United States Naval Academy
Information Program
Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ) As you might imagine,
nearly every question a student or parent may have about the Naval Academy has been asked
before. While we encourage you to contact us with your unique
questions, chances are the majority of your concerns are already addressed within the Naval Academy web site (the site index and Frequently Asked Questions areas are
particulary informative), or in the official catalog available from your local school
library or guidance counselor. Please conduct a thorough review these valuable resources
(as well as the questions below), before contacting
your BGO.
Q: Contact - How do I contact my
Blue and Gold Officer (BGO)?
A: BGO contact information can be found by visiting the BGO page of this site.
Q: Application process - How do I
apply to the Naval Academy?
A: The first step is to fill out a Precandidate Questionnaire. Once it is
evaluated by the Naval Academy, you will be notified if you have been designated as an
official candidate.
Q: Application process - Do I have
to turn in all of my application forms within 30 days?
A: No. There is nothing that tracks how long it has been since your
packet was sent out from the Academy. The sooner you complete your application package,
however, the sooner it will go before the Admissions board. Since USNA has a rolling
Admissions cycle there are more openings in September than there are in January.
Q: Application process - Will I
receive a letter once my application packet is complete?
A: Yes. Once the Academy has all of your forms scanned in to the
computer, you will receive a postcard stating that all forms have been received. Expect to
receive this postcard approximately one month after you send in the last form.
Q: Applications process - Should I
make copies of everything I send in to USNA?
A: Yes. The Naval Academy deals with close to a million pieces of mail
each year, and unfortunately, not every piece arrives safely. It is further recommended
that you send your application package materials by certified mail so you have proof of
its arrival.
Q: Summer Seminar - I'm interested in attending the
Naval Academy Summer Seminar. How do I do it?
A: Please see the Academy's Summer
Seminar web page for more information.
Q: Preliminary Application - I
completed my Preliminary Application, but I was not designated as an official candidate.
May I still talk to a BGO?
A: Absolutely! One of the BGO's jobs is to counsel and assist interested
students who may not yet meet the normal scholastic qualifying levels necessary to be
declared an official candidate for admission to the Naval Academy. BGO contact information
can be found by visiting the BGO page of this site.
Q: Nominations - How do I go about
getting a nomination?
A: Candidates are required by law to obtain a nomination in order to be
offered an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Every candidate is eligible for a
nomination from the Vice President. Additionally, candidates may be eligible for
nominations from the two Senators and one House Representative from their congressional
district (where you claim residency). Additionally, those candidates who have a
parent on active duty or that retired from active U.S. military service is also eligible
for a Presidential nomination. Please apply to ALL nomination sources for which you are
eligible, as this will enhance your application efforts. For more information, please see:
Q: Nominations - If I receive one nomination,
should I tell the other sources to withdraw my name from consideration?
A: NO. You want as many nominations as you can get. Most nominations are
competitive. A senator or congressman provides a list of 10 names and USNA selects the
best one. If you are on several lists, the chances of you being the most competitive on at
least one list significantly improves.
Q: Non-U.S. citizens - What if I
am NOT a U.S. citizen?
A: Each year, there are several opportunities available for certain
non-U.S. citizens to attend U.S. service academies. This is based on nation-to-nation
agreements, and involves a specialized application procedure. Non-U.S. citizens must
contact the U.S. Naval Attache at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in their home country for
details. The U.S. Naval Attache will be able to advise you as to whether your home country
will be eligible to submit applications of their citizens to the Naval Academy via the U.S. State Department. Application procedures vary as do
the service commitments in your own defense force. Service requirements after graduation
vary from nation to nation, but in any case, service will NOT take place in the U.S.
military.
Q: Dual nationals - What if I am a
dual-national?
A: You must decide to apply as either a U.S. citizen or as a non-U.S.
citizen. You should also consider the implications of service in the U.S. military as
legally viewed by the other nation for which you claim citizenship.
Q: Medical - How will do I get a
medical exam?
A: The Department
of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB), the agency in charge of the
medical aspect of applications to any service academy and/or ROTC program, will send you a
medical packet identifying with whom you should schedule your medical exam. Usually the
medical exam takes place at a U.S. military medical facility located within a reasonable
distance. Should difficulties arise, contact your BGO for assistance.
Q: Medical - Will I be contacted
regarding my medical exam?
A: Yes. DODMERB will contact you directly. They will send you information
regarding the scheduing of your medical examination.. If you are not located near a
military medical facility, Concord (a private contractor) will contact you. If you have
not heard anything 6 weeks after you received your application package, then contact your BGO for assistance.
Q: Medical - Will I be contacted
regarding the completion of my DODMERB medical exam?
A: Yes. You will either be sent a letter stating whether you are
medically qualified, disqualified, or incomplete. This is the longest leg of the
application. If DODMERB requests additional information, ensure you take action to send it
back to them immediately.
Q: Medical - What do I do if I am
found to be medically disqualified?
A: You should have received a letter that tells you exactly what to do.
It says to send a letter to the Senior Medical Officer if you want to try for a waiver or
send a letter to DODMERB if you believe their information is incorrect.
Q: Medical - Do I need to request
a waiver for my eyesight?
A: It depends. You need to look in Appendix A of the catalog or the USNA
Admission page for Eyes and Vision
for the currnet standards.. It breaks down what is disqualifying and what is waiverable.
You do not need to request a waiver even if you have less than 20/20 and meet the
requirements in App. A.
Q: Medical - If I do not have
20/20 vision, is it to my advantage to get corrective surgery? And will I be allowed to
fly if I have the surgery?
A: It is not to your advantage to have corrective eye surgery. Currently,
the U.S. Navy does not allow individuals who have had corrective eye surgery to enter into
aviation training. In addition, if you have eye surgery, you will need to request a waiver
to get into the Naval Academy. Check the USNA Admission page for Eyes and Vision for the currnet
standards.
Q: PAE - What if there are no
local high school physical education (PE) teachers to administer the Physical Aptitude Exam (PAE)?
A: Use your best judgment in finding the nearest equivalent.
Possibilities include a town sporting coach, an active duty military officer and an
athletic director at a gymnasium.
Q: Acceptance - When will I be
notified if I was accepted or turned down to attend the Academy?
A: Usually you will hear from the Naval Academy no later
than 15 April. Offers of appointment are made after 15 April.
Q: Visitation - Can I visit the
Naval Academy?
A: Yes. If you want to come for an overnight visit, you may sign up for
one of ten candidate visit (CV) weekends conducted throughout the academic year. You may
sign up for the weekends starting the last week in August. The visits begin on a Friday
morning, conclude at 1100 on Saturday, and provide an opportunity to experience a day of
classes and overnight in Bancroft hall with your assigned midshipman. The dates for the
weekends are listed here.
If you do not want to spend the night, you can stop by the
admissions office and attend one of the briefings during the day. The briefings are
offered M-F at 9, 11, 2, and 4 or at 9 and 11 on Saturday. Reservations are not required.
Q: Parents - Is it alright to have
my parents contact you?
A: Yes, but we would much rather deal with you! How you approach the
application process is a good indicator of your motivation. You are the one who should be
filling out the application. You are the one who should be making contact with your Blue and Gold Officer
and setting up your interview. The most often cited reason midshipman give for resigning
from the Academy (especially during Plebe Summer) is that their decision was based on the
wishes of their parents. Please ensure that you are the one who wants to attend the United
States Naval Academy. It's your life.
Note: This existence of this site does not
constitute official endorsement by the United States Naval Academy, the Department of the
Navy, or the Department of Defense.
Last updated: 19 September 2006
Questions or Comments concerning this page should be directed to the
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