<p>i would consider myself well-rounded...however my stats are not excellent :[. ive seen so many posts about people who are part of lots of organizations, class presidents, varisty athletes and captains, have amazing GPA's and SAT/ACT scores... the list goes on and on. i am a junior, i take only 3 A level [not AP] courses, have little EC's, no job, and havent taken the SAT or ACT's. and my GPA on a scale of six is only a 4.5! :[ i cheer competitively, had a 9 week part time job, and have done a moderate amount of community service. obviously, my track record is pretty pathetic compared to everyone elses on collegeconfidential.com, but i am willing to work hard because the USNA is my dream! i just need some advice on where to get started. i know i should have statred way way earlier, but i was told by a school official that i was too short to be in a service academy. [im a 16 yr old female and am only 5'1] so i was under the impression that i could not go to USNA. i know i would have to work hard, so if anyone can offer any advice that would be great! please be honest with your comments :] thnaks!!</p>
<p>i know this sounds stupid...but what is an LOA?</p>
<p>an LOA is a Letter of Acceptance</p>
<p>it doesn't mean you're in but it means you're academically qualified</p>
<p>Navygirl- keep working hard. You're in the same boat as me right now (I'm a female jr. too-I'm trying to rebound from a crappy freshman year) I think Summer Seminar's the next big thing for us so look out for that. feel free to private message me on here if you want.</p>
<p>first thing you need to do is prepare yourself academically. register for the ACTs and SATs. You still have time. Get yourself involved in more sports if you can, and volunteer activities. Seek out those leadership roles. I think you can sumit your PCQ (Pre-Candidate Questionaire) in the beginning of January. This will allow you to apply for the Summer Seminar. Deadline for that is around April or so.</p>
<p>If you're determined, you can do it.</p>
<p>I don't think your height will be a factor. I'm not really sure where that cutoff is. Meanwhile, you can drink some milk.</p>
<p>An LOA is a Letter of Assurance--given to those that are academically qualified. They still need a nomination, plus pass the DoDMERB. Don't get hung up on LOAs--there aren't that many given out. Most appointments are given without an LOA. They ARE a nice thing to have though! Make sure you have a good backup plan to your academy dreams--consider looking into ROTC. You can always go to a civilian college for a year, take comparable courses and reapply. It took President Carter three tries to get in, I think...</p>
<p>On the subject of LOA's....they mean a bit more than just academic qualifications...many candidates are "Triple Qualified" meaning they are qualified academically, physically and medically, but don't get LOA's and some don't get Appointments...and some LOA's end up not being medically or physically qualified and don't get Appointments.</p>
<p>LOA's as they were issued in the past indicate to the person that the Admissions Board has found their overall application, which includes their academics, their leadership, their SAT and other test scores along with their personal essay the BGO report, and anything else in the online application process...so strong....that they want to let that particular candidate know there is an Appointment waiting for them once they continue to complete the rest of the application. For some this is only the nomination, for others the DoDMERB and CFA and nomination process. So it is a nice 'perk' for someone, but since they are very few - they don't apply to the majority of Appointees to any Class.</p>
<p>The reason and LOA is helpful if you get one, is that it lets the candidate know, as well as the nominating board who also receives a copy of the LOA, that the Academy really wants them, and that lonnnnnngg wait until April 15th, hoping for the 'large' envelope and dreading the small one, isn't going to be their problem. Once the candidate completes everything required( and this also implies staying focused in senior year and keeping grades up by the way), an Appointment is guaranteed.</p>
<p>thanks for your responses! im working really hard on doing well in school and EC's so that i will be able to go to the summer seminar! on the USNA website, it says that "Due to limited space in the Summer Seminar Program, we highly recommend students not selected continue pursuing admission to the Academy. " do they mean that if you dont make it to summer seminar, you should still keep trying?</p>
<p>
[quote]
do they mean that if you dont make it to summer seminar, you should still keep trying?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Trying to get into the Academy as a Midshipman (i.e. - "Appointment") - YES.</p>
<p>Yeah navygrlx and volleyball0815, summer seminar is a great thing and I would recommend that both of you attend if you can. </p>
<p>I"m a senior in high school right now and I went to NASS this summer. It really gives you an idea of the kinds of things to expect and a look at the atmosphere at the academy. You get to run the obstacle course, get yelled at, eat the food, sleep in the racks, memorize stuff, get tested on that memorized stuff by way of a mid in your face screaming in a dark hot hall in the evening (Mock Indoc), and you get to work as a team with your squad.</p>
<p>Also, and I know this is pretty far down the road for you both but.., the candidate visitation weekend program gives you a chance to live with a plebe and go to class with them. I haven't attended my weekend yet but I've read that they give you a more accurate look at what life is really like at the academy.</p>
<p>Just things to think about!</p>
<p>I know exactly what your going through (i'm a junior girl in hs too). You're questioning if your good enough, as long as you try your best that's the most anyone could ask for. Never give up and anything is possible if you try your absolute hardest. </p>
<p>If you ever want to talk, just send me a private message.
I wish you the best of luck.</p>
<p>i just wish i had known that that hieght factor was BS from day one!! lol but thanks for everything! also...i was wondering...is New Jersey considered a competitive state? i would assume places like texas or cali since theyre so big, but jersey is kinda small.</p>