At a civilian school, I would major in biomedical engineering, and at the USNA, I would major in Robotics and Control Engineering (double majoring in Chemistry if possible). I want to go into the Navy and am not opposed to doing something that isn't in the medical field before I go to medical school (if I was to go to the Academy), whether that may be in aviation, SWO, etc as I also want to pursue engineering. This decision is weighing on me heavily, and I need some outside advice. Should I consider a civilian school or the USNA?
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If you are certain you want to go into medicine then USNA would be the most challenging route but NOT impossible. There aren’t many spots… but likewise there aren’t many trying to compete for those spots AND have the academic record to get one. USNA has no premed track so you have to take chemistry as a major plus summer school for biology or cobble together the prerequisites via another major and LOTS of summer school. I attempted this path and graduated in the middle of the pack and went pilot instead of MD. I ended up much happier in the long run…

I've never heard of anyone successfully being a double major at USNA. I think there are now some computer science degrees that would allow this as well as people that have done political science and economics. Most people are taking 16-20 credited per semester with a single major. The chemistry major takes a large amount of time because of the long lab hours every afternoon.

Something to keep in mind - medical school does not require a bachelors degree. It requires successful completion of their prerequisites and most of the time premed students get a 4yr degree. One of my best friends was an enlisted hospital corpsman - completed his premed requirements - then straight to med school and he is a very successful ER MD now. Another thing we would both ask you as people that are coming from the medical field - what is your motivation for wanting to be a MD?
 
KenBro20 said:
Hi! I just received my appointment about a week ago after receiving both a LOA and a Medical Waiver (a very stressful process if I must say). The USNA is one of my top choices; however, I want to go into the medical field. I know that is possible to receive a medical school billet following graduation from the academy, but the process is very selective and rigorous, with only about 15 spots available to the class. I also got accepted into the University of Miami on the pre-med track, where it is possible to pursue a master's degree in my major, helping with the research aspect of getting into medical school. At a civilian school, I would major in biomedical engineering, and at the USNA, I would major in Robotics and Control Engineering (double majoring in Chemistry if possible). I want to go into the Navy and am not opposed to doing something that isn't in the medical field before I go to medical school (if I was to go to the Academy), whether that may be in aviation, SWO, etc as I also want to pursue engineering. This decision is weighing on me heavily, and I need some outside advice. Should I consider a civilian school or the USNA?
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That’s a TALL order at USNA. How familiar are you with daily tasks? Watches, parades, parade practice, all day Saturday football commitments, travel to and from army-navy (right before finals). Company requirements? Required sports? Mandatory lectures and events? Company and brigade PT? PRT training? All while carrying 21 credits?

At USNA, you graduate in 4 yrs. Period. Civilian school? Your majors would most likely be 5.

A small correction to what was posted before: you won’t ‘bring in credits’ to USNA. You will have to validate. Not a ‘sure thing’ like transferring in college credit.

Other things to consider, Needs Of The Navy: you request your major, and then it’s assigned. You request your community, and then it’s assigned. You request summer school in your training requests, and then it’s assigned (voluntary is secondary to those that require the class). You may, or may not, receive your request. I’m not familiar with the medical path, but I believe you have to be selected. IOW, there are no guarantees your ‘plan’ will go as planned. Semper Gumby.

Only you can decide. But, in my opinion and experience with my own 2 and their buddies over the years, you should be ok with alternate plans. Open. Only you can decide!

Remember, you can attend for two years, and walk away if you decide it’s not for you.

The other little bit I’ll leave here, is that all of my own 4 kiddos (USNA and State U), their friends and our countless exchange students changed their majors once the began. A 17 yr old may think they know what they want, but once they get going, realize something else is a better fit. It’s normal. Not saying you will, but offering that many, many, do.
 
Hello. Sorry now to forum. We are also in holding pattern and have just heard from DODMERB that they need doctors records from a specialist he saw years ago for a med he was on as a child (not asthma as everyone always asks lol). Anyhow, it seems kind of late to be getting that now. Can a candidate get LOA or have a spot saved prior to having this all submitted to them or do they wait until the candidate is perfectly medically qualified . I guess I’m wondering , can you be accepted pending full clearance? He hasn’t been told he needs a waiver . Just doctors records sent in for specialist . Seems very late now in the process and hoping we don’t get passed over .
 
Putting on my Dad Hat here: if you are given the “gift” of USNA, go out there and have adventures and do stuff few others can even dream of. If Rx is still burning, go to medical school (maybe on the Navy’s dime or not) after your service commitment. My friend’s brother went pilot out of NROTC, did his service requirement and then got the Navy to send him to medical school. He’s now on O7 in charge of a major DoD hospital.
 
Navyfly73 said:
Hello. Sorry now to forum. We are also in holding pattern and have just heard from DODMERB that they need doctors records from a specialist he saw years ago for a med he was on as a child (not asthma as everyone always asks lol). Anyhow, it seems kind of late to be getting that now. Can a candidate get LOA or have a spot saved prior to having this all submitted to them or do they wait until the candidate is perfectly medically qualified . I guess I’m wondering , can you be accepted pending full clearance? He hasn’t been told he needs a waiver . Just doctors records sent in for specialist . Seems very late now in the process and hoping we don’t get passed over .
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No it’s not late. This is part of what is happening behind the scenes, that we don’t see, as classes are built.

Yes people can be appointed pending medical. Even up until a final OK by Staff on Iday. It happens.

Still almost a month until April 15th.

And 2.5 months until Iday.

Get those records turned in!!
 
@KenBro20

There are many threads on the medical school path from USNA. Search for them using the SAF search tool and also do an external Google search using the string:
Site:ww.serviceacademyforums.com medical school USNA
And, go to the USNA.edu pages on medical school, your primary source.

Some basics:
- The Navy gets the majority of its doctors from civilian medical schools. It can be done from USNA, but the path is very narrow. Successful candidates, as noted above, have to put together the pre-requisite courses and excel academically.
- Many who attend civilian medical schools take advantage of:
- Or attend civilian undergraduate, do the pre-med/engineering things you want, apply to the uniformed services medical school, get commissioned there and enter the armed services or Public Health Service:

MEDSCHOOL, Home

medschool.usuhs.edu medschool.usuhs.edu
- If you go the USNA route, you have to be clear you are committing to years and years of service far beyond the 5 years of obligated service required. USNA and medical school will each have their associated years of “payback time.” This payback counter does not start until after the residency tests are completed. You have to be all in on being a military med corps officer.
- You can also attend USNA, enter another warfare community, and at a certain point, apply for lateral redesignation and transfer to the med corps and go to medical school. It is highly competitive to apply for that, and will work only if your current community can afford to lose you numbers-wise AND the Navy needs more doctors in your yeargroup. I had a submarine officer, a LT, work for me who went this way. He was an outstanding performer, blew away the MCAT, had taken after-hours refresher courses n life sciences, Chem, etc. He went off to medical school in his later 20s, after he had successfully obtained his submarine warfare pin and served a sea tour in subs. He understood the years of obligated service and ahead and was fully committed to military medicine.
- Way down the road, people can also complete their 5 years of obligated service, plus 36 months of additional service, separate from the Navy, and use their Post-9/11 GI Bill veteran educational benefit to attend medical school, and apply to return to the Navy or other service as a commissioned med corps officer. Another long road.
- Finally, if the Navy is paying, the choice of residencies available when it’s time to choose will be based on the needs of the Navy.
- Be sure you are 100% fine with going other paths out of USNA.
 
ders_dad said:
Putting on my Dad Hat here: if you are given the “gift” of USNA, go out there and have adventures and do stuff few others can even dream of. If Rx is still burning, go to medical school (maybe on the Navy’s dime or not) after your service commitment. My friend’s brother went pilot out of NROTC, did his service requirement and then got the Navy to send him to medical school. He’s now on O7 in charge of a major DoD hospital.
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I definitely agree. I see it as taking a chance I will probably never get again. You could always go after as you said. Great Advice!
 
I’m with these guys! I was he’ll bend on doctoring all through high school and planned my whole a career at 17 then hated it when I started the program. USNA gives you a great start in any direction and there is no way you can be certain where you really wanna go right now. On a light note! Just got this at Sea Bags Annapolis (Navy Sea Bag tote)! They just came in and have 5 left!!! I’m not using it til we get that appointment in hand though!:) Good luck everyone!!:)
 
Lkt said:
I’m with these guys! I was he’ll bend on doctoring all through high school and planned my whole a career at 17 then hated it when I started the program. USNA gives you a great start in any direction and there is no way you can be certain where you really wanna go right now. On a light note! Just got this at Sea Bags Annapolis (Navy Sea Bag tote)! They just came in and have 5 left!!! I’m not using it til we get that appointment in hand though!:) Good luck everyone!!:)
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o_O oh my gosh I just googled Navy sea bags and... yes!!!

My son is awaiting hearing from 4 out of his 5 NROTC universities all within the next 2-3 weeks and has been like many, gratefully, sitting at CPR for USNA for months. No idea right now where he will be heading in September (make that June 29, or NSI in July) but I tell you the second he is accepted, after some dancing, I'm a little worried this should be added to the family budget as a line item because it will be Navy SOMETHING and if there are bags like this involved...
 
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IronmanDaremo said:
If son attends the Academy, you will be required to make mandatory tuition payments to the MidStore in Bancroft, along with a lot of other expenses incurred at the local Annapolis establishments. ;)
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I’m looking way too forward to that! Just there (birthday weekend) and recommend (for happy potential future planning purposes); Bean Rush Coffee, 1845 (coffee on the Yard and in the MidStore), Preserve, Masons, and my personal favorite Boatyard (oh and the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel too):) Gosh I love this town too much; it worries me! And you can get those US Naval Academy Sea Bags online too; https://seabags.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-sea_bags-Site/default/Search-Show?q=Navy&lang=default
Good luck everyone!:)
 
Lkt said:
I’m looking way too forward to that! Just there (birthday weekend) and recommend (for happy potential future planning purposes); Bean Rush Coffee, 1845 (coffee on the Yard and in the MidStore), Preserve, Masons, and my personal favorite Boatyard (oh and the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel too):) Gosh I love this town too much; it worries me! And you can get those US Naval Academy Sea Bags online too; https://seabags.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-sea_bags-Site/default/Search-Show?q=Navy&lang=default
Good luck everyone!:)
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Oh my! I can already feel my bank account groaning.
 
Likely a stupid question (I'm a novice to this forum): Does the USNA Board have a limit (or allotment) of LOA per state? I've seen a lot of appointments in my state where candidates had LOAs. Do they keep any districts LOA free? Wondering aloud for my kid's sake.
 
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