<p>My BGO told me that the Naval Academy in looking to increase the percent of females at the Academy starting in 2013. Does anyone no anything about this?
Thanks!</p>
<p>They have steadily been increasing the number of women at USNA for many years, but most notable in the past several. The lifiting of combat restrictions significantly helped in that regard. I believe the intent several years ago was to increase the percentage of women at USNA from 16% to 20%. The Class of 2012 was, on I-Day, 21% female (as compared with 8% in my day). </p>
<p>As I posted elsewhere, it is my understanding that USNA is gender-blind in admissions, meaning that men and women compete against each other for slots in the incoming class. I was told that USNA was able to do that because the percentage of qualified women in the applicant pool is roughly equal to the number USNA wants in the entering class, so just picking the best overall will still give them the percentages they want. I have not heard that this approach has changed, although it may have.</p>
<p>Thus, my guess (and it is ONLY that), is that the number of qualified women interested in USNA is increasing and USNA is willing to accommodate that increase in higher numbers at USNA -- by "natural selection," as it were (more qualified women in the pool as a percentage of total qualified applicants means more women offered appointments). I've not heard that there is an intent to increase the number of women by any other means, although someone here may have more recent information.</p>
<p>It is my understanding the female ratio of 20% is reflective of the percentage in the fleet, and that the academy will look to keep it at that level for now.</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>Sounds right to me. 20% is the number I'd heard several years ago as the "target" based on fleet needs, the desire to achieve a "critical mass" of women at USNA, the percentage of women in the fleet, and natural gender breakout of applications. But, if they're doing "blind" admissions, that number could easily vary a bit from year-to-year, which may have happened with 2012.</p>
<p>I am not sure about "blind" admissions... meaning it was not mentioned in any of the briefs. What was mentioned was that they were "where they wanted to be" interms of female midshipmen numbers- and would hold at the 20% mark- with the focus now on increasing minority recruitment (specifically, African American and Hispanic). It could be that they are doing a blind process- but that was not mentioned to the best of my recollection.</p>
<p>btw- congrats to the Class of 2010, who had their 2 for 7 signing yesterday and today!</p>
<p>lots of pictures of 2 for 7 on dropshots
[url=<a href="http://www.dropshots.com/usna2010and07%5DDropShots.com%5B/url">http://www.dropshots.com/usna2010and07]DropShots.com[/url</a>]</p>
<p>PS. same link for Plebe parade from yesterday</p>
<p>So the Academy is trying to increase minority recruitment? Thats great because I'm also African American.</p>
<p>african american, yes. Females, no. African-American and female- hmmmm.... guess we will have to see! Again.... keep in mind what the BGO;s were told: the mission is to interest the qualified, not qualify the interested. Regardless of any atributes, race included, an applicant would be wise to do their very best and let the chips fall where they may..... the academy is looking for quality over quantity no matter how you slice it.</p>