Chances for Navy OCS – IP, CWO, Oceanography (2.7 GPA, 52 OAR)

[dan123098]

Hi all,

I'm looking for feedback on my chances of being selected for Navy OCS, specifically for Information Professional (IP), Cryptologic Warfare Officer (CWO), or Oceanography.

Background:

GPA: 2.7 (graduating this summer from UC San Diego with a BS in Computer Science)

OAR: 52

Letters of Recommendation: Internship employer, research supervisor from a supercomputer center, and a longtime mentor in the tech field

Strong personal statement reflecting family military background, leadership growth, and values aligned with the Navy


Experience:

Technical Account Manager Intern (cybersecurity and enterprise endpoint management)

Product Manager Intern (Agile workflow, stakeholder engagement, UI/UX design)

Business Analyst Intern (automation with Python, CRM optimization)

Product Manager (led development of a public-facing software tool for a nonprofit client)

Machine Learning Engineer (used drone and computer vision tools for environmental conservation)

Cybersecurity Team Lead (developed remediation strategies, managed Windows environments, mentored students in a national competition)


Other Info / Questions:

I’m currently finishing my final required summer course, which ends after the upcoming board date.

Can a packet still be submitted and considered if I’ll graduate shortly after?

Is it possible to receive provisional acceptance into OCS with a pending degree as long as I finish before the ship date?


I know my GPA is on the low side, and I’ve seen that some GPA waivers may require a 2.8 minimum. I’m just curious if I have any real shot at selection, especially given my hands-on experience, strong OAR score, and leadership background. Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[Rainold]

It will be tough with a GPA that's barely even waiverable. Major is good and your work and leadership experience might help make up for it, but the board could just see your GPA and make assumptions about your work ethic or ability to produce results. OAR is qualifying but I wouldn't really call it strong. Have you taken the required Calc and Physics courses for OCEANO?

Only one way to find out, but I would suggest not to put all your eggs in one basket. You should also look around previous IWC board posts to compare to others who were already accepted/denied.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Words

First and foremost, welcome to the forum. With that said, the "new guy/gal" or "what are my selection odds?" posts are unofficially discouraged here since there is already a ton of information at your disposal.

Please take the 1-2 minutes to browse the forums, particularly the IWC board forums to see where you stack. Also, if you haven't already, google/research the IWC program authorizations, which list the exact requirements.

Good luck!

 

[Hair Warrior]

With a GPA that low, if you dead set on joining the Navy and not willing to consider other designators at this time, consider a 1-year MS degree online in cybersecurity or a related field. That would increase your cumulative GPA and be looked upon favorably by a board, assuming you graduate with a high (>3.8) master’s GPA. Security+, Network+, and CISM or CISSP are valued as well.

 

[dan123098]

With a GPA that low, if you dead set on joining the Navy and not willing to consider other designators at this time, consider a 1-year MS degree online in cybersecurity or a related field. That would increase your cumulative GPA and be looked upon favorably by a board, assuming you graduate with a high (>3.8) master’s GPA. Security+, Network+, and CISM or CISSP are valued as well.

I'm open to other designators. What do you suggest?

 

[Hair Warrior]

I was thinking SWO but your GPA doesn’t qualify (2.75).

Since you have not yet graduated, you could also extend your enrollment and (maybe) retake previous classes where you did not do well, assuming your college registrar will overwrite the old grade in that course with the new grade. Check with the registrar. Changing a couple Ds or Fs to As or Bs could make a huge difference in your GPA calculation. Not every college works this way, though. And Navy boards will still see the whole transcript.

That is also a big risk financially as well as mentally knowing you’ll have to retake your toughest courses and also take longer to graduate.

 

[Hoover FO]

From what I have read, your GPA includes all attempts at a class. If you rebook a class to erase a D or F, that class will still count towards what the board looks at even though your GPA from the college doesn't.

 

[Provdher19]

The Navy also takes every class from every college you've attended and counts it as one GPA. Go to a community college and take online courses in basket weaving or whatever until you're GPA is higher. Or go for a masters. Some programs will waive an undergrad GPA if you have a grad degree.