When to start applying?

[dlee96]

I'm currently a sophomore in high school and will be a junior for the 2012-2013 school year.
-I know that applications begin during one's junior year, however when do they usually start?
-What do I do when applications open?
-When should I have my applications done by?
-When do I take the CFA?
-When is the DODMERB medical exam?
-Who do I get recommendations from? (teachers, former service members, etc?)

On a related note, when do ROTC applications begin?

If anyone would answer these questions, I would be much obliged. Thanks for your time.

 

[1964BGO]

Usually your first opportunity to file an application will occur when USNA opens the applications for NASS, consequently it is to your advantage to apply for NASS regardless of whether you are selected to participate in that program. NASS normally opens after the first of the year, so visit www.usna.edu/Admissions in Nov or Dec to get a clue as to when apps to NASS will be accepted.
Before you get much farther along, you need to start taking the SAT and ACT exams, ie, start applying and studying now! You will find that most of your better schools are going to want SAT and/or ACT scores, as will your MOC's and others.
Complete your application as early as you can... in the past the reports from USNA was that they were receiving several thousand apps for NASS in the first week it was open.
You can take the CFA at NASS, or do it on home turf graded by a coach or PE teacher but this will be after you have been designated an Official Candidate and have a file in the CIS.
Admissions will schedule your DODMERB physical exam.
Normally USNA wants recommendations from you junior year math and grammar teachers plus your counselor.
I would contact your local recruiting station to get the date NROTC applications are available.

Best wishes to you.

 

[MMMom]

Definitely apply for NASS, even if you aren't sure if you will be able to go. This year the application opened up the first week or so of January. DS just returned from NASS Session 2 last night and it was probably one of the best experiences of his life. Absolutely loved every minute of it...

 

[1964BGO]

A couple of things you need to know about NASS:

1. Being selected for NASS is not as straightforward as might be expected as the program is used for a certain amount of recruiting of prospects from areas, districts, ethnicities, etc., which are considered under-represented.
2. Typically there are only about 2,250 slots available for NASS, and reportedly there normally are more than 5,000 applicants each year.
3. In the recent past the average size of the entering plebe classes has been about 1,200; This means that obviously many of the NASS selectees do not get selected for appointments.
4. In truth, and straight from Admissions, getting selected for NASS does not ensure selections for an offer of appointment. Furthermore, not being selected for NASS does not mean an applicant will not be considered or impaired in consideration for an offer of appointment.

Personally I feel it is important for any young man or woman considering a service academy to make every effort to visit that service academy before accepting an appointment. These schools are different from the civilian schools, and it is important the appointment holder knows what s/he is getting into and whether it is basically compatible with expectations. I frequently suggest using sports camps as alternates to NASS. CVW's usually occur during academic year and may be difficult to fint into a schedule of a reasonably active candidate.