Sophomore

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>Hi, I am a sophomore in high school and I have been thinking on attending USNA. It is my first choice school and I am really passionate on attending. I was just wondering what types of things i could do to help my chances of being accepted, and also being nominated by my MOC.<br>
My GPA so far is 3.81 and I am ranked 15 in my class of around 400. I take the highest classes available at school for my year. i am a level nine gymnast and senior year i know i will be made captain of the gymnastics team at school. I volunteer at my local hospital during the summer. </p>

<p>Is there anything else i can do to help my chances?
And also, i want to do something in the medical field, but i dont know if USNA offers anything like that. Does anyone know about that?</p>

2

<p>You're starting well, and none too soon. Map out your plan of action and work it. Sounds like you already are. Seek out leadership opportunities on various fronts. While you don't need to eliminate the ancillary activities, focus on a few that you're passionate about and develop those as much as you can. Plan to apply on 01 Feb 2010 for NASS. Alert your Congressman and Senators next year that you're planning to seek a nomination. Begin to build your strength ...upper and lower body. If you're a gymnast, you're well on your way. Don't forget to run alot. Improve your swimming. Avoid debilitating injury. Behave in a morally upright manner, and work at developing your character, i.e. to be known as a trustworthy young man who leads among his peers. Stay healthy. Get your wisdom teeth pulled. Don't get any lasik or other corrective eye surgery. As you are, take your school's challenging academic courses, especially in math and sciences. Get good grades in all, and really work at learning the math and science.</p>

<p>Re: the medical thing, others will advise more fully, accurately than I could, but my understanding is that this is a very challenging row to go via USNA as there are literally only a handful of top shelf kids allowed to enroll in med school following graduation. All must major in chem, there is no bio major. And it is a heavy load among the stiffest of competition. So it can be done, but is monumentally challenging. And lengthens mightily the service commitment, I believe. Contact your local Blue and Gold Officer and let him/her know your intentions. Keep them informed, aware, but don't be a pest until it's time to be that pest.</p>

<p>The main thing now ...write down your plan and work it in a highly qualitative manner. I'm sure others will clarify, correct or lend more detail to my thoughts. Good luck. It's a fabulous opportunity and road to travel on.</p>

3

<p>There's only 15 spots each year for med school, and the 15 are the best and brightest of the graduating class. They're usually chem majors, but it is possible to do it as a physics major with a couple extra classes.</p>

4

<p>what happens if you are not one of the people that go into the medical field? are you able to pick a different position?</p>

5

<p>Steps to Follow - Sophomore Year</p>

<p>O Be a good student – take the best possible curriculum, concentrating on math and science.</p>

<p>O Participate in school sports, working your way to varsity level if possible.</p>

<p>O Stay involved in one or two community service activities or school clubs and begin to demonstrate leadership in them.</p>

<p>O If you are a Scout, work at earning your Eagle or Gold award.</p>

<p>O Visit one or more of the academies if you have not already done so.</p>

<p>Steps to Follow - Sophomore Year - Summer</p>

<p>Don’t waste your summer, do something meaningful:</p>

<p>O Take a course</p>

<p>O Go to a scouting or sports camp, or become a camp counselor</p>

<p>O Work on a community service project</p>

<p>O Learn how to swim or become a lifeguard</p>

<p>O Take flying lessons</p>

<p><a href="from" title="Navigating Your Way To Annapolis and Other Service Academies">i</a>*</p>

6

<p>Before you go spend $8,000 on flying lessons, take an eye test, specifically "Color Perception test" to see that you're qualified for an appointment to the USNA.
Color perception deficiency + $8,000 worth of Flying Lessons = DoDMERB Medical DQ to the USNA.</p>

7

<p>I suggest skipping the flying lessons. 99.98% of the Mids can't fly a note. :cool: Save the $8K for your dad's visits to the Mid Store, post appointment. :eek:</p>

8

<p>You may want to give further thought as to what your end-goal is. If it is medical school, you may want to re-think USNA- a better option might be to go NRTOC and attend a college under that umbrella. You will still get to serve in the USN if that is the goal (it should be) but if you are combining that with medical school the NROTC is a better option IMO.</p>

9

<p>thank you all for your input :)
My goal is to be a part of the USN, and I am leaning towards the medical option, but I am not 100 percent sure. I was told to look into applying to USUHS for medical school, and from there i could enroll in the Navy i believe? Does anybody have further information on that?</p>

10

<p>Question???</p>

<p>A BGO officer suggests ...
[quote]
...a better option might be to go NRTOC and attend a college under that umbrella.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>What ARE the stipulations of NROTC Scholarships re: med school and post-NROTC undergrad? Is it totally available option to grads??? How is the USN commitment then employed?</p>