I'll Answer Your Questions...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
21

<p>Just for clarity: </p>

<p>Lyferemixed, if your neighbor is the representative of your district to the US House of Representatives in Washington DC, then he/she is certainly a potential source of a nomination. However, I would expect that you won't see much in the way of preferential treatment. Most Members of Congress are very careful to delegate the selection process to a committee that operates on their behalf to avoid any possible accusation of bias.</p>

<p>On the other hand, if by "state representative" you mean that your neighbor is a local representative to your state's legislature then, no he/she is not a source of nominations.</p>

<p>Unless you are ROTC or eligible for a Presidential nomination based on your parent's service record, you have 4 nomination applications to tackle: one for your US Representative, one for each of your US Senators, and one for the Vice President.</p>

<p>The Vice President one is easy because the selection is delegated to the Academy's themselves. If your application to the Academy is complete, all you need to do is send a letter in the proper format to the VP and your application is complete. Instructions and letter format can be found at:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident/vicepresidential_nominationpacket.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident/vicepresidential_nominationpacket.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Remember, however, that the VP has only 5 slots at each Academy at any given time (same as a Senator or Congressman) and the competition is nationwide, so don't get your hopes up too high for a VP nomination. :)</p>

<p>For the other three applications: GO TO EACH OF THEIR WEBSITES! If you don't know who your three Members of Congress (MOC) are you can search based on your zipcode at:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.senate.gov%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.senate.gov&lt;/a>
and
<a href="http://www.house.gov%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.house.gov&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The search results will link you to their webpage. Most have a category called "constituent services" or something like that where you will find information about Service Academy applications.</p>

<p>Some MOC's will have their application online in PDF format, others may tell you to write or call and they will send you a paper application. A few have fully web-enabled applications. I know of some who require handwritten essays! </p>

<p>MOC nomination applications are entirely separate from your USNA application and in our state take at least as much effort to do well as an Ivy League college application. One of our Senators has over 20 short essay questions as well as two long essays! In addition, each required a notarized affidavit of residency, transcipts and 3 letters of recommendation from specific sources (one wanted math, science and english teacher only, another wanted math and science teachers plus one additional reference from a coach or employer.) Check out exactly what your MOC's require and follow it to the letter.</p>

<p>The majority of MOC's have an application deadline in Oct. or Nov. (but be sure to check yours). They then schedule interviews in Nov or early Dec. Many have their nominations registered with the Academy by December but they aren't required to submit their nominations until the end of January.</p>

<p>Each MOC has the right to nominate up to 10 applicants for each "slot" that he/she has open in a given year. Each MOC has 5 total "slots" at each Academy -- one or more may be open in any given year based on graduations, dropouts, etc. I put "slots" in quotation marks on purpose. Just because your MOC has only 1 slot open in a given year doesn't mean that only 1 of his/her nominees will get in. The Academy requires that you have a nomination, and must admit at least one qualified applicant from each MOC's slate of 10, but has the right to select additional candidates off the slate to round out any given class. (I noted on this board once before that one of the Senator's from our state had all 10 the nominees admitted to USNA in '03!)</p>

<p>And in response to the questions about "rolling admission": the VAST majority of Academy appointments are issued in February and March. A few academic and athletic superstars may get an LOA in the Fall, and those with a Presidential nomination may even get an appointment, but most of you are in for a long wait -- sorry!</p>

22

<p>are you saying those with presNOMs are sometimes offered early appointments?</p>

23

<p>Yes. (10 char)</p>

24

<p>oiixg,
You provided some excellent information in your last post, however, USNA is notorious for awarding the majority of appointments in mid-April. My daughter received her appointment at the end of February, but we felt that was relatively early.</p>

<p>usna09mom</p>

25

<p>Yes, I should have said the vast majority are between mid-February and mid-April. The deadline for these appointees to accept is the end of April and after that, additional appointments go out in May and June (and sometimes even AFTER I-Day like in summer of '04) until the class is filled.</p>

<p>I guess my point is that while it is valuable to complete you applications as soon as possible, most of you are in for a long wait and I know how hard that is :( . It's so easy to get wrapped up in thinking that not hearing anything until Spring is a bad sign but that's just not true. MOST of you won't hear until spring no matter how early you get your packet finished. It doesn't mean you aren't a highly competitive candidate, its just the way the process works.</p>

26

<p>This guy knows what he's talking about! :)</p>

27

<p>As I have always said....the application is not bad, the BG interview is pretty good, the PAE is do-able, the nomination isn't bad.....BUT the waiting is the very worst part. </p>

<p>Just as a side note, something I found very interesting this summer....we work so so hard to get into here, we get so excited when the appointment comes, and we're so proud to show up on I-Day....and then during the summer, you say to yourself..."I can't believe I fought so hard to do this stuff..." But cheer up everyone, it gets better eventually.</p>

<p><em>When appointees start showing up, I have tons of advice that I wish I had for plebe summer, so make sure you all stay in touch and take advantage of the stuff I have for you guys. I'll tell you what to expect, what not to expect, and maybe even save you lots and lots of money.</em></p>

28

<p>And keep in mind you have a chance to get in NAPS too. It's great to see people you know when you're finally at the academy. Plus they gave the Napsters a hefty sum right after plebe summer. </p>

<p>Godiva truffles and Frost Gatorade
yum</p>

29

<p>GoNavy87:would love to take advantage of your offer...our son is in the foundation program and will start USNA in June (God willing)....so LOTS and LOTS of questions....
My TOP 10 list:
1-what would be your best advice for plebe summer?<br>
2-What surprised you? what was unexpected?
3-what do you know now that you wish you had known on I-day?<br>
4-What are the pitfalls to be avoided?<br>
5-It it worth studying Reef Points before you report, and if so, what in particular?<br>
6-Is there anything that made Plebe summer easier for you?<br>
7-How hot was it, and how did you survive that?
8-how difficult were the validation tests?
9-how much sleep on average?
10-how are the academics so far now that classes have started?</p>

<p>thanks for taking the time from your busy day!</p>

30

<p>Hi all,
Is the admissions process binding--If admitted to USNA, is the applicant obligated to attend?</p>

31

<p>Nobody007755: If offered an appointment, the candidate has the option to decline. Unless the candidate returns a form that indicates he/she accepts the appointment, he/she will not be issued a "Permit to Report". Only those with a Permit to Report are expected on I-Day.</p>

<p>USNA requests that a response to the offer of appointment be sent by the stated deadline in order to promptly offer any appointments that are declined to another candidate. If you don't response at all by the stated deadline the appointment is automatically withdrawn and may be offered to someone else.</p>

32

<p>^thanks for answering my q</p>

33

<p>I'm a 1986 USNA grad, current BGO and former Luce Hall instructor at USNA. I'll take a crack at some of your questions if you don't mind:</p>

<p>1-what would be your best advice for plebe summer?
Maintain your sense of humor and don't take it personally. What your plebe will experience is "the system". Thousands have gone through it before and thousands will after. Just think of being "another link in the chain." You have to keep your sense of humor (but don't laugh at or in front of the upperclass!) in order to remain sane, because some of the things you experience will not make sense until after you graduate.</p>

<p>3-what do you know now that you wish you had known on I-day?
How much it helps to be in good physical condition when you report. I mean REALLY good shape. I wish I had prepared more.</p>

<p>4-What are the pitfalls to be avoided?
Don't be too obvious. Try to be part of the team and meld into the woodwork. Those that are obvious tend to get most of the attention, and during Plebe Summer attention is never a good thing.</p>

<p>5-It it worth studying Reef Points before you report, and if so, what in particular?
YES! Study Yard Gouge, the section on Daily Plebe Rates, The Laws of the Navy, Table Salt and Irish Pennants. Being familiar with the Slang section will help as well.</p>

<p>6-Is there anything that made Plebe summer easier for you?
I had a NAPS-ter for a roommate and he got me through the summer. Showed me how to fold my clothes, how to make a bed, how to clean the room and taught me what you should and should not deprioritize. If you don't get one (or a prior enlisted), make friends with one quickly.</p>

<p>The other things have probably changed so much I won't get into them. Let's just say, though, that sleep is generally at a premium during Plebe Summer. :)</p>

<p>Hope this helps,
Mike</p>

34

<p>USNA86, may I ask what area/school in VA you are the BGO for?</p>

35

<p>


</p>

<p>You can ask, but I ain't sayin'. :)</p>

<p>I'm in the Richmond, VA, area. Midlothian to be more exact.</p>

<p>Mike</p>

36

<p>One more question. I have put myself down for NROTC. At this point, it looks like I have a good crack at getting some money. According to my recruiter, applying/signing up for ROTC will help somewhat with admissions into the naval academy. Is that necesarily true?</p>

37

<p>
[quote]
According to my recruiter, applying/signing up for ROTC will help somewhat with admissions into the naval academy. Is that necesarily true?

[/quote]

It'll help to a point. One of the biggest things we look for in candidates is interest and motivation - applying for other service academies and ROTC scholarships show a motivation for a military career. Simply applying for Annapolis only doesn't show that motivation.</p>

<p>It's more of a detriment to NOT apply than a help if you do. If that makes sense....</p>

<p>Mike</p>

38

<p>Hey, you all have probably heard numerous potential USNA applicants ask this question, but how does midshipman life compare to regular college life (besides the apparent differences and plebe year). How many vacations do you get? What is the ordinary lifestyle of a midshipman? How are the chemistry / biochemistry departments of the academy? In the several years following graduation during service, are there pre-medical career opportunities?</p>

<p>I'm still trying to make up my mind about applying. You see, I come from a large family and money is an important factor in my college decision. </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

39

<p>So far, this has not been like any college experience that I have ever heard of. I have been yelled at, I get up at ridiculously early hours, I have very little choice in classes, I don't miss class for some lame excuse, the chemistry/physics departments seem great, I march, I run, I am endlessly tire, and I WEAR A UNIFORM! I have just finished the hardest summer of my life.</p>

<p>On the other hand, I have learned how to DO WHAT I AM TOLD TO DO; I DON'T TALK WHEN I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK [which seems to be a really hard concept for some to grasp]; I have accomplished more than any of my friends, I have learned how to sail, I have learned how to repair a leaking pipe and how to put out a fire, I have worked on a Navy boat, I have learned how to shoot, I am taking boxing, and I WEAR A REALLY COOL UNIFORM!</p>

<p>It has been terrible; it has been great; we have had a BBQ on July 4th, and a crab feast earlier this week, we have been to a baseball game, the holocause museum, the war memorials in Washington D.C. </p>

<p>Since I have not been to a "normal" college, I can say for sure . . .but, I suspect this is nothing like "regular college life."</p>

40

<p>thanks for the great responses guys. I definitly am getting some good stuff out of this thread. But i find it weird how all the acadamies are all rated to be about $170,000 for the 4 years of education, but why is annapolis $300,000??? That seems to boggle my mind because they offer virtually the same great quality education.</p>