<p>Received my appointment the other day. While I don't favor posting statistics, etc., [see my other posts--essentially meaningless except for those at either end of the spectrum. If your SATs are 1300+, you meet the physical requirements, and have a nomination, you are competitive] I know that many others are curious about how they stack up against others. Maybe there is some bit of information appointees possess that will help you.</p>
<p>I am willing to answer any questions I can [and encourage other apointees to also do so] about my experience so far. [Is it possible to have only appointees answer with ACTUAL knowledge; indicating clearly when they are just guessing about how his/her application was handled.]</p>
<p>Congrats on the appointment. I am currently a junior and just wanted to some info on where you found yourself sametime next year. Thanks and good luck with the summer.
ZN</p>
<p>I'm very sorry, I meant last year. I just get so casught up in these threads. And i appreciate if you would give me some pointers. Haha, I feel rpetty stupid.
ZN</p>
<p>To be honest, this time last year, I had applied for [and may have been accepted to] summer seminar.<br>
Summer seminar was great; it really convinced me about going to USNA. I am not a "lifetime goal of attending" type of guy. Thinking about attending the USNA only came to me about 18 months ago. I am not sure why; but, when I started investigating schools, USNA popped up on my radar.
My academics were already good and I had already decided to apply to Ivy League types of schools.</p>
<p>Anyway, I highly recommend SS. You will know after that whether the Navy is for you or not.</p>
<p>Now that I have an appointment--and it has almost been surreal up to this point--I am not a 100% sure of what to do. [I think that anybody that says they are is not being entirely truthful.] I have some great choices of schools and the Navy is one BIG alternative. Don't get me wrong, I want to go. . . but it is a BIG decision. While applying, it is easy to be gung-ho, but when it comes down to actually making a decision . . . well, that's a different matter to be considered carefully.</p>
<p>Advice? Keep your grades up [I am in because my academic scores are greate]. Demonstrate some true leadership. [Be the Captain or President of something; you should be peer-selected to lead a significant group.] Bone up on your interview skills. [I think I have been interviewed by at least ten different people at different times.] Exhibit enthusiasm and commitment at SS. [I am relatively sure they write a report on you that goes into your file.] Help your references write their letters. [Most people aren't sure what the Navy wants to hear about and will look to you for guidance.] Be Excellent, Honorable, and True all of the time.</p>
<p>JamTex, where else have you applied? Have you heard from anyone else yet? It's nice to know someone else is feeling the same way I do with this decision. It's tough to understand unless you've actually been presented with it as we have.</p>
<p>It is a great honor to receive an appointment. I totally understand where you are coming from in not being sure what you want to do; go to Navy or not. It's really easy to get behind it all in the many hoops you have to jump through. But, when the reality hits, it's like, "oops...do I even WANT to go here?" Let it all sink in, get your other offers and then really sit and think about what you want to do, the lifestyles at each college etc. and future after graduation. You'll come to the right decision. For what it's worth, I think choosing Navy is very difficult. As much as people want to go, it IS the hard choice. I will never forget the faces of the kids on I-Day at NAPS. Even the night before, walking around Newport, we could spot a Napster a mile away because of the "deer in the headlights" look they all had. Even my daughter was laughing about it (she had the same look). Every kid on that morning had this look of dread on their faces.....and so did the parents. LOL It's got to be what you really want if it is ever to work. Even if it is your dream, it's ok to question it from time to time. I think that is normal and intelligent. Congrats again.
NAPS05mom</p>
<p>That's great, JamTex!!! I'm waiting to hear from Princeton & Stanford too!</p>
<p>NAPS05mom, I know you were addressing JamTex, but I'd just like to thank you for the kind words of wisdom and honesty. And, congrats to your daughter!</p>
<p>I think that anyone that can face the decision making process knowing they aren't sure and are still questioning will probably do better at USNA if they make the choice. It shows a better understanding of exactly what you are getting yourself in to. Beacuse so many do this appointments open up late in the process...it's best to really think about it!</p>
<p>I can really relate to the idea that making the decision about whether to accept the offer of appoint is a real challenge. I was offered one in January and I was, to say the least, ecstatic. But after my few minutes of euphoria, I realized how big the decision was going to be. I had been accepted into the U. of Notre Dame in December, and I am also waiting on other places that will come in April. I tell ya, there have been a lot of sleepless nights thinking over this decision. As someone has said, I guess it is really easy to be so determined and willing during such a rigorous selection process. But once the ball is in your court, that decision becomes almost impossible.</p>
<p>Of course, it would be easier I think if I had a few more supporters. The amount of nay-sayers and Navy-bashers I've ahd to deal with is just...well...frustrating. My parents are 3000% against me going to Annapolis (heh..my mom lit up a cigarette after 3 months trying to quit when I told her about my appointment :) ). 90% of my friends and teachers oppose the idea as well. I just get worn out debating them about the fine points of the USNA. They don't see the great opportunities that I see and the honor and responsibility that comes with the job. Sometimes I just feel that if so many people say I'm wrong, I just might be. Of course, the decision is mine alone, and I'm going to have to tackle it. If only it were a little bit easier, just a little....</p>
<p>But I digress :). Long story short, I'll make my decision around the 15th of April (my mom's birthday, ironically). I should have heard back from all the colleges by then. But I'm moving more and more towards annapolis, to the shigrin of the nay-sayers..</p>
<p>I am so sorry that you are meeting with so much resistance from your parents and others regarding the your appointment. Whether or not you accept it, your parents and others should be so proud of your accomplishment. Those of us who have been through the process know what it takes to receive an offer from a service academy, and I, for one, am in awe of all of the outstanding candidates that I have followed on this site. Perhaps it is a little easier for me to accept my son's desire to attend USNA because of my brother-in-law, who graduated many years ago. He is a man of great integrity. He retired approximately 10-12 years ago as a captain and I have followed his career since leaving the military with great interest. Maybe it is just his personality, but I have found that he knows how to deal with people and how to accomplish a task with excellence. He has been a success at every task he has put his mind to in the civilian world. Yet he is quick to tell us that every civilian job he has had pales in comparison to his time in the service. I know there are dangers involved in military service but I try to dwell on the excellent preparation for the future, military or civilian, that my son will receive at the academy. Hopefully you can find some graduates, closer to your parents age, who can convince them that this is dream worth pursuing.</p>
<p>My sincerest congratulations to all of you who have the opportunity to decide where you want the next phase of your lives to begin.</p>
<p>College choice is a difficult decision, at best; throw in a Service Academy option, and it becomes next-to-impossible because of the myriad of variables. You are not comparing "apples to apples". Does a particular advantage outweigh another disadvantage?</p>
<p>Only you can decide which avenue is the best for you. Most of you have plenty of time in which to make your decision. Explore your wants and needs and then step back and put the decision on hold if you can. </p>
<p>I have read so many threads from level-headed and confident (and bright) candidates. Whatever road you choose, be confident in your decision, and know that you made it in light of what you feel is the best path for you. Other people's opinions are only that. Make your choice wisely, and then celebrate. Good Luck!</p>
<p>I wish you all the best, whatever path you follow.
CM</p>
<p>I am sure that what most people say in here won't amount to a hill of beans; but, for what its worth, I also think you should be proud of yourself.
My parents have helped me through this entire process [of course, at first, my mother was a bit hesitant] but she has "come around." Yes, it is dangerous. Yes, it is regimented. Yes, it is hard.
But, as I have been told, there are only a few times in life when you have the opportunity to make somethihng of yourself and truly enjoy your career. Governmental jobs, because they are not profit oriented, can be more rewarding than most other jobs. Think astronaut, President, etc.
I sometimes think that overcoming the resistance of others [lord know I have had plenty of people ask: "Are you sure you want to do this?"] might be part of the process that ensures you REALLY want to go to USNA.</p>
<p>Go to <a href="http://www.usna-net.org%5B/url%5D">http://www.usna-net.org</a>, click on the Family Interests section and look for an article: "Life of a retired youngster" or something like that. Written by a guy who quit after two years. I thought this was really interesting.</p>
<p>Its a tough decision for everybody. Its a really tough decision when you have to make it on your own.</p>
<p>Unlike JamTex and Yank, my parents would be thrilled to see me go to USNA. They would rather see me there than Harvard or Yale (my other 2 acceptances so far), but they are still trying to support me in making my own decision. It gets tough though, when my academy grad uncle drops by the house for a long visit. The topic of college choices ALWAYS arises and then the discussions/debates begin. ;)</p>
<p>If anyone wants to discuss their frustrations with trying to make a decsion on where to go, send me a PM.</p>
<p>Don't misunderstand me . . . I think, now, my parents are also thrilled for me to attend USNA. They see it as a distinguished opportunity, i.e. one that is "set apart" from even the Ivy League, that could lead to great things. A true "once in a lifetime" opportunity. </p>
<p>While my parents have asked whether I "really want to go" [really just once or twice] it has been interesting to hear everybody else ask me that question. </p>
<p>I think my parents hesitate to give me too much "opinion" because they want it to be my decision; but I am pretty sure they would prefer that I attend USNA.</p>