<p>For any of you seasoned mothers who have walked through this application process before: you are needed!</p>
<p>I'm applying for class of 2011 (hoo ra!), and I have just finished my application. I am now working on my nominations forms, but I have a different type of question.</p>
<p>The Naval Academy doesn't have an early decision process, so am I allowed to apply ED to another school? Or will the other school look on my application to USNA as a "early decision" application?</p>
<p>Hi Skunk,</p>
<p>It depends on the wording of the specific school's ED. For some, you must sign an statement that if accepted, you will attend. My daughter was certain she would go USNA if accepted, so she did NOT apply to schools with that standard.</p>
<p>However, not every school's ED has that standard, so apply away to those.</p>
<p>I don't think the schools make any judgement, it's more about where you think you stand.</p>
<p>Just my opinion, best of luck in pursuing your dreams.</p>
<p>The USNA is not an ED school- so you are free to apply to another school ED. </p>
<p>Word of caution: the ED decision is binding. If an offer of admission to USNA comes afterwards, you are out of luck. </p>
<p>SO if USNA is your first choice, then do not apply anywhere else ED (although EA would be fine). However, if College XYZ is your first choice, then by all means apply ED to XYZ.</p>
<p>The admission boards are savy on what the competetion is doing, so most will know the USNA, or any of the federal academies for that matter, have a rolling admission process and NOT an ED option. </p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>skunk103:</p>
<p>I know that my daughter applied to several schools, was accepted and kept two "on the hook" so to speak until she had confirmation from the Academy. (DoD hassles) :rolleyes:</p>
<p>ALWAYS have a plan B & C. ;)</p>
<p>And it's possible you COULD hear something from the Academy early this fall. </p>
<p>Hope this helps and good luck! GO NAVY! :D</p>
<p>Skunk -
USNA does have a form of an ED...it's called an "LOA" or letter of assurance. If you read back through threads last fall - some candidates reported getting these as soon as late September. My daughter's was dated Oct. 3rd. In essence, it says once you pass your medical and get all your paperwork complete and get your nomination - your Appointment is guaranteed. The Admissions office has already decided to accept you based on your application, which is predominately your online forms and teacher recommendations, your reported scores, transcripts, and your BGO interview...also anything from an NASS evaluation coupled with your CFA scores. USNA may choose to offer you an LOA. With an LOA - some candidates get their Appointment as soon as December. Ours came in early January - so we did in essence experience a kind of ED - which took a huge amount of pressure off our waiting process and something our family was most greatful for.</p>
<p>It wasn't 'binding' in the sense of other EDs...and some candidates who received LOA's did not accept their Appointments - but it did help in the process for many to decide earlier rather than later which school to attend.</p>
<p>Some schools ED aren't binding. You need to find out. Apply to all places + rotc scholarships too. Just get everything in early. It can't hurt!</p>
<p>Be careful on LOAs. As Peskemom says, they aren't exactly like ED becauuse they depend on a couple of things. First, medical qualification. A lot of folks don't qualify medically. Also, you must get a nomination. For candidates who qualify for a Presidential, that's enough (with an LOA). But if you don't have the military ties, and if you're in a very competitive area, your nomination also isn't guaranteed. </p>
<p>Also, many highly qualified candidates don't get LOAs. They are much more rare today than they were a few years ago. Of my four students who received appts (I'm a BGO), only one had an LOA. So not getting one doesn't mean anything in terms of whether you'll receive an appointment.</p>
<p>Interestingly USNA1985 - our BGO had 3 candidates from our high school and all 3 of them got LOA's and Appointments! He said that was the first time it has ever happened to him. He goes years with no Appoinments even with several nominated candidates. I spoke with another BGO from a neighboring high school- many would argue from an ever stronger pool of candidates - and he told me no one from his group got into USNA this year! So it really is an unpredictable business. </p>
<p>One way or another - thank you for your BGO service - our BGO and many others we have come in contact with are the most wonderful people. Ours really made a difference for our family and I feel he is a part of our lives forever now!</p>
<p>One more LOA input. At our Congressman's breakfast right before the candidates left for their Service Academies - several of his members of the Nominating Boards were present. One was a civilian and I went up to him and asked a few questions, specifically if a candidate had an LOA did that impact his choice to vote for a nomination. He told me it made no difference at all to him in fact he doesn't even remember reading those letters from USNA ( I was surprised, due to the fact that many touted that this LOA was such a big deal....even the Congressional Aide said so....and yet here was one person with ultimate clout to whom it really didn't matter!....) and he made his own determination after seeing the young person face to face. </p>
<p>So the unpredictability of this process has layer after layer, I have continued to learn!</p>
<p>Just to clarify:</p>
<p>It is my understanding ED is binding. </p>
<p>EA gives you an early answer on your admission status, but is non-binding on the part of the student should you be accepted. </p>
<p>LOA's are non-binding for both parties- the academy and the candidate. </p>
<p>Since the academies do not have an ED option, and since the LOA is non-binding, candidates can still elect to go ED at another institution if that institution is first on their list....and if accepted, they are obligated to withdraw all other pending applications- including those to the academies.</p>
<p>It can get confusing, so it is important to read the fine print carefully!</p>