Principal Nomination

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>Hi, I was wondering what exactly does a principal nomination look like? What does it say on the official candidate website and the letter? I got nominated by my Congressman, and the letter says:</p>

<p>"I am pleased to inform you that I have nominated you for appointment to the United States Naval Academy.</p>

<p>You have earned this honor as a result of your superior academic performance, engagement in your community and public service, and your overall pursuit of excellence.</p>

<p>While you have cleared this important hurdle in your efforts to become a career officer, nomination does not gaurantee appointment. There, I encourage you to continue to pursue other opportunities for higher education and other routes to a comission in the armed forces, such as ROTC."</p>

<p>I don't think I got principally nominated, but was wondering just what it looks like. I also know that even with a principal nomination you are still not gauranteed an appointment, correct?</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>

2

<p>A principal nomination guarantees a candidate an appointment if s/he meets the minumum qualifications (i.e., scholastic, medical, and CFA).</p>

3

<p>the letter from your MOC may not indicate if you are the principal nominee. you would have to contact their office to ask. if you are not the principal nominee, don't lose heart.</p>

4

<p>^^^^
Many MOCs may not give principal noms. They just list their 10 nominees and let USNA select.</p>

5

<p>Mine said...
"Congratulations! It is my great pleasure to inform you that my Academy Selection Committee has chosen you as Principal Nominee to the U.S. Naval Academy. If you meet the medical and physical aptitude standards of the Academy, you will recieve my appointment..."</p>

<p>It then went on to say a couple other things</p>

6

<p>If you have an LOA, it doesn't necessarily matter if you are the principal, correct?</p>

7

<p>not all MOC's will indicate who is a princliple nominee.... just as not all will rank or select a principle at all.</p>

<p>Congrats on having a nomination- another hurdle gone!</p>

<p>If you have a LOA, then you just need a nomination....you do not need to be a "principle" nomination.</p>

8

<p>No, I do not have a LOA. My GPA is very low, and I don't think I will get in this year because of it. However, I think attending NAPS or the Foundation will really help me out. But I hear these two programs are mainly geared towards prior enlisted and recruited athletes.</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
But I hear these two programs are mainly geared towards prior enlisted and recruited athletes.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>not necessarily, although some truth to it.
GPA "very low"... how low is very low?
Any reason why?
class rank is ....???</p>

<p>I am not here to bust anyone's bubble, that is for sure, but the reality is that even NAPS and the foundation programs are very competetive- not sure if you would find very many "very low" GPA's amongst the candidates being offered admission into these programs. For the foundation students, in particular, they must still apply to- and be accepted by- the foundation school itself...not an easy process (considering the caliber of the schools taking part in the program)...but then again, the foundation program pre-screens and tends to accept only those they know will be able to gain admission. What I can tell you is that the foundation program puts out a bio of the candidates it sponsors each year- the bios are impressive, indeed, enough so that it makes you wonder why they did not get in the first time! These candidates are, in themselves, very competetive.... no slackers here!</p>

<p>If your GPA is at a level that is non-competetive, you may have to reconsider your plan of action, and if it is really out of sync, you may have to reconsider your goal. If NAPS or the foundation is not an option, but you still have the goal of becoming a naval officer, then it would behoove you to explore all the options available to you at this time. Perhaps a year of college, taking courses that mirror plebe year curriculum, might be in order.... if you are thinking about reapplying to USNA after a year. Just remember, you will need the grades to work with.</p>

<p>There is a school out in California that markets itself as an academy "prep school" that is outside the NAPS and foundation program---- might want to look into that to see if it is an option. You can also enlist, do an outstanding job, and be selected from there to attend NAPS or USNA.... might be a long shot, but it is an option.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

10

<p>My GPA is around a 2.9-3.0 </p>

<p>Reason? Well sister tried to commit suicide last year when 2nd semester started up. $30,000 medical bill, paper work, psychiatry, mental hospitals, etc. Not fun. I ended up tanking 2nd semester and getting a 1.7 GPA for that semester. Only semester where I ever received D's in it, and ever had a GPA that low.</p>

<p>I'm a president of a club, perhaps going to be captain of varsity swim/dive team this year. varsity athletics, 70+ hours of community service, both locally, and even did some community service in Costa Rica over the summer. Certified lifeguard, currently learning to fly a plane, internship with my Congressman, part of city athletics as well, piano 10 years, guitar 2 years, i make the video bulletins for school that go up every Tuesday and Thursday. Weightlifting for 3 years, brown belt in taekwondo and jujitsu, basketball, gymnastics, diving etc, etc. </p>

<p>My goal is to become a Marine Corps officer and I already applied to NROTC. I also heard about the PLC program, and it has a guarantee that if you get accepted (in the Air contract) they reserve a pilot slot for you. This is something that not even the Naval Academy does, and got be really excited when I first read about it just weeks ago.</p>

<p>I still want to go to the boat school, but not sure what is the best way to go about it because of my GPA. When I was interviewed for my nomination the 2 Colonels and Admiral said the only thing that was holding me back was my GPA.</p>

<p>I'll probably attend some state colleges here in California. I am looking forward to a fresh start so I can start off really well. I always hear amazing stories about how people get into the USNA, such as people not getting in until they are a senior in a state college. </p>

<p>If ever accepted into USNA or NAPS or Foundation would take the chance regardless of my age.</p>

<p>I was talking to a person who was accepted into the USNA with a 1.96 High School GPA. This was because he enlisted in the Marines, made Cpl. in the minimum about of time, had some meritorious promotions, and had good recs from his CO's. </p>

<p>I was thinking about doing this, because he said the pool of competition is smaller for enlisted. I'm not sure though, because I heard enlisting in hopes of getting into the Academy is usually not the best way.</p>

11

<p>LongC,
NAPS was originally founded for Navy enlisted. That time has passed. Recruited athletes, by NCAA sanction, can only be the same percentage as that of those in the Brigade, around 25%, I think. NAPs and Foundation are 'geared' for people exactly as yourself, those with academic defencies. Those Foundation resumes which highlight the athletic and extracurricular prowess of these individuals of course do not mention that, in order to do so, they received a 'C' in Senior English and only took math through Geometry.</p>

<p>However, are you really academically deficient? A nomination from a competitive area might indicate otherwise, even though they are really 'apples and oranges' comparisons. The Academy is looking for a guarantee that you can perform academically. Your SATs might contradict low class standing. With that said, don't turn down NAPS or Foundation, if offered.</p>

<p>Enlisting to obtain admission is a drastic, though probably effective, step to make. I don't think you are to that stage yet.</p>

<p>Private prep schools serve a purpose. However, they prey on the inadequacies of the rejected and are not necessary for most. USNA doesn't give a hoot which end of the toothpaste tube you squeeze and a good state college prof can teach calculus as good, if not better, than a prep school one, and a whole lot cheaper.</p>

<p>If rejected from USNA, when you call Admissions for a debrief, they will tell you to go to a 'good' college and mirror the academics of the Academy, calculus, English composition, chemistry w/ lab, and history, with a full 18 hr load. The resulting 'B' or better average will indicate your preparedness. This is what Admissions wants. It should also be what you want.</p>

<p>Don't despair. You are on the best possible track. If you do get rejected, NROTC is a great backup. Federal Law and Navy regulations stipulate each NROTC commander the requirement to nominate highly qualified interested ROTC midshipmen to the Academy. Besides you may find a home in NROTC and not want to return to your pursuit of an Academey education.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
Those Foundation resumes which highlight the athletic and extracurricular prowess of these individuals of course do not mention that, in order to do so, they received a 'C' in Senior English and only took math through Geometry.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>would not count on that.</p>

13

<p>My high school courses include</p>

<p>5 years of math
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
Honors Precalculus
AP Calculus BC</p>

<p>5 years of science
Conceptual Physics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Anatomy</p>

<p>4 years English
Freshman English
Sophomore English
Junior English
Advanced Composition/Literature </p>

<p>4 years social studies
Global Studies
World History
US History
Economics/Civics</p>

<p>and some other classes that include
Leadership, PE, Art, Business skills/investment</p>

<p>My SAT reading+math is 1210
I may be able to get that up to a 1260+ when I take the SAT's again this Jan 25th</p>

14

<p>LongC, do you have a good relationship w/ your BGO? If so, make sure s/he knows you'd leap @ a chance for NAPS or Foundation. If you have a reason to contact Admissions soon (award, named capt of a team, etc.), use that as an opportunity to mention your interest in these options as part of your desire to attend USNA. </p>

<p>My son went to NAPS (great resume but SATs around 1100) and had peers w/ a transcript like yours, as well as priors, athletes, and others w/ his SAT sit'n. </p>

<p>He's a plebe now -- validated Chem I and was Dean's list 1st semester (I point this out not to boast but to emphasize that NAPS isn't about the 'permanently remedial' student). While he feels he could have handled academics as a direct admit, he's ever grateful for the leg-up NAPS gave him on military knowledge and comportment, as well as friendships he developed w/ priors.</p>

15

<p>I got a principal nom to USAFA. The letter specifically reads "You have been awarded a principal nomination to USAFA"</p>

16

<p>Thank you all for your responses, they have been very helpful.</p>

<p>On January 20th, this Sunday!, I will be interviewed by my BGO. I will talk to him about NAPS. </p>

<p>On February 4th, Swim and Dive season will be starting. I was on varsity last year, and will be talking about becoming a team Captain this year. We have more people participating this year, so most likely they will need another Captain. If accepted into Captain, I'll contact them to change it. I selected "Captain" when filling out the extracurricular activities for USNA because it said select all anticipated/predicted things. </p>

<p>I will be taking the SAT's again this January, 26th I believe. I feel I can boost my score 50 points, because I have been reading a lot of books (Mainly about Navy SEALs, I'm obsessed about reading about that kind of stuff :) ) and expanded my vocab a lot. Maybe even by 90 points and get into the 1300 range.</p>

17

<p>in addition to reading, would suggest taking as many "practice" sat's (under test conditions) as you can. "question types" tend to repeat themselves, and the practice can help earn some extra points as well!</p>

<p>Best of luck! Persistance is a good thing!</p>