<p>This thread has taken a very interesting, very informative, and very accurate turn. I hope that applicants takes some of this to heart and REALLY listen to what is being said.</p>
<p>My son was so calm and collected about this whole college application process. [Compared to his very nervous parents.] He did not try to get elected to offices for the sake of checking off a box; he rose through the ranks, was elected by his peers to office, and selected by adults to specialized positions becuase of his consistent record of accomplishment. </p>
<p>His achievements came to him as a result of applying himself and pursuing positions that interested him. He remained true to himself through the entire process. [Well, one exception came when we showed up at the MOC interview in khakis and a short-sleeve shirt, sans tie because he didn't want to come across as fake. Most other interviewees were either in suits or at least a long-sleeve shirt and tie. A quick run to Ross for a long-sleeve shirt and tie fixed the problem; we barely made it back in time for the interview.]</p>
<p>Read the stories here: Midshipmen and women are received their appointments because they ARE successful, not because they are TRYING to be successful.</p>
<p>Bill, I love that final sentence. I believe that it is really true. Sometimes it is hard for the kids to believe themselves. That "Who? Me?" kind of feeling, since they are so busy doing stuff that they aren't weighing themselves against others. Well, said.</p>
<p>I started this post with the simple goal of making myself more competative for admission to the Naval Academy. It's my goal, my drive, and my ambition to attend. I think the irony of this board is when I try to be truthful, and talk about my leadership qualities, and ask "is this good enough?", some parents are helpful, others patronize, and go on and on about their own kids, and say things like:
In the real world I believe a lot of the appointments go to people just like CCR712, who have to ask "is this enough leadership experience?"
I know I have leadership qualities inside me, and I do use them everyday. All I simply wanted to know was how to go on and fufill my dream of attending the Naval Academy.</p>
<p>Sorry if I went on and on. I was just trying to point out that it is possible to get appointments without being president of anything or captain of anything. It is not a quantative measure, but a qualitative measure. </p>
<p>It may be helpful to remember, too, that our experiences with the process are all we have to go on. We know nothing in isolation. It is only through comparing stories and experiences that we can all begin to see patterns and to put together bits of the puzzle that is the admissions process. I thought that was what you were looking for. If you really want a quantity (the answer to the "how many more" question) then I, for one will have to say "Don't have the foggiest." sorry.</p>
<p>I hope you find the answers you are looking for, and if you do, that you report them here! I'm sure others can benefit from the information.</p>
<p>Good luck and take care!</p>
<p>I am adding this since I really wanted to say it before and thought it too critical, but I think it really needs to be said. Take the "MY" out of your writing and stop focusing on yourself and YOUR desires. The Naval Academy isn't going to give you an appointment because you want it. They will give it because THEY want YOU.</p>
<p>True enough. Thanks for all of the responses. I see that a person may have leadership positions, but all the parents on the board have taught me that its how you use them, and what you make of them. Thanks for all the help.</p>
<pre><code> In the real world I believe a lot of the appointments go to people just like CCR712, who have to ask "is this enough leadership experience?"
I hope you weren't thinking I was being patronizing. I didn't mean to patronize you, but was responding to what oiixxg had said. I believe you are doing the right thing by asking questions in this forum, so if you took what I said as patronizing or an attack it wasn't meant that way.
As for myself and others who "go on and on about their own kids" that is the only context we have to go by, and stories of other people's success or failure are one of the best ways for you to learn.
Again, sorry if I offended you. I meant to support you and maybe I was just unclear.
</code></pre>
<p>CCR712: I hope you understand that those of us who are parents of mids are here on this board for one reason: we deeply admire every one of the young men and women who aspire to the Academy (and that includes YOU!). We want our children to be joined by others who have the drive and determination not just to get in, but to succeed there and join our children in the fleet some day. Therefore, we want to contribute, from our own experience and the experiences shared with us by our children and their peers, to your understanding of the process, the experience and the commitment.</p>
<p>Inevitably, questions are posted on this board that ask "What are my chances?" or "Is this enough?" The questions are understandable and are typical of any of the civilian college boards on this website, but are very difficult for those of us who have been through this with our children (sometimes more than once...) to answer directly. In other words, we want to help, but sometimes the question simply is not answerable -- at least not in the form it is posed. </p>
<p>And so we tend to take a twisting path as we try to articulate why the question is not answerable, and still support and help the questioner at the same time. This path often leads us to the following scenic overlooks:</p>
<ol>
<li> No one knows the secret recipe for admission to the Academy because there isn't one.<br></li>
<li> The only thing that is relevant to admission is whether, in a given year, the Navy wants and needs you.</li>
<li> Getting in is not a goal, its just a milestone on the road to military leadership (and the Academy isn't the only road that leads there.)</li>
</ol>
<p>Over the years that I have been involved in the lives of midshipmen, I am constantly amazed at how self-selecting the process of appointment ultimately is. What I mean is this: the young men and women who apply to the Academy do so BECAUSE it is in their nature to seek maximum challenge and leadership opportunities. The Academy selects these young people for admission BECAUSE they have demonstrated that they are capable of maximum challenge and leadership in the way they have lived their lives so far.</p>
<p>I guess that's why for the Class of 2009, of the 11,259 applications that were started, 1,812 were considered fully qualified and the vast majority of these -- 83% -- received appointments. This is the good news, for you and your fellow applicants for the Class of 2010. If you are what the Navy is looking for this year, your chances of receiving an appointment are good.</p>
<p>ccr712: i think it's time to raise a yellow caution flag here....a "time out" if you will.....it's not a matter of "is this good enough"....it is a matter of "is this the absolute best I can do?"....only you can answer that.</p>
<p>When you ask a question, you need to be prepared for an answer. They don't always come "packaged" the way you wish. Quite frankly, I found the tone of your post #23 to be immature and condesending- and you should be thankful that you got ANY further responses to it as far as I am concerned. The fact that you did just confirms that these parents/students/mids are all here for one purpose: to find answers to questions. They share from the only place they can- from personal experience- which is perhaps the best glimpse into the reality of this process you can have. They generously spend their time and energy recounting their experiences in hopes that it will, in some way, help others...including you. It might- it might not. But their generosity should not be taken for granted- whether or not you started this post.</p>
<p>Dressing down? you bettcha. In my humble opinion, it is YOU that should be offering an apology to Momof1, Bill0510 and Cougar_62.... not the other way around....sometimes it is not "all about you."</p>
<p>USNA your dream? Then best to remember this, if nothing else, if you hope to see it become a reality: a leader also needs to possess one essential component: the quality of humility....</p>
<p>I will chaulk up your post to immaturity (as I see a ray of hope in post #26) and I do wish you well....if I was not here to help, I would have never taken the time for a little tough love!</p>
<p>Give the kid a break! You definitely have too much time on your hands if you feel the need to lambaste the kid like that. Cool it on the egos (us older and seasoned members should know better).</p>
<p>Dad2B'2010: the reality is that no one will be giving anyone a break come I-Day. As for egos, mine was checked at the door about 2 years and two-hundred and twenty-three posts ago. </p>
<p>We have all been going through this process together. I have been open in my thanks for those offering their experiences, advice, and words of wisdom as we climbed this roller coaster with our son. It has been a tremendous learning experience, as I trust it will be for you and others. </p>
<p>The reality is this: not everyone, despite burning desire, stellar grades, sky-high SATs and praise-worthy ECs are getting appointments... you say you want in? Far be it from me to discourage ANYONE from trying and giving it their very best effort. The reality is that candidates, and parents alike, who approach this with ego, chips on their shoulders, attitude or any indication of arrogance may as well save themselves the time and effort. This is the most ego-busting, humbling experience I have been witness to in quite awhile. </p>
<p>Communication is a 2-way street- how we come across is not always evident. Being able to figure that out here, with strangers, is certainly less painful then cutting yourself off at the knees when in a room with your BGO, or nomination interview committees, or in any other forum for that matter. Having said that, I would suggest re-reading posts #21, and then #23; as for my comments, they stand as is. </p>
<p>Give the kid a break? I am giving him the best break I can think of, time on my hands or not.</p>
<p>Navy2010,
I-day is I-day. This is an informational forum and it is not necessarily proper for one to post long, subjective opinions without being asked. You could have made all your points in one concise paragraph without insulting the person. Done. ;)</p>
<p>I'm glad that others are taking my place as the grouchy ol' man. [Leave to you all to decide who I am speaking of.]</p>
<p>I agree w/ 2010 re: comments #21, 23. The young man showed considerable improvement in 'tude w/in just that span.
I have been observing this forum for just about a year. I have gone through what many of you are going through right now.<br>
I've learned a fair amount throught this forum.
A few things remain consistent.</p>
<ol>
<li>Like the swallows of Capistrano, everybody wants to know what their chances are and how to best approach this.</li>
<li>Nobody really knows what your chances are and how to best approach this process.</li>
<li>Some kids inevitably question (a) overly-involved parents or (b) the bragging that goes on.</li>
<li>Some kids [and parents] inevitably mis-read the post and take umbrage when no such insult was intended. [This is due to the significant problem arising from no inflection being available in a sterile post.]</li>
<li>Some kids [and parents] inevitably don't like the answers they are receiving. [Despite, in many circumstances, the answer being accurate.]</li>
<li>If you are posting on this site, you have too much time on your hands; time that, in reality, could be better utilized elsewhere.</li>
<li>Those of us that have been through the process know a bit more than those of you that have not; just as you will know more than the following year.</li>
</ol>
<p>Its not a matter of lambasting a particular kid. [Heck, don't even know who the kid is and, in reality, could care less about him.] Sometimes, though, the comments become so ridiculous that you can't help but comment. [See the discussion re: NavGirl from last year.] </p>
<p>Looking at this site is cheap, mindless entertainment. [At least, I suppose, its not porn.] As I have said many, many times before: The advice is worth exactly what you pay for it.</p>
<p>Bill: thanks for again reminding us. Thank you for limiting the porn discussion- Jamzmom has finally waived the white flag!</p>
<p>Dad2B'2010: if you don't like the posts, skip over them. Obviously you are not getting the message.</p>
<p>As Bill stated, "those of us that have been through the process know a bit more than those of you that have not...." some of us have even learned to listen along the way.</p>
<p>When your son gets in, (and I hope they all do) then please share your wisdom. Now we're done.</p>
<p>I read of the posts of the ccr712.It sounds like he made up for his immature statements. All of us (including adults) sometimes say/write dumb things and this was one of them. Relax! CCr712, feel free to enter the discussion but maybe you should try use this forum as an opportunity to communicate more clearly and unoffensively as possible. This will help with your application process as well.</p>
<p>Can I just say something? GO NAVY BEAT ARMY! WHOOOO. I feel much better. Smile out there! Hey, the only reason we blab about our kids is because of what everyone else said previously and that we throw it out there to be of some kind of help. In knowing what our kids did to get them into an academy, we hope that the information might be useful to others to obtain the same goals when they post these kinds of questions. Our experiences are all we have to go on. I truly didn't think it sounded like a brag page. Although I do that very well without being asked. Wanna hear my latest USMMA Jamz story? :) And I am the QUEEN of writing dumb stuff. Nobody can replace ME! I can out-dumb anybody here at any time! And CCR712, I think all of us here could scare the pants off any Drill Instructor/Cadre. If you can live through us, you'll make it through anything! :) Hang tough kid. Just trying to lighten the mood guys. I saw where Cougar thinks I'm confused. HA! You betcha! Just think about four years of not knowing if your kid will go Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, or Coast Guard. I'll be on several mood altering drugs by then so it won't matter. HA! You can come and visit me in my tree house where I'll be dining on chocolate for breakfast lunch & dinner. I just don't think my nerves can take it! Scared to buy any t-shirts yet....</p>
<p>All of these parents with time on their hands are probably really very busy people and not just sitting around thinking up ways to waste time. However, as has been pointed out, we are extremely proud of our own children because of the amazing choice they have made. As it turns out, we soon become proud of the students who post here looking for more information. You're making the same amazing choice as our own children. That's why we like you. :) Personally, I can't wait to hear about the appointments arriving. </p>
<p>Also, as has been pointed out, none of us can tell any of you much more than our own experiences. We have no other insights. Therefore, the best bit of advice I can give is to look at what different parents, mids, plebes, etc. have to say. You'll find good ideas that will work for you. You'll find ideas that won't work at all for you but will be just what another applicant needs to know. And I guess that's why the parents still hang around here. If some kid finds a motivation, inspiration or technique that helps them get through this admissions process successfully, then we know so very well how thrilled and proud that whole family will be. </p>
<p>So my 2 cents for the day is to stay focused on the ultimate goal. There are a lot of little steps along the way. There will definitely be a few bumps in the road. Get over the bumps and back on your way. And learn something new about how to get to your goal wherever you can - even on cc.</p>
<p>Finally, I think it's worth saying that whenever we post a note here, it's not like we're in the living room talking to each other. Almost everyone is polite, and everyone is very capable of writing something that may be misinterpreted by a reader or two. (Then again we did have all that ugliness last year as Bill mentioned. Sure hope it won't happen again this year.) Before you know it, we are discussing the comments rather than any content. Just like now - I'm not discussing the leadership question, so I promise I'm done.</p>