<p>I'm applying to the Naval Academy Class of 2015 and I was wondering how much of a factor family legacy plays in the admissions process.</p>
<p>I come from a family of many Academy graduates. Most notable are my great grandfather ('15) and both of my grandfathers ('35 and '40). My great grandfather was a Vice Admiral and the Vice Chairman of the US Maritime Commission during World War II. My mother's father was a war hero and received the Navy Cross.</p>
<p>May not help. But it’s a lock it’ll not hurt your shot. I’m unaware that you’ll get any points on your whole person tally for it, but politics are always in play. Lest you doubt it, take in the tales of Sen. McCain and his recently commissioned son. It never hurts having a dad & grandad who were admirals or admiral great-grandpappy and granpa with a captain/war hero/senator dad. Match that and I’d bet my tiny little ranch on your getting in. </p>
<p>There was a time when I would have said that, so long as you had a competitive resume, you’d get the slot. In other words, it wouldn’t matter what your heritage was if your own scores didn’t pass muster.</p>
<p>Sadly however, after the rumblings I’ve heard about McCain’s son, I don’t believe that anymore.</p>
<p>Do the yourself, your potential classmates, the Naval Academy, the Navy, the nation, and the world a favor: Try to get in on your own merits. Leave the nepotism to the slimy bastards who can’t get anywhere without it.</p>
<p>Yes and no to all the above. Admissions is looking for two things primarily, those who will succeed at the Academy and those who will succeed as Naval officers. Sons and daughters of grads have a higher graduation rate and are more likely to be career officers. Therefore, they receive a few extra WPS points. The same applies to those offspring of career military. They are more familiar with military life and, again, more likely to succeed. Thus a few extra WPS points. The board is much more subjective and also might award a few extra RABS to those with a legacy who they feel might bring a little extra to the Academy.</p>
<p>Being the granddaughter or great nephew of a grad or career military officer means absolutely nothing in the awarding of WPS. The only way to get it before the board would be to include it in the essay portion of the application which, I feel, could be utilitzed for much more important things. So, forget it.</p>
<p>And don’t you think that those who have dedicated their adult life to the service of their country deserve a few perks for their children? I feel that it is the least we, as a country, can do.</p>
<p>Not really, although I still have some reservations.</p>
<p>That said, if a young person EARNS a Presidential Nomination, then good for them. However, if they HAVEN’T earned it, then why should they get one just because Daddy was an admiral?</p>
<p>You do understand the regs for a Presidential don’t you?</p>
<p>You can not earn it, you receive one because Daddy or Mommy served in the military for a specific amount of time.</p>
<p>There are unlimited amount of noms, but limited apptmts (100) per branch.</p>
<p>If I am reading your post correctly you are 5 yrs out of USNA, that means in a few short yrs your children will be eligible for a Presidential nom. ARe you stating you would oppose your children from applying for that nom?</p>
<p>I do agree on one point, don’t go in boasting that it is in my blood because of family lineage.</p>
<p>However, Presidential is for all military members not just SA grads or bigwigs, and that is why I was asking for clarification.</p>
<p>Thus, with your answers, than I believe you are opposed to Presidential noms, because it is not based on qualifications like an MOC, the noms are unlimited, where MOC can only nom 10 people per slate. The Presidential Nom is based on your parents.</p>
<p>How do you feel about the VP nom? Afterall, have you ever met anyone who did not receive one if they applied? In other words they did not have to show qualifications.</p>
<p>My opposition is someone being chosen over another, better-qualified candidate simply because the first guy’s daddy was Admiral W.T.Door and the second guy’s daddy was BM1 Sledge.</p>
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<p>There used to be qualifications, IIRC. Can’t remember what they were. I never bothered to apply because I never fit the criteria (whatever they were). It’s been a LONG time and my memory isn’t sharpened by daily rates anymore… ;)</p>
<p>But let’s take your statement at face value; that no qualifications are needed for a VP Nomination.</p>
<p>Under those conditions, in my opinion, the nomination is worthless and I would oppose it.</p>
<p>No, there are no competitions for Presidential nominations. </p>
<p>None. </p>
<p>If at least one of your parents meet the qualifications, you may apply for one, and if you qualify, you get one. Theoretically, there are no limits to their number.</p>
<p>However there are limitations on the number of appointments that my be awarded under a Presidential nomination, and that number is currently 100.</p>
<p>An unlimited number of presidential nominations are available for children and legally adopted children of career officer and enlisted personnel of the armed forces, active or reserve, including the Coast Guard. </p>
<p>The parent must currently be on active duty (other than for training) and have served continuously for at least eight years or have been retired with pay or granted retired or retainer pay. </p>
<p>A parent in the reserve must be serving as a member of a reserve component and be credited with at least eight full years of service (a minimum of 2880 points) or must be entitled to retired pay except that he or she is not yet sixty years old. </p>
<p>One hundred candidates may be appointed with these nominations each year.</p>
<p>Fair enough. Perhaps, then, I was concentrating too much on nominations, so let me clarify my point throughout this thread.</p>
<p>OP asked how much of a factor a family legacy would be with regards to his application to USNA.</p>
<p>Assumption #1: He’s asking about an APPOINTMENT, not just the nomination.</p>
<p>My position is that a person should not be given any special treatment for an accomplishment of the parent(s). Therefore, my position is that an otherwise UNDERQUALIFIED individual (either totally unqualified or less qualified than another applicant) should not be given a leg up simply because of their parent’s service. Could it be used as a tie-breaker based on the data that says that children of career military folks do better at the Academy and the Fleet? Sure, simply because there is data to substantiate the decision.</p>
<p>However, WhistlePig brought up the son of John McCain. The story (as I remember it, anyway) is that young McCain was allowed to graduate from NAPS with less than a 2.0 GPA. </p>
<p>Assumption #2: The story is true. </p>
<p>No one else would have been given that kind of a pass, so why should he have been given it? Just because his dad was a Navy/political bigwig?</p>
<p>Sorry, but THAT kind of a use of legacy I have absolutely NO use for.</p>
<p>Luigi summed up why I asked you about Presidential?</p>
<p>I wonder if you do the min reqs for Presidential nom for you child, will you tell them that because it is based on your coat tails and not their qualifications, you will not submit the paperwork?</p>
<p>Presidential can not be submitted by the candidate, it must be requested by the parent.</p>
<p>I wonder if you have a personal experience that guides your belief. I am not saying that connections, such as Dad being a Senator doesn’t play into the system, but it seems you are making broad judgments without understanding the minutia.</p>
<p>Cross posted, so my question is now void.</p>
<p>Back on topic…OP, you are generations removed, your legacy is not a HOOK IMHO. The board that will score you for a WCS are filled with O-5/6’s that have not a clue who your great grandfather was. Will you get higher points on your essay for the lineage, probably, but the WCS is more than your essay. YOUR SAT/ACT and GPA will account for 60%, crappy SAT will not override that lineage.</p>
<p>Look at what XCI stated…Jack McCain, the son of a Senator, a POW, the grandson of an Admiral who ordered the bombing of the camp his father was being held in, was offered NAPS, not direct admission. Reality is that connection was why he got NAPS. Your great grandfather, unless he was Admiral Byrd is not going to give you an edge.</p>