korab-alahabjab

I am a senior this year, in the process of applying to attend USNA (class of 2014).
I am going to what would be my fourth high school. I simply move a lot because my family migrated here in the states when I was 14, and so we are trying to look for that perfect place to stay at for good.

I know that taking AP classes would be good but moving so many times in high school have kept me from taking AP classes. Those classes required summer assignments and during my previous summers, I had no idea as to what school I would be going.

So here are my stats/standing:

3.8 GPA - took rigorous courses that were available for my case (but none of which offered an augmented GPA)
member of FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA (freshman), member of JV track team (sophomore), member of TUTORING CLUB and ACADEMIC DECATHLON (junior year)

i volunteered in a public library, served as an altar server, worked as a soccer referee, and was a member of Boy Scouts.

my SAT and ACT scores (the ugly part)
verbal 520 english22
math 570 math 25
writing 560 reading 21
composite 22


As I see it, my application have some ups and downs, but keep in mind that i was doing all those while trying to adjust in an environment that was always new to me, and while my parents where out of the county (but were still giving me support in many ways they could)


thanks.

rangelady

There is no simple way to answer your question. It is all relative. Relative to who applies nationwide and in your state/congressional district.

There are some places you can look for clues, however. On the USNA homepage, click on "About USNA" and then on "class profiles." The 2009 profile is there to compare your test scores with. The 2010, 2011, and 2012 profiles are also widely available and someone on here will have the link. Hard copies are available from Admissions. Test scores are very similar from year to year.

You will note that more kids are >700 on both parts of SAT than are <600. Especially math. Nearly 3 times as many appointees scored over 700 on the math as scored less than 600. Have you retaken the SAT/ACT? Scores can improve with self study guides or paid courses.

USNA looks for strong character and demonstrated leadership. Commitment to an activity or sport for many, or at least, several years. While this may have been a challenge for you, it is still important to USNA. Leadership is not always getting elected to a position; many times those are "figurehead" type positions won by popularity. True leadership involves actually doing something, teaching others, guiding others: team captain, Eagle Scout, 4-H, school clubs and committees.

Physical fitness is a very important part of the equation as well. I can tell you that on I-Day +1 this year, plebes were running at 6 am. Some were throwing up, most were running right along! There was no "easing into" the physical part of plebe summer. They jumped in headfirst!

A Service Academy is one of the toughest schools to gain admission to for the simple fact that the applicant must have the "whole enchilada" as we say in west Texas. Eggheads can get into the Ivy League schools while awesome athletes can go to school nearly anywhere they want. Service Academies demand commitment, smarts and athleticism. And at least the next nine years of your life! Only a few can demonstrate these characteristics and gain admittance. This year at USNA it was 1230 out of over 15,000 applicants.

I suggest you peruse this forum as well as the "serviceacademyforums" where the topic has been addressed at length.

At the end of the day, the simple answer to the question you and others pose frequently on here is "It depends."

navy2010

korab-
I may be inferring too much into your post, but if my assumption is correct, you may be able to apply under a minority status, which (right, wrong, or indifferent) puts a whole different slant on your scores.

Having said that-

There seems to be a mismatch between your GPA (nicely done) and SATs- the latter are a bit low, and you should take them again. I would spend the rest of your summer, practicing with old SAT exams, and if it is within your means, consider getting some tutoring, especially with the math- that is the easier score to move. Practice can raise your scores by as much as 100 points, so it is worth putting the effort to try and boost up those scores.

My other suggestion is to take what you post as a negative (4 high schools) and turn it into a positive. The fact that you migrated here at age 14- 4 high schools- family not in the immediate picture- OK, you have peaked my interest! Turn that into a good personal statement and chances are you will peak interest at the admissions table as well! I would also suggest shifting the focus from (what appears to be) excuses for "no AP's", and instead focus on the POSTIVE aspects of your experiences- perhaps the challenges you faced, how you met and overcame them, what you learned from the places you lived- all part of your unique story! You may not have had AP's, but I bet you have life experiences that have shaped your character in ways that AP's can't! That is the story you need to tell! (just remember- you only get 500 or so words to do that, so make them all count!)

I would also suggest getting involved in whatever sport interests you- athletics matter, so do what you can to join the track team or other organized sport. I mention track only because you can kill two birds with one stone- as rangelady points out, one can never do enough to prep for the running you will face at the academy.

Finally- no one on here will be able to tell you what your chances are. The only thing for sure is that your chances are "zero" if you don't try- so when you have your application the best you can get it (after you get those SATs up), toss your hat into the ring!

Best of luck!

Luigi59

If your family migrated to the USA when you were 14, I would assume you have only been in the country for 3-4 years? (I am assuming you are 17-18).

Has that been long enough to acquire US citizenship? The immigration laws states you must be a resident of the USA for at least 5 consecutive years before applying.

You must be a US Citizen to attend a service academy.

korab-alahabjab

i actually came to the states when I was 13 (2 months before i turned 14), but I just like saying I came here when i was fourteen.

anyway, i am 17 and not a citizen yet. but, i learned that partly qualified applicants are given appointment to go to NAPS for a year to prepare them for USNA. well, the year that i would be spending at NAPS would add up to the 4 years that i have been in the country, and therefore give me enough time to get my citizenship in time to apply for class of 2015

so i am actually applying for class of 2015.
In case i do not get accepted, i would be enlisting first, then try for the academy one more time. if that plan still fails, then i would apply for STA21 (a program that allows an enlisted military to be commisioned as officer)

korab-alahabjab

that was actually my first time taking the SAT and ACT.
when i do re-take the exam(s), they would only count for my application into the academy AND NOT FOR MY NOMINATIONS. the nomination applications (for my 2 senators and representative) are due on september/october, giving me no time to send them my scores in time.

what do you think?
thanks for replying, and thanks again in advance

navy2010

Not necessarily true.

I would retake the SATs and send the updated scores to your members of congress (MOC's). While application deadlines for most MOCs occur sometime in the fall, it is not unusual for their decision as to who gets the nod for a nomination to be made as late as January. I would suggest getting the application in on time, but sending any updated scores to them as you get them.

You have time to retest- Oct, Nov, and even Dec-
and it would be foolish not to take the test again-
and even more foolish not to prep for them.

Do whatever you can to prep for either the SAT or ACT- USNA will take you highest math and highest verbal score from any test- so you have nothing to lose by retesting. Get some review books and start practicing on old tests- time yourself as you complete each section, go over the problems you missed, and nail down the concepts you are weak in. Again, if you can afford it, take a review class or consider a tutor, especially for math- for 2 reasons. 1- USNA weighs the math scores with a higher multiple when calculating your whole person score, and 2-math is the easier score to move.

For verbal- find a good (and difficult) book to read, and read- keep a dictionary at your side and look up the words you don't know. You will be amazed at how much your vocabulary will improve just by doing that.

Get busy- your efforts will not go to waste, whether at USNA or the other colleges to which you are applying.

rangelady

Am I missing something here? korab is applying for class of 2015 so his SAT/ACT scores are not up against some kind of deadline for congressional nom app. He has PLENTY of time to take and retake those exams!

navy2010

^^^ I believe you are.

I was operating under his first post:

What he states in a later post is that a year of NAPS will result in admission to the class of 2015-


that still equates to an application for this admission cycle, no matter how you slice it, as one does not apply to NAPS- one applies to USNA. Once at NAPS, one does not reapply for the next class (ie:2015)- one need only meet the requirments at NAPS and obtain a nomination for the class- one does not submit another application or further SAT scores.

What the poster does not realize, perhaps, is that the application is to USNA- again, not to NAPS- the admissions board will decide on the outcome of the application- direct admit, foundation, NAPS, or reject. And while it is true a year of NAPS will delay his arrival to the academy by a year (providing he meets the graduation requirements), it still will require an application submission this year, unless he opts to delay it for the NEXT admission cycle.

Thus, the suggestion he get on his SATS and QUICKLY is the best advice I can offer, and he needs to get on it ASAP "IF" he is intending to apply this admission cycle.

rangelady

Ok, I am learning too. Will the lack of citizenship by this admission cycle disqualify him from even being considered for NAPS?

navy2010

Short answer: Yes. There is but one application, and the rules of eligibility are clear.

From the USNA:

What he can do is get that citizenship nailed down, attend a year at college while doing that (focusing on Chemistry, Calculus, English Lit and History), and reapplying when he is eligible to do so. If he does well during that college year, it is possible he could get a DIRECT appointment at USNA and end up in the same exact place he would be if attending NAPS and then USNA.

Key to it all working are those SATs - he has the grades, he needs the SATs no matter what college he applies to.

korab-alahabjab

oh, so i still have to be a citizen to get into NAPS.
at first i thought i could get into NAPS as a legal resident, then attend USNA when i become a citizen.

i'll just have to talk to my new BGO to get a concrete answer about my case. i recently moved so i'm still in the process of looking for my new BGO

should my BGO say that i am not elibigle even for NAPS because i am not a citizen yet, then, as a back up plan, i would enlist first. while serving as an enlisted personel i could get my citizenship within 6 months, then reapply for the academy until im ineligible by age. Or, apply for STA-21 which lets enlisted personel rise up to the ranks of an officer.

navy2010

You have to be a citizen to get into USNA- which includes NAPS. You can consider that a concrete answer.

I cannot speak to your plan B to enlist- that is a very personal choice. I would suggest, however, doing some research on that option, as well as finding your BGO and having a frank discussion, before taking that route. While admirable, there is no guarantee that going enlisted will land you at the USNA.

If you need help locating your BGO send me a PM with your location (high school, city and state is enough) and I will see what I can do to locate the BGO assigned to your area. Again, please PM the information; there is no need to post it publicly.

Whistle Pig

2010's responses are informative and on the money.

Just a note of caution about the plan ...anytime a candidate begins to weave NAPS into the scenario, caution. Only the USNA brings NAPS into the picture. And it can be complex, it seems.