I have wanted to go to the Naval Academy since I was in 6th grade. And since I'm a sophomore i am beginning to think about what it is going to take for me to get in. I have a 3.78 GPA. I am in honors Algebra 2 and English but regular history and chemistry. I am also in orchestra. I play JV soccer and dance. In other words I like to think that I am pretty well rounded.
So pretty much I was wondering what I need to do to get in - what classes to take in the future, when I need to start applying to things - and what my actual chances are. Also any tips that would make my application look even a bit better!
Thanks!
First of all, great job for being well rounded. Being an athlete will definitely help you get there!
Here are the basic requirements for eligibility:
United States citizen:
Good moral character;
At least 17 and not past their 23rd birthday on 1 July of the year they would enter the academy;
Unmarried;
Not pregnant; and
No dependents.
Second, as with any service academy, they do take the rigor of high school coursework very seriously, so my advice to you is to see if you can fit in with any AP/IB classes at your school. More importantly, they want to see if you can handle that amount of “work” (a lot of stress in my honest opinion), so be sure to have a good GPA of at least 3.5
Here is what the USNA website recommends:
4 years of Math: Algebra I/II, Geometry, and Trigonometry (at a minimum) and Pre-Calculus or Calculus if offered.
4 years of English
2 years of a Foreign Language
1 year each of Chemistry and Physics (with a lab if available)
1 year of US History and 1 year of World or European History
Computer instruction is very helpful
We recommend Honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate courses if offered.
They also require the SAT/ACT tests as part of their steps to admission. I’m not sure what scores they desire, but I’m going to judge at least a 2000 on the SAT or a 30 on the ACT.
By junior year, plan to start a preliminary application and also go to your state’s website for nominations from state Senators/House of Representatives or even a nomination from the Vice President. I recommend you start networking now to get those nominations. You never know if someone you know knows someone they know.
Third, if you have won any awards for EC’s, academics, etc., be sure to include that as well. By the end of your junior year, start working on the online application, medical examination and Candidate Fitness Assessment. Your high school coach can help you with the CFA.
Good luck!