will USNA provide feedback after a TWE?

H

Hebo

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I know that there is still time before most of the TWEs come out but I'm trying to get prepared to decide if I should re-apply for 2024 while a freshman NROTC. I honestly don't know if I will do this but I am leaning that way. I read in the sticky for re-applicants that we should contact the regional admissions person at USNA and my BGO in June or July to find out where I need to improve. I would try to improve in all my areas but I would first like to know from USNA what held me back.

Is it realistic to expect that USNA will honestly tell me my weaknesses? The reason I ask is because through this whole application process I have gotten so little feedback from anyone. In August, when I interviewed with my BGO he told me I was a very strong candidate in all categories but there were no guarantees. If I'm not USNA material, I wish someone would come out and say so. Kind of like what a coach does - tell you what you gotta work on. If there's something about me that especially needs improvement, I would love to hear that. I think the big missing part of the application process is that applicants don't get much feedback so they can either focus on their weaknesses (if they can) or "get off the pot". I'm wondering from those who know way more than me (probably most of you) if that feedback will come after the TWE.
 
I don’t have experience in this but I would suspect (as stated in the sticky) that you will certainly receive feedback if you inquire. I have never heard of an overall “critique” provided as standard procedure. Rather a form letter.

It’s SO hard to fathom, that here are so many super qualified candidates who are turned away each year. You are obviously one of those as you hold an NROTC scholarship, which is a true national competition from the git go! Congrats. That’s amazing.

You may yet be surprised with an appointment!! Don’t give up hope!! And really there isnt any need to decide any time soon whether to reapply next year. Maybe you will ‘grow where you land’ and thrive and find NROTC is a perfect fit and not even want to reapply. Or maybe you will decide you want to try again. If that’s the case, you will have an additional nomination source. You will also have shown dedication and tenacity in reapplying and the SA’s love that grit!

To your question, i’m sure you will receive feedback if you ask. And it’s prudent imo that you do! I’m also confident that being in NROTC in and of itself will help with all areas of your application, as long as you show leadership and do well academically.

My DS’s SS Detailer was the oldest one could be as an appointee (a couple rejections, prior enlisted, naps etc...), and that was what DS admired most about him. He never gave up his dream, and did the work to achieve it (side note, they are also very cool to the Mids. To have experience is a benefit). Good luck to you!
 
Thanks. I'm not giving up hope. Also, I am eager for NROTC and I understand that I may fall in love with my school and NROTC and not want to reapply. I'm asking, I guess, because I'm the kind of person who likes to understand my options and what I need to do. As hard as it is sometimes, I get a lot more out of down and dirty feedback than vague encouragement. I'm hoping if I get TWE'ed, USNA will say something like, "we loved your academics but need to see you with a higher CFA" or "most of your leadership is with Boy Scouts and we want to see you leading something else". Stuff like that.
 
Yes and no. After the dust settles and if someone receives a TWE you can reach out to your admissions rep and ask what can be worked on. Some are receptive to this and give lots of info and others less. It’s best to let things settle for a little then ask. It will give time and perspective to have the convo when the emotions have lessened. I would ensure you have some specific questions ready for it too. BGOs can give a glimpse into this and their opinion, but your regional admissions rep is what is recommended. BGOs chime in if you think something else.
 
DS was a college re-applicant from NROTC this year, and got a LOA. He inquired but was never really given any ways to improve; just told go take standard plebe courses at college (and ace them!), and join NROTC. Our impression is that in some geographic areas it's just a matter of maintaining high performance, and (figuratively) waiting for your turn.
 
I think the X factor, being nominated, in your district and state, is the variable that can change from year to year. The other aspects of the application process can be found in USNA Class Profile info, average ACT/SAT, GPA, recommended CFA levels, having leadership experience etc is all spelled out and probably doesn't vary that much from year to year. Since no one can predict what your competition will be, its up to each candidate to take an honest look at how their numbers stack up to the class profile, and see if there is room for improvement. Like the application process at any college its always a numbers game, here it starts with your individual district.
 
Sometimes it's not really about improving anything. One might be a stellar candidate who, in any given year, would receive an appointment, but this year there was someone who was just a shade better in some areas. It IS a competition and not being selected doesn't necessarily mean you have areas to improve. So if you think someone might be blowing sunshine up your skirt and they don't tell you where to improve, take it as a sign of this situation and try harder in all areas. Run the race.
 
As NavyHoops says, it's a very good idea to reach out to your admissions rep, though some may be more accommodating or helpful that others.

In the case of my DS, he was a successful college re-app, who had a very good experience working with his admission rep. It may not work for everyone, but after the TWE he made an appointment and visited admissions during his April break . The admissions rep went through his app and spend about 40 min talking about his application, his college options and what to work on in the new application. He kept in touch and got feedback from the rep in August when it came time to selecting freshman courses.

My takeaways from his experience as well as my experience as a BGO both from training and from advising candidates are below. Things in quotes are direct quotes from BGO training:

1. The biggest factor for a re-applicant is demonstrated success at a 4 year college with a Plebe like schedule. As posted in many other places, this means Calc, Chem with lab, History, English (usually freshman writing), and another class like NROTC Naval science or some other elective. "Taking the wrong courses will be a red flag for the board". Also, if there are issues with classes and you're not sure what to take (i.e.. you tested out of Calc 1 and 2, but Calc 3 isn't available till spring) make sure you document that via email with admissions and get their suggestions. This was discussed in BGO training - they will actually include the email in your record and that will be available if questions arise. This was a pretty big point made, the quote in my notes from Admissions is "don't close the door on the Naval Academy before you even start the application"

*I've seen a super star candidate who was waitlisted at USNA then re-apply from a very highly ranked university earn a 3.9 gpa, excel in NROTC, and do everything right EXCEPT he didn't take calc or chem, and he didn't get an appointment.

2. "4 year college is far preferable to prep school". High school, prep school and test scores are predictors of performance, but college is demonstrated performance. "these grades are weighted heavily"
3. Retake SAT or ACT in late spring of senior year. Shows commitment and you might see a decent bump in score
4. "DON'T Coast during spring semester!" Per admissions, performance during second semester senior year is "huge", and any "appearance of senioritis will be noticed!"
5. Don't copy and paste this year's application into next year, for several reasons. First, the board will have access to both records. Each member of the board will have your record open, and they can click on any of the items and read the details - such as Essay, Letters of Rec, etc, etc.. You don't want to sent the same essay twice. Likewise, you don't want to send a recommendation from the same teacher , even if he/she was your junior and senior teacher. Second, your essay should reflect your experiences in college, etc., it should read differently that one written by a HS Jr. - If you must get a letter from the same teacher a second time, make sure the teacher knows that they have the previous letter and that the new letter needs to be new.

The rest of my notes are consistent with what is posted in the re-app sticky and above, if I come across anything else that's relevant I'll post it

Best of Luck!
 
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Thanks! These all helpful answers.

I have a follow-up question. If I wind up going to my state school for NROTC in my chosen degree program (aeronautical engineering), they have a 4-year plan laid out that calls for only 1 semester of chemistry (fall freshman year) - only one semester is required for the degree. They also require a semester of biology (also first semester). Is this common? It would not mirror a plebe year. How do reapplicants handle that?
 
Requiring only one semester is far different from saying you can only take 1 semester. If your schedule allows it you can take follow-on courses. I'd try to fit in the next chemistry first. Of course if your schedule doesn't allow it that's fine. One can only do so much and as long as it's your best you're good. Just one man's opinion.
 
I like Kinnem's perspective a couple posts above. Run the race....

DS got a TWE for class cycle 2019 and was certainly disappointed. It stung, however he simply executed his plan B and moved on. Someone got it and he didn't, however, he was not compelled to call USNA and ask why. (plan B was N-ROTC T1 scholarship and that was a good plan B.....) As a parent I sure wondered and asked him why he didn't ask - he simply said it wasn't meant to be. We all let it go....Now imagine how he felt when he was about to depart for university that August when got a call from USNA asking him if he would consider reapplying for class of 2020 cycle? His comment was something like...you shot me down and now you are actually asking me to reapply? What was wrong the first time? He never revealed the exact conversation, however, he said he would consider his options when the time came. Off to school he went leaving my wife and I wondering a bunch of things as you would imagine. We let it go too - you teach your kids to fly and live with the decisions they make - and we did. Fast forward to that October and we get the call from DS who says he is reapplying. We said - your call - but we would only help with transportation for the congressional and senatorial interviews (he sold his car before school started). Our only request was to hold writing his essay until Christmas break to allow a full semester in school and with his unit. He might have a different perspective with a full semester completed. He did wait to write it and then followed through with the application. He got his appointment and is currently 2nd class. He's never looked back at all. I still wonder what USNA said to him....maybe I'll never know.

Mirror the plebe classes at school if you reapply and yes, ace them. DS validated 7 classes. It pays off as a 2nd class in terms of class load (not so much as a plebe and 3rd class as you simply just take the next class in line) and especially a Firstie. If you grasp time management, that will probably be the singe most important lesson you can learn and apply at USNA. Grasp this element and you will be for the better.

I know this does not directly answer your (Hebo's) question concerning feedback, though you can certainly ask. Honestly, you might not get the exact reason. If they told you, what will you do with that answer? Lots can happen from April to January 31 of the following year......
 
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