Does work explain a lower g.p.a.?

[Ric Hard]

I have my application being reviewed by this months board. Recieved a 50 OAR and 5/6/6 on my ASTB. I'm 27 and in excellent physical condition. Really could not afford to go to school so had to work 40 to 50 hours a week just to pay my bills and rent while in school. As a result my grades suffered. My G.P.A. is at 2.44 and I am terrified I will be looked at as a dullard when in reality I am a pretty bright guy. My last semester I cut my work hours by roughly 15 and made the deans list. My choices are as follows: Pilot/ NFO/ AMDO. Does the board consider how hard I worked just to get through school or is G.P.A. weighed much higher then the adversity I went through just to earn my degree. Also, I heard that the Navy is going to be picking up a large amount of pilots and NFO's for the upcoming board. Does anyone have any insight on this? Number wise I mean. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[TheBubba]

It goes like this, young grasshopper:

The board will take into account all of your circumstances. They will look at your GPA. They will look at the fact that you worked your tail off at a job during college. They'll take the fact that you cut back on hours and made the dean's list into consideration. They'll weigh all of that together when making their decision.

As far as numbers go, at this moment, Millington (where your package gets reviewed) is pilot heavy. They are encouraging the OPOs to try to talk some pilot applicants into going NFO. Don't have specific numbers though.

Hope it helps...

Good luck. Cheers,
Bubba

 

[cast-n-blast]

Personally, I think that you should be honest with yourself and ask yourself if you could have done a better job in school. I'm in the same boat as you as far as applying this cycle, and I also work 40-50 hours a week, I'm also 27 and a husband & father of 2. I've managed to maintain a 3.5 in Aerospace Science and I still feel that I could have done better.

 

[metro]

This really helped me, I thought, but not so much in the GPA section. My GPA was about a 3.6 when I applied (still in the 3.5 range), but I had SQUAT for clubs/community service/extracurricular activities, because, simply, I had NO time for them from the time I was 16...I have had a full-time job from the day I turned 16 until the day I joined the Navy. So I don't know about helping GPA, but it definitely helps make up for some areas.

I would say it won't make up for GPA, but it SHOULD make up for lack of extracurriculars, in my opinion.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Personally, I think that you should be honest with yourself and ask yourself if you could have done a better job in school. I'm in the same boat as you as far as applying this cycle, and I also work 40-50 hours a week, I'm also 27 and a husband & father of 2. I've managed to maintain a 3.5 in Aerospace Science and I still feel that I could have done better.

Everybody's situation is unique to it's own. A lot depends on the workload each semester, the type of major, what school you went too (face it, some are harder than others), the support system you have in place (i.e. in nuke power school, it always seemed that the married guys did the best), blah blah blah....the list goes on.

In my opinion, anyone who works at all during college and graduates has much to be proud of. Whether you're working 10, 15, 30, or 50 hours a week to stay afloat while fitting classes somewhere into that schedule, it's a pain in the ass no matter how you look at it. I say congratulations to you both. I think a vast majority of young Americans would not do what you guys did to get your degrees.

 

[Ric Hard]

So Steve, Have you ever seen anyone get accepted with a package similar to mine?

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Yes. A couple things to keep in mind. First, the recruiter is most likely not going to waste his/her time if your package isn't at least somewhat competitive. GPA is only ONE part of the whole package and must, I repeat, must be looked at in context with the rest of the package. Second, I don't look at packages day in and day out. I don't know what is currently needed by big Navy. I wouldn't know that without doing more research. You've done well by getting your degree. I think so long as you articulated yourself well enough in your application package, you have a real good shot. Remember, GPA alone does not equate to commissioning potential. The board members understand this.

 

[Thisguy]

So Steve, Have you ever seen anyone get accepted with a package similar to mine?

I don't look at packages day in and day out.

Yeah Ric, Steve's a SWO, not a doctor.

 

[Ric Hard]

Well, I definately appreciate all the information guys. I think I'm more nervous then anything. This has been my dream since I was a kid and god willing hopefully this will work out. Good luck to you on your application as well cast-n-blast.

 

[Wannab_a1525]

Everybody's situation is unique to it's own. A lot depends on the workload each semester, the type of major, what school you went too (face it, some are harder than others), the support system you have in place (i.e. in nuke power school, it always seemed that the married guys did the best), blah blah blah....the list goes on.

In my opinion, anyone who works at all during college and graduates has much to be proud of. Whether you're working 10, 15, 30, or 50 hours a week to stay afloat while fitting classes somewhere into that schedule, it's a pain in the ass no matter how you look at it. I say congratulations to you both. I think a vast majority of young Americans would not do what you guys did to get your degrees.

Professionally - This forum is not here to blast people or to judge them! We're here for support, to answer our shipmate’s questions, and for guidance.
I agree with Steve.... Everybody's situation is unique, that's why when you piece your package together, you need to encompass everything that is going on in your life (Career, School and/or Navy Reserves, etc..) otherwise the selection board WILL NOT see the big picture, they don’t know you personally, they only know you on paper. Case or school work load does get considered when submitting a package. When I was in Undergrad school @ ERAU (B.S. Aeronautics), I was taking 3 to 4 classes a semester, while being a Drilling Reservist twice a month, raising a 2 yr. old boy and working 50 works a week. I graduated with a 3.0 GPA. I know I could have done better, but I'm not going to beat myself up for it. The selection board takes everything into consideration, I know they do. When I was selected for AMDO-1525 (in Feb 2006), there were people who had higher GPA's than I, and I beat them out! My advice, a master's degree is HIGHLY looked upon by the selection board! Even starting one will give you the edge over someone who doesn’t have one! Sure a B.S. meets the minimums to apply, but the selection boards have desks full of people who are applying for commissions with the minimum B.S. degrees. They're looking for people who exceed the minimum requirements; leaders exceed the minimum requirements, that’s why they’re looking for leaders. If everyone just met the minimum requirements, we’d get nowhere! I’m not saying to go and get a master's degree, but to make your package competitive, at least give the perception of starting one. You're evals must be EP's across the board, LOR's must be **** hot, etc. I was BJOY, EP's for 5 yrs. Awesome Evals, LOR's were awesome, and I didn't get selected the first two times. Third time is a charm, and I think the Master's helped, especially with AMDO being such a small community and very few openings every selection board. This is just stuff to chew on.....

 

[Ric Hard]

Thanks Wannab and Mafesto. As you said wannab, no sense beating myself over it now. I'm sure I could have worked harder on my studies, but what can I do now. I would love to get my Masters or even start it, however, I cant see anyone giving me anymore loans. As it is, I barely made it financially through my B.S. No co-signers for anything. Imagine sittting in class and being asked to leave because your student loans were denied again. It sucks and it's pretty embaressing to. This happened semester after semester. It's not that school was hard. As a matter of fact I loved going to class and learning. It was the financial aspect of it. Money was the biggest issue for me. My financial status has put a huge stress load on me for the past 4 years. As I'm sure it did to many others. (<---Not to be mistaken for feeling sorry for myself or making excuses. I earned my degree and my G.P. A.) However, I feel I have a ton to offer the Navy. I come from a family who raised me with great values and ethics and I feel I encompass everything an officer in the greatest Navy in the world should have. I am a very well rounded individual who never quits! I also feel that the fact I am 27 and have no children is also enticing to the Navy. I love kids and want my own someday, but I have refrained from having children just to make myself more marketable to the Navy. Nothing but respect to you though Wannab for raising a child a continuing your dream. I am to much of a kid still myself to raise a kid anyways. Thanks again for all of the replys. this sight has been an awesome sight for insight and knowledge. God willing I'll be in Pensacola very shortly.

 

[Wingnut]

It's been said quite a few times here, but the only way to know if your package is competative (not counting the obvious flunkies) is to apply and hope for the best. If you're not recommended, then the best thing is to find ways to improve your package; if an area was weak the first time and you've done something substantial to improve it, that's a guaranteed plus. If you're not accepted this time around, you can start work on a master's, work hard and get good grades, and apply again next year. The only downside is that you're approaching age limits for several programs, so you might have to readjust your preferences. Basically though, no one really knows how their criteria works. Everyone could have worked harder at things they've been involved with at one point or another. Personally, I was lucky to have family support through college to augment working and financial aid, and that was a huge part of my good grades. Most of all, don't worry about it. Do spend some time thinking about what you'll do in the event that you don't get it this time around, but at the same time, hope for the best.

 

[Ric Hard]

Thanks wingnut, I wish I could say this did not completely engulf me everyday, but I would be lying. However, I will hope for the best and hope the Navy realizes that they are getting one one the best individuals our country has to offer. (sorry for the spelling. <---------- Had a couple drinks with my instructor tonight)