USNA Professor Exposes USNA 2 Track Admissions - Page 8

mombee · 10-28-2009, 06:52 AM

The whole person concept allows many many various paths to the Naval Academy. The 2/3 directly from high school are more 'cookie cutter' than the remainder. However, for those with alternate paths, many are very unique. Nothing should surprise or shock you.

Remember that the whole person concept is based not on what you or Prof Fleming think would make a good applicant but what the Naval Academy has determined will make a successful officer.

swimdad1 · 11-18-2009, 05:43 PM

Really, Beat Army! I don't give a hoot about this thread cause my kid got in on an athletic scholarship and he says all the real real smart kids are idiots who can't lead. I would rather have a tough hard working jock with great leadership skills anyday then a 4.0 whimp. My boy was pretty smart though ,34 act so he had that going for him too.

navy2010 · 11-18-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

have a son who applied to USNA but didn't get accepted and is now doing ROTC at a civilian college. He loves the unit activities and made the pistol team but he is frustrated at the party atmosphere and anti military biases....His grades are OK but a Chem class with 400 students is killing him and between that and Calc, I'm afraid that his GPA isn't going to be great for the first semester - he has reapplied to Annapolis but is afraid that they won't even look at him because of less than stellar grades. He really believes that he would succeed at USNA but does he even have a chance at this point?

The academy will consider his grades carefully, especially in Calc and Chem. If he can get extra help to boost his grades it might be worth considering. Getting a solid recommendation from his ROTC officer will work in his favor. Keep in mind as many as 1/3 of the incomming class will have at least a year of post-HS education under their belts.

Best of luck

jscam87 · 11-19-2009, 02:19 PM

Thanks for the leadership update, Swimdad! Your son confidently declares all "Smart kids are idiots who can't lead". Then you follow up that your kid is pretty smart with a 34 score. Hmmmmmm. Sometimes you get great input here, and sometimes you get this...

mombee · 11-19-2009, 02:46 PM

jscam, I think what swimdad was saying is that a wardroom composed of nothing but magna cum laude engineering majors would probably be a very dull place. I agree wholeheartedly.

Whistle Pig · 11-19-2009, 03:17 PM

Thanks for interpreting what jscam was confused on.

Sounds like a left-handed endorsement for diversity.

Bet that argument isn't often made on the sub when the reactor is overheating. "Hey Chief, where is the left-handed, blonde-haired Slovenian/Brazilian female double major in English and Parks/Recreation 2nd Louie? She'll get that over-heated bugger under control."

"Ah Sir, I believe she's in the can fixing her makeup. She was crying some, you know that time, Sir."

"Oh, ok. Well just let us know when she can join us."

"Ay ay sir. Should we sing the diversity theme song in the meantime, Sir?"

"Ah screw it."

"Ah, about that Sir ...I've got more news. "

swimdad1 · 11-19-2009, 03:26 PM

Well, there is a difference between being smart and real real smart. Real real smart imo can be and often is the individual who cares little about anything other then the 4.0 gpa and does not develop strength in a broad arena of skills, that is where I was going with my previous post. Again, imo to lead effectively "it pays to be a winner" and that is about having GAME in all respects.

Do you have a problem if a person is smart as well as a being a stud?

If I'm on the board of review for candidates for admission to USNA I'm looking for the whole package,make sense? I've seen a lot of water go over the Dam and the cream does rise to the top and he/she is humping a 3.2 gpa and a six pack of brew in his/her Rucksack.

mombee · 11-19-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhistlePig

Sounds like a left-handed endorsement for diversity.

Actually, diversity was the last thing on my mind when I made that comment. But thanks for attempting to put words in my mouth.

There are three basic 'tracks' at USNA; academics, sports, and professional/military/Brigade activities. Most can excel in one, a few can excel in two, and those who excel in three usually wear five or six stripes and get recommended to go to England and study for a couple of years after graduation. Those who choose academics ("real real smart") to the exclusion of all else, treat USNA more like a real college and miss out on a lot of the opportunities which are unique to a service academy. I feel the best officers are those who are well-rounded and participate in as many diverse activities as possible.

jscam87 · 11-19-2009, 04:47 PM

"There's a difference between smart and real real (sic) smart", really? I feel left out of all this insight to military leadership. If only the Academies knew!
I think my comments not only stand, but are repeatedly supported by Swimdads comments. I can't critique the son who started it, as one sentence taken out of context does not a theory make. But to take one sentence and run with it as the proud swimdad has done is at least worthy of a laugh. I get it. Your son was an athelete. You're proud! He is the best because blah-blah-blah. Lighten up!
And I await the branding of the dreaded "real real (sic) smart" label! Lord knows after 21 years in, I should have heard it before now...

swimdad1 · 11-19-2009, 05:29 PM

Dude relax,no need to be so harsh. I must have touched a nerve eh!
I am proud of my kid and those that he runs with but mostly I admire that they do all that they do with so much ease and with so much grace. It was a mistake on my part to slam others the (sic) smart and I regret that.
I do feel with no reservations that well-rounded people make better leaders. That is the core of what I am saying. Your just not hearing it.