am I competitive for NASS and the USNA?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>I submitted an application for the summer seminar about a week ago, so I know it's mostly a matter of impatience on my part, but needless to say I'm a bit anxious. I've been doing a lot of research and am starting to think that, although I have solid stats, I may need to boost some things to really stand out to admissions.</p>

<p>I'm a female junior from Atlanta.
Academics:
-SAT: 2320 (800 W, 800 CR, 720 M) first time, will get results from March 1 on the 20th of this month
-College board says my GPA is 4.33. Not positive what it would be unweighted, but I've only gotten one semester B, an 84 in AP Calculus BC, my first semester of junior year. So, completely unweighted it's bound to be a high 3.9 something
-4 AP's so far and will take 2 next year, in addition to college english and college calculus through Georgia Tech
-Principal's List, Super Honor Roll, National Honor Society, League of Scholars, Outstanding AP Social Studies Student
-rank: 12/687 at extremely competitive public high school (multiple recipient of Governor's Cup award, etc)
-Fulton County World Language Forum: several "superior" ratings
-Grand Concours Nat'l French exam: Nat'l First place two years in a row</p>

<p>Sports:
-compete at varsity level in XC, swimming, and track- though XC and track I've picked up this year. I swam yearround for many years, so I do have that experience although I obviously don't do it anymore.
-was part of the 2007 swimming state team that won at State Championships
-I can pretty much pass all of the guy's minimum requirements from what I've seen and I'm definitely <em>very</em> into fitness.
-I am however probably not the type of material to attract big-time recruiting (though we'll see how this track season goes after this annoying minor injury goes away)</p>

<p>Work:
-worked at Kroger for a summer
-hoping to get a job this summer, once track is over</p>

<p>Volunteer Experience:
-sophomore year, I helped organize several volunteer projects for breast cancer patients and their children, with a year-long grant from Youth Service America. that's pretty much over, though.
-summer between soph/jr year, I was selected for the VolunTEEN program at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; I'm returning this year, and <em>hoping</em> to be chosen for the Day Captain position (a leadership role for returning volunteers)
-I have several other small things but those are my main long-term type commitments</p>

<p>Other EC's:
I really don't do clubs. Or student government. As you can tell, I'm plenty busy. I'm still worried this might hurt me. I try to only do things I'm genuinely interested in and which I feel are worthwhile. Beta Club at my school helps no one and is all about college apps. I'm not in it. Clubs meet weekly in afternoons and I can't do that with yearround sports commitments. I am not a Girl Scout or active in a religious organization. My social group is just a bunch of friends, no official body of which I could be a leader. haha. ;)</p>

<p>So. I know that I have several good things going for me, but I am concerned that some of what I've mentioned in the last paragraph may make me appear ordinary or short of extraordinary to admissions officials.</p>

<p>I have a few questions:
-What chance do you think I have of making NASS?
-What suggestions do you have for me? I'm completely open to any advice as to what I should tweak and focus on in my senior year.
-Are you required to tell them of a past experience with an eating disorder? (Yes, I am that perfectionist, but I have received treatment and worked through it.)</p>

<p>Thanks very much to anyone who bothered to read all the way through this! :)</p>

<p>-mid_13</p>

2

<p>Those are some pretty stellar SAT scores, surely will catch the eye of the admission board. </p>

<p>I think you will get into NASS!</p>

<p>I would try to become a President of a club. I know you say you don't have time, but if you're school is anything like mine, it's pretty easy to become a club president and spend once a week maintaining it. Maybe something you can do in senior year of high school?</p>

<p>There also is no formula to get into the USNA. I know for a fact there is more qualified people than me, but they got the heisman from the Naval Academy, with no offer of a prep school. I got an offer/accepted to Foundation program and when you compare my credentials to theirs you wonder how I got it and they got nothing.</p>

<p>If you show the Academy that you REALLY want to be there (like I did) they definitely will take note of that. How you show them, well that's up to you :)</p>

<p>As for your eating disorder, yes, I am pretty sure when you take the DODMERB medical you have to disclose that information when filling out your medical information. It should be on the "medical history" part.</p>

3

<p>Eating disorders after 13th birthday (D231.70) is a DODMERB disqualification, but with your stats I would think a waiver would be looked upon favorably.</p>

4

<p>thanks to both of you. I am thinking of applying for an officer position in National Honor Society, which would be similar to a club I'm thinking. Also planning to volunteer at VA hospital.</p>

<p>congrats on your success Long. :)</p>

<p>Luig: That definitely doesn't make my day. I guess that's what you get for actually getting diagnosis/treatment from a physician instead of keeping your mouth shut and denying it. :P I wonder if the fact that I was diagnosed Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified rather than Bulimia/Anorexia would make it appear less severe to admissions. (I really just got that diagnosis because it was a combo of the two, but who knows how others would read into that haha!)</p>

<p>I believe in healthy physical fitness and want to go to the USNA and be a strong, able officer for our country. I really hope you are right that they would still consider me, I'd be pretty bummed if not. :/</p>

<p>If anyone has experience with the waiver procedure, please fill me in. :)</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

5

<p>SECTION</a> 3 - MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION/PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS</p>

<p>that document lists history of eating disorder as permanently disqualifying.
although it does say "anorexia and bulimia nervosa."
so maybe I should be on my hands and knees thanking my clueless doctor for giving me ED-NOS even though I probably met criteria for both. ;)</p>

<p>I certainly hope so...</p>

6

<p>Question! </p>

<p>What if you went back to the doctor and they said you were all fine, 100% healthy? Even if you were diagnosed back then, would they still disqualify you?</p>

7

<p>Having an eating disorder in the past puts you at risk for (re)developing one in the future. I'm assuming this is the reason for the DQ. Talk to USNA and/or DoDMERB and get their take.</p>

8

<p>I do understand the logic behind the disqualification, I just hope that it's something that I can explain and that doesn't make my entire application worthless.</p>

<p>I honestly think that I'm LESS likely to develop one in the future due to the level of awareness, preventative measures, counseling, etc. that I've gained. But I realize not everyone will see it that way.</p>

<p>LongC: I would certainly have my doctor make that clear, but like zachogden said, I think the "history of" is still enough of a red flag for them.</p>

9

<p>While anything is possible, and we'll hope for your best, whatever that may be, I would not speculate that good scores will not trump this med DQ. Good luck.</p>

10

<p>now I'm really kicking myself for that period of my life.
I guess I will just have to do my best and let go of what's out of my control.
thanks for the well wishes, anyway. :)</p>

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<p>I have to say, the research I've been doing today on waivers and medical DQ's is so disheartening. Some of the stuff is just ridiculous, and it seems like many people have a horrible time getting a waiver even when the situation is obviously not in any way detrimental to their ability to serve.</p>

<p>Where are these people out there with such perfect health records that they don't have any of these millions of conditions? Do people just lie?</p>

<p>apologies for the rant,
mid_13</p>

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<p>Most people do not lie....lying to get into an Academy were there is a zero tolerance policy for lying is not a good start. If they did lie and it were found out about later, they would be seperated.</p>

13

<p>I'm not suggesting I would ever lie about such a thing- simply expressing my amazement that anyone could honestly check no in every single box.</p>

14

<p>if no one minds I kind of want to let this topic go, I appreciate everyone's input a ton, just PM me if you have helpful information, please.
thanks again</p>

15

<p>Your a solid candidate for the Academy. Academically much better than me (and my Appointment is in the mail). Don't be discouraged, apply anyway. There's no consiqunces for applying and unlike every other college, applying is free.</p>

<p>Definently DO NOT LIE to DoDMERB or on anyother part of your application to the Academy.</p>

<p>I spent the last four months trying to get a vision waiver (I'm something like 20/400). So getting a waiver is possible, but some conditions are much harder than others.</p>

<p>Good luck. And don't give up on your dream.</p>

16

<p>A word of ENCOURAGEMENT:</p>

<p>There are many mids who were initially DQ for a medical condition or history. They were open and honest when filling out their medical forms. They followed up with remedials and some had to ask for waivers. Some even had situations where they were told "automatic DQ". But they pursued their dream, and did not give up. They were realistic and had back-up plans, but would not give up until all avenues had been pursued.</p>

<p>Notice I said MIDS?</p>

<p>Do not be discouraged.
Good Luck
CM</p>

17

<p>Hi Jodie,</p>

<p>I hadn't seen the rest of this thread before sending my earlier post. Please try not to get discouraged regarding medicals/waivers. It can be a long, frustrating process, so it's important (particularly with your situation) to expect that it will take many months, so you don't stress out over it. It would be pretty awful to stress out so much that you bring back the issue for which you're trying to get a waiver. </p>

<p>All that you can control is how you deal with the situation, each single day. We have read on this and the other forum that that is the same attitude needed to survive Plebe year, so you can start on it now, wrt gaining a waiver. And you will find lots of support from people on this forum. We all want you to succeed.</p>

<p>Jean (Erin's mom)</p>

18

<p>hey thank you all for the encouragement. :)
I guess there's not much I can do for the moment, but I'll just have to do everything I can to show them I should be there, and hope for the best.</p>

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<p>I don't think everyone realizes how rare of a candidate mid<em>13 truely is. Everyone here is telling her to "continue to pursue her dream" and "not to give up hope", etc... Fact is, USNA does not see many 1600's at all. In fact, 1500's are very rare as far as the SAT's go. mid</em>13 has almost everything else in place besides this one medical hurdle.</p>

<p>I may be a current mid, and it's going to sound bad, but if going to the academy is mid_13's dream, she should omit that costly fact, especially if she is "past it" and it happened some time ago. If she is no longer battling this issue, then why should she have to deal with the consequences; and and even more compelling question: why should USNA deprive themselves of such a great candidate, one who could take her talent to Harvard, Yale, or some other institution? The Navy or Marine Corps could definitely use her talent.</p>

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<p>^Uhhh... seriously dude?
How would the Navy look on it if they found out about it and she didn't report it?
And how would she even get past DODmerb without telling them, if it's in her medical record they're probably gonna find out anyway, right?</p>