USNA Essays???

[ntrero]

My son's nearly completed his applications to USMA, USNA, and USAFA. He has just received his Congressional nomination for all three Academies so he's amped to get everything submitted, but it doesn't appear as if there's an essay component of the USNA application (as there is with the other two schools). If so, I can't see where to upload it in his portal.

Any advice so he can complete his application?

Much obliged,
Nick

 

[Heatherg21]

If I recall directly our DS typed it in directly into a text box. He typed it in word and then copy/pasted. But that was in August, and a lot has gone on since then. I do know there is an essay component for sure. Good luck to your son and congrats on the nominations @ntrero

 

[ntrero]

If I recall directly our DS typed it in directly into a text box. He typed it in word and then copy/pasted. But that was in August, and a lot has gone on since then. I do know there is an essay component for sure. Good luck to your son and congrats on the nominations @ntrero

Yeah, it's really strange. I know he typed them directly into the text box for USMA and USAFA, but we're straight up not seeing it in his USNA application portal. It's saying the only "Required Action" left is for his guidance counselor to mail in his official transcript, which she did today. I'm not even seeing it as being able to submit it as an option. Oh well...

Thanks! The kid's pretty fired up. He's not sure exactly where he'd like to go if appointed, but having options is certainly a good thing.

 

[Heatherg21]

Yeah, it's really strange. I know he typed them directly into the text box for USMA and USAFA, but we're straight up not seeing it in his USNA application portal. It's saying the only "Required Action" left is for his guidance counselor to mail in his official transcript, which she did today. I'm not even seeing it as being able to submit it as an option. Oh well...

Thanks! The kid's pretty fired up. He's not sure exactly where he'd like to go if appointed, but having options is certainly a good thing.

I would suggest he email his admissions counselor and ask for guidance. It was very clear in our DS's portal. Ours has his 3 interviews each weekend for the next 3 weeks.

 

[justdoit19]

There is for sure an essay component. ‘In a well organized essay, answer these two prompts in 500 words or less...’

Maybe he already did it?? And forgot? It’s in the application. Once it’s submitted you no longer see it as a component.

 

[A6E Dad]

did he submit the Candidate Personal Data Record but possibly left the Personal Statement blank?

if so, that would be a big miss. if so, he should contact Admissions asap and they may or may not let him edit it

 

[ntrero]

did he submit the Candidate Personal Data Record but possibly left the Personal Statement blank?

if so, that would be a big miss. if so, he should contact Admissions asap and they may or may not let him edit it

I doubt he would have been moved on to this phase if it had been left blank, no? We just went back and searched through received emails from the summer and it looks like we birddogged it. To your point, he must have submitted it earlier in the process with the Personal Data Record, Academic Interest, Current Studies, etc. (submitted back in August).

What threw us for a loop is you can view USMA's essay submissions (though they are locked for editing after you submit) and USAFA gives you a check mark to let you know that it's been received and processed. It appears USNA just lumps it into the nebulous "Personal Data Record" line item, but doesn't break out the components or whether or not each is complete. Additionally, USNA appears to do it on the front end of the application process while the other Academies make it a separate component to be completed at the candidate's leisure (unless he simply did his application out of sequence). Regardless, I will have him heed your advice and contact his admissions counselor once they receive his transcripts to ensure everything is copacetic.

Appreciate for the guidance, all. Looks like he's good to go and it's in the hands of the fates. The CFA he took this afternoon is already showing up in the portal and the nomination info is loaded, as well.

Thanks!!!

This is what his portal is showing:

 

[falconchic88]

The Personal Statement is the last item within the Personal Data Record. So either he wrote it already or inadvertently submitted the PDR without the personal statement.

The Prompt is usually a two part prompt, one asking what led to initial interest in USNA and how it will help achieve long range goals, and the second asking about a personal experience that contributed to character growth and integrity.

 

[Capt MJ]

All of us will be very interested in the answer, because we may have a good teaching point to share along with the usual advice of “submit early but focus on quality,” and “pay attention to detail,” “explore every aspect of the portal screen.”

I’m hoping it’s recoverable.

 

[justdoit19]

Yes it is a part of the personal data record. And once you complete the whole thing, including the very last page which is the essay (and BTW it’s very obvious...the instructions, bolded 1), 2) questions, and a big open blank box where most people dump in their essay after preparing it on a word document and revising...for months in DS’s case). Our DS just submitted this last piece last week. It’s all very vivid in our minds.

Once submitted, you receive an email stating “your personal data record has been received.”

If you search your emails (hopefully that’s easy to do as they were filed in a USNA file as received), and find that prompt....then the blank essay has been submitted as part of the personal data record. And is presumably empty.

I personally wouldn’t expect that USNA allow him to add the essay component if indeed his PDR has been submitted. Another poster here mistakenly selected only one prompt to answer...reading the instructions as ‘either’ instead of ‘and’, contacted his admissions counselor and wasn’t allowed to edit.

Let us know! And yes all three academies have very different processes, requirements, and expectations.

 

[ntrero]

All of us will be very interested in the answer, because we may have a good teaching point to share along with the usual advice of “submit early but focus on quality,” and “pay attention to detail,” “explore every aspect of the portal screen.”

I’m hoping it’s recoverable.

Roger. I vaguely remember him working through it way back then and would have never let him submit something that was incomplete without reviewing it first. I was very hands off during this whole process because I wanted him to earn it on his own; I already went to school at an Academy and I didn’t want him to utilize me as a crutch in the process.

I didn’t really get involved (with the exception of proofreading) until this week when we saw where he stood with the nominations. Now that we know each is a potential option, I’m getting in the weeds to ensure timely completion of everything and simply didn’t recall because the three Academies all do things a little differently.

I will certainly report back on what the outcome is!

 

[ntrero]

Yes it is a part of the personal data record. And once you complete the whole thing, including the very last page which is the essay (and BTW it’s very obvious...the instructions, bolded 1), 2) questions, and a big open blank box where most people dump in their essay after preparing it on a word document and revising...for months in DS’s case). Our DS just submitted this last piece last week. It’s all very vivid in our minds.

Once submitted, you receive an email stating “your personal data record has been received.”

If you search your emails (hopefully that’s easy to do as they were filed in a USNA file as received), and find that prompt....then the blank essay has been submitted as part of the personal data record. And is presumably empty.

I personally wouldn’t expect that USNA allow him to add the essay component if indeed his PDR has been submitted. Another poster here mistakenly selected only one prompt to answer...reading the instructions as ‘either’ instead of ‘and’, contacted his admissions counselor and wasn’t allowed to edit.

Let us know! And yes all three academies have very different processes, requirements, and expectations.

Good to go. He pulled up the email receipt that thanked him for "successfully completing the candidate Personal Data Record." We also found the Word doc template that he used and I had reviewed and we both recall FaceTiming as he layered the essay in and we validated everything prior to submitting. Additionally, he's been corresponding frequently with his BGO, who's been his LNO with Admissions and verified he's good to go. Looks like much ado about nothing, but I appreciate all the feedback and support from the field.

A couple things going against my feeble recollection: 1) we don't live together so a lot of this was done remotely and, as I said before, this was his dream to chase so I wasn't all in his business, 2) this was all at the apogee of his Senatorial and Congressional nomination process, which took precedence over his Academy application process so I don't think he was backbriefing me on where everything stood in real-time, and 3) August feels like eons ago with respect to this entire process!!!

Things were a lot easier in my day. Paper application, Bob Sutton's recruiters coming to visit, a few interviews, and I knew by November of my senior year! The Corps has...

 

[Capt MJ]

Excellent outcome, thank you for sharing.

 

[justdoit19]

Good to go. He pulled up the email receipt that thanked him for "successfully completing the candidate Personal Data Record." We also found the Word doc template that he used and I had reviewed and we both recall FaceTiming as he layered the essay in and we validated everything prior to submitting. Additionally, he's been corresponding frequently with his BGO, who's been his LNO with Admissions and verified he's good to go. Looks like much ado about nothing, but I appreciate all the feedback and support from the field.

A couple things going against my feeble recollection: 1) we don't live together so a lot of this was done remotely and, as I said before, this was his dream to chase so I wasn't all in his business, 2) this was all at the apogee of his Senatorial and Congressional nomination process, which took precedence over his Academy application process so I don't think he was backbriefing me on where everything stood in real-time, and 3) August feels like eons ago with respect to this entire process!!!

Things were a lot easier in my day. Paper application, Bob Sutton's recruiters coming to visit, a few interviews, and I knew by November of my senior year! The Corps has...[emoji12]

Not much ado about nothing: this story will help future readers pay attention. It IS something I feel could be missed, as the essay generally is the longest lingering piece of the application. As noted, another poster DID submit without completely addressing the essay. And as you point out, one cannot check afterwards for USNA.

Great story and teaching moment. And super glad it’s been submitted...I actually had a dream (nightmare) last night, but insert my own DS. Good luck to all!