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Advice for getting into USNA?

CharlieMike

CharlieMike

Wannabe
I'm sure you all get tired of all of these "What are my chances" and "How can I get in" threads, but I was curious if any of you had any other than ordinary advice. I've already heard all of the "get good grades, SAT/ACT scores, leadership, etc., etc" and I'm doing my best on all of that, but is there any advice anyone has for me that's a bit more obscure than what I normally hear?

Thank you!
 
Noticed you didn't mention extracurricular activities, so if no one else has said it, do some, but not so many that it hurts your grades or you half ass them. If you get a leadership role in them (team captain or the like) even better. Also make sure you do a little prep before the interviews (the congressional stuff). No need to cram or create an identity that isn't you or anything, but just give some thought to the things they might ask and how you might respond.
 
If you haven't already taken a look at it, I would recommend reading the book: The Naval Academy Candidate Book: How to Prepare, How to Get In, How to Survive.

It is a good read and is helpful in preparing for the interviews that you will have to go through with your Representative's/Senator's staffers.
 
CharlieMike said:
... but is there any advice anyone has for me that's a bit more obscure than what I normally hear?
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I don't know that it's 'obscure' or not, but I would submit that you solicit this type of advice from - in order:
1. Present Midshipmen
2. USNA grads - recent
3. USNA grads - general
4. USNA retirees

All of which we have posting here as members, although most present Middies are too busy to play much on the internet.

The USNA, although very tradition oriented, is also quite dynamic... the most cutting edge advice/tips will come from present Middies and recent grads.

One thing I would recommend beside all the major "no nos" (ARIs, drugs, LE encounters, etc.), is that although I am not personally anti-tattoo, I would abstain from that activity, or anything else which may require a waiver... while competing for an Academy appointment. Netwoking with present, and future "ring thumpers" is money!;)
USNA '67 Ring.jpg
BzB
 
llnick2001, yep, I (think) I've got the right balance, not too many so I can't do well in other areas, but a good amount so I can have leadership roles and all.

Aquonox, yes, I've read it, it is indeed a good book.

BzB, roger that!

Thanks for the advice so far everyone.
 
I second everything above. CharlieMike, PM me if you have any specific questions. I'm not the most recent grad ('08), but I'll be happy to help.
 
If HS frosh or soph plan on attending Summer Seminar. If you can't swing USNA go to one of the others. It will still mean something. Get EVERYTHING completed and submitted as soon as possible. Do not delay. Get started on the app when first available on line. Get the recomendation requests out to teachers first thing. Be talking to your nomination sources by the time school starts the fall of senior year. Develop a relationship with the staffers and get on their email distribution lists. Medical is always a road block. Something usually comes up. Take the physical as soon as DODMERB invites you so that you have time to follow up on discrepancies. Email your Blue and Gold Officer before he calls you. He likely won't interview you until you have most of the app done. If you get toward the end of the app and haven't had an interview, don't be afraid to call him and make it happen. Good luck.
 
Thanks, wink. I've already contacted my BGO last fall (I'm a sophomore now) to let him know I'm strongly interested, and am planning on applying to some of the other summer seminars besides USNA's. I also heard juniors can sometimes request CVW's, so I'll definitely do that too. Thanks for the help.
 
There is "always" a better ratio for priors too. Lets say they take even 200 a year from prior enlisted. If even 1000 enlisted apply (never that many as I understand) your chances are 1 in 5. If 12000 civilians apply for 1000 spot's then you have a 1 in 12 chance. If you don't get in right away from high school, following all the standard advice, and you are interested in serving your country, enlist. You will still get a lot out of it if you didn't get picked up.
 
ssnspoon said:
There is "always" a better ratio for priors too. Lets say they take even 200 a year from prior enlisted. If even 1000 enlisted apply (never that many as I understand) your chances are 1 in 5. If 12000 civilians apply for 1000 spot's then you have a 1 in 12 chance. If you don't get in right away from high school, following all the standard advice, and you are interested in serving your country, enlist. You will still get a lot out of it if you didn't get picked up.
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That's funny you say that, everyone else I've talked to has advised against enlisting as a route to USNA.
 
CharlieMike said:
That's funny you say that, everyone else I've talked to has advised against enlisting as a route to USNA.
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With good reason. I'm not a prior, but enlist because you want to enlist, not to get better odds of usna or ROTC or whatever. If you enlist your job is to be the best sailor at whatever rate you choose, not to pad your commissioning package.


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OK, I was not saying to enlist for a better chance. I said try to get in by normal means, and if that doesn't work out but you still want to be in the Navy (you are applying because you love the idea of serving your country in the Navy right?) then enlist, do your best, and apply to programs while in. A career of Naval service is an honorable thing, officer OR enlisted.
 
ssnspoon said:
OK, I was not saying to enlist for a better chance. I said try to get in by normal means, and if that doesn't work out but you still want to be in the Navy (you are applying because you love the idea of serving your country in the Navy right?) then enlist, do your best, and apply to programs while in. A career of Naval service is an honorable thing, officer OR enlisted.
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I believe CommodoreMid is just stressing to be careful. If commissioning is the "dream", enlisting to earn a commission can lead to disappointment in most cases. Enlisted hopefuls really have to be somewhat stoic about earning a commission enough to not be crushed if they never commission.
 
CommodoreMid said:
With good reason. I'm not a prior, but enlist because you want to enlist, not to get better odds of usna or ROTC or whatever. If you enlist your job is to be the best sailor at whatever rate you choose, not to pad your commissioning package.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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ROTC is another viable option. I knew a couple guys who did a semester or two at a regular college with and without ROTC before going to the Academy. One of the big things is to never give up. Even if you don't get accepted the first time, keep trying. Go to college to build yourself up and make you more competitive. As far as going the enlisted route, I also advise against that if your goal is to be a commissioned officer. One, there's no promise of you getting picked up for a commissioning program. I've seen several top sailors in my squadron apply for them and only one or two got accepted. Two, you won't be able to apply right away so while you still get to serve your country, your window to apply keeps shrinking.

I second the Summer Seminar program. I did it myself and was a detailer for it, well worth checking out and it's almost a "prescreen" for potential candidates. It's not the end of the world if you didn't go either, so don't worry about it. Are there any areas where you may think you are weak?
 
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