How do I increase my chances of getting accepted into Annapolis Naval Academy?

I'm hoping to attend the Naval Academy in Annapolis. What can I do during my junior year to improve my chances of acceptance? Are there certain activities or achievements they prioritize?

The United States Naval Academy at Annapolis expects candidates to showcase commitment in three key areas: academics, physical fitness, and leadership. Here's what you can do to shine in these areas.

1. Academics: Demonstrate strong academic performance by taking rigorous classes, preferably advanced courses like APs if available, and maintaining high grades. They'll look at your class rank, GPA, and standardized test scores, such as the SAT or ACT.

2. Physical Fitness: Start preparing for the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA). This includes a basketball throw, pull-ups, shuttle runs, sit-ups, push-ups, and a one-mile run so train accordingly to achieve good results.

3. Leadership: Partake in extracurricular activities that showcase your leadership skills. Tier 1 and Tier 2 extracurriculars project strong leadership abilities. This could be leadership roles in clubs, or sports teams, or holding office in student government.

4. Athletics: The Naval Academy places quite a bit of emphasis on physical ability, given its mission to prepare midshipmen for service. Participation in competitive athletics, particularly if you've reached captain or held other leadership roles within a team, can be an asset to your application.

5. Community Service: Demonstrating a commitment to serving others, either through structured programs or on your own, could show you have the drive to commit to a career in service after graduating from the Naval Academy.

Lastly, consider attending programs such as the Summer Seminar or the Naval Academy's STEM program, which are designed for high school juniors to experience first-hand the Academy’s rigorous environment. These programs also help display your genuine interest in the academy. They aren't necessary, but they can give your application a slight "hook" if they're feasible for you.

Achievements like earning an Eagle Scout or Gold Award, being selected for Boys/Girls State, or earning a nomination for the Naval Academy from your congressperson or senator, can also boost your application.

Additionally, remember that you will need a nomination to the Naval Academy from a congressperson, senator, or the Vice President of the United States. You should be proactive in seeking out these nominations, as it can be a competitive process depending on your district or state.

These suggestions can help improve your application and increase your chances of getting accepted into Annapolis Naval Academy. Remember, though, that everybody's application and experiences are different, and what works for one person might not work for another. These are just general guidelines and should be customized according to your skills, interests, and strengths.