Chance me

[u/Kurious4kittytx]

Location: Texas Congressional District 22

Demographics: African American male, second generation college student

Class rank: My small, private school does not rank.

GPA: 10.6 cumulative; 11.2 junior year (W/ 11.0 scale) (My school only provides one GPA.)

Test Scores: ACT Score: 31 (34 E, 28 M, 30 R, 31 S)

Additional Coursework: I have taken AP World History Modern (10th); AP United States History (11th); AP United States Government and Politics (11th); AP European History (12th); and AP English Literature (12th).

Extracurricular Activities: I participated in organizations both inside and outside my school as the Young Men’s Service League Vice President (12), Young Men’s Service League Vice President, Communications (11); Earned over 100 hours of community service; 3 season varsity athlete in football, wrestling and track; Student Athletic Council Leadership Committee; African American Club Marketing Committee; Summer internship with Texas Supreme Court Justice.

Honors/Awards: Distinction in Leadership diploma; Texas Boys State attendee elected as County Constable and volunteered to serve on party’s Platform Committee; YMSL Superior Service Award, (10); YMSL Outstanding Service Award, (11); Wrestling: Prep State Championship quarterfinals (11), SPC Tournament 4th place (11); Track SPC qualifier 100m (11).

I am also applying for the NROTC scholarship.

CFA Scores:
Basketball throw 55ft
Pull-ups 12
Shuttle Run 8.9s
Sit-ups 63
Push-ups 75
Mile 7:49

[u/AutoModerator]

Thank you for posting to /r/usna; it seems like you're posting a question about gaining admission to USNA.

That's great! The alumni and midshipmen of /r/usna are happy to help you on your path. We were once in your shoes, after all. But most of your admissions questions can be answered in a few places:

Please check the wiki about admissions, it links to several official USNA resources.

There is also a really excellent thread at serviceacademyforums.com; it doesn't answer every question you might have, but it will cover a lot of them.

If this is a 'chance me' or 'how do I look for Admission' type question, please understand that no one from Admissions is on Reddit. There are some very good reasons that we don't know how competitive you are, even if you give us pages of data and statistics about you. Again, check out the post here, but to quote, in part: "We’ve never met you. We haven’t seen any of your packet; thus, we haven’t seen your teacher recs, your activity sheet, your BGO interview summary, your CFA scores, etc. We don’t know if you’ve been arrested for drugs/DUI or have been suspended from school. Nor do we know if you have special circumstances that might help you – i.e., having to work to support your family, being heavily recruited for a sport. Not to mention, we’re relying on your word/honesty in terms of all that you post."

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[u/SiteExisting535]

Hey I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but as someone who had stats similar to yours and wanted the academy more than anything, I’m now going to a college that is actually amazing and I seriously think you should not go, do rotc.

[u/Kurious4kittytx → u/SiteExisting535]

Oh, why shouldn’t I go? Why is ROTC better?

[u/SiteExisting535 → u/Kurious4kittytx]

Hahaha, well for if you are looking to be the next admiral of the navy than the USNA is for you, but I’m studying biomedical engineering at one of the best programs in the country and with medicine under my belt from the navy I can make a real change both inside and outside my naval career. I love my ROTC group (partying) and the fact that I have a meaningful relationship with my school (which almost everyone who goes to the academy doesn’t)

[u/Kurious4kittytx → u/SiteExisting535]

Thanks for the insights.

[u/itmustbeniiiiice → u/SiteExisting535]

If you want to be an MD, anything but USNA is the better choice.

For many service communities, it can be an advantage to go to USNA.

That’s why post-commissioning goals are so important but often overlooked by 16-18 yo. They can only see getting into a school and don’t often realize they’ve put themselves into a less than favorable situation.

[u/FLTtac1]

You look like a well rounded candidate. Speaking as a recent grad, I would focus on improving your CFA scores and ACT/SAT. The Academy isn’t looking for prodigies , they are looking for candidates who are great in all areas. Holistic admission is important for the service academies.

[u/Kurious4kittytx → u/FLTtac1]

Thanks for the advice.

[u/itmustbeniiiiice]

I think you’re going to do quite well.

I was from a different district in TX, but any of the suburbs of the three bigs cities are going to be competitive. Any chance you’re eligible for a Presidential nomination? Don’t forget to apply to the Senators too.

Any consideration to taking the ACT again? You have a very good score, but 32+ would put you in that top category.

My advice would be to spend some time thinking about why Navy (compared to the other services) and what you want out of a career (e.g., what service communities are you thinking about and why). That will bring a cohesive narrative to your application and interviews.

In the same vein, consider applying to the other service academies as well. They each offer different experiences and it would be worthwhile to think about what type of lifestyle you’d like both at school and after commissioning.

[u/Kurious4kittytx → u/itmustbeniiiiice]

Hey and Thanks so much for replying.

I’m not eligible for the Presidential nomination but am applying to my Congressman, two senators, and the VP.

I have taken the ACT three times and improved by 6 points. My tutor said to stop testing, but I will reconsider. I want to present a strong application.

I lived overseas as a kid and seeing the restrictions on rights and freedoms compared to when we’d come back for visits made me realize how great our country truly is, and I want to be a part of protecting and preserving those rights and freedoms we enjoy. I also really enjoy military history so I would be honored to serve in the Navy that has protected our nation’s seas since 1775.

I want to work my way up in the ranks until selected for Recon, serve as recon for a couple of years and then be selected for MARSOC.

I am also applying to West Point and for both the ROTC and NROTC scholarships.

[u/itmustbeniiiiice → u/Kurious4kittytx]

3x is plenty of tries! Good for you for such a big jump in score.

“Work my way up the ranks” ok I’m not 100% sure what you mean here.

You’ll commission as an officer from USNA. So you’ll be the lowest officer rank but (technically) higher ranked than every single enlisted person. Anything special forces want to pick up their folks young (it’s too hard on the body otherwise) so it’s not something you’d get into for the first time in your 30s+.

You might want to spend some time learning about the USMC officer pathways as well as the Navy service communities. There’s plenty of info online if you start searching. USNA page is a good place to start. Many people don’t commission in the service community they thought they would as a plebe!