<p>Chessdad- </p>
<p>I can appreciate the spot you are in- I, too, was there not too long ago- times two!!!</p>
<p>I would gladly offer you our son's "stats," but in the end it really doesn't matter. Sad to say, you either "have" what they want, or you don't. What "that" is changes with each admission cycle. What I can offer is my best advice: </p>
<p>You have really 3 options:
1. Collect, analyze, fret, worry, compare, contrast, and try to "figure out the system"
2. Encourage your son to do the very, very best he can and let the chips fall where they may
3. Forget about it and look elsewhere.</p>
<p>I will make an assumption that #3 is not an option you (your son) are considering. Which brings us back to options #1 and #2.</p>
<p>I have posted this many times before- but IMHO, it is worth repeating to save you unnessary angst. While fact finding is an important aspect to you son in determining IF he wants a service academy, in the end all the analyzing, comparing, fret and worry will do little to move your case forward. If anything, it might cause you to give up or conclude that you "don't stand a chance" when you have no real idea of who you will be competing with in that given class. You frankly never know. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. So IMHO, option #1 is a waste of time.</p>
<p>Which leaves option #2. </p>
<p>The reality is that you either have what the academy is looking for or you don't. The annual profiles give a snapshot of THAT year's class....what your son will face for this admission cycle may or maynot fall within that snapshot....while things stay relatively consistant year to year, some things do change. Like the overall number of applicants....a dip for 2009 and 2010 compared to 2005, 06 , 07 and 08....changes in mean SAT scores, the need for a good trumpit player or quarterback for this year and a running back and tuba player for next. Tons of variables that go into filling the needs for a balanced class.</p>
<p>And before that, your son will have to compete in his congressional district for a nomination- sometimes that can be the biggest hurdle to jump over. And, unfortunatley, even that is no guarentee, for while you need a nomination (in most cases) to be appointed, not all those with a nomination will get offered one. </p>
<p>Then there is DODMERB. Enough to drive any candidate (and parent) crazy. </p>
<p>So my sincerest advice to you would be to first, sit down with your son and make sure this is what he wants before you invest the time and energy that it will take to get through the process. If the answer is "yes," then have your son (and his supportive parents) focus all their attention on making him the strongest candidate possible. Grades. GPA. Class Rank. ECA's. CFA. Leadership. </p>
<p>Don't worry what others will put on the table- concentrate, instead, on what you (your son) has to offer. Make his packet the best it can be. </p>
<p>In the end, even the stongest of candidates (look at Bossf51's son....now in year 2 at the USCGA and very happy)....even with nomination in hand- do not get an appointment for some reason or another. Others will, even some with seemingly less to offer, but with some other "intangible" that is desired.</p>
<p>What I would suggest is using your valuable time in contacting the coaches for cross country and tennis, keeping in mind the USNA places a high value on athletics and physical ability. Have your son make the necessary contact, the sooner the better.</p>
<p>I know it's hard to "let go" of the comparison data- but you will drive yourself crazy in the process if you try and get into the heads of the admissions board. It took me awhile to accept that this process was simply not in my control, therefore trying to control it was an exercise in futility. Put your efforts into that admissions packet, and save some of it to make sure your son has other viable options- plan B, C and even D to fall back on. </p>
<p>Lastly- please keep in mind that as many as 1/3 of each admission class does not enter the USNA "directly out of high school." 1/3 of the class---that's roughly 400 students....have at least another year of education under their belt, be it from NAPS, a PG year, a college or otherwise, not to mention those that have prior service experience in the ranks and file. If you ask me, they have a clear advantage over the kids that enter directly out of high school- that extra year of maturity can be the difference in making it through plebe summer and struggling through it. If USNA is what your son wants, if it is his 1st choice, if you feel that it is worth another year of your time to gain that admission slot, then DO let the admission folks (and your BGO) know that is an option you would not only consider, but accept if offered. That can make a difference for those "on the bubble."</p>
<p>Best of luck- if this is what your son wants, then hang in there. Trust that the admissions board knows what they are doing- they have been doing it a very, very long time. The system does work.</p>