Vocaboly.com

[Jason Victor]

Hi. I am a junior in high school and my #1 choice for college is the
Naval Academy at Annapolis. I am planning to apply this spring, and
because it is a rolling application, I have been told that I would
receive a decision around September or October. My stats are below,
but my question is: Is there anything I should do to help my chances
of receiving an appointment at the Academy? I am sure that taking
initiative early could help me get in. The impending admissions
process is giving me those first jitters.

Anyway, here are my stats. Haven't taken my SATs yet, but I usually
get 1460 on practice tests; I'm hoping to raise that to the 1500 range
though. I go to a competitive boarding school and have a 92.6 GPA,
which is one of the top 10 or so in the class. If I keep this average
up for one more half a term, I will get Cum Laude, which is the top
academic honor at our school. My only varsity sport is squash, which I
would probably be able to play at Navy. (I'm not sure whether I would
make Varsity freshman year, but I would definitely make it during my
stay there.) I have started a computer science club that meets
regularly to write software and talk about developments in the
computer industry. I received the State of Connecticut DOT MRT
license, which is the most minimal license that lets you work with an
ambulance team. I speak French, Spanish and Italian, and I'm learning
Arabic in my free time.

So I realize my stats are probably OK for the Academy, but I was
hoping someone would have some extra advice. This summer, I have been
thinking about either working on my squash or working at Bethesda
Naval hospital. (My ambition is to be a Navy doctor.) Any ideas on
what to do with my time to help me get into Navy?

Thanks for all your help,

Jason

[fudog50]

You are to be commended on your initiative, it's great to see someone
at your age making such a decision. I can tell you that ASVAB scores
used to mean a lot, not sure about now. It's been about 5 years now
since I was a Chief at the AT 'A' school (i'm an officer now, did 18
years enlisted and got my commision through the "academy of hard
knocks") and helped a guy get an appointment, so I don't know what the
current instruction says. I'll promise to do some looking into it, and
see if the messages have come out this year yet, and get back to you
by COB on Friday. Keep up the hard work, and look for another response
by Friday.

[Out West]

It sounds like they would jump at the chance to have you, but of course it
is one of THE most selective colleges in the country, too. If there is any
way you can do an interview that would help. Have you done much boating?
After all, the navy is about boats. Just kidding, don't worry if you
haven't, it doesn't matter. Really I have no real useful advice for you
other than the interview and to apply to more than just Annapolis and know
that you are a very strong candidate for them and I'm sure they will see it,
too. It is also a good idea to email and ask a couple questions you might
have so they know you are very interested. Some colleges (I don't have any
way of knowing if they do it) have a kind of tracking system so they can try
to tell if you have asked questions or seemed truely interested in them.
Being the Academy, I doubt they do the same things as other private schools,
though.
A career in the military is full of perks and a lifetime of memories about
places and people and I commend you for being so excited with the prospect.
If more people realized what a fabulous deal and what a great life the
military can be I'm sure it would be even more popular. My half brother and
his wife both retired with full military pension and benefits from the Navy
at 40 and 42 years old respectively. In my brothers case the Navy paid for
his nurse practitioners school at Yale. Not too shabby, that.
Good Luck! I'm rooting for you. -B

[Howard Berkowitz]

By all means, try to get into Bethesda Naval, or the Uniformed
University of the Health Sciences on the same campus. It's never too
early to get mentors and start getting known in the military nedical
community. There's no guarantee, but it isn't unheard of for even the
Academies to hear of an especially deserving student, and for them to
hunt for appointment possibilities.

Career military medical officers can be outstanding physicians, but
bring additional things to the table. There's no accident that COL
Rhonda Cornum (MC, USA) is president of the current (or maybe just past)
class at the National War College.

[Jack Linthicum]

Based on one near relative, brother in law, do not try and skim by in
your first year. If 2.50 is the cut-off point as it was with him do
not try to keep 2.51 as a goal. He got busted out because he was
marginal. The Academy likes marginal students only if they show some
other attribute, sports is one, or are the son/daughter of a serving
Admiral at the Pentagon.

[Hank Murphy]

A couple of points, although some of the other posts will be more
informative:

1. Have you talked to your local Navy recruiter yet? Are you on his/her
list of potential Academy applicants?

2. Have you contacted, or been contacted by a Blue and Gold officer? Not
exactly the equivalent of an alumni interviewer, but much more influential
in you selection from what I've heard.

3. Have you contacted your local congressional representative or senator to
inquire about their nomination policies?

4. Finally, while talking to recent Academy grads is more useful, you may
get some mileage from attending a Navy League meeting. But do the first
three things before that.

I don't know that sailing is that high on the critical factors for
admission, especially if you have an interest in attending medical school.
Certainly not an issue for potential Marines!

Good luck, and let us know how things turn out,

Hank Murphy
speaking only for myself

[John Carrier]

If you REALLY want to be a doctor, the Naval Academy is not the best route.
You won't be given the option of med school on service selection night. You
may be able to apply for a sabbatical to attend med school during a first or
second tour ... I had a good friend who went that route for his DDS when he
attired aviation training. A lot of commitment early on, after your second
year your service obligation is six years IIRC.

The academy uses an appointment system, but most are in fact competitive
based on SAT/ACT scores (yours are superb), GPA, class standing, etc. ...
pretty much like any other university. Achievements such a Valedictorian,
Eagle Scout, NHS, are also plus factors. I'm surprised they're doing early
acceptance, normally your USNA letter is one of the last posted. (Perhaps
the reflects the competitive nature of recruiting).

Good luck
John Carrier USNA '69

[Jason Victor]

[Howard Berkowitz]

Remember the military has its own accredited medical school, the
Uniformed University of the Health Sciences. It might be interesting to
talk to their admissions people.

[Jeff Crowell]

Howard Berkowitz wrote:

[2012mid]

Jason,

sounds like you already have a great package for admission, but you may want to think this through. The academy's position on med school is not favorable. aproximately 15 out of 1200 in your class will be able to select med corps, and almost all of them will be chemistry majors (an unofficial requirment) and almost all will be at the top of the class. It is incredibly competitive. The academy wants to comission unrestricted line officers, and med corps falls outside this category. If you want to be a naval officer come here. It sounds to me like you would be admitted no problem, but if you really want to be a doctor consider other options.