<p>I am currently 21 years old, and considering the Naval Academy as a continuing education route. I would not say high school went bad for me, but would agree it could have gone better. My grades in high school consisted of A's and B's with the exception of two F's, one for an English class and another for an elective class. In the math and science areas I went up to Geometry and Biology. As far as athletics, I participated in cross country during one year. I have not taken any of the college standardized tests so far, but I had taken the ASVAB and scored a 69.</p>
<p>I should not have a problem receiving a congressional nomination, but realistically what are my chances of being accepted into the USNA? If not, is there a similar route I could take that you would recommend such as NAPS? My ideal job in the future would be in the Navy as aviator at some point down the road.</p>
<p>Well, based purely on what you've posted, I'd say you'd have a rough road ahead. However, other things will be taken into consideration in your case, so let's get some more data.</p>
<ul>
<li>If you are 21, and you graduated at 18, what have you been doing for three years?</li>
<li>What was the elective you failed, and when did you get the two "F" grades.</li>
<li>Did you participate in any other clubs, sports, or activities?</li>
<li>Have you ever taken Trigonometry or Calculus? Physics? Chemistry?</li>
<li>What was your class rank in High School?</li>
</ul>
<p>I should caution you that your nomination process would most likely be your most difficult hurdle. As for NAPS, you don't get to choose that; it is offered if they believe you are worth it. Also, you will need to take the SAT/ACT exam.</p>
<p>Finally, when you say you are considering USNA as a "continuing education route", what exactly do you mean?</p>
<p>I graduated class of 2005 from high school, and have been working to build a savings up to this point. The elective class that was failed was a work experience class. I was an assistant to the MIS coordinator during high school if that would be considered an activity. I did not take any of the math or science classes you listed, as my final classes were classes one step below those.</p>
<p>When I say continuing education I am referring to the next step beyond a high school diploma, whether it be a normal four year university or a military academy. I know I would like to serve in the military at some point, but I am looking at all avenues and trying to determine which would work best for the position I am in.</p>
<p>Some situations:</p>
<p>1) Naval Academy (High school performance could affect entry)
2) Local university followed by Officer Candidate School
3) Enlist, obtain degree, attempt entry to OCS (Could be difficult to get recommendation for OCS)</p>
<p>Attending the Naval Academy, for me, would be the most prestegious way to become a Naval Aviator.</p>
<p>As far as ACT/SAT, is there a particular test that is the best to have taken?</p>
<p>"Attending the Naval Academy, for me, would be the most prestegious way to become a Naval Aviator."</p>
<p>Don't worry about 'prestige.' Worry about becoming an officer first. Once you get on that road, worry about busting your ass so you can pick up that (very competitive) pilot slot.</p>
<p>Whether you go USNA, NROTC, or OCS, you're going to be called "Sir." It's just a matter of how much BS you're willing to put up with to get there.</p>
<p>brother, you ruined your disguise by saying, "Attending the Naval Academy, for me, would be the most prestegious way to become a Naval Aviator." Tell that to your congressman and HAHA they will laugh in your face and show you the door. My man, the USNA is NOT FOR YOU, period. You want prestige? Well then you should have thought about that before you flunked the 2 classes in High School. You are not officer material. Hate me. I don't care. But what I do care about is making sure that people like you that want "prestige" do not work along side ME in the battlefield. Sorry if that sounds harsh, I'm speaking my mind.</p>
<p>Frankly, I think your chances aren't that great. You have way too much academic material to cover, ond only what, 2 years to do it? You'd have to do it from college, too. The rest of the record isn't going to be easy to upgrade during that time, either.</p>
<p>If you are serious about being a Naval Aviator, I'd recommend enlisting in the Navy, becoming an aviation-related rate, then working your tail off for OCS.</p>
<p>Also, you should take Dash's advice to heart. Actions (or lack of them) have consequences. You have to deal with your HS record now, and you will really want to rethink WHY you are pursuing this avenue toward a Commission.</p>
<p>I do not take any of your comments in bad light, and if I could go back I would take the harder classes and do okay rather than take easier classes and do great. Hindsight is 20/20. I do not believe that not having pushed myself as much in high school as I could and should have would exclude me from being "officer material." If I attend college and excel there, that should mean more than what took place in high school.</p>
<p>As far as the prestige comment goes, do you believe most people who enlist in the Marines do it for benefits is offered to them? Their motto is "The few, The proud, the Marines." I believe they do it for the pride, prestige, honor, etc. of serving in a branch that is generally thought to have some of the toughest people physically.</p>
<p>My failure to fully apply myself during high school does not mean I would fail to fully apply myself in combat, but I fully realize that until I prove otherwise yourself and everyone around you is entitled to believe otherwise.</p>
<p>
[quote]
As far as the prestige comment goes, do you believe most people who enlist in the Marines do it for benefits is offered to them? Their motto is "The few, The proud, the Marines." I believe they do it for the pride, prestige, honor, etc. of serving in a branch that is generally thought to have some of the toughest people physically.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The answer is right in front of you, but I think you're missing it.</p>
<p>They do it for the CHALLENGE. Once they have met the challenge and succeeded, THEN comes the pride, prestige, honor, etc. Don't put the cart before the horse.</p>
<p>And no, not having done great in HS is not an automatic disqualifier when determining Officer Material. If that were true, I never would have gotten into USNA (my HS record is more a record of improvement and stubborn dedication than academic accomplishment). However, failing to realize the first point I've made in this post CAN be a disqualifier.</p>
<p>If you want to be an officer FIRST, then I salute you and encourage you to try all avenues. If, however, you want to be a PILOT first, then you have some thinking to do because you will be competing against young brains for that ejection seat. Are you ready to be told you can't be a pilot but still have to serve your 5-year commitment? If the answer is "no", then you're looking in the wrong place.</p>
<p>I have to agree with the others in regard to the prestige comment. I want to become the best leader possible in everything I do; it just so happens that the Naval Academy is the best fit for me to achieve that goal. I really couldn't care less if people would be awestruck by the fact that I attend such an institution.</p>
<p>If you want to be a leader; be responsible for people and serve your country, then I would say go for which ever path you think works for you regardless of how tough it might be. Heck, this is my second time applying, and I lost all support I had last year when I didn't get in, but I'm doing it for me, not for the prestige or anything else. </p>
<p>You have to make sure you have your priorities straight before you make a decision to apply to USNA.</p>
<p>I realize that you must first become an officer to be an aviator, and there are no guarantees you will become an aviator. I would have no issues having a five year commitment as an officer if I was unable to be in the Naval Aviator field. However it would seem that certain paths taken to becoming an officer would make a person more appealing as a candidate for flight training school. At this point it would be a goal to eventually become a Naval Aviator, so I am looking at paths that would be most likely to get me to that goal taking into account my academic record to this point.</p>
<p>As I mentioned earlier, I am trying to determine whether my academic record would prevent the USNA from admitting me or if it would mainly pose a problem with a congressional nomination.</p>
<p>It is not a desire to attend the academy to "impress" someone but rather to better myself as a person so I could better serve my country. When I say "prestige" I mean that for me personally I would view attending the academy as the best way to become an officer, and possibly a Naval Aviator. If it seems 100% unrealistic to be admitted due to my academic record, even after receiving a congressional nomination, then I am interested in other paths that could lead me to where I would prefer to be.</p>
<p>Assuming great performance in the job while enlisted, is there only a slight chance of being recommened for OCS? If so then it would seem college and then OCS would be the best path to take.</p>
<p>Your input given whether it was positive or negative was still appreciated.</p>
<p>adpan what you have to remember when talking about the academies or OCS is why does the military want you to be an officer? what makes you better equipped to LEAD than the other thousands that apply? anybody can be involved in their community and get good grades, but the USNA will look for somebody who can do that AND display that they have the potential and the drive lead american sailors selflessly.</p>