<p>Is it standard practice by candidates to apply to 2 or more service academies? What if a person has their sights set on just USNA and no other service academies? Is a positive or negative in the eyes of the selection committee for a candidate to be narrowly focused on just one service academy? Any advice is appreciated.</p>
<p>irish-</p>
<p>I am a parent, not a member of the admissions board. However, my daughter and a good friend of hers both only applied to USNA. They both applied to NROTC schools as "backups." Someone else here may have a different perspective, but here are reasons why I think applying to a single SA could actually be seen as a strength:
- You have apparently decided that you want to be a Navy/Marine Corps officer, thus there is one SA that is "best" for you
- You are obviously not just looking for a "free" (LMAO as I write that) education, or else any SA would do</p>
<p>This is NOT meant as a put-down to those who applied to multiple academies. Another friend of ours applied to all 5 academies, and could have chosen any, but ended up choosing USNA.</p>
<p>Our son ONLY applied to USNA. No other academies, no other schools. I don't there there is such a thing as "standard practice". Some students apply to all academies, some to only one. </p>
<p>Depends on where your heart is!</p>
<p>I think that the only harm that can come from applying to more than one is risk losing a nomination for your preferred academy...Its a little more tricky, some MOC's dont like nominating a person for more than one academy, such as mine</p>
<p>There has been much written about the possible complexities of applying to multiple SAs. And there have been as many or more about candidates who've done so with multiple successes. It seems that one should get the best advice possible from as many reliable sources as can be found who are familiar with the practices and preferences of regional and state nominating sources. There is great disparity.</p>
<p>So the answer might well be, "It depends." And it would be unlikely that a credible, dependable response could be generated here beyond the gross generalities.</p>
<p>Irish10-</p>
<p>From the USNA side of the equation:
this subject was specifically addressed at the BGO training session. In summary, the "wish to serve" leads many to apply to more than one academy. There is no penality, however, for applying to just one, although I would have a reason as to why "that" academy. </p>
<p>From the MOC side of the equation:
many (although not all) MOCs will award a singular nomination. If you are applying to more than one academy, you will most likely be asked to rank your first choice for that reason.</p>
<p>I applied only to USNA, for me it was all or nothing as I did not do ROTC either. I knew I wanted to serve so for me it was about choosing a "college." USNA was the right college fit - major, ec's, location, traditions etc. </p>
<p>If I had not gotten USNA my plan was then regular college - regular college experience with no ROTC but OTC after graduation.</p>
<p>I don't think there's is one right way or wrong way. My Mid applied to and was accepted to 3 of the Academies (and didn't apply to a single other college) - but could easily rank the 3 with the Navy being way, way, way out front. Overall, I say apply if you would be happy attending the school. Don't apply if you wouldn't be happy there.</p>
<p>I would agree with above, just put highlight on WANTING TO SERVE -the services are so different that I would think there would be some preferences. My son only wanted usna and looks at private college and NROTC as backup for next year and then reapply. My son knew and knows that he only wanted navy - still tosses between navy and marines but that is choice within navy in general. My son was asked at interviews why navy and if he had any interst in the others. Its most important I would say to honest, thoughtful, and continue to seek knowledge that will help you understand each service and then reflect how you see yourself within each.</p>
<p>Right now I'm going back and forth between the Coast Guard and the Navy, so I plan on applying to both. But as of right now, CGA does not require a nomination from a Congressman to receive an appointment(Right?), so I don't think I would run into a problem with having to get more than one nomination or having to rank which one I would prefer. But I guess I may have to do that in a n interview.</p>