What are my chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>powerhawk, I was in the same position as you when applying for the Naval Academy--no sports, but I did weight lift..a lot, and I still do! (and I run too just to make sure my heart keeps up with my muscles:) )</p>

<p>Definitely continue weight lifting. However, definitely do a sport next year. During junior year I took up Diving and lettered in it first year. I am still doing it again this year. TBH, I still like weightlifting more, and I wish the 2 hour practices we have would also stimulate muscle growth as weights do. I am also scared *****less when going off the board. </p>

<p>Even with all this though, I definitely would not trade up the 2 year diving experience at high school. The team was small (10-12 people), so we bonded together a lot. The people I met on the team are now on top of "the list" of people I want to remain in contact with after high school. The team is hilarious, and I am laughing as I type just remembering crazy things we have done. (and still do, season isn't over yet!)</p>

<p>Anyways, moral of the story (I seem to be rambling on), just pick a sport and have fun with it during senior year, but still work hard at it. Try to make varsity, if not, at least it showed the Academy you made an effort. </p>

<p>Also, on the weightlifting thing, muscular endurance is very different from muscular strength. I use to think that because I was throwing up 200+ bench presses that I could easily do push ups. WRONG. Strong lifts alone will not help you get a good score on the CFA, you will have to incorporate push ups, sit ups, and pull ups into your routine separately, trying to get more repetitions in every set. Try doing 100 push ups, 150 sit ups, and 50 pull ups with the least amount of sets you can do, and just work at it. Add 10-20lbs of weight on these exercises to mix it up.</p>

<p>Anyways, best of luck to you and you admission process.</p>

<p>And for the record, I ended up getting Foundation Prep (my academics sucked), and will definitely be part of 2013. (not letting this opportunity go!) I'll definitely consider their power lifting club when I get there.</p>

<p>Edit: During my BGO interview, he said the CFA is just a pass/fail thing.. UNLESS the candidate scores an 80% or above, then the Academy makes a note of that. He showed me a chart, I'll have to find it, of the minimum scores you need to get at least and 80%. Something you should look into, because it definitely will show the Academy you were not a academic nerd, and you did keep up on your physical strength.</p>

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<p>Thanks a lot for the advice and help guys...</p>

<p>If you could find that chart it would help a lot. I've been incorporating situps and pushups into my routine... you're right though, I can bench 225, but I can only do 45-50 pushups. Gonna have to work on that.</p>

<p>Your school must have been awesome... ours is such a ghetto dump. We could never afford a pool for something like diving. We only have the basics... I could try for soccer over the summer, but I've always been average at the sport.</p>

<p>I hope I will get enough votes to get leadership positions in the honorary societies.</p>

<p>Oh, and one more thing. Would it help to tell them that I did a century on my bike (at a legit, college hosted event)?</p>

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<p>was the century timed or a race? that might help. was it a citizen's race?
the only problem with not being on a sports team is that there's no real section on the candidate activities record for these kinds of things (bike marathons, personal lifting). again, i would suggest detailing your personal fitness plan in the comments section on the candidate activities record.</p>

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<p>


</p>

<p>As many others have stated before, participation in sports is not all about the physical aspects. </p>

<p>They are also looking at the other things provided by team sports.</p>

<p>Teamwork, small-unit cohesion, the ability to deal with defeat, overcoming obstacles to work for a common objective, etc.</p>

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<p>Running doesn't mean you have to give up on weight training.</p>

<p>You stats seem great, but the "no sport" is glaring, especially at an institution that values athletics.
Do kids get in without athletics? yes.... but looking at the stats for the incoming class that the admissions dept posts each year, it appears they are in the minority.</p>

<p>So...if you want to put your best package forward, do join a sport- and track will certainly not go to waste at the academy! And while a captain postion may not be feasible, find another way to distinguish yourself .... whether it is leading your relay team to a new record, or leading some of your teammates to participate in a local 5K run for a good cause! There are lots of ways leadership can be demonstrated- sometimes it just takes a little "thinking outside of the box!"</p>

<p>Competeting against yourself.... lots to be said for that.
But the academy is looking for a broader experience... one that comes along with a "team" environment.... so again, looking for something where you can be a contributing member to a team effort would be time well spent.</p>

<p>Just remember... USNA is not a solitary environment. Everything is built around the concept of "team." From the time you get up, to the time you go to bed, you will be dependent- and depend- on others. "Loners" do not typically fare well..... and so demonstrating, up front, that you can work and contribute to a team environment can only help.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

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<p>I see what you mean. I have played on sports teams in the past, just not in high school, due to the time commitment required. I'm going to try to work my schedule so I can do a sport next year.</p>

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<p>One of the things being re-revealed about USNA (and the other SAs) is that while there are many similarities to the traditional college admission process, there are many that simply don't work.</p>

<p>The initial question, while certainly asked in good faith and seeking genuine counsel, much of which you have and will continue to receive, is not one easily addressed as this process goes beyond the traditional "stats." I'm not trying to make this more than it is except to suggest some caution and care in this. The eventual issues relate to the "whole person" concept, none of us who post and read seem to be totally exposed and informed about ... AND ... where you live ... AND who else is in the hunt in your particular season of candidacy. </p>

<p>So, while the general recommendations here relating to physical activity AND leadership are sound and very important, the answer to your early question is most likely, "I dunno." Give it your best, and good luck.</p>

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<p>lol agreed</p>

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<p>honestly man you need a sport. you keep talking about lifting but your lifts aren't very impressive at all. for your weight (170) you need to bench 270+ for it to be "impressive". and since admissions doesn't ask for your bench, it doesn't mean crap. your CFA scores also aren't stellar enough to weigh heavily in admissions. only 45-50 pushups will not be good enough to nullify the fact that you didn't play a sport. you should seriously get onto a team. I am not saying you won't get an appointment without a sport, I am just saying that it will detriment your whole person score a lot. </p>

<p>your academic stats are good and everything else looks in order. just get onto a team or two and it will improve your chances SIGNIFICANTLY.</p>

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<p>Ok... 270 would be ridiculous for my weight... mainly b/c I'm not built for bench press.</p>

<p>I should have done track this year... Cross Country is full of all the skinny small kids. Distance running is a waste imo...</p>

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<p>i'm just saying im 6'2'' 170 lbs and i can bench 275 so its not impossible. you better learn to like distance running if you want to go to the academy because you will do a ton of it. then you hit the fleet and you do more. so start learning to tolerate it now. just start running track or swim or something for a sport if you really want to improve ur chances of being accepted.</p>

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<p>It's too late for track, or I would def. do it.</p>

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<p>lol, distance running is definitely not a waste imo (but this is coming from someone who runs xc, skis xc, and runs distance in track)
scubaguy is right - at least learn to tolerate it.
there's a lot more to distance running than the physical aspect.</p>

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<p>True, but running, especially on the road, is hard on the joints and back and is bad for muscular development. The cardiovascular benefits can be achieved in a shorter timeframe. </p>

<p>I've done distance biking, I know what you mean about the mental aspect. Pushing through the last 20 miles in the century was quite a challenge. Whether it has helped me persevere in other parts of my life, I'm not sure.</p>

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<p>despite its effects on joints you NEED to do it if you are going to go to Navy because you will be required to do so there. if there were short cuts to being a good distance runner, dont you think we would all be doing those things instead of running while getting ready for plebe summer? and yeah the mental challenge is also very good for you aside from the normal cardio benefits</p>

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<p>I'm not really that worried about getting there and not being able to run. I'm more worried about things that I need to do now, in order to get in.</p>

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<p>I wasn't worried about being able to run when I went to NASS last year. I'm naturally athletic. I ran about twice before I went. I had no problem with the runs, but when I was able to run a 7 minute mile (I'm a girl) with no prior training, it made me think that if I had run for the past month I could have significantly improved my time. I regret that. I passed the CFA, but it's the reason that I now signed up for a 15k race to prepare for plebe summer (provided i get my medical waiver....). </p>

<p>I dunno. I mean, these people know what they're talking about. I would listen to them and try to get on a team. It seems to me than when it comes to USNA the whole "not enough time" is not allowed to be an excuse. You could try to join a summer league team over the summer for soccer? That might work.</p>

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<p>you may think you can run distance because you can bike distance but from my experience that isn't always true. biking is, physically, more like Nordic skiing, and Nordic skiing is not like running, believe me. like scubaguy said, you're going to be running on pavement at nass and at the academy so you might as well get your joints used to the pounding now and save yourself from the shin splints when it really matters. if you're really worried about the pounding, i suggest building up your distance every week, instead of going all out to begin with. if you have access, chill your legs in an ice bath (~50 F) for 5-7 minutes after you run.</p>

<p>and running is something you should do now (in order to get in).</p>

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<p>
[quote]
I'm not really that worried about getting there and not being able to run. I'm more worried about things that I need to do now, in order to get in.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>CLASS RANK
SATs
GPA
LEADERSHIP
CFA
NOMINATION
BGO INTERVIEW- TOP %
ATHLETICS* (not a "must", but >90% of applicants will have it on their resume- so your choice)</p>

<p>The rest is secondary, optional and conditional.</p>

<p>
[quote]
It seems to me than when it comes to USNA the whole "not enough time" is not allowed to be an excuse.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Correct, except it's "No excuse, SIR."</p>

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<p>Haha.</p>

<p>I'm gonna run for VP positions for next year. NHS and math honor society.</p>