<p>As the beginning of my senior year approaches and my college transcript starts to fill out, I look at myself on paper just as a member of the admission board would and its almost as if I can see their reaction "good, but not good enough." I know I have the rest of my senior year to work hard on grades, service hours, and leadership skills to help improve my chances of acceptance but I cant help but think the numbers dont lie. Just last year the Naval Academy accepted 13% of the people who applied. And being just simply an average student I cant help but think that im going to fall in that other 87%. My test scores or by no means bad, I have a 3.4gpa and I recently improved my ACT from a 22-26. I am a member of the chess team, key club and this year I will be a 4 year lettermen in football. I have (from what I have been told anyway) outstanding teacher recommendations. I know on paper im not the greatest and their are other candidates out there who are smarter, with better test scores and everything else. But there is not a person out there that wants to go to that school anymore then I do, that I can promise you. And thats the part I wish the congressmen/admissions board could see. I spent a long time writing those letters to congressmen trying to reiterate to them just how bad I wanted to attend the Naval Academy, but I just wish they could see more. like the little things, my room for instance, which is covered in Navy/Mlitary pictures and flags. Or the 50 or so videos I have on my computer of everything from Plebe summer videos to Spirit Spot videos. Or the Navy keychain that holds my car keys that I got from my trip to Annapolis this year.(the list goes on) All these small things that add up that show just how bad I want this. Like I tell everyone who ask me, i'll go to NAPS for 5 years if they will let me just sit in one of those chairs come I-Day. I know this is a really pointless post but I figure if there is anyone out there who even kinda see's where im coming from they will most likely be on this forum.</p>
<p>If you think that your having trouble with what you look like on paper, go to your nominating sources early. Go to your senators and congressmen. What would look really good is if you had a high ranking naval officer or marine give you a good recommendation, specifically one that went to the Naval Academy. If someone who has gone through this process before thinks that you have what it takes, that will be a big plus.</p>
<p>So are you saying that you're going to stop applying? I don't understand your post. If you want it, go after it. It's quite simple. It took me twice to get in, and it took another user on this forum 5 times. If you want it, go for it. Quit doubting yourself; it does you no good. One way to show you want it badly is to be confident and let those who matter know that you will stop at nothing to get in. The last sentence of my essay this year was "this is my second time applying to the Naval Academy, and I will continue to apply until I am no longer eligible". Rejoice in the fact that you will eventually get in, don't dwell and second guess yourself.</p>
<p>No im not going to stop applying, as a matter of fact i have already sent in all my information to all my nominating sources and to the Academy, with the exception of my most recent act results. I know the post was a little odd and somewhat pointless i guess i just needed to vent or something. Try not to bash me to bad haha</p>
<p>I understand, you're just waiting. The waiting is the hardest part of all. It will all pay off in the end.</p>
<p>Hang in there. Trust the process. I think admissions does an amazing job seeing the whole person inside the mere numbers. Make your interview with your BGO outstanding. Practice on a trusted adult first. Prepare by reading up on all things Navy and naval academy. Make your essay outstanding and reflective of your desire. Spider's numbers were very good but not fabulous. his interview and essay were what got him his foundation prep slot we were told. Being well-rounded apparently really did count, too. Spider wasn't a five star in any one thing but he was a four star in many. I thought for sure that he would be "close, but no cigar" in the application process, but they saw something in his packet worthy of an appointment. Miracle of miracles, he starts next Wednesday!</p>
<p>Work hard:
The advice we never got (or didn't listen to) but wish we had: SCOREBOARD! In retrospect test scores count - bigtime! The whole person factor is important (and necessary) but scores are the only objective factor in an application. It is the only factor you have control over at this time as a HS senior. Unless you are a recruited football athlete (since you are a varsity player) or have some other 'unique' quality, SAT's need to be over 700. There are lots of programs (some relatively inexpensive) that will help you boost your scores. This is just my experience from going through the process and talking with the Admissions counselors. There is lots of wisdom and encouragement on this site. Good luck in your journey.</p>
<p>I'll second the advice from "socaldreamer." Get a book, CD-ROM, or tutor for testing if needed. Also, take and retake and retake and retake. I believe I took that test six or seven times. Some of my friends gave me a hard time about that, all up until the time I got my appointment. Trust me it is worth every penny!</p>
<p>Have to agree with above. The head of BGO's for our state, who happens to be on 2 different boards told us that they would not give a nom to anyone with less than a 26 Math act score. Get the book w/CD rom, made a huge difference. Son took ACT 5x. Plebe in 6 days.</p>
<p>Posts such as yours are interesting; full of teen angst and worry.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>By definiition, all you can do is your best. You can't do any better. If you haven't done your "best," then get back after it.</p></li>
<li><p>What I really want to comment on is your emphasis on the representations of how bad you want to be admitted. I don't think pictures on the wall, collections of videos, and/or keychains are very important at all. I don't think these items will impress a BGO or the admissions committee. In fact, and this is just me, I might be put off a bit by it.</p></li>
<li><p>What I want to hear is an evaluation of why you want to join the Navy? What you h ope to get out of a career in the Navy? What do you bring to the picture that distinguishes you from the 10,000 other applicants?
When you can answer these questions clearly in one sentence or two, then whether or not you have any Navy memorabilia on your wall will be unimportant. [I have a younger relative who was gung-ho JROTC throughout high school; full dress to his prom; camo on weekends; parades, etc., etc., etc. He signed up to join the Army right out of high school. He lasted about a month; dropped out because of an "injury."] To adult eyes, [at least to these adult eyes] the collection of trinkets is cute but unimportant to whether or not you will succeed.</p></li>
<li><p>MOST IMPORTANTLY [and I appreciate your wanting to vent] is that the advice of people on this website should not discourage your from applying. I am not sure of how the ACT scores compare to SAT, but they should be as high as you can get them. [You can't them any higher; right?] The Academy may have accepted only 13% of those who applied, but half of those who were accepted fell below the median breakpoint for SAT scores, etc. So, you can compare yourself to those who were rejected or you can compare yourself to those who were accepted. I would suggest you do the latter.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>^^^^^
The minimum scores are:
[ul][<em>]ACT English - 26
[</em>]ACT Math - 26
[<em>]SAT CR - 600
[</em>]SAT Math - 600[/ul]
unless the candidate has some other outstanding characteristic to offer the academy such as being recruited for Varsity Football. The minimum scores will get you considered for an appointment but not necessarily earn you that coveted spot at USNA.</p>
<p>I mis-stated a bit.
You are not being compared to 10,000 other applicant but, rather, only the 200 or so from your district/state.</p>
<p>As I said, don't get discouraged from applying:</p>
<p>class of 2010.</p>
<p>Approx 30% of the class had english SAT scores of less than 600.
Of course, only 16% of the class had math SAT scores of les sthan 600.</p>
<p>So, reach your own conclusions. While the odds may not be great, it can be done.</p>
<p>What do you bring to the Academy other than a collection of trinkets?</p>
<p>If usna is your dream, then keep after it-
it sounds like you already know what you have to do.
So do some prep work for the SAT/ACT, and retake-
make those first semester senior grades outstanding-
and make sure you have a back-up plan in place just in case you don't succeed THIS time....</p>
<p>suggest adding to your application that you would "welcome" an offer of NAPS or the foundation program "if offered"....</p>
<p>and should things not work out THIS time, there is always NEXT time for candidate that is motivated!</p>
<p>Best of luck....and do workhardworkhardworkhard!!!</p>