Basic eligibility worries...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>I'm currently a junior at the Academy of Science and Technology, in The Woodlands, TX. The Academy is a magnet school, where the SAT/ACT was required, along with interviews and teacher reccomendations were required for acceptance. The class of the Academy is 70, yet we are housed in The Woodlands College Park HS, where my overall class size is around 1000. I'm ranked as number 106, with a GPA of 4.578.</p>

<p>I'm taking all AP/Pre-AP courses where allowed, and plan on taking all AP next year. PSAT wise, I'm in the 96% Percentile. </p>

<p>I'm on a State-Champion team for Envirothon, which in an environmental studies team, and I compete in Science Fair annually. I've managed to win first or second place for the past six years in the catagories of Environmental Science (where my project dealt with creating my own assays to digest marine protien matierial from the blue crab to send through spectrophotometer analysis, and comparing weather issues along with creating ways to filter water to rid of heavy metal contaminants) and Earth/Space Sciences (where I simulated our underground rock layers, and created a small scale oil/water well and simulated subsidence), where I received many awards from the Navy, the Society of Womens Engineers, Society for Quality, Texas Environmental Laws, Water Associations, and I even was awarded an internship from The Houston Geologial Society. I'm a member of French Honor Society, along with VP of French Club, and a rep for Mu Alpha Theta. </p>

<p>I volunteer for St. Vincent dePaul, and the local food bank, along with going downtown once a month and working at the homeless shelter. </p>

<p>I think I'm alright with that aspect, but I'm worried about athletics.
Starting from when I was very young, I was on All-Star and Statebound softball teams. I even made Varsity Softball my freshman year as a third baseman. But, I suffered a severe facial fracture, and it was decided I needed to stop. While in the background though, I've been on a dance drill team, and am captain at a competition team here in The Woodlands. Ever since I ended softball, I've been taking Frappier Acceleration Training at Memorial Herman Sports / Medicine. It incorperates plyometrics and tredmill speed runs. I train there four times a week for two - three hours a day. I've been asked to join the track team for shotput, but I'm not on a varsity sport currently. I also take boxing at LA Boxing. </p>

<p>I'm not exatually sure of what I can do to bring up this aspect of my resume. If there are any suggestions, they'd be extremely appreciated.</p>

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<p>The greater potential concern is that, if doctors have advised you not to participate in contact sports due to your previous facial injury, you may not be medically qualified to attend a service academy. However, I am somewhat confused by the fact that you seem to be able to participate in boxing but not baseball or other team sports.</p>

<p>I should point out that your BGO CANNOT assist you with medical issues, due to privacy concerns (and even if you volunteer the information), so please don't ask him/her about this. </p>

<p>My suggestion is that you check here:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The moderator of this forum has a lot of expertise on medical issues as they relate to service academies.</p>

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<p>Doctors pulled me out for 6 months while I healed, and then said I could return. My mother pulled me out for good.
Thanks for the help!</p>

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<p>Actually, you sound like a really interesting candidate. I echo the concern of the facial fractures and having the hold up your dodmerb clearance more than I would worry about the athletics. I think (and this is just from years of reading this board and helping get my daughter to USNA) that they look for progression in athletics rather than just did you bop in and out of this and that sport just to have a sport. I think I would do the varsity shot put (keep training...you'll make it). How many years have you been on dance team? My daughter's main activity was Irish dancing. She had 3 years on the track team but really her main thing was dance. It was all-encompassing involving international travel, competition, was her part time job etc. That seemed to suffice. So, i think as long as you show a prowess for athletics and have some background in them, along with your strong grades and other activities, you should be a solid candidate.
Good luck.
Tricia</p>

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<p>NAPS05mom:</p>

<p>I've been dancing for a very long time. A good ten years atleast. I'm Captain on the Jazz team, and I'm an assistant teacher for younger technique classes. The only problem with track this year, is that we have a lot of dance competitions scheduled this spring, right in time to prevent me from making practices and meets. I'm already planning on putting track down for next year, as I've been working really hard with my Frappier Training for two years now, which is putting me in excellent condition for track. </p>

<p>You mentioned me being an interesting candidate? What made you say that?</p>

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<p>gonavy2013-</p>

<p>while I would not let this stop you, I would have to agree with usna1985 that Dodmerb might be the greater concern....</p>

<p>by all means "go for it".... but would have back up plans in place as well...</p>

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<p>That is something my parents have said as well. I haven't had any trouble with it, no headaches, I never lost conciousness, my vision's the same as it was before. But, just the fact it was fractured says something, is there any chance, that since I didn't have any after-math symptoms, that it wouldn't be something that would set me back too far?</p>

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<p>gonavy2013--</p>

<p>The fact that your doctors cleared you does not necessarily mean that DODMERB will. However, the fact that you apparently have medical clearance to participate in any sports activities, including boxing, is a strong plus factor. However, also agree with navy2010 that you should have backup plans in place (as should everyone applying to a SA).</p>

<p>Also, work on getting your packet in early next year so you'll get an early slot for your physical. That way, you'll have plenty of time, should you need to provide additional records, do remedials, etc. BTW, MANY candidates have various types of medical follow up, so that should never come as a complete surprise.</p>

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<p>Thanks so much! I'm just hoping it will all work out, espically since I've got a bit of time. I've just always wanted to be a part of USNA, and to serve the country, and it's ashame I have that set back.</p>

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<p>What I find interesting about your activities are that they are just a little different. I find that the environmental activities and science fairs/projects are relevent, seem very advanced and have been awarded by very respected organizations (including Navy!) That shows the panel that you would most likely go the route of engineering and women in that track are needed. My daughter is currently an EE major and she was considering switching. She was HIGHLY discouraged from doing so as there aren't many EE majors who are female in her class and the numbers are needed. So, (and again this is only my opinion) I think that sends a strong message that you will be a capable female engineer for Navy. :) Dance was apparently enough for my daughter to get accepted with minimal other athletics (1 year softball and 3 years Varsity track where she contributed but wasn't a stand-out).
GOod luck this year.
Tricia</p>

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<p>Let's hope! I've always wanted to do some sort of marine engineering, and when I saw USNA's Ocean Engineering, it really made me believe that I'm willing to go through anything to get there. It has every major that I've looked at, rolled into one. I could never find a degree specifically for offshore engineering, and boom - there it was!</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

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<p>GoNavy2013,</p>

<p>If you have the chance, definitely go to NASS. I went this past summer. While I was there we got to "preview" some of the majors and meet some of the teachers. I attended the Oceanography session, you get eight "classes" total. Talk about cool!</p>

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<p>2012hopeful:</p>

<p>I'm definitely working on applying to NASS. Are admissions as tough as they're made out to be? I've heard it's tough to get accepted to, what criteria is it based on?</p>

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<p>The process of applying to NASS is a walk in the park. The #s for admission can appear daunting, and geographic and other forms of diversity can come into play. In terms of th #s of apps vs. accepts, you'll hear that it's "tougher" getting into NASS than apptmt. to USNA. Don't believe it. Getting an appointment is anything but a park-walk. You may likely experience one of the emotional marathons-sprints-overtime games of your life. Good luck, go get it. When that packet arrives, you'll be sure it was all worth the effort.</p>

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<p>WP is correct. Apply early, when the apps for NASS first go online. This is a true case of the "early bird will get the worm."</p>

<p><a href="http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/selection.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/selection.htm&lt;/a>
From the Admissions site, applications go online Feb 1st. (this may be the date from last summer but Feb 1st was also the date 3 years ago.)</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>The new info for 2013 hopefuls wasn't up yet when I looked, but the Feb 1st date has been the start date for applications for NASS for the past couple of years.</p>

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<p>Regarding facial fractures, DODMRB, and I-Day:</p>

<p>My son broke his nose into at least 7-8 splinters 19 days (repeat: nineteen days!!!! We were going insane!!!) before I-Day - and he got through the I-Day physical and plebe summer OK this year. </p>

<p>It was a heck of a process, though. We notified USNA Medical from the ER that night, had the radiographs sent, had the physicians' reports sent, and kept in constant contact with the USNA medical records department. I think that helped us in the long run - rather than trying to hide it (it would've been really difficult - his nose looked like a baked potato) we were very straightforward with USNA. </p>

<p>He was a 'medical hold' in Alumni Hall on I-Day, and they had two different ENTs examine him - an extra 4 hours overall. He was cleared, and made it to his room in Bancroft with 8 minutes to spare before taking the Oath of Office. The Navy docs gave him a 'limited duty chit' to use if he felt he needed it during boxing, judo, etc. - but he never used it all summer. </p>

<p>It seemed like the USNA doctor's main concern was whether his nose fracture would impair his breathing during PT. Once they could see the passageway was clear, it was OK. ((He went through two closed reductions without any anesthesia in the 19 days prior to I-Day - ugh ugh ugh.))</p>

<p>Hope this relating of our horrific pre-I Day nasal fracture story helps.</p>

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<p>GoNavy2011:</p>

<p>That sure does help, trust me!! I'm so sorry about his nose, but at the same time, it makes me a little easier! </p>

<p>WP, Profmom2, USNAD&G: Thanks for the NASS info. I was def. planning to submit my application Feb 1st (as I've heard from you, and others), or as close to as possible!</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

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<p>GoNavy2013:</p>

<p>Well, the take-home message is: the Navy is more interested in whether or not your facial fracture will adversely impact your athletic performance. It's not interested in aesthetics (which your mom probably is!) </p>

<p>So ... if you're able to breathe normally during aerobic exercise, and it doesn't affect your daily functioning, you're probably OK. If they're going to take a kid like my son, whose nose now looks like a letter "S" (no time for the plastic surgeon's 4-6 week recovery period !!) and had two black eyes on I-Day, you're most likely going to be OK. </p>

<p>Just keep the flow of info open to the Academy. if they ask you to submit, then resubmit, then submit again - do it. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Well, I think I'm good, I don't have any troubles! Awh! Well, when my origial fracture occured, I had the imprint of the stitches from the softball on my forehead for about two weeks! That was about all that was noticable!</p>

<p>Thanks so much for the advice!</p>