<p>Hey all. Here's my dilemma. I have always been and most likely will always be a very girly girl. I like my long hair and my make-up. However, if I get dirty, then I want to be very dirty. So, I feel like I want to apply to USNA for a law degree and then serve as a Judge's Advocate either in the Marines or the Navy. Also, I have been homeschooled my junior and senior year of high school after having been a part of an IB class. My questions to you are: Can a "barbie" make it at USNA and the Navy/Marines? Will my homeschooling be a problem?
Thanks.</p>
<p>I'm only going to address the homeschooling. I'll let someone else tackle the law degree from USNA...</p>
<p>My plebe-to-be was homeschooled K-6. Didn't seem to be an issue at all. As a matter of fact, his B&G officer thought it was a plus. I suspect it would be the same for the high school years, as long as your SAT's, etc. reflect that you are an excellent scholar.</p>
<p>What about if I homeschooled Junior and Senior year together and didn't start admissions until the year that I was homeschooling both? what are my chances that I can complete the whole admissions process in a year?</p>
<p>you can't get a law degree from USNA, you can't even go to law school from USNA without serving your 5 years of obligation first.</p>
<p>As it was explained to my son, there are plenty of "fresh from law school" attorneys willing to be commissioned, that USNA does not need to pay for anyone's law school." If you are counting on law as a career (and I would also apply this to medical, as there are so few spots), you need to think if this is the right choice for you. The Army has a program, but it's only after at least two years of active duty. Only 25 officers per year are selected for this, and they can come from anywhere, not just the academy. Bottom line: do not count on the academy (any academy) to pave your way to law school.</p>
<p>At Feb CVW, the doctor/lawyer from USNA question was asked. The admissions officers said flat out, if you want to be a doctor or a lawyer don't come to USNA, go to another school, become a doctor and then join the Navy, but don't come to USNA expecting to become a doctor or lawyer in the Navy.</p>
<p>Concerning homeschooling -- it didn't seem to be a problem for my DS, who was homeschooled from K-12. He accepted an appointment to USAFA, but also received appointments to USNA and USMA.</p>
<p>All Navy funded postgraduate education involves a selction board. Here is how you try to become a Navy lawyer:</p>
<p>R 162308Z MAY 08
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
TO NAVADMIN
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
BT
NAVADMIN 135/08
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/MAY//
SUBJ/FY-09 LAW EDUCATION PROGRAM SELECTION BOARD//
REF/A/DOC/CNO/06SEP2002// AMPN/REF A IS SECNAVINST 1520.7F, LAW
EDUCATION PROGRAM.//
RMKS/1. THIS NAVADMIN ANNOUNCES THE FEB 09 CONVENING OF THE FY-09 LAW
EDUCATION PROGRAM (LEP) SELECTION BOARD. APPLICATIONS FOR THIS BOARD
ARE DUE 1 DEC 08. LEP AFFORDS SELECTED OFFICERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO
EARN THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF LAW OR JURIS DOCTOR AND THEN SERVE AS
CAREER JUDGE ADVOCATES.
2. APPLICATION PROCEDURES, AUTHORIZED PROGRAM BENEFITS, ELIGIBILITY,
OBLIGATED SERVICE, AND PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN REF A.<br>
ALL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS ARE STATUTORY AND CANNOT BE WAIVED.
3. PARTICIPANTS MUST BEGIN LAW SCHOOL PRIOR TO THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THEIR COMMENCEMENT ON ACTIVE DUTY. THIS INCLUDES ANY ENLISTED
SERVICE. OFFICERS WHOSE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OCCURS PRIOR TO SEP 09 MUST
ENSURE THEY APPLY ONLY TO SCHOOLS THAT PERMIT STARTING THE JURIS DOCTOR
COURSE OF STUDY PRIOR TO THE OFFICER'S ANNIVERSARY DATE.
4. IAW APPLICATION PROCEDURES PROVIDED IN REF A, ELIGIBLE OFFICERS WHO
DESIRE TO APPLY FOR THE FY-09 LEP MUST SUBMIT A LETTER REQUEST NOT
LATER THAN 1 DEC 08, VIA THEIR CURRENT COMMANDING OFFICER, TO:
COMMANDING OFFICER
NAVAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER
ATTN: CODE N2A2
6490 SAUFLEY FIELD ROAD
PENSACOLA, FL 32509-5204
IN ADDITION, APPLICANTS MUST ENSURE OFFICIAL COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS FROM
EACH SCHOOL ATTENDED ARE FORWARDED TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.
5. LSAT SCORES MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO FY-09 LEP SELECTION BOARD
CONVENING FEB 09 BUT MAY BE SUBMITTED BY SEPARATE CORRESPONDENCE.
6. QUESTIONS ABOUT APPLICATION PROCEDURES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO MS.
BILLIE COLONNA, TEL: (850) 452-1001, PRESS 3 IN THE MENU OPTION, THEN
DIAL EXT 2219/DSN 922-1807, OR EMAIL BILLIE.COLONNA(AT)NAVY.MIL. ALL
OTHER PROGRAM QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO LCDR GOLDSMITH AT (901)
874-4084/DSN: 882, OR EMAIL JENNIE.GOLDSMITH(AT)NAVY.MIL.
7. RELEASED BY VADM M. E. FERGUSON III, N1.//</p>
<p>The hsing shouldn't be a problem; my dd was hsed from K-12. She had Appointments to AFA, CGA and USNA. Just keep good documentation, iincluding classes that NCAA will accept.</p>
<p>If you're a barbie, you're going to have a hard time because people will know it and it won't be comfortable. There was a huge feminism debate on this and if you "over do" the girly girl, your life could become difficult.</p>
<p>Another way to become a Navy Lawyer -
Go to USNA and serve your 5 years. During your 3 year reserve/duty go to law school. Of course the Navy won't be paying but if you are in the reserves you would have a little income and no loans to pay off from your undergrad schooling.
After you graduate - go back in the Navy as a JAG Lawyer. I think many JAG officers who say then went to USNA did it this way.
Before you think this is the long way around - the average age of a first year law student is about 27 years now.</p>
<p>As a parent of a Midshipman daughter here is my opinion:</p>
<p>First of all what is your gut telling you you want to be in life? You have stated you wish to become a lawyer and are interested in USNA. Why a lawyer? To practice law or as a stepping stone into a political future? One is about making money the other is a desire to become a leader.</p>
<p>USNA and all SA's are leadership schools that prepare their graduates for service to the nation. The first year is about teaching you how to follow and the next three years are teaching you how to lead and be responsible for the lives of the sailors and marines you will be put in charge of upon graduation. Those leadership skills will be lifetime lessons and valuable beyond the years of military service.</p>
<p>The requirements to get into USNA or any SA are some of the toughest of any college anywhere. The raw numbers have 12,000 applicants applying for roughly 1000 slots. Those are 1 in 12 odds! Throw in one of the most ardious four part application processes you will find and you have an environment where only the best and strongest make it in. </p>
<p>If you see yourself as a leader and are not afraid to tackle an enormous challange and fight to achive a goal then USNA may be for you. The "girly girl" stuff will take care of itself along the way.</p>
<p>I'm a female grad and now an attorney. I think most folks in high school would have considered me very feminine. So, while my experience is many years removed from yours, here's my two cents.</p>
<p>First, there is no reason you can't be a mid or a Navy officer and still be feminine. Quite frankly, most women are. However, you'll spend your military career in uniforms that aren't designed to make women look their most attractive. And there will be many times when you will have to forego the makeup, the neat hair, etc. If you can't deal with that, stick to a civilian school and civilian profression.</p>
<p>Maintaining your femininity in a male-dominated, "warrior" profession is always a challenge. There are days when you need to be more like "one of the guys" and days when you revel in being a woman. Figuring it all out takes a bit of time but, as noted above, most female officers I know and have known managed to do it.</p>
<p>As for law school, you cannot enter law school directly from USNA. A VERY small number of officers serving in the fleet each year are chosen to attend law school and become JAGs. However, you incur an additional service obligation and there is no guarantee that you'll be accepted to the program. </p>
<p>Thus, realistically, you have two choices. The first is to attend a civilian school, go to law school and then, if you still want to be a JAG, apply to the program. The second is to attend USNA, complete your 5-year commitment, and then attend law school (which is what I did, after over 8 yrs on active duty). </p>
<p>My personal opinion (and it's ony that) is that folks who have a job for several years between college and law school are generally more satisfied in the legal profession and have better job opportunities than those who go straight through (college to law school). And that experience more than makes up for the 5+ years you spent in the military.</p>
<p>Ultimately, you have to consider what's right for you.</p>
<p>btosm14....the Class of 2010 and this is the Havard Class, Marine ROTC who had a USNA appt but opted to go Harvard's way....is as girly girl as one can get, and a beauty queen. My Mid and this girl are the best of friends. This girl also has USNA friends besides my girl.....She opted not to go USNA and go as hard core as possible in her Marine training times. This is one other way to consider if you want lots of opportunities besides living in a mostly male environment and not always able to do what YOU want to do with both your beauty side and your military side. Her dad is Marine Reserve JAG too. She is found on this CC forum as Bostonusmc...you could do a search in the achives and read her posts</p>
<p>But....the best advice ever given to my girl came from a USNA 99 grad, a female who went Marine and was the only female helo pilot in her group. ....she told my girl: DO NOT EVER GIVE UP YOUR FEMINITY JUST TO TRY AND BE LIKE THE GUYS. Important advice if there ever was one.</p>
<p>I'd advise you to apply for many options, including USNA - go for a visit - talk to female mids in your local area and ask to meet some at USNA through your BGO or even post here and elsewhere for female mids to weigh in.</p>
<p>But there are indeed "Barbie girls" at USNA .....and once Plebe haircuts are done on that first day - the great majority of girls just let their hair grow back....and makeup and small earrings within their guidelines, allow 3/c and up female mids stay fit, and pretty at the same time!</p>