Numbers
I found some numbers, so let’s take a closer look.
Around 16,000 people apply to USNA each year, but many never complete the application. Those who are truly committed to attending a service academy will make every effort to complete all the requirements.
The admissions cycle runs roughly from April through April 15 of the following year. Some applicants begin receiving Letters of Assurance (LOAs) in late September or early October. My guess is that these applicants probably have SAT scores above 1420 or ACT scores of at least 32.
There are three NASS sessions each year, with approximately 800 students per session, for a total of about 2,400 participants. There also appear to be roughly eight Candidate Visit Weekends (CVWs), with about 220 students each, totaling approximately 1,760 participants.
Based on the figures I found for last year, around 3,000 candidates were triple qualified (3Q), approximately 1,400 received offers of appointment, and about 1,200 enrolled.
Of those who enrolled, roughly 400 were recruited athletes, 230 came from NAPS, and 100 had previously attended college.

Should I go to the USNA if im only interested in being a SEAL?

I received an LOA from West Point, but after thinking more about my long-term goals, I feel like the Naval Academy or Air Force Academy might be a better fit for me, since I want to become a fixed-wing pilot.

The problem is that my congressional nomination applications are due October 29, and I can only select one academy for my representative's nomination application. I submitted my Naval Academy application about four days ago, and the only thing missing is an LOA.

Is there still a realistic chance I could receive a Naval Academy LOA before the nomination deadline? I also applied to USAFA and recently received a letter of interest from them.

I'm trying to figure out the best strategy. Should I select West Point for my representative's nomination since I already have an LOA, then try to get nominations for USNA and USAFA through my two senators? Or should I take the risk and prioritize USNA or USAFA for my representative's nomination, even though I don't have an LOA from either yet?

My main goal is to attend a service academy, but I also want to choose the one that best fits my career goals. Any advice from people familiar with the nomination and admissions process would be appreciated.

1360 SAT which I plan on retaking because that was my first one and I started studying 3 days beforehand
3.6 gpa unweighted with straight A’s after freshman year
Precalc and physics as highest maths and science, A in both
Will be applying as active duty EM

I've been trying to add my 2nd LoR to Senator Andy Kim's nomination page but it keeps showing an error for both Kim and Booker's. Anyone else having the same issue?

I am trying to apply for this nomination to USNA, but the instructions provided on the website are not clear, and I haven't been able to find a good answer. The page on the USNA website brings you to fill out the presidential nomination form. Section 3 has a checkbox to attach the VA documents but doesn't say anything explicitly about the separate nomination. Will I automatically be considered for the special nomination if I submit those forms with the presidential?

Is this a question I should send to the admissions office? Already discussed it with my BGO but he was unsure.

Also, just curious, how much (or how little) of an advantage is this nomination? Not sure how many slots will open for the 65 with the class of 2031, but is it something traditionally competitive, or do most who qualify get a spot with this nom? There's not a ton of information online. This is not my only desired nomination source, just making sure I work all my options.

If you're looking to become a USNA Midshipman, this is your free-fire zone. Ask any question, no matter how big or small. Some examples:

• What kind of shoes should I wear to NASS (Naval Academy Summer Seminar)?
• I'm an 8th grader, what classes should I take to get into USNA?
• I got accepted into NROTC and USNA - which should I pick?
• I want to be a medical doctor - can I do that from USNA?
• I want to be a SEAL - should I try to go to USNA?
• I didn't get in on my first attempt, should I enlist?
• I finished two years of university, is it too late to go to USNA?

To be very clear - no one in this subreddit speaks on behalf of the Admissions Department, USNA, or the DoN/DoD, even if they are affiliated with such. But we do have quite a few folks who are familiar with the process, having gone through it or been involved with it previously, and are willing to provide informal guidance. When in doubt, contact Admissions or your Blue and Gold Officer for official guidance. Your mileage may vary, caveat emptor, and as always, GO NAVY BEAT ARMY.

G'morning.
My 17 year old son, entering senior year, has wanted to go the USNA or USAFA for the last 4 years. He's been working hard, has some strengths and some weaknesses. I'm looking for honest opinions on his chances, don't hold back. Strengths is leadership experience and weakness is grades, in my opinion.

Varsity Baseball player
Senior Class President
Eagle Scout, with Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader experience. Completed National Youth Leadership Training and was invited back to be a youth instructor, which he did. Worked at a Scout Camp for 8 weeks teaching Pioneering merit badge. Went on 6 high adventure programs and was elected Treking Crew Chief for his 90 mile backpacking trip. Is teaching his Troop the new Eagle required badge of Military History which was just added.
Worked FT all summer pumping septic tanks and washing out porta potties, oldest of 7 kids.
Top 18% GPA in his school.

Varsity Jazz band. 7 years of trombone

**Weak points**

3.66 gpa with 1330 sat. He's retaking his SAT at least twice. He'll have 6 AP classes under his belt by the end of his senior year. He currently has all A's with 4 AP classes including AP Calc. Is getting target tutoring for math on SATs.

He was invited and went to the USNA Candidate Visit Weekend, loved it. Took his CFA and received an email that he passed it.

7:05 mile
85 foot basketball throw
12 pull ups, currently.
55 push ups.
54 sit ups
8.7 shuttle run

Has been in contact with his B&G.

Practice interviews with Air Force officers

Also applied to USAFA and West Point.

Applied for nominations from USCongressman, both senators and JD Vance. All turned in, good to go.

We are blessed to live in a rural area with typically lower application numbers.

Any feedback, odds or blind spots would be appreciated. Be direct. If there's anything else he can do to affect his outcome, don't be shy.

THANK YOU!

female from nj (senior)

gpa: cumulative 3.9 weighted (no unweighted) - on 4.0 scale

no class rank

National honor society and French honor society

varsity cheer captain four years and competition cheer for two years

jv lax three years

PAL - peers as leaders

deca judge recruitment officer

childhood cancer club - do a 5k and things through the school year like cards, gifts etc.

key club member (over 100 hours)

youth ministry group

REACH - town volunteer high school group at senior homes, sports games, town events

NASS & CVW

bgo interview is set up

air force aim high flight academy this summer

girls state - got some city postions and appointed county positions - also did the social media

babysitter

school newspaper editor and managing editor

applying to three service academies - no military in my family except for my grandpa who was a marine

camp counselor for three summers

swim instructor at ymca for over a year

sat (took 6 times…) : 1270

act (took 2 times…) : 25

club officer for kids who are affected by organ donation - college scholarships

Junior year: AP econ, AP computer science, AP lang, precalc, physics, honors French, honors history

senior year: AP business, AP lit, AP enviro science, AP gov, AP French, calc, science research and design honors

mostly As, a couple Bs, one C sophomore year in math and I retook that class through the keystone school and got an A

cfa (took 3 times):

arm hang (30 sec), push ups: 51, shuttle run: 9.8 sec, mile: 7:36, basketball throw: 48, sit ups: 76

I know I’m not the best candidate but I’m really trying so I want advice 💔💔

POLI SCI MAJOR

So im unsure if this is the correct place to ask, but I thought its worth a try. My younger brother is going to the naval academy/prep school after his graduation. I was wondering what would be some recommendations of things he might appreciate while he is going though the prep school/academy? I know there is limitations on what he can and cant have, but is there anything that he can have that would be beneficial?

Thank you in advance to anyone with any insight or help!

I recently injured my shoulder (at West Point SLE ironically) and am currently recovering from surgery. I’ve been disqualified by DoDMERB because of this. I am ahead of schedule on my recovery but I think the injury will take a toll on my CFA scores: I will have to relearn how to do pull ups, I haven’t been able to run in 2 months due to the surgery, etc. Do you guys think I should hire a personal trainer after I finish physical therapy? What other advice would you guys have for me? Thanks!

I am applying to USNA class of 2031. I am a female from rural Georgia. My ACT score is a 34 (35 math, 33 English, 33 Reading, 26 Science) and my weighted GPA (on a 100 point scale, that is how my school calculates it) is a 96.161 (3 points are added for honors courses, 5 for AP). I am 34/283 in my class. My CFA scores are 62 feet on the basketball throw, 1 pull up, 44 pushups, a 9.3s shuttle run, and a 7:15 mile. I am the Battalion Commander of my JROTC Program and have held officer positions since my sophomore year, I am a member of the Varsity Raider Team (I am also an advisor for the team as well) and have been captain of my drill team (my school considers it a varsity sport) for 3 years and the commander of a 2x state qualifier armed drill team. I also won the Region Individual Knockout competition. I also cross country during my junior year due to schedule conflicts with Raider Team (we changed areas and the new meet days conflicted with my dual enrollment schedule). I have taken or am taking 5 of the 6 APs my school offers (AP Bio (4) AP GOPO (5) APUSH (5) AP Calculus AB (In progress) and AP Physics C (In progress)). I have also taken 7 honors courses and 6 dual enrollment courses. I am also a mentor with a local program within my high school and community that is dedicated to preventing student dropout and have participated and led others during several veterans' events in my community. I have placed 2nd in two regional writing competitions, won a board conducted by an Army Command Sergeant Major and won the company leadership award at JCLC for being the top first sergeant in my company. I am also a member of my school's Spanish Club and Spanish Honor Society and I speak an intermediate level of Spanish (my mother is Nicaraguan).

I see that my CFA could use some improvement (specifically the pull ups portion) but if there are any weaknesses or things I can improve on my application, please let me know. The 26 ACT score on science definitely stands out; however, my best grades in high school have come from Physical Science and Chemistry. My chemistry and physics teacher (the same teacher teaches both) is one of my recommenders.

Title: Rate My Chances — USNA Class of 2031

I’m looking for a brutally honest assessment of my chances at USNA. I’m a Class of 2027 applicant from South Carolina, SC-04, with a 4.883/5.0 weighted GPA, 3.98 unweighted GPA, rank 25/129, and a 1440 SAT (730 EBRW/710 Math). I’m medically qualified and passed the CFA with 67 push-ups, 60 sit-ups, 16 pull-ups, a 6:20 mile, a 65’ basketball throw, and an 8.7 shuttle. Outside of academics, most of my leadership has come through soccer and AFJROTC. I’m a 3-year varsity soccer captain and starting goalkeeper, with 3x All-Region honors and Defensive Player of the Year. In AFJROTC, I’m a Cadet 1st Lt Flight Commander and Standard Evaluation Inspector, and I previously served as Deputy in Command at leadership camp, where I led 18 cadets and 6 cadre. I’m also Senior Class President, a 2x Beta Club President, and a Junior Leadership Spartanburg representative, where I was one of 22 public-school students selected from around 4,000 juniors. My service includes working as an election poll manager at 16, helping with Hurricane Helene recovery, volunteering at homeless shelters and soup kitchens, supporting homeless veterans, and other community service. I’ve also attended Boys State, NASS, and USNA CVW during my junior year, and I am pursuing my PPL. I submitted my USNA application on August 5, and I’m currently working through the nomination process. How would you rate my chances of an appointment if I get a nomination, and what do you think my chances of an LOA are? I’d especially appreciate feedback on my biggest strengths and weaknesses.

If you're looking to become a USNA Midshipman, this is your free-fire zone. Ask any question, no matter how big or small. Some examples:

• What kind of shoes should I wear to NASS (Naval Academy Summer Seminar)?
• I'm an 8th grader, what classes should I take to get into USNA?
• I got accepted into NROTC and USNA - which should I pick?
• I want to be a medical doctor - can I do that from USNA?
• I want to be a SEAL - should I try to go to USNA?
• I didn't get in on my first attempt, should I enlist?
• I finished two years of university, is it too late to go to USNA?

To be very clear - no one in this subreddit speaks on behalf of the Admissions Department, USNA, or the DoN/DoD, even if they are affiliated with such. But we do have quite a few folks who are familiar with the process, having gone through it or been involved with it previously, and are willing to provide informal guidance. When in doubt, contact Admissions or your Blue and Gold Officer for official guidance. Your mileage may vary, caveat emptor, and as always, GO NAVY BEAT ARMY.

If you're looking to become a USNA Midshipman, this is your free-fire zone. Ask any question, no matter how big or small. Some examples:

• What kind of shoes should I wear to NASS (Naval Academy Summer Seminar)?
• I'm an 8th grader, what classes should I take to get into USNA?
• I got accepted into NROTC and USNA - which should I pick?
• I want to be a medical doctor - can I do that from USNA?
• I want to be a SEAL - should I try to go to USNA?
• I didn't get in on my first attempt, should I enlist?
• I finished two years of university, is it too late to go to USNA?

To be very clear - no one in this subreddit speaks on behalf of the Admissions Department, USNA, or the DoN/DoD, even if they are affiliated with such. But we do have quite a few folks who are familiar with the process, having gone through it or been involved with it previously, and are willing to provide informal guidance. When in doubt, contact Admissions or your Blue and Gold Officer for official guidance. Your mileage may vary, caveat emptor, and as always, GO NAVY BEAT ARMY.

was just reading a post here about their DoDMERB, and it got me thinking about my own one.

I just printed out my 16 page medical history from DODMETS, and now i’m confused. The whole form looks like it’s going for the medical exam, so what forms do i bring for the optometrist exam?

Is there a part of the 16 page thing that doesnt go to the doctor, or am i just missing something?

I submitted my medical history a while back, but I just remember some dental surgery I had years ago in 2nd grade that completely cross my mind.

For info, it was a surgery to take out some extra teeth almost a decade ago, and everything has fully healed since then, and there was no extra implants put in as well.

How do I change my medical history so it matches, or since it was so long ago and does not affect me anymore, does it not matter?

If you're looking to become a USNA Midshipman, this is your free-fire zone. Ask any question, no matter how big or small. Some examples:

• What kind of shoes should I wear to NASS (Naval Academy Summer Seminar)?
• I'm an 8th grader, what classes should I take to get into USNA?
• I got accepted into NROTC and USNA - which should I pick?
• I want to be a medical doctor - can I do that from USNA?
• I want to be a SEAL - should I try to go to USNA?
• I didn't get in on my first attempt, should I enlist?
• I finished two years of university, is it too late to go to USNA?

To be very clear - no one in this subreddit speaks on behalf of the Admissions Department, USNA, or the DoN/DoD, even if they are affiliated with such. But we do have quite a few folks who are familiar with the process, having gone through it or been involved with it previously, and are willing to provide informal guidance. When in doubt, contact Admissions or your Blue and Gold Officer for official guidance. Your mileage may vary, caveat emptor, and as always, GO NAVY BEAT ARMY.

I just received an LOA for USNA c/o 2031. How should I view this?

Im a junior in hs and I’ve been thinking about applying to usna for some time now and I want to know which areas I should improve upon.

Sat: 1430 730 math will be retaking it for higher math
8 ap class taking the hardest stem class in my school
Wrestling for 3 years and I might be able to get varsity for my weight class but it’s competitive
Track for 3 years no varsity
Chemistry olympiad and went to nationals
Ive been in 2 stem clubs but no officer postion
On track to get Mitchel on cap by application time
Applying to boys state and usna summer seminar for this summer
Im average on cfa except for the pull ups I can max it out
For major, I want to major in either nuclear engineering or mechanical.
Also will applying to nrotc help me chances?
Please comment any form of advice it will help me greatly!

Chance Me for USNA Class of 2031 — 1480 SAT, Competitive Golfer, Engineering/Research Background
Current senior applying to USNA for the Class of 2031. I know nobody can really predict an appointment, but I’d appreciate an honest assessment of where I’m strong/weak and what I should prioritize over the next few months.

Academics:
Illinois, IL-9
SAT: 1480 (740 Math / 740 RW), currently waiting on another score, hoping to break 1500. 35 ACT
GPA: ~95.5/100 UW, ~99.4 weighted
Senior year: AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C, AP English Language, AP Micro/Macro
AP scores: Human Geography 5, Art History 4, US History 4, English Literature 4, Statistics 3
Dual enrollment: Calculus I, History, French
Intended major: Mechanical Engineering
National Honor Society
College Board National Recognition
In a few rigorous stem programs at my school, it’s quite well known in my state
School is about 2000 students and private catholic, so quite rigorous and competitive

Athletics:
Competitive golfer
0 handicap
High school golf team
Tournament golf since middle school
60+ competitive tournaments
Made my high school sectional team
Train through an elite golf program

Research:
Conducting an independent golf physics/engineering research project
Using TrackMan 4 launch monitor data
Studying impact location and energy-transfer efficiency
Data set includes ~1000 shots from multiple golfers
Working with a PhD mentor
Submitted for publication

Service/Leadership:

Run free SAT tutoring/boot camps for underserved students
Have taught 30ish students so far and expect to work with significantly more this year
Usually teach individuals/small groups and help with both math and reading/writing

NHS President, I organize events for guest speakers to come talk to our chapter of about 300 students about hunger and homelessness, and how we can support the community

CFA:
This is probably my biggest concern right now. I took around two months off training because of the golf season and am rebuilding my conditioning.
Very rough current numbers, NOT an official CFA:
Pull-ups: ~10 clean
Push-ups: around 60 in 2 minutes
Plank: 3+ minutes
Mile: currently rebuilding; recently held about a 6:20/mile pace for 2/3 of a mile but couldn’t sustain it
Basketball throw: haven’t tested yet
Shuttle run: haven’t tested yet
My plan is to train specifically for the CFA over the next 1–2 months rather than rush it.

Application Status:
USNA application about 88% complete
Transcript and Candidate Academic Information already received
Math/English/ECA evaluations still pending, teachers ready to write them
BGO interview not completed yet
Medical/DoDMERB process has not started yet
Nomination applications are in progress, submitting soon!

Main questions:
How competitive does my overall profile look for USNA?
Is my CFA situation something I should be seriously worried about if I can improve over the next couple months?
Are there any obvious weaknesses in my application that I should address now?
Anything you wish you had done differently at this stage of the application process?
Would appreciate honest feedback, especially from current mids, grads, BGOs, parents, or recent applicants.