I'm planning to apply to the Naval Academy and want to be on top of the timeline. What deadlines should I be aware of and how early should I start preparing everything?
Certainly! Here are the general steps and key timelines you'll need to follow when applying to the United States Naval Academy:
1. High School Courses: Throughout high school, make sure you're enrolled in challenging courses, particularly in math and science.
2. Preliminary Application: You can fill out a preliminary application as early as the spring of your junior year in high school. The preliminary application becomes available on April 1. This step is necessary to officially start your application journey.
3. ACT/SAT: For the 2024-2025 application cycle, the SAT or ACT score is required for your application. Take these exams and get the scores to the academy no later than January of your senior year.
4. Official Application: After the preliminary application, if you are considered competitive, you will be given an official application and will have access to the online candidate portal. Complete this as soon as possible.
5. Nomination: You'll need a nomination, usually from a congressman or senator. The deadline for these usually falls in the fall of your senior year (often in October or November), but check with the specific offices for accurate deadlines.
6. Medical & Fitness Exam: You must schedule a medical exam via the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB), and complete the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA). These should be done before December.
7. Interviews: Once your application is complete, you'll be interviewed by a Blue and Gold Officer. They do not have a specific deadline, but generally, they should be completed during the fall of your senior year.
8. Submit completed application: The application deadline is January 31 of your senior year, but it's recommended to have everything in much earlier, ideally by the end of November.
Remember that the entire process takes time, given the lengthy list of requirements, so it's a good idea to start gathering your materials and prepping during your junior year.
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