How does the Naval Academy Preliminary Application work?

I'm interested in applying to the Naval Academy and heard there's a preliminary application. Can someone explain what this involves and how it impacts the overall application process?

The Naval Academy Preliminary Application is essentially the first step towards your application to the United States Naval Academy (USNA), and it serves as initial contact between you and the Academy.

After you complete your preliminary application, which requires you to submit basic information like your academic performance and your extracurricular activities, the Admissions Board will review it to see if you meet their minimum academic standards. They would typically look at your high school curriculum rigor, grades, class standing, standardized test scores, and participation in competitive activities like sports and leadership roles.

If you meet these standards, the Naval Academy will notify you via email, and this will officially open your candidate profile. From there, you will have access to the candidate portal to complete the rest of the steps in USNA's application process, including submission of your full application with supplement materials, medical evaluation, candidate fitness assessment, and interviews.

The preliminary application doesn't directly impact your chances of being admitted to the Naval Academy, but it is an essential step in the process. It allows the admissions team at the Naval Academy to determine if you're academically competitive for the Academy, and it also allows you to officially start your application. Therefore, it's crucial to take this step seriously and provide the most accurate and appropriate information as possible.