Do Chances on the Second Time Around?

<p>I am a high school senior who has received a nomination and has been triple Q'd for this admission cycle. I recently spoke to the nominations coordinator for my MOC and was told that there had already been 4 offers of admission and 1 NAPS offer to applicants on their nomination slate. I recognize that this cannot be a good sign for my admissions chances. I have wanted to attend the Naval Academy and go on to become an officer in the SEALs for several years now and can wait for another year to apply. Would it be beneficial to attend a prep school rather than my State U (UTexas)? Also, how do admissions officers view 2nd year applicants?</p>

<p>Don't give up yet. You don't know what the next few months may bring.</p>

<p>Keep trying and keep going for your goal. (If this is truly what you want to do - then by all means if you don't make it this year, try again next year!) Along the way - work as the successful student you are. UTexas is a strong school; personally, I'd suggest that route if it's good for you all around. (There are so many factors, though.) It's totally your decision what way to go, and you may want to talk to a few people for their advice and then do what you feel is best. Take a strong schedule -- English, Calc, Chem, Physics, etc.... </p>

<p>Would it be more beneficial to attend a prep school rather than UT? I doubt it - but it depends what you're looking for. Some of the prep schools would tout that they do have some added strengths, which I'm sure they do have some strengths. Do what's best for you.</p>

<p>Remember, there are many pathways to your end goal. 4-years and then OTC; ROTC; Academy.... Just keep your professionalism and keep plugging away.</p>

<p>In very competitive geographic areas, it's not uncommon for quite a few nominees to end up with appointments. That said, you're wise to have a Plan B -- everyone should.</p>

<p>IF you don't get an appointment, the first order is to figure out why not. Your BGO should be able to help you -- however, he/she can only offer an opinion based on experience. You may find that CGO will also tell you where your application was weak. If you still want to attend USNA, your goal should be to keep your strong areas strong and improve your weak area(s). </p>

<p>Attending UT should be as good if not better than a prep school. However, you have to do the right things there -- take the right courses, study, get involved in sports (intramurals ok), etc. However, it's hard to advise w/o knowing the specifics of your situation. </p>

<p>As for applying from college, I had a candidate who started USNA having completed three full years of college and has done exceptionally well as a mid. There are benefits in USNA's eyes -- maturity being one -- of post h.s. work. However, I don't know if it's an "advantage" per se. It certainly wouldn't hurt you.</p>

<p>We visited Annapolis 2 weeks ago when my son looked at the Academy. He is in the same situation you are in, 3Q'd with Nom waiting to hear. Admissions told us they look very favorably on people who do a year at a U and reapply. At least 40% of the class will come from non-direct routes. To have a year of college is a good thing provided you take the right courses. They want you to take the same core you would get at the academy, that is chemisty, calc, physics, and english comp. Do well in these while continuing the extra curricular activities and sports. As they explained it all you do to add to your application for next year will give you a better standing provided you do well. This is not at all a bad thing. It will allow you to take more advanced or elective courses. That can only be a good thing! Hang in there but realize this is not a bad thing.</p>

<p>I appreciate all the help. Still hoping for USNA to work out this year, but a year of maturity, growth etc. might actually be good in the long run. Does anyone know which districts are known as the "highly competitive geographic areas?"</p>

<p>Large populated areas are sometimes more competitive. Areas with very strong academic and/or athletic programs. Areas that have a higher-than-average population of active duty/retired military.</p>

<p>RWBproud01:
Have you considered TAMU and Corps of Cadets, then re-apply to USNA? = Being an Aggie myself, this is hard to say, but tu is probably a good option as well. Follow advice above on classes to take mirroring plebe year. And do all you can to find out where you can improve your application.</p>

<p>I have heard only positive things about applicants who reapply following a year of college. I think it shows persistence, committment, dedication. All attributes of successful midshipmen.</p>

<p>Texas in general is considered highly competitive. However, two Congressional Districts in Texas, 13 and 18, west Texas and the Panhandle show up on the priority recruiting areas list that was shared with BGO's. </p>

<p>Don't be too discouraged yet. Texas sends many kids to USNA. It is not uncommon for many appointments from one Congressman. If you are in a district where there is a military presence, it will be highly, highly competitive.</p>

<p>Good advice, above, about which districts may be very competitive. </p>

<p>From a briefing to Blue and Gold Officers earlier this year. The following is a list of Under-represented districts at USNA. I do not know what criteria they used to make this determination:</p>

<p>New York – 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17
Pennsylvania – 1, 2
Ohio – 3, 5
Rhode Island – 2
New Jersey – 9, 10, 13
Massachusets – 8
Florida – 2, 3, 12, 17, 23
Georgia – 2, 5, 12, 13
North Carolina – 1, 8, 12
Virginia – 3
South Carolina – 5, 6
Illinois – 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 17
Michigan – 5, 10, 12, 14
Texas – 13, 18, 28, 29
Wisconsin – 4, 7
Kentucky – 1
Tennessee – 9
Alabama – 2, 3, 4, 7
Indiana – 7
Louisiana – 2, 3, 5
Iowa – 2
Mississippi – 2
Nebraska – 3
California – 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 20, 21, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 43
North Dakota – 1
Oklahoma – 2
Arizona – 4, 7
Minnesota – 7</p>

<p>We are in one of these districts listed as under-represented, although we still have not heard anything on admission. Does this improve chances of admission? </p>

<p>Have had an invite to a CVW which will attend in March. Curious as to why our district would be considered under-represented.</p>

<p>Hey man...I'm in basically the same boat as you. USNA -> SEALs was my life goal. I ended up reapplying a boatload of times, even after two years at a civvy school. PM me if you have any specific questions.</p>

<p>Can anyone help me out?</p>

<p>I graduated high school last year with a less than satisfactory overall GPA (2.1) yet did fairly well on my SAT's (1020 Math & Verbal). My motivation was lacking yet the potential to succeced was there. Most every teacher and guidance counselor whom I told about wanting to go to Annapolis either laughed or told me not even to bother. I spent my entire summer motivating myself for the upcoming year, mentally and physically. I am currently attending a local community college majoring in mechanical engineering tech. with an overall 3.4 GPA. My concern is, can I still make it into the Academy even from a community college? I was also accepted recently into the University of Connecticut, by attending this school will I have a better shot rather than staying at the community college? I've also been a competitive sailor for the past 4 years at my local yacht club where I befriended a few grads who said they'd be happy to write a letter or rec., I'm probably sailing at UConn as well</p>

<p>United States citizen:
Good moral character;
At least 17 and not past their 23rd birthday on 1 July of the year they would enter the academy;
Unmarried;
Not pregnant; and
No dependents. </p>

<p>These are the basic requirements needed in order to receive an application to the academy.
Yes, you can still make it into the academy even from a community college.
I think it will be better to attend the University.
One reason is because it can offer you more clubs and sports to participate on!</p>

<p>
[quote]
Yes, you can still make it into the academy even from a community college.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I would recommend a university, but community colleges are definitely a viable option if you take it seriously. I believe the reputation of the school and the opportunities you're presented has less to do with your application than WHAT you do with the opportunities (however few they may be) you're given. </p>

<p>Either way, community college or university, you'll be well prepared to succeed here if you decide to give it another go.</p>

<p>You don't have to be a US citizen, actually.... (but Congress has to approve the non-US citizens, which there are some every year).</p>

<p>If you're doing very well at the community college, you may want to consider staying. (I don't know the classes you are taking though, so I really can't say that for sure. If it's a 3.4 GPA, and you're not taking very tough classes or only 12 hours at a time, that may not come across as doing well.) If you move to U Conn and slip in grades, even if it was "one bad class not you" it may come across as inability to take "perceived" harder coursework. (Same reason I use to recommend to a student who has a very high ACT not to retake it -- in case you score worse. Of course now, all the ACT scores aren't reported to a college, just the one you want.) You have history of not doing academically well in high school and then doing well in community college. If you go back down and don't do well at UConn, that really can be a negative. If you can move and know you'll do well (motivation does a lot to improve academics!), then go ahead and move. Basically - a community college would come with questions (that can be answered) because they are all so different in caliber. A strong state school would come with less questions. But - my question would overall be not the GPA but what the GPA is with the quality of courses and courseload. (Remember, you're wanting to mimic coursework that a Mid would be taking and showing that you can handle it. That means a lot of hours (at least 15, try 18, and really push for 21) each semester and tough classes (honors versions if they are offered). BUT - if you're having to work full-time and take less classes, there's always leeway there.) Good luck and stay motivated!</p>

<p>Well, If its one thing I don't have to worry about for admissions it's being a U.S. Citizen, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to make the switch to UConn. Its just a matter of keeping my GPA up.</p>

<p>Once in college, your college GPA becomes a more significant factor than the SAT/ACT. I never re-took my SAT/ACT at college, but I did have a pretty good GPA. Remember, the admissions board is evaluating candidates based on their likelihood to succeed in a rigorous college program (remember, SAT/ACT is suppose to be a predictor) with a lot of other competing requirements. Thus, if you can demonstrate that you can do the course work and participate in extracurricular activities, you probably will be able to demonstrate that you can succeed. </p>

<p>The candidate multiple score works on a sliding scale for college GPA, the higher you get, the more points you get. How much you challenge yourself in college to succeed will be noticed by your admissions counselor AND will be briefed to the board.</p>

<p>Northwestern Preparatory for a semester then a Community College or University = the best guarantee of getting in.</p>

<p>I suspect AMS didn't mean it literally, but in this competition "guarantee" is not a particularly good vocabulary selection. I'm unaware of any when it comes to being appointed to any of the SA's, and especially USNA.</p>

<p>As to the overall question, and perhaps 1985 as a BGO can address this more precisely, but it may be more accurate/precise to say that chances do not go "down" as a function of being a repeat applicant. And that observation assumes that one's interim academic performance has been at a high level (unless one is NAPS, where the assessment process is somewhat specific to that institution. As a 3Q candidate, that would not be applicable at any rate.). </p>

<p>And to the general good for repeat applicants, it's often been noted that the USNA admissions process values persistance and diligence in the face of adversity.</p>