Acceptance Letter Question

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>Hi.. I have a question about acceptance letters for the academy.</p>

<p>First of all, I'm in the Navy right now, and applied for the Academy through the Enlisted pipeline.</p>

<p>Anyway, my package was reviewed by their board at Annapolis around the middle of January. I got a call from my chief, who's the regional director, about how I'm golden, and that I should receive my acceptance letter the following week.</p>

<p>Anyway, it's been about 2.5 weeks since then.. and still no letter.</p>

<p>I'm kinda getting paranoid about how the Post office somehow lost the letter or something.. but, how does it normally take to receive the letter, especially from the civilian crowd (Since it all works the same way).</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>HN (FMF) Fussman.</p>

2

<p>Congratulations, Chris! It took exactly 2 weeks from the day they said the letter was in the mail until the day it arrived. That was mid January. Right now, the nominations were just finalized and there is probably a huge log jam getting those pretty blue folders out.
I would give it until Friday.</p>

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<p>Ahh.. yeah, you're probably right. My package was evaluated on a Thursday, so this week it'll be 3 weeks. The Chief did say that it might take 2 weeks, but it makes sense what you said about the possible chaos ensuing within their offices.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

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<p>HN Fussman,</p>

<p>Just give it sometime. Meanwhile, make sure you bring your FMF experience to USNA. You will be a valuable asset in providing your classmates (who are not priors) with "real" experiences. </p>

<p>Enjoy the rest of the time with your unit before you PRD to USNA.</p>

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<p>Haha, thank you. I'm extremely anxious to receive that letter.. the suspense is palpable.</p>

<p>And I'll definitely help my classmates.. I just don't know how jaded I'm going to be when it comes to Basic (Plebe summer) as far as the remedial nature of the events I'll be partaking in. It'll be fun.. but very reminiscent of everything I've already done..just hopefully I won't be surrounded by too many "soft" plebes that break down during the first weeks like so many recruits did when I went through.</p>

<p>I'll definitely do my best to provide info.. especially since so many sources are quite questionable. And by the way, anyone needing real On-the-job info about The Marines, PM me.</p>

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<p>HN,</p>

<p>Just don't go in with the attitude that you are better. I know you won't be this kind of shipmate/fieldmate, but don't get complacent because it is easier said than done. Be the leader by helping those in need; help the "soft" classmates when they are putting forth their best efforts. Remember, a lot of MIDN enter as civilians and some won't grasp the military style right away. Your challenge (and a test of your leadership skill) will be to help the not-so-stellar plebes and elevate them to squared-away ones. Don't wait until your cadre tell you to help! But, don't bilge anyone.</p>

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<p>Oh, absolutely.</p>

<p>The experiences and lessons I've taken from the Enlisted side will go miles into shaping me as a better leader. And this especially is true for my midshipman years. I'll never carry an attitude of superiority. The best lesson: Complacency kills.</p>

<p>I'm so excited to go there.. honestly, my unit here is so dry and the days are so monotonous.. just can't wait to finally apply myself to a higher calling.</p>

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<p>Hi Chris,</p>

<p>Congratulations! </p>

<p>Those in your class who come in straight from HS will be looking to you and your fellow "priors" as examples and mentors as much as they do the cadre. You have already shown that you can make it through boot camp, and you obviously have done well to get this opportunity. Not only that, they know that you won't yell at them, or give them new rates! Make use of this opportunity to help and encourage those who are struggling, because there will be some. They are the ones who most need the help. Remember, "the chain is only as strong as the weakest link."</p>

<p>Good luck to you and all of the c/o 2013!</p>

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<p>Quick question, I saw where NavySupporter said "there is probably a huge log jam getting those pretty blue folders out". Does the Academy send out blue folder to the candidates who receive appointments?</p>

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<p>Yes, The offer of appointment comes in a blue folder with a picture of the Academy.</p>

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<p>Thanks! I guess that means as I wait to hear back from the academy I should pray for a blue folder and not just a simple white envelope...fingers crossed!</p>

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<p>Haha, yeah. AND if it is a plain white letter.. you may be having a really BAD day when you see that.</p>

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<p>Heh, Im waiting for my pretty blue folder!</p>

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<p>After my son got the call, they said 2 weeks. It took closer to 3 weeks, and by then we were wondering if he heard them right! It came, but the wait was torture. Congrats!</p>

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<p>how about if you get a NAPS appointment? what kind of folder do you get? also, does anybody know how long you have to be enlisted before u can apply to the academy? thanks</p>

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<p>Hey MDSU.. you enlisted?</p>

<p>Anyway.. I'm also wondering about his question, but I can answer the Enlisted thing.</p>

<p>There is no specific time limit buddy. You just have to meet the criteria of right age, no dependents, and a single status.</p>

<p>Now, what normally happens is that you have to you know, do Boot camp, your rate's A-school, and then apply at your permanent Duty station. It's all under the discretion of your CO and what ever guidelines your command has for packages. In my command, for example, people normally have to get their Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Warfare Device FIRST, before doing any schooling of any kind. Also for my command and most others, for specialty (C) schools, you normally have to be at your permanent duty station for at least 18 months, and most likely have a deployment under your belt.</p>

<p>That is why most people that are enlisted and apply have been in for a good few years.</p>

<p>I got lucky, in my case, because I went to basic, then A school, and then to FMTB (Which is another specialty school for combat medicine), and then to my first duty station. I earned great credentials with my Chain of command, and then I could pretty much do what ever and they supported me on it. I've been taken off of 4 deployments now because of this Academy package, and since I'm pretty much one of the first people to do it in a long time here, they never disagreed. And I've only been in for a bit over 1.5 years now.</p>

<p>Like above, it also has to do with your reputation. Some people come to their duty station and try to "skate" by, not really doing anything memorable. If you take the initiative and show that you're a "top achiever" or what ever, your bosses will be more apt to help you do what you want. Like, I got my FMF pin in a little over a month, and also received Bluejacket of the Year for my command, as well as Bluejacket of the Quarter for 2D MLG. (Which is a sub-division of 2D MEF, the mobile force for Marines on the East coast).</p>

<p>And that's my 2 cents.</p>

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<p>MDSU - my son got a NAPS appointment. It comes in a big envelope - priority mail. It is a nice blue folder with the USNA insignia on the front also. Very nice certificate inside with a picture of USNA - announcing you have been appointed to NAPS - signed by the Dean of Admissions for USNA also. Very impressive and exciting also! I don't know about if you get an offer to go to one of the Foundation schools. But NAPS is just the same as USNA -- all the same signatures - just offers you NAPS for a year instead. My son thought about it for a few minutes and then began to remember and realize what a wonderful opportunity it is and that was about all it took! He called his Admissions officer the next day - who just so happened to go to NAPS also, and signed his acceptance letter and sent it off. Good luck to you!!</p>

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<p>JonDavid</p>

<p>Do you know what the specific reason is that USNA wanted to give your son NAPS early on? The reason that I ask is that USNA Admissions has told my son that his math scores aren't high enough for him to be a strong contender (even tho he wants to take Arabic and go into Intelligence-not go into engineering). The rest of his packet is strong but when he said that he would be happy to do NAPS to solidify his Calc and Physics, the admissions officer said he wasn't even being considered for NAPS, either. Is your son a varsity athlete, or (forgive me if this is personal) a targeted minority? We're just trying to figure this whole thing out. My son is trying to be patient but seems to be getting lots of conflicting information. Thanks!</p>

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<p>My son knew from the get-go -- having been told by his B & G officer and the NROTC board at his interviews - that his math and science was lacking. He is only in pre-calc honors this year. His grades in math all along have been about a B+. His SAT's were great in verbal, not so hot in math. They told him the only thing he did not have was the math and science stuff. He has lettered in 3 varsity sports, has lots of comm. service and leadership. We were gearing up for his 4th shot at the SAT's when we got the offer. I think the thing that pushed him over the edge was his deep and long held desire to join the Navy and be an officer. He is not a recruited athlete. However, now that you mention it -- he is hispanic. I don't know if that is a targeted minority. He was born in Chile and we adopted him at 3 months old and I have always put down that he is hispanic - because he IS. Maybe that helped him also. I did not really think of that. He has wanted to be in the military since 6th grade and has wanted to go to USNA since about 9th grade when we visited the academy. He took it upon himself at that time to read up on all the things required and has set about achieving those things since he began high school -- first honors every semester, academic varsity letter, athletic scholarship awards, SGA, varsity athletics, martial arts, church leadership, HOBY, and the summer seminars at both West Point and USNA. He also got a beautiful letter of recommendation from an officer in the Navy - who we recently met while going on this journey -- who also is a graduate of USNA. I don't know if that helped or not - but we got his NAPS letter shortly after that went in. I don't know if any of this helps or just makes the waiting worse!! It does seem there is a lot of conflicting info. out there and I think we probably will never know why they pick one kid over another. There are just so many who want in I think they have to be kind of arbitrary in their selection process just because of the sheer numbers. Did he ask his admissions officer why? Or can he contact his blue and gold officer and tell him -- it's my understanding they have some input as to who gets at least on the list for contention for NAPS. He should stay at it. Keep the faith. God will put him where he can use him the best. Did he get a nomination? Where do you live? Sometimes that factors in also since they have only so many spots for each demographic area.</p>

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<p>JonDavid</p>

<p>Thanks for the info. Your son sounds like a wonderful young man who really wants to serve his country and I'm sure he'll do well. My son has also dreamed of this since he was young and he is also trusting that God knows where he should be...he has rec'd a full NRTOC scholarship and will go that route if he doesn't get an academy. The ironic thing is that he has a nomination for USNA but they don't seem to want him...and he has been told that he is Triple Q'ed for West Point but he doesn't have a nomination! Life is fun, isn't it? Ah well, it's better to have lots of options than to not have any!</p>