Weight of SAT/ACT over GPA/Class Rank

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
101

<p>navy18, on paper is what it is all about. Unfortunately, we cannot see the paper. Over the years, the Academy has collected data on what attributes contribute to success. These attributes are compiled from your application in the form of Whole Person Multipliers (WPMs). He who, when the MOC submits competitively, has the most WPMs, wins. Unfortunately for you, what WPM value assigned to each of your attributes, you will never know. The Academy does not want clones of their ideal. All you can do is rest assured that every portion of your application is assigned some amount of WPMs. </p>

<p>What is the Academy looking for? The ability to succeed academically is paramount. Course difficulty, class standing, and SATs/ACTs. High grades and low SATs can be surmounted. High SATs and low grades are hard to explain. Leadership, both actual and potential, is scrutinized carefully. Clubs, athletics, civic organizations, church groups, Scouts, CAP, student government, etc. Sports are important for several reasons; physical fitness, teamwork, perseverance, and the ability to deal with adversity, among them.</p>

<p>The Admissions Board specifically is also looking for more intangible reasons to think the candidate will succeed. Hard work, organized and efficient schedule, busy schedule, unique leadership situations, etc.</p>

<p>Sorry I cannot be specific as there is no checklist for ideal candidates. Someone mentioned that you should look at the class profiles. If you feel you are substandard, ask yourself why. If your conclusion is a lack of effort and laziness, maybe you should reconsider your goals. However, if you have worked hard and still fall short, perhaps you should start thinking about the five year plan. If USNA doesn’t recognize your potential or does not have a NAPS/Foundation opening, be prepared to spend a year in college taking a plebe year USNA courseload. NROTC and extracurriculars will boost your application. Good luck.</p>

102

<p>navy18-</p>

<p>you do get an opportunity to be "more" than "just the paper..."
If, and when, you become an "official candidate" you will have an opportunity to be interviewed by your BGO- who is an official representative of the admissions team. Your interview is your one real chance of putting some depth to the paper.... so put some time and effort into that opportunity.</p>

<p>With a little "searching" on this site, you will find some great advice on how to prep for your interview. Read it- you never know what will come in handy!</p>

<p>Most MOCs have nominating committees that will also interview their top list of candidates- another important step in the journey.</p>

<p>Will add one more suggestion to giving that flat "paper" application "Depth." Keeping in mind the application is "on line," I would still suggest sending a copy of your athetic and activity CV in the old fashioned way- on paper. This provides you with an added opportunity- that is, to add a "descriptive summary" to your activities. What is that? Simply put- a few words on what the activity is, what you did, and perhaps what you got out of it.</p>

<p>example.
You list "coach for special olymics swimming program" on your activity sheet.
On your descriptive page, you could describe it further...
I was a swim coach with the special olympics program for 3 years. I was assigned to 2 athletes and assisted them every Sunday from Oct-June. ..... then continue to BRIEFLY describe what "you" gained from the experience. Again- brief is key- but it gives a little more depth to who you are. Keep the descriptive page short- and limit it to only those activities not readily "understood" to those reading it. </p>

<p>Another example.
"Member of SADD"
ok- so might want to incude what you did (I was the president), what got you involved in the first place, and what you "gained" from the experience.</p>

<p>Most applicants will not take the time, but it will give the admissions board a little more information as to who you are and what you can bring to the table.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

103

<p>one other thought....</p>

<p>when we were going through the admissions process with our daughter- granted, to a private college and not a service academy- I did come across an interesting "Read" of the admission board process.</p>

<p>While the book follows an admission process from Wesleyn University, it was an interesting look into what goes on behind the doors of an admission board- and might be worth reading. How much gets translated to the USNA is another question - but no doubt certain aspects of the process are generic. </p>

<p>The book can be found on Amazon-
The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College, by Jacques Steinberg</p>

<p>And if you have not picked up Smallwoods book- A candidates guide to the United States Naval Academy- be sure to get that as well. It's a great jumping off point to the admissions process.</p>

104

<p>OK 2010, That's good advice. The online application allows for only a 500 word essay. That's not a lot of words to be able to express what I'm about that I think would make me a good candidate. So I'll follow it up with a "hard copy" of explanations about what I've been involved in.</p>

<p>For USNA69 and Navy2010.....I am a smart kid, but my 9th grade year in HS, I was immature and didn't perform. Other evnets occured that impacted me, but no excuses....My 10th grade was better. My 11th grade, the lights went on for me and I turned it on. As a senior, I'm in very tough classes (1AP).
My standardized test scores are in the highest catagory.</p>

<p>Am I sunk? or do I stand a chance?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

105

<p>well I can't say if you are "sunk"....
but it sounds like a great topic for your personal essay!
You have "me" curious as to what "impacted" you that turned things around-
and grabbing a reader's interest is a good thing!</p>

<p>9th grade grades are what they are- a starting point. Showing progression each year, IMO, is far better then regressing and bailing out in senior year- but you will need to be able to speak to it.... either in your essay, or you can speak to it when you interview with your BGO- a good BGO will include that in his/her write up- so be sure to explain it- you are correct, "no excuses" is the way to go- so speak to how you changed course and what you did to correct things. Turning adversity into a positive is a good testiment to character- and character is at the core of USNA.</p>

<p>Nail senior year. In this case, I would suggest perhaps handing in your application after you have some senior grades to report (usually I advocate for getting it in early)- but speak to your BGO and follow his/her advice- they will have your package before them and will be better able to judge. Do what you can to work closely with your BGO-they can be a huge asset. </p>

<p>What are your chances?
No one knows.
100% against you if you don't apply.
So IMO, everything else is a "plus" and in your favor.
Have a back up plan- no matter how steller, have a back up plan.
Best of luck!</p>

106

<p>2010, I will hold onto the "impact" story for now. It was a sad event, though. But no matter, another stumbling block. I reached out to my BGO in June when I got my candidate #, I was so excited to be an official candidate.....BGO didn't want to meet until more of my application is complete, I'll be contacted. So that comfused a little. Think I should reach out again? or wait to be contacted?</p>

<p>And yes, ar first I thought I should not submit my application until I had some Senior grades....but then some other posters repeated...get it in and just update your file. </p>

<p>Don't want to game the system, just want to have the best chance of fullfilling a dream.</p>

107

<p>If your BGO said you would be contacted, would leave it at that- each BGO does things a little bit differently- but at least you have had some contact. Often times BGOs will wait until 30% of the application is completed to go forward with the interview- some will go sooner and some later- but again, would follow what your BGO has recommended.</p>

<p>Many things factor into your application-
if your junior grades are good, then go with that and submitt/update as necessary. If just "ok", would wait a bit and get first quarter grades. Again, I have gone on record to have the application submitted early- but if you do not have the grades to stand on yet, I would ammend that to say get first guarter grades- make them outstanding- and then submitt. Perhaps USNA69 can comment further.</p>

<p>The impact story is not for "us," but sounds like something you might be able to speak to especially if it is revelant to a year of poor grades. Again, this might be something for your personal statement- especially if the imact was such that it turned things around for you as you state. It is your story, and a candidate's ability to rise above adversity and come out all the stronger can speak volumes. Just a thought.</p>

108

<p>Thanks for the advice</p>

109

<p>Got Triple Q'd at USNA!!!!!- What's next? Is this as close as can be to getting an appointment? Is it a definite?</p>

110

<p>Not until the fat lady sings, right 2010? :eek:
jk, of course. ;)</p>

<p>No,you're in great shape, getting really warm, and in good time. Congrats! Way to go!!! But only when you get the thick "vanilla" packet with the Navy blue binder in it ...</p>

111

<p>i think you need a nomination from a member of congress before you get the appoinment even if you are triple q'd.</p>

112

<p>Triple Q'd is great. Also need nomination from MOC. And if you are not principle nomninee, may need to compete in national pool. There is a thread in over in Service Academy forums about offers of admission, appointnments that explains this well.</p>

<p>Congrats! Getting closer!</p>

113

<p>rangelady's correct. The 2012 catalog has the layout of #s and explains this pretty simply, clearly noting ...</p>

<p>There are approximately 2,000 triple Q'd lads n lassies with noms from which approximately 1,500 are offered appointments. One should hope that nom will be one of your MOCs as that's the "smallest" pool one can be in. Now, small doesn't necessarily mean "easiest" as there may be 3 future Rhodes Scholars who can pass like Staubach, run like Bellino sp?, and have two family patriarchs who were once admirals like McCain ... all coincidentally hoping to matriculate from that district in a particular admission season. And conversely, sort of, we've seen on here where there have been, and no doubt will be, multiple appointments ...6,7,8, etc. ... from one specific MOC district. My illustration has identified at least 3 of those! :confused: </p>

<p>So take heart ...and guard it. Your app is in a far better place today than it was 60 days ago. But it's not a lock, either.</p>

114

<p>navy18- congrats and well done! It is not the "end" of this part of the journey yet, but it sure as heck is a good milestone! The next step is to nail down a MOC nomination- so start brushing up on your interview skills if you have not as yet had that opportunity (lots of good advice on CC that you can find with a little searching on the USNA site!)</p>

<p>
[quote]

Not until the fat lady sings, right 2010?
jk, of course.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>some comments are just not worth a response.</p>

115

<p>Correct me navy18, if off target, but I believe you've noted that you already have that MOC nom, right? Just not a principal, if we understand correctly.</p>