10 Hits and Misses for 2013

Top 10 hits and misses for 2012

Since I started this blog fifty-four months ago, I’ve had almost 272,000 visitors reading the 759 articles I’ve written on every facet of how to get into USNA, the Navy life, and options if the Naval Academy doesn’t work out.  I also have regular features like Wednesday Hero and USNA Weekly News. It always surprises me what readers find to be the most provocative–as surprising as what holds no interest for anyone but me! It’s usually a post I put heart and soul into, sure I was sharing Very Important Information, and I get three readers who slog their way through it. Talk about humility. Here they are–my top 10 and bottom 10:

Top Ten Hits

1. 9 Secrets for Getting in USNA--yes, there are secrets. Sure you need grades and team sports and leadership, but there are a few more details that will make a difference.
2. The Average USNA Candidate–this may surprise you
3. Checklist: Physical Qualifications for USNA Acceptance–what must you have to be physically fit by USNA standards
4. What is the USNA Honor Code?--not many universities require ‘honor’ of their applicants. USNA does. What’s that mean?
5. Six reasons why you might be a midshipman…are you wondering if you are that military person? Read this.
6. How to Prepare for the Congressional Interview–Part III–the interview with your local Congresssperson can make or break your chances of attending this presitigious school. This three-part article explains how to enter it as ready as possible
7. January To Do List for USNA Applicants--every month, I publish a To Do list. This is an example.
8. Here’s What You Should Know About the Blue and Gold Interview--besides the Congressional interview, this is hugely important and can make up for a variety of shortfalls.
9. How to Make Your Chance of Acceptance 70%–what can you do to greatly improve your chances of acceptance
10. Marcus Lutrell Great Quotes: the Lone Survivor–wise soldier in a down-to-earth way

Top Ten Misses

1. US Marines Die When NATO Won’t Send Air Support
2. Man in the Arena
3. Military Quotation Book: Good Resource for Action Writers
4. The Truth About the War Front
5. 2011 in review
6. How to Think (Critical Skill #5 for Future USNA Applicants)
7. America’s Next Virginia-class Submarine is Christened
8. Eight Amazing American Warriors–Part Two
9. A True Story Befitting the Holiday Season
10. Forged from 9-11, USS New York Sets Sail This Fall

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Jacqui Murray wrote the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is webmaster for six blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a tech columnist for Examiner.com, Editorial Review Board member for ISTE’s Journal for Computing Teachers, and a freelance journalist of tech ed topics. Currently, she’s editing a military thriller for her agent that should be out to publishers this summer. Contact Jacqui at her writing office, WordDreams, or her tech lab, Ask a Tech Teacher.