<p>My DS got the word he is medically qualified, that takes care of two of the Q's. He passed his CFA at NASS. All he needs is his academic Q, once his first semester grades are up he will have triple Q'ed. Holding a 5.0 currently. If he maintains the 5.0 his overall unweighted GPA will jump from his current 3.85. One very happy kid he just needs a Nom and he can relax.</p>
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The USNA waits for the first semester grades of your senior year before making a determination of whether a candidate is academically qualified?</p>
<p>You just confimed what I said, this is helpful. It’s nice for our DS to get his 2nd Q. He has been working on applications for his NROTC list. Aside from doing the normal applications he has the honors colleges that adds to the multitudes of essays this kid has to write. At one college he has to write an extra 7 essays for their honors program…crazy stuff! With his current sport & classes it’s a lot but also very good. The grind of staying on top of things will be good for when he finally gets to college. The Senators & Congressman are another journey. All of his material was sent in June, two have confirmed that all material has been recieved, waiting on the last. It would be great for him to get an LOA; however, they don’t hand that out to just anybody. Tough process but he has learned a great deal from it all.</p>
<p>2unitsIlove:My post was a question…not a confirmation. I was surprised that the USNA waits for the first semester grades of your senior year before making a determination of whether a candidate is academically qualified. I was under the impression that the determination of whether a candidate was academically “qualified” was based on their first 3 years in HS along with their standardized (ACT - SAT) test results. Those candidates that are academically marginal may want/need to upgrade their grades after the first semester, but I’m not sure how much that helps.</p>
<p>Ahhhh sorry about that… Yea, they will wait for the 1st semester grades. The 3rd Q at this point is a formality as I have been told. That said it 1st semester remains in play. I was reading my sons books on getting into the Academy and have been able to pull pieces of the unknown from here and there. The B&G was also insightful during his interview. The way his grades are and classes he takes it would be shocking for lack of better words to hear he did not get the 3rd Q. Howeverrrrrrrrr… Until I see something official he only has 2Q’s. Long road but it’s all coming together for him.</p>
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Then the USNA won’t give out any LOAs, Academic Qs, or Appointments until the first semester grades of the senior applicants have been received?</p>
<p>Actually “very few” LOA’s get offered prior to all; however. An LOA is not a golden ticket, yes they want you but you still need to be 3Q’ed as well as get a Nom. I’m not 100% certain why they want the 1st. semseter grades. I “ASSUME” (bad word) there may be some that they want but may be on the line of in or out. I do know that one of the options on the application is: if NAPS is offered will you attend? I’m researching the 1st. semester grade info, if I get something I’ll post. My DS knows more of these answers than I do; he has been researching this for the past three years. The process appears to be to be very well organized and conrtolled. I have a great deal of respect for the kids that take this road, it’s not easy for them. The books have helped me gain a better understanding of the process.</p>
<p>Just to clarify, the 3rd Q you are referring to is not just ‘academic’ standing but is officially called ‘scholastic’. It includes not only GPA, class rank; but also SAT/ACT scores, teacher recommendations, sports participation, ECA’s, BGO evaluation…etc. Therefore, you can’t just look at someone’s class rank/GPA and say they will automatically get the 3rd Q, it doesn’t work that way.</p>
<p>LOA’s are an entirely different subject and are usually handed out early in the process, as encouragement to highly regarded candidates to continue to keep USNA on their list since the overall application process takes longer then most civilian colleges.</p>
<p>How many candidates get LOA’s? Is that just a recruited athlete thing?</p>
<p>It’s not just for recruiter athletes, but it’s not many who receive one. They’ve especially cut back in recent years. I’m not sure there are exact number on how many get them, but it’s not too many. For the very competitive candidates.</p>
<p>how much does USNA weigh your schools rank. Because what it takes to get an A for example in many schools in my area would only get you a B or a C at mine.</p>
<p>They don’t really “weigh” your school’s rank as so much just take into consideration at how competitive your high school is and that type of thing. They’ll know if it’s hard to get A’s at your school and will take it into consideration.</p>
<p>Good luck to your son! :)</p>
<p>Cowfungus…that is a great post name, love it!!</p>
<p>Thank you for the congrats, “IF” he gets in it will be a tough first year but hey if your going to go for it you have to be ready for it…</p>