<p>Well it has been a long road, but now it has come to an end. I found out from my BGO today that I didn't get in. Just for some insight to future mids here is where I stand...
3Q Candidate
2 nominations
Summer Seminar
CVW
2 bits of advice from Jake the Utahn: no matter how many people tell you that you are in for sure and have nothing to wory about--don't even think about putting all your eggs in one basket like I did, and don't get bummed out if you didn't get in your first try. It isn't the end of the world. Put a smile on your face because now the waiting is over. As the wise Alfred from Batman Begins once said, </p>
<p>"Why do we fall...? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up." (Ha ha, I love that quote)</p>
<p>The academy is only 1 road to becoming an officer and only about 20% of the officers in the navy came from the academy. Keep you chin up and move on to a new path!</p>
<p>Jake - you never cease to amaze me. I'll say it again "Adversity doesn't bulid character, it reveals it". You gave a very worthwhile goal your best shot and have proven your resiliency, being able to 'recover readily from misfortune and resume original shape and position after being bent stretched, or compressed'. Combine that with your proven creativity and resourcefulness and life will be good to you. You know what you want - now go for it!</p>
<p>Well said Jake. You sound like you've got your head on straight and that you'll end up where you need to be. Your advise to have a backup plan is good stuff to remind others about, because we don't always win the prize first time around. If USNA is your dream, head off to local college or better yet, one with an NROTC program, take some tough math, science, and english classes, and shoot for the stars again next year. Remember, nearly 30% of the incoming class at Annapolis are lads like you trying for the second time around...</p>
<p>Good luck and keep your head up - you made great progress this time around, and the 2nd time has GOT to be easier! :)</p>
<p>Having had to privelege to meet both Jake and his mom and some of his family just last week, I can share that Jake- my heart goes out to you and your family. For everyone who reads this---- Jake comes from an AMAZING line of Navy folk and is blessed with one of the nicest, kindest, most generous, loving families I've ever come across. And that says alot from an Italian mom/grandmom!! :-)</p>
<p>Jake- DON'T give up on your dream to serve your country in the USNavy! One way or another our branch of the service wil be greatly enhanced with your dedication, patriotism and family tradition/support.</p>
<p>Choose a direction - Dknightfams of trying again? I know you thought about enlisting? Going to a local college and getting into ROTC? -----and keep us posted on what you'll be doing so the rest of us can be rooting for you.</p>
<p>Jake- best of luck to you, no matter what road you travel. I hope you absolutely LOVE where you attend, and wear that sweatshirt proudly! If USNA is still in your heart a few months from now, consider throwing your hat into the ring again.... "it's not the man that falls in the attempt, but the man who fails to take the chance".... 2012 is just around the corner, and who knows what a year of college will do! Take care, and come back to keep us posted on how you are doing!</p>
<p>Jake- I'm sorry for the answer you received. But you have to be proud of the effort you put into this endeavor. You sound like you already are on your feet and ready to tackle lifes next challenge. Blessings to you and your family. I know you will go far whatever path you choose.</p>
<p>Your BGO overstepped his position by telling informing you that you weren't selected for an appointment. That information should only come directly from the Office of Admissions, not your BGO. Remember, more than a third of the incoming class each year does not gain admission directly from high school. That leaves about 800 direct non-recruited athletes or roughly 600 spots for males. Though it is diappointment, please try again next year. Many of my classmates (myself included) had a year or two of prep school or college. Just take a solid core of classes and do well. Best of luck.</p>
<p>On a different note... isn't it strange how 1 door may close but another one will open?</p>
<p>My house received a phone call from the University of Utah today saying there is a scholarship waiting for me in the NROTC program if I would like it. The weird thing is that I never applied to the University of Utah and I never finished by NROTC application... I think someone somewhere is watching over me or something.
Does the Naval Academy and the NROTC program communicate applicants? Does NROTC pick up applicants that were found qualified by the academy but did not get an appointment?</p>
<p>I speak from experience when I say that the door is never completely closed at USNA. Our Mid got the dreaded thin envelope in April only to get a call a week later. I have had several wonderful and incredibly bright Mids over to our house. I was amazed at how many of them were denied an appointment on their first attempt. They got in easily the second time around. The extra year in college has been a huge advantage for them as they have wonderful GPAs and have struggled much less than those directly out of high school. If USNA is your dream, don't give up hope and work hard next year to make that happen. Good luck to you! Either route to becoming an officer is an admirable ambition.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The extra year in college has been a huge advantage for them as they have wonderful GPAs and have struggled much less than those directly out of high school
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You may be right. Beyond personal anecdote, is there any evidence to support your point?</p>
<p>^^^^^ The USNA Foundation program has posted higher graduation rates amongst those attending the program, compared to the graduation class as a whole.... consistant for 11+ years now....with a little searching on their site, you may be able to find the numbers, which they do post.</p>
<p>NAPS graduates also overall have a higher USNA graduation rate than the Brigade as a whole even considering the higher attrition rate of those coming from the fleet via NAPS. Neither overly significant, but consistent.</p>
<p>Sorry, no hard and fast numbers, just personal experience. Those that have come from a year in college or prep probably due pretty well on the validation tests as well. The Mids that I have the pleasure of knowing that have come from a year in college are doing really well in the toughest majors. There is also the maturity factor that is pretty evident.</p>
<p>Jake, a very similiar situation happened at our high school. There was a student ( a friend of my S) who appeared to be the perfect Academy candidate (AFA in this case), outstanding student, athlete, great stats, National Merit finalist, attended the AFA summer program. Seemed to be perfect and he got flat out rejected. A couple weeks later he got a letter from Air Force offering him an AFROTC scholarship. He had never even applied for a scholarship either because he was so intent on the Academy. He is now a Jr. at a big state u studying aerospace engineering on an AFROTC scholarship and is very happy.</p>