How do I start the United States Naval Academy Preliminary Application?

I'm a junior interested in the United States Naval Academy. What should I know about starting the preliminary application? Are there specific things I should prepare before applying, and how early can I start?

Beginning the United States Naval Academy Preliminary Application is a commendable step towards attending a prestigious institution. While the procedure may appear complex, it essentially begins by ensuring you meet the eligibility requirements and completing the Preliminary Application, which can be done online.

1. Eligibility: Firstly, make sure you meet the age, citizenship, and marital status requirements. Candidates for the Naval Academy must be U.S. citizens at least 17 and not past their 23rd birthday by July 1 of the year they enter the Academy. Aside from U.S. citizens, nominated international students are also eligible.

2. Preparing Yourself: Beforehand, focus on having a strong academic profile, including challenging coursework, maintaining a high GPA, and scoring well on standardized tests. The admissions process weighs heavily on academic performance. Moreover, having leadership experience through extracurricular activities and athletic fitness (as evidenced by your Candidate Fitness Assessment scores) is also advantageous.

3. The Preliminary Application: This is your first formal step. The Preliminary Application is usually available after April 1st of your junior year of high school on the Naval Academy's website. It asks for some basic information about you and your high school performance.

4. Sponsorship: Once you've completed the Preliminary Application and you meet the basic eligibility requirements, you will then be assigned an Admissions Counselor, notified of the completion of the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire, which makes you an Official Candidate, and guided on how to proceed with the remainder of your application. This includes obtaining a nomination, usually by a member of Congress or the Vice President.

5. Nominations: Your nomination can often be the most time-consuming part of the application process, so start early. Each nominator has their own application deadlines and procedures, so you'll need to check with them to ensure you meet their timeline.

Remember, the whole process is quite rigorous and competitive on various grounds including academic, physical, and character aspects. It's advised to start planning and preparing as soon as you can. Good luck!