Hello all. I have several questions regarding the topic above.
My schools offers AFJROTC and I was wondering if I could get a ROTC Unit nomination even though it’s AFJROTC. Does it matter if it’s Air Force or Navy or Army? Also, I did AFJROTC in my freshman year of high school and dropped out of that class in my sophomore year to make room for a history class. Should I go back into the class and will it help me in the admissions? Will it help me be more competitive?
For Medical Examination and CFA, when do I take them in my high school year? Also, who do I contact to help me do it?
For the interview, when I am also doing this? (This is the 10th step for Admissions on the USNA website.)
Overall, what do you guys think is going to make an applicant more competitive and standing out.
Thanks.
If I am correct, in order to get a JROTC nomination to USNA, you must be in a NJROTC unit. An AFJROTC unit would allow you to get a nomination to USAFA. I would suggest going back into the class, because even if you cannot get a nomination through it, JROTC participation is valued because it is a leadership position, thus making your file more competitive.
For CFA/Medical:
CFA: As soon as USNA makes you an official candidate, which generally happens sometime in the spring. My advice would be to train for it hard during the summer after junior year, and take it either at the end of summer, or early fall. If you are accepted to NASS, you will take the CFA there.
Medical: The medical is exam, called DoDMERB, is done through various contractors around the country. For the sake of not wasting money, USNA will only authorize you for a medical examination once your USNA application is at least 50% complete. When it is 50% complete, DoDMERB will automatically mail you instructions. These instructions will give you a code to access an online application through Concorde, which is a DoDMERB contractor. On this website, you will have to fill out a thorough medical survey. After this, you will be able to find your local DoDMERB contracted doctor and optometrist. You will then schedule appointments. After attending the eye/physical appointments, the doctors themselves will mail all necessary info to DoDMERB. This generally can be done in late summer AT THE EARLIEST, since it is dependent on your level of completion on the USNA app.
BGO Interview: You should email your Blue and Gold officer after receiving your official candidate package. You will coordinate with your BGO as to when to schedule the interview. Certain BGO’s want a percentage of your file to be complete before conducting the interview. For example, my BGO wanted 50% of my file complete before having the interview. This can occur anytime between summer after junior year, and all the way up to Jan 31st of senior year, although it is better to get it done early. The interview is the chance to add a personal touch to the application.
@MABlue Should I drop orchestra for AFJROTC? The reason I’m asking is because I am wondering if the USNA looks at fine arts and values orchestra over JROTC.
I couldn’t say for certain. Based on the kind of things USNA includes in their class profile, I could see JROTC being more valuable. I would think JROTC would show more leadership than Orchestra. Just my $0.02, You should do what you are more passionate about IMO. High school only lasts so long, and this kind of thing probably wouldn’t completely sway an admissions decision.
The service academies will first look at academics, your GPA and class rank are important, they will look at standardized test scores, and then they will consider your involvement in EC’s particularly athletics and any way that you have demonstrated leadership. When I interview candidates for our congressman, I am more interested in understanding their athletic abilities than something like JROTC. It is useful to know that a candidate has some exposure to the military via JROTC but attending a service academy is academically and physically challenging to my primary concern is whether they are smart enough and can withstand the physical rigor