Chances for applying at the USNA?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>Hello there -</p>

<p>For the past year or so, I have been interested the Naval Academy. Currently I am a 16 year old home schooled graduate. My GPA is a 4.0 (transcripts are taken care of through an accredited school). My SAT scores in verbal and math are 670 and 590 respectively. I am enrolled in the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps and have been involved in programs such as Youth in Government, and the local swim team as well as the trap team (class C division). I have not been able to earn varsity letters as the state says that one has to be enrolled in a public school in order to do so. I was told that what I am doing now (basically running a small family business) could also qualify as leadership skills. I have to meet with clients, am in charge of sales and marketing, some billing, web design and maintenance. I have been taking college courses for the past year and will be a sophmore soon. I have also done some volunteer work for a group in my area as well as worked in my area during the presidential campaign.</p>

<p>What are my chances of getting in given my current stats? As I understand it, I can apply now and enter the Academy at 17 this next summer. This is what I have been aiming for originally, but I have also considered holding off a year, taking another SAT and/or ACT, then applying. As I have graduated already, I will continue to take online courses, be involved in as much as I can, and continue with my jobs.</p>

<p>Any advice on this matter is appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Since you were home schooled make sure that you had these classes. This is taken directly off of the USNA admissions site for Home Schoolers. I hope this helps</p>

<p>Mathematics: Four years of math courses, including a strong foundation in geometry, algebra, and trigonometry. Experience in pre-calculus or calculus is also very valuable, if it does not interfere with the aforementioned courses.</p>

<p>Science: One year of chemistry, with lab if possible. </p>

<p>English: Four years of course work with special attention to the study and practice of effective writing. Surveys of English and American literature are especially helpful as background for future study of literature.<br>
To further enhance your competitiveness for admission, the following courses are also recommended: </p>

<p>Foreign Language: At least two years. Course work should include regular use of the spoken language and encompass elementary syntax and grammar. </p>

<p>Physics: One year, with lab if possible. </p>

<p>History: One full year of U.S. history and, where possible, a full year of European or world history. </p>

<p>IT: Introductory computer and keyboarding courses are recommended because all midshipmen are required to use personal computers in most courses. </p>

<p>Be sure to let us know if your school is recognized by your local school board or the State Board of Education. Homeschooled students must provide a transcript and, as a minimum, the transcript must include the following academic information:</p>

<p>Course/Class title
Length of course and date completed
Grade and Grading scale
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
Curriculum/Course description
Text/materials used </p>

<p>Although many homeschoolers are able to qualify academically for admission, many find their overall records relatively weak in the area of extracurricular activities. This is the portion of the application process we use to predict leadership potential. Some states and local districts allow home schooled students to participate with traditional high school activities. If this is not the case where you live, then you must be creative. Remember that it is better to provide documentation of activities that may be undertaken independently. Following are some suggestions that may be helpful:</p>

<p>Athletic Activities</p>

<p>Track/Cross Country: run 5K, 10K races </p>

<p>Basketball: YMCA, AAU, Boys/Girls clubs </p>

<p>Soccer: Compete in community/club organized matches </p>

<p>Lacrosse: Compete in community/club organized matches </p>

<p>Swimming, Tennis, Rowing, Gymnastics: Join a local club and participate in competitions </p>

<p>Baseball: Play in summer league affiliated with Babe Ruth, Little League, American Legion </p>

<p>Non-Athletic Activities</p>

<p>Participate in leadership of church youth group </p>

<p>Junior Achievement </p>

<p>Boys Scouts/Girl Scouts </p>

<p>Boys State/Girls State </p>

<p>Music: Participate in local band, orchestra, or theatrical productions.</p>

3

<p>I have taken all the courses (and many more) that are required. I did not rejoin the swim team last year as our head coach said there would have been no one to compete against in my age group as everyone in high school goes on to the high school team. I was initially invited to practice with the team, but not compete (state rules), but my state's athletic association had changed something to say that someone who is homeschooled cannot do that either. I can still swim on our local swim team and do work out with them. I am mulling over whether or not to join this year as I am too young for the master's swim.</p>

4

<p>Lemon squeezer,</p>

<p>I don't understand the comment about all of the HS swimmers swimming HS and not being around to compete against. Most USS teams are year-round, while HS swimming lasts only through the season. At the conclusion of the high school season, most HS swimmers come back to swim USS. Are you registered with USS for the 2004/2005 year? If not, registration is coming up soon and I suggest that you sign up for the 2005/2006 season. USNA also wants to see initiative and self-determination. If you can't compete in your age group, you can certainly help with the age-groupers and show some leadership on the team by being there early to set lane-lines and staying late to take down flags, etc. Become a role model. Good luck!</p>

5

<p>I too, would encourage you to continue with the swimming. Here, our high school age students swim during the winter, but can do summer club on top of it--and many do. We have the advantage in CO, that homeschoolers CAN compete with the public high schoolers. Have you looked into competing with a local Christian school? My dd chose not to graduate last year so she could continue to do high school sports. We had to get special permission to be a full-time college student whilst still doing high school sports. May I ask what accredited school you used? We are using NARS, as the CGA still requires an accredited diploma...</p>

6

<p>Since you have already graduated, why not swim for your college team, even as JV? If you are enrolled at a community college, swim for them. Home schoolers may not compete for public school teams in our state, either. They compete for club and travel teams.</p>

<p>Your family business experience does not equate to leadership. Whom are you leading? How many non-family subordinates do you have (that report to you directly)? The skills you list are wonderful, but solitary. The idea of military service is to accept orders, and then implement then through your subordinates. Team sports demonstrates the ability to work together as a group for a common goal, even if that goal seems absurd. Also your apparent lack of physical conditioning would make scoring on the PAE and subsequent PRT a challenge.</p>

<p>I wish there was a crystal ball to predict your chances. An awful lot depends on how competitive your District is. I know of an outstanding candidate with 1500+ SAT (old style) leadership, athletics, music, outstanding GPA, and no offer of appointment. Others less qualified were, in part because they were the best of their MOC's slate.</p>

<p>The bottom line is that you must position yourself in the best possible light.</p>

<p>Your SAT scores also need considerable improvement (Minimum of 600 on each section, and minimum 1300 composite (math + Critical reading)). Remember USNA has a technical focus. EVERYONE takes chemistry, calculus (3 sem), calculus-based physics, even poly sci majors.
Best of Luck
CM</p>

7

<p>Thank you for your replies. As far as competitive sports and swimming are concerned, my options are very limited. The town I live in is a small one and the nearest place to engage in any of these alternatives is nearly 50 miles away. The college that I am taking courses from also offers few opportunities mainly because it is situated halfway across the United States. There are a handful of private schools in the county, but all are to small to support a swim team. I didn't mean to give anyone the impression that I was not doing anything physically with the team. I do work out with them and I will probably join again this year. I am also pursuing other avenues. </p>

<p>Would it be advisable to wait a year before applying (so as to take the SAT again and gain more experience in different fields) or do so now?</p>

<p>By the way, we also use NARS.</p>

8

<p>I want to understand, but am having difficulty.</p>

<p>You have graduated from home school, think you might want to apply to USNA, and are doing what? Working in a business and taking online courses?</p>

<p>Why have you not enrolled in a real college? What are you doing come this September? Even if you start the application process for the USNA class of 2010, what will you have done with yourself for the 05-06 academic year? It doesn't sound as if you have a real plan for life. If you wait to apply for the class of 2011, you will have been "graduated" for two years. What will you have to show for it? And if you apply and are not accepted, you will have floundered around for 2 full years.</p>

<p>Appointed candidates have demonstrated a real committment to a goal, and have worked dilligently toward it. Unless I am missing something, you have not demonstrated that committment. Fifty miles to get to an opportunity that might further one's ability to reach his/her goal is not an unsurmountable obstacle. Many people commute farther than that daily.</p>

<p>You need to position yourself in the best possible light. My first suggestion is to decide what you want from life. What are your career goals. Second, design a path to achieve those goals. Third, go to school or get training, and follow that path.</p>

<p>If USNA is part of that goal, then you have a lot of catch-up in planning to do, the first of which is to formulate an immediate educational plan for 05-06.</p>

<p>Good Luck in your quest.
CM</p>