<p>I'm 19 years old and graduated from a private school in New England in 2004. I graduated with a GPA of 81% (3.0-3.1), Rank:346/623 (I went to a rather large school with a very competitive student body that went to a variety of excellent colleges and universites) and a SAT I composite score of 1180 (M:610 V:570). I was a four year letterman on both varsity lacrosse and varsity football. Post-season All-State selection for both, starting defenseman and defensive end both junior and senior years. Captured a number of state championships between the two along with a number of play-off appearances in a top Division I program. Along with athletics, served as a member of a number of different clubs/organizations.(Future Business Leaders of America, Students for Enviornmental Action, Ski Club, Literary Magazine, Outing Club). In terms of community service efforts, I served as a part-time assistant coach for both the youth lacrosse and pop warner football teams in my town. I was also a special needs aide/coach during the last two years of high school.</p>
<p>For the past two years, I have been employed full-time. I work 40 hours a week as a customer sales rep. at a hardware store/lumber yard. I just enrolled in college coursework at a well-know state school in January 2006, where I am only part-time (I attend classes in the evening after work). The reason that I did not enter college immediately following graduation is because I was forced to finance my own college tuition as I come from a single parent household with another sibling. I have only been in classes for a month however I am maintaining excellent grades to date. It's rather difficult to involve myself with a number of extracirricular activities in the meantime, however I have been able to remain involved as a part-time lacrosse coach for my the local youth teams and I have just recently began training to become an official Special Olympics coach. In March, during my spring break from school, I will be going to New Orleans to help in the Katrina Relief effort. As I mentioned it is rather difficult for me to dedicate much more of my time to anything other than work and college work at this time in my life thus the reason for such a limited list. Along with that, I am in the process of enlisting in the United States Naval Reserves. I am wondering if this will assist me in my effort to attend the USNA? </p>
<p>I'm aware that I'm not the traditional high school applicant that the USNA is used to seeing, however I am an extremely self-motivated individual that is more than familiar with the physical and mental rigors that would be in store for me. I strive for challanges and feed off of difficulty, thus the reason that I am seeking a career in the United States military. I am wondering if you all could give me your own opinions on how I would stand against other applicants if I were able to get a nomination? I would appreciate it a great deal. Please feel free to give me honest opinions and don't be shy.</p>
<p>How you stand against other applicants is impossible to tell. However, since you have an interesting mix (including work experience), I think you'd have a pretty fair shot.</p>
<p>Tell you what: Send in an application and find out for sure! ;)</p>
<p>Wish we had a crystal ball. Don't let anyone dissuade you from your dream. Get the application process going as soon as you can, for the next class (2011). Contact your BGO and enlist him/her as your ally in the process.</p>
<p>You might also want to investigate opportunities through the NROTC program. It would give you another avenue to pursue a military career as an officer, and help fund your college expenses.</p>
<p>Good advice above! Keep in mind that applicants coming directly out of high school are evaluated differently from those with college or other post-high school experience. Your performance in college level courses is critical -- even if you can only attend part-time. Take the difficult courses that relate to the Academy's program: calculus, chemistry and physics. If your performance in these this semester, over the summer and next fall are stellar, that is likely to be the primary basis for your academic performance, rather than your high school grades and scores.</p>
<p>A BGO is your outreach person, a liason if you will. They do an interview which is part of your app. and they are mentors throughout the app. process. BGO is an acronym for Blue and Gold Officer. Every Academy has a different acronym for their outreach people. For example, USAFA's are called ALOs, or Academy Liason Officers.</p>
<p>I have a Q about the reserves.
If you are going to do that when are you attending Boot camp?
If you want to apply for the academy or NROTC..Boot camp may get in the way of your application process.
The reserves not only sends you to boot camp but then your "A" school that can tie up a good 6 months of time.(I'm not sure if they still call them A schools...but that would be your job school)
My DD has received a NROTC scholarship. She started the process over the summer 2005..the earlier the better.
Also the Naval Academy can be started early too.
I would make sure to keep the grades up and the volunteering.
Time to make a plan and here is a good place to start.</p>
<p>Just to add to what CM posted, contact the USNA Admissions office (or go on-line) and find your regional director- contact them if you need a listing of BGO's in your area.</p>
<p>I've found the BGO for my area and will be speaking with him in a few days. In an e-mail he sent me, he suggested I re-take my SAT I and shoot for a 1300+ which I am going to try to do in April. (If I take the new SAT I, does anybody know if the highest scores can still be combined with my scores from my old SAT I due to the different formats? Just wondering.) </p>
<p>I am curious to know more about the NROTC several of you have mentioned. I looked for it up on online however the college that I am enrolled at right now is not on the list, in fact, no colleges from my state are.</p>
<p>Oh, and to answer your question about my interest in the reserves. I mentioned that without having a clear understanding of the time commitment. I spoke with a US Navy recruiter yesterday and got the basic "run down ", which ultimately made me realize that.</p>
<p>Do NOT speak to a RECRUITER about USNA or NROTC. They don't know jack.</p>
<p>Contact the Academy and have them give you the information for your BGO (which apparently you've already done. Good!) You can ask him/her to point you in the direction of good NROTC information. You can also ask about NROTC directly from the units at the school(s) you would be considering.</p>
<p>Recruiters want to nail you so they can make their quota. Never forget that.</p>
<p>I had one try to convince me not to go to USNA. How's THAT for rediculous?</p>
<p>very interesting piece of information right there.</p>
<p>Thank You.</p>
<p>I did contact the recruiter without actually mentioning my main interest in the USNA however he was very "gun-ho" about driving out to my house this week to arrange a personal meeting. I did get the impression that he wanted me to enlist active duty right away even as much as I stressed how important a college degree was to me.</p>
<p>DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING WITH A RECRUITER!!! (Until you are clear about the path you are choosing.</p>
<p>A recrutier tried to dissuade my son from the Academy, claiming that the Navy was a much better way to go than the Academy, and waiving about the college expenses that the enlisted could qualify for.</p>
<p>Unbelievable.</p>
<p>You should be able to find information regarding NROTC on line. Are you sure that NO colleges from you state are listed? I find that curious.</p>
<p>Good Luck in your endeavors, keep in contact with your BGO. He/she probably has the most factual information to answer your questions.
CM</p>
<p>About Nrotc please go to link below.
<a href="https://www.nrotc.navy.mil/%5B/url%5D">https://www.nrotc.navy.mil/</a>
I thought you were in New England.. Holy cross has an excellent program I believe..they even waive the Room and board.
There is Norwich in Vermont.
Which makes me think you are in Connecticut or new Hampshire.
My daughter gor into Marquette in WI..which also pays the room and board (not the scholarship but the school does).
I would not even meet with the recruiter..this is coming from an old Navy girl.
It cracks me up evey the recruiter calls from the Army. Both DD's get calls they try to tell them DD#1-"How's college going? Don't you want to do something with your life?" DD#2-"You're going to be a Naval Officer? Don't you know you'll promote faster through the Army?"
They are just like the police officer following the street sweeper.</p>