ED to Dartmouth or Wait for Naval Academy?

This is not a “chance me” post. All aspects considered, I would say I am moderately competitive (fair shot at acceptance, but definitely not a sure shot at acceptance) for both of these schools. The only question I am posing here is whether I should apply Early Decision to Dartmouth, my second choice school, or hold off and keep pushing for the Naval Academy, my first choice school.

With the Common App opening a couple weeks ago and the knowledge that November 1st will arrive faster than I think, this is a question I have been mulling over a considerable amount. USNA is my definite first choice; it has been for years. I have made three good friends who have either still midshipmen or have recently graduated from the Academy, and there’s nothing I want more than to follow in their footsteps. Being an officer in the military and serving my country is a paramount goal of mine, and my greatest motivator for applying to the Naval Academy. I’m more than halfway through the application process, completed my interview, and am more excited than ever to be in the running for an appointment.

However, as anybody familiar with service academy admissions knows, nothing is ever simple with these applications. Along with the standard essays and test scores and academic information a candidate has to provide to USNA’s admissions office, he also has to pass a medical examination and secure a nomination from a member of congress or the Vice President. In my case, I am expecting to be disqualified in the medical round, and I’m not sure I will get a waiver. No waiver, no appointment.

This is where Dartmouth comes in. Since something like the eighth grade, Dartmouth has been my first choice for a civilian school. I love the location and abundance of outdoor venturing opportunities, as well as Dartmouth’s low profile and commitment to academic freedom. However, it’s not the Naval Academy, so it’s overall my #2 school.

Dartmouth fills something close to half its class through its Early Decision program. Last year, 27% of of ED applicants were accepted, and those who were deferred were accepted at a similar to that of any RD applicant. Knowing that it is unreasonable to expect a decision from USNA by November 1, I don’t want to miss this opportunity to apply to a school that I love and would go to hands down if accepted there but not to Navy. On the other hand, I don’t want to risk being accepted to Dartmouth and USNA, but by the nature of my ED agreement be contractually obligated a school that was my second choice. It’s a weird thing to say; Dartmouth is a nevertheless fantastic school, but what if I took a spot from an applicant whose first choice was actually Dartmouth?

All advice is welcome, and I’m sorry for the length of this post. Thanks so much.

It seems that the crux of your problem is whether or not you will get a waiver for the physical requirements of the Naval Academy. Do you have any idea how often waivers are extended, and for what? Is your problem something that could be improved, or is it a permanent condition? Does the medical phase take place before or after the appointment phase? How realistically can you assess your chances?

Leaving that aside, I think that you may well be overstating the advantage ED would give you at D. A high percentage of ED acceptances go to recruited athletes, legacies–legacy is only considered in the ED round, unless things have changed–and other hooked students. The acceptance rate for “regular” ED applicants is closer to that in the RD round.

Of course, you probably realize that no matter how well qualified you are, you may not be accepted at either school.

Do you have a backup plan, such as a few less selective match and safety schools where you could perhaps participate in ROTC? (Would a waiver be necessary there, too? I know nothing about ROTC applications.) Are your family finances such that you can afford Dartmouth and your safety/match schools?