US Naval Academy Applying.?

MVR

Having a sibling go there won't help you get in - but she can tell you more about it so you'll have a better idea. I know a lot of sibling pairs, and even a few sets of twins that are/were at the Academy.

Plebe year your classes are set for you (assuming you don't test out of any of them). You will take Chemistry, Calculus, English, 1 semester of Government, 1 semester of Naval History, physical education (boxing/wrestling & swimming), 1 semester of Naval Leadership & 1 semester of Navigation. You will select your major in March of your plebe year.

Beginning youngster year, you get some class selection (depending on your major) but there will be some mandatory classes each semester (youngster year it is Physics, Calc III, Ethics, Nav II, Swimming, Martial Arts I, plus your major classes). As you advance at the academy you may be able to work ahead or pick some elective classes, within the confines of your major.

Academics are tough. Plebe chem is a killer for a lot of people, but you can pass every class if you study and take advantage of the awesome profs there - they will stay late for EI (extra instruction). Take advantage of MGSP too (Midshipman Group Study Program). Everyone who is accepted has the aptitude to pass - if you don't apply yourself like you need to, that's your own deal.

abc

I am also a soph applying and I have a sibling currently there. The info above from the other replies are correct. However, as much as they say that siblings that go or graduated from the academy do not affect ones chances, in reality it does. We as siblings know the extremities of the school. We know how tough it is, both mentally and physically and we are still choosing to take up the challenge and duty. The admissions board knows this. They don't want to waste a spot on someone who really doesn't understand what the naval academy entails. At least that is how I see it.
Good luck applying next year. I can think of no greater school than usna.
go navy. Beat army!

Ross

The classes are relatively small. Less than 22 students. The grading is going to be less inflated than most high schools. About 25% of students are on the two Honor's Lists which require a minimum 3.4 GPA. So 75% of students have GPA's below 3.4. In high school almost all of the Midshipmen had GPA's well above 3.4. As a comparison, at Harvard 90% of the grades are A's. The difficulty of the academic program largely depends on the level the student was at. Certain Academic based LOA appointments who could have been admitted to an Ivy League and are taking classes they could validate out of will find it easier than their high school curriculum. Others may find it far more challenging.
First year is a set curriculum. After first year, there are certain core classes but the rest of the curriculum depends on the academic major. There are about 20 academic majors at USNA. Go to the departmental pages at the links below to view the class choices for each major.

Plebe Year Curriculum at the following link:
http://www.usna.edu/AcDean/majors/majors.html
http://www.usna.edu/AcDean/program.html
http://www.nadn.navy.mil/Admissions/academics.htm
USNA Catalog:
http://www.usna.edu/Catalog/

Having a sister go there isn't going to have much effect on a candidate's appointment. I'm fairly certain I provided this link a few days back in an answer to another USNA question that you asked. It provides information on the multi tiered labyrinthine service academy admissions process:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AodQMYg9PwsBLze6O_LBAL3ty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090321112755AAca1Ts&show=7#profile-info-pPzS2GTDaa
Good Luck!

that dude

Honestly youll probably get a lot of BS answers from guys who think they know everything on here, so the best person to ask is no doubt your sister. Im not gonna pretend i know anything about it.

Tom S

I am a sophomore also applying to USNA. I was recruited to the academy, so I don't have as much to worry about.

What are you doing as far as athletics? These are very important. Get involved heavily in one sport, and atleast try to become a co-captain of sorts.

Academics at the academy are very rough. The thing is that the academics at the academy might be comparable to University of Michigan or UCLA. But the difference is you now have to drill, have a mandatory athletic, among other stuff too. So time to study is very sparse.

Plebe year classes are set. I think you have the option of choosing one class, but that might have changed. Their website has a course list. For example three years of calc is mandatory. Its all on their website.

Having relatives will help you get in to a degree. For example if you father went there, then your chances would go up. A sister, not as much. Were one of your parents in the military? This might help you get a nomination.

Looking forward to maybe seeing you one day at USNA.

Hooyah
Navy beat Army!

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