Posted on 04/26/2005 6:42:57 AM PDT by Hatteras
If I may, I would like to ask any Navy (current or vet) Freepers for some help.
My son, currently a high school junior has expressed interest in the Naval Academy and is currently working his way through the application process. I am looking for any advice, inside info, the good, the bad and the ugly, sources for nominations, etc... Any information or experience with the USNA that I can pass along would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Hatteras
Profile of the Class of 2008 Applicants (includes nominees) 14,425 Number of applicants with an official nomination 4,599 Nominees qualified scholastically, medically and in physical aptitude 1,951 Offers of admission 1,472 Admitted 1,244 Combined SAT & American College Testing (ACT) Program Scores Score Ranges Verbal/Math >700 (31-36) 28%/37% 600-699 (26-30) 50%/51% <600 (<26) 22%/12% Rank in High School Class First fifth 81% Second fifth 13% Third fifth 4% Fourth fifth 1.5% Fifth fifth 0.5% Previous College and Prep School The Class of 2008 includes 31% (384) from college and post-high school preparatory programs which include: • 218 from Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in Newport, RI. • 18 from Nuclear Power Program (five having previously attended college) • 84 from the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Program (54 from preparatory schools and 30 from colleges under Foundation sponsorship) • 77 additional students have completed at least six months of study at a college or university (69) or a private preparatory school (8) Military Background The Class of 2008 includes 85 midshipmen who previously served as enlisted members of the Navy (73), Marine Corps (10), Army (1) or Army National Guard (1). This figure includes seven who entered directly from Fleet Service (4 USN and 3 USMC), 18 USN from the Nuclear Power School and 60 from NAPS (51 USN, 7 USMC, 1 USA, 1 ANG). Geographical Distribution Midshipmen were admitted from every state in the nation, as well as Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and Northern Marianas. The Class of 2008 also includes 17 international students from the following countries: Belize (2), Honduras, Lithuania, Pakistan (2), Peru (2), Philippines (2), Romania (2), Singapore, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand and Tunisia. School Honors and Activities Student body/council/government president or vice president 9% Class president or vice president 11% School club president or vice president 29% School publication staff 27% National Honor Society 57% Varsity athletics 89% Varsity letter winner 84% Dramatics, public speaking, debating 85% Leader of musical group 10% Eagle Scout/Gold Award 12% Boys/Girls State or Nation 14% Reserve Officer Training Programs 8% Sea Cadets 2% Minorities The Class of 2008 includes 21.7% (270) minority midshipmen with ethnic backgrounds as follows: African Americans (69), Hispanics (110), Asian Americans (50) and Native Americans (21) and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (19). Women The Class of 2008 includes 20.1% (250) women. Sons and Daughters of Alumni (70) The Class of 2008 includes 56 sons and 14 daughters of Naval Academy alumni (5.6 %).
Okay, thanks. The Info you provided in #61 is very helpful. Much appreciated. I will look into the Prep School but I do suspect it might be a little late. We'll see.
I'm pretty sure a civilian can't request an appointment to the prep school directly. Active duty enlisted usually get that type of appointment.
Good Luck !
I don't think there is a prep school at Bainbride any longer. NAPS is in Newpot, RI. I think there was/is a private school in MD with a good record of getting individuals in the Naval Academy, something like "Bullis".
In retrospect, I would have rathered going to the USCG Academy than a buoy tender as an MK, but those are the choices I made.
Congrats to anyone who can get into any service academy, even Hudson High(USMA). :)
Bullis is in Potomac, MD and it is a K-12 prep school. After looking at the school web page, though they mention the roots of the school, it appears that they are downplaying their Navy prep history.
Feel free to reach me via Freepmail.
USNA Grad - '92
Nomination sources: apply for all available.
Start with your local Congressman and both Senators.
You should also look into eligibility for Vice Presidential nominations - if you are eligible then apply there just as aggressively.
Remember that the process is two-pronged, and treat both with equal emphasis and respect:
- Political nomination
- Academy evaluation
Recommendation letters from veterans of ANY branch of the military should be solicited from among family, friends, and aquaintances.
- Senior enlisted (E-7 and up) or any rank of officer (Of course, the more senior the better, as well as grads of any of the 4 academies
- Although it may seem prejudicial USNA/USMA/USAFA do not consider USCGA graduate letters on the same par as letters from grads of the other 3 - it may not seem fair, but it's something about which you should be aware. However, USCGA letters are better than none.
- The focus of any letters solicited should be character and leadership. Academic and athletic potential are not necessarily indicators of suitability for the officer corp.
SAT/ACT - when I was applying it was the policy that all test results were averaged - if this is still the case it is a policy that should be considered very seriously. Many institutions consider only your highest score, and some students take them 4 and 5 times to improve their chances. The academies do not want professional test takers, so they discourage the shotgun testing approach. Take it once WHEN YOU ARE READY, maybe twice. If you are scoring less than 1250 on practice tests you are NOT ready - don't waste your money and risk a low score 'for the experience'.
Student Gvernment - get involved in any manner possible.
Athletics - a HS varsity letter is not required, but it should be a goal, and should be pursued aggressively.
Essay - focus on realistic goals and desires for your military career. Do you prefer Marine or USN service? If you know, then be willing to say so, and be able to say why. Be able to answer the question "Why the USNA?" What do YOU have to offer that sets you apart and will benefit the Navy, the Naval Academy, and the country.
Gut Check - Sit down alone in a dark room and ask yourself the following:
"Do I believe in the principles of freedom on which the great country was founded so greatly that I am willing to fight and if needed, die, to defend them?"
- If you say yes too quickly then you haven't really thought about it.
- If you have to think about it too long then you have no business leading the sons and daughters of America into battle.
Ping for the daughter's #1 dream! :)
- If you say yes too quickly then you haven't really thought about it.
- If you have to think about it too long then you have no business leading the sons and daughters of America into battle.
Well stated and the ultimate motivation check.
An attrition rate of almost a third? That's higher than I thought it would be. I worked alongside many Air Force Academy graduates in my time, and I was very impressed with the great majority of them. I even worked with an Annapolis graduate who transferred to the Air Force (he had a great story about being interviewed for submarine service by the legendary Admiral Rickover). The Air Force, being as new as it is, doesn't have the same richness of tradition as the Navy or Army.
My two oldest sons were good students, but would not have gotten into a military academy. That's not where their interests lay and I never pushed them toward the military even though I am a retired Air Force officer (ROTC).
I never pushed my third son toward the military either, and he was only seven years old when I retired from my last assignment (Europe), so he doesn't remember much about military life. I have no idea why he decided he wanted to go to a military academy. Just one day about a year ago he said that's what he wants to do (and fly). He's as hard-headed stubborn as they come when he makes a decision and he has never wavered since. He's friendly, well-liked, has moved up quickly among his peers in the AFJROTC unit and was personally picked by the operations commander (a senior) to be first sergeant. Math and science are his preferred subjects but he's also an excellent musician and is cello section leader in the school orchestra (although I don't think any academy has a student orchestra). Having a military background myself, I recognize in him those all-important traits of fellowship and camaraderie that are essential to unit cohesion.
As a dad, I couldn't be happier with his decision, although he still has to be accepted into an academy--and that's a tall order.
I like the suggestion about running on his own outside of school. I have decided to prepare for a marathon and may invite him to train with me.
BTTP...
Bump
Um, didn't Jimmy Carter graduate from the Naval Academy?
yes, but i never met him
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.