Wait List

SMT

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Joined
Apr 3, 2017
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Hey all, I just got wait listed today by USNA...take this as a desperate plea, but I implore all appointed candidates to make sure that USNA is really the place they want to be before they accept the offer. If you have any misgivings or doubts, there are many people on the waiting list who would be overjoyed to have your spot.

Thanks
 
I couldn't agree more, if some appointees are not 100% on board for a SA, they should relinquish their appointments to people more elevated and ready for what SA has to offer. Not to be frankly mean, but sometimes ROTC is better suited for people than SA, and it would be a huge shame if an individual dropped out during plebe summer/year even when they had doubts about the academy before coming. That appointment slot that was used/wasted could have been someone else's life goal/dream. Just food for thought about those who are doubtful.
 
I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm not certain the wait list really works the way you are envisioning. For the past several years, the class has been over-subscribed. In other words, they exceeded their target class size. When one person declines, USNA doesn't necessarily turn to the wait list.

Over the past several years, the number of applicants taken off the wait list seems to be less than 10 or so. Yes, it happens, but its rare and I think in almost every circumstance the applicant was in a unique circumstance. The many stories of 'someone in my NASS detail got their appointment two days before I Day' seem to be almost apocryphal. Again, yes, it happens (maybe every year), but you shouldn't expect it.

My DS met with Dean of Admissions after being wait listed and before I Day last year. The Dean said all the wait listers had met the admission criteria and the Naval Academy wanted to offer them an appointment, but didn't have a enough seats. I think of it as a game of musical chairs (nominations). When the music stopped (the slating was complete), those on the wait list were left standing without an appointment.

If you look at the list of successful re-applicants, you'll find many wait listers. Being wait listed is code for 'we encourage you to try again.' I know; that's bad news, but also good news if you are determined to attend the Naval Academy.
 
i agree with the above post. in fact, there is a parent on the forum here with someone who was waitlisted to USNA, declined an appointment at another academy because couldn't give up on USNA dream (and it's impossible to transfer academies), reapplied to USNA and was appointed for the class of 2021 as a college re-applicant. I do believe being wait listed is code for "please try again - your chances of appointment the second time around are high".
 
My son did the same, "rolled the dice" turned down USMA for the NROTC scholarship and opportunity to re-apply to USNA. He was on the USNA wait list last year until the 23rd of June...second time was successful. I have a USNA classmate who's son did the same thing and was also a successful as a re-applicant.
 
My spam post below :spam::

As many have pointed out USNA has a very high yield. From the class of 2020 portrait: of 1355 offered appointments, 1177 accepted. That's a whopping 86.9%! Much higher than WP and even higher than CGA (70 and 75 % last two years). Of course I am joking about this: find those on other forums in SAF that have also received offer of appointments from other SAs. "Encourage" them to take the other offers and decline USNA, especially if they are in your district.
Is this what they call "information warfare" or "fake news"? :scratch:
 
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Would this mean that if a candidate (say #( ) on the list of appointments) were to accept at USAFA or USMA instead of USNA that the next candidate in the district could possibly get their spot due to nomination shuffling and enough people declining their offers?
 
I am guessing you are looking for an answer from someone else, not the spammer.

I suspect what nom(s) the person "next in line" (on slate or on NWL) has maybe a factor. This is totally my speculation.

Edit: I am hoping @usnabgo08 or other high priests will come to my rescue.
 
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Is the wait list only for an Appointment to the Academy, or is it for prep school as well?
 
I was wait listed last year by USNA and taken off wait list once all the seats filled. So I went to my state school and re-applied. In 83 days, I'll be able to live my dream by attending USNA after receiving an appointment. Don't give up the ship! Keep going!
 
My son did the same, "rolled the dice" turned down USMA for the NROTC scholarship and opportunity to re-apply to USNA. He was on the USNA wait list last year until the 23rd of June...second time was successful. I have a USNA classmate who's son did the same thing and was also a successful as a re-applicant.

I know this is slightly late, but I was curious about how the process was for your son. I turned down West Point to reapply for USNA after being waitlisted, and I am finding it so much harder this time to stay positive about it this time around. I do not know how the experience was for your son, and I am not sure how to private message on here, but I would be so grateful to talk to you (or anyone!) that has gone through this experience!
 
My son did the same, "rolled the dice" turned down USMA for the NROTC scholarship and opportunity to re-apply to USNA. He was on the USNA wait list last year until the 23rd of June...second time was successful. I have a USNA classmate who's son did the same thing and was also a successful as a re-applicant.

I know this is slightly late, but I was curious about how the process was for your son. I turned down West Point to reapply for USNA after being waitlisted, and I am finding it so much harder this time to stay positive about it this time around. I do not know how the experience was for your son, and I am not sure how to private message on here, but I would be so grateful to talk to you (or anyone!) that has gone through this experience!

My son accepted his NROTC scholarship to a "southern Ivy" and excelled in his unit, earning a nomination through NROTC. He was appointed to a unit leadership position second semester. He took the normal course load of a freshmen engineering student, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Intro to Engineering, etc..His GPA was a 3.0..good but not off the charts. His university accepted all his ACC credit from high school, so he submitted both college and ACC college transcripts. Not sure how USNA looks at that, but at least they saw credit on one transcript and the associated grade on the other. He also received a Presidential nomination from my military service. Our congressmen was less than enthusiastic about another nomination so he only went in with two, NROTC and Presidential. I am not sure which category his appointment was charged against. He also took the CFA again and significantly improved his score. His essays took on a different tone of how he dealt with the disappointment of USNA rejection and what his plan was to succeed and move forward toward his goal of earning a Navy officer commission.

In summary, I would say he was extremely close coming out of high school.... he was held on the wait list until a week prior to I-day. I don't know the secret admissions board formula but I would say it matches closely what I saw in many Navy selection boards I sat on during my Navy career. Take the harder road, demonstrate leadership ability and excel in every task or assignment.

Finally, I might add that he was extremely happy at his University and NROTC unit..
 
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