Does the time of year in which you apply to NCP affect you?

Dranger · Sep 2, 2013

Fiscal Year Starts OCT 1

elisabethm · Sep 2, 2013

I think that the time of year in which you apply does have an impact on your application. From my very limited experience, it seems like there is more money and optimism at the beginning of the fiscal year (October 1, as Dranger stated), and then the money slowly drops off as the year progresses. There are only a limited number of students that can be accepted, so getting your application in as early as possible will work to your benefit. (If they decide they'll take 35 students and begin reviewing applications in Oct/Nov, many of those positions will already be filled by the time your application is submitted...and who knows how long it will take for your application to be reviewed after its submission.)

Of course, it isn't always that black and white. The board's decisions are very much influenced by what's going on in the military, in the government, and in our country overall. I submitted my application at the end of Autumn (of course, there were little bits and pieces that they kept asking for after that, so I think my last form was submitted in February, can't remember for sure). Pretty soon after my packet was submitted, talk of the sequester and of cuts to the military's budget really heated up. For awhile, no one knew if the board would be taking ANY applicants at all.

So, in short, yes, time of year matters, and earlier is better. But outside factors, such as politics and unease about military finances, can have just as big of an impact on the board's decision and on your application status.

inspiredbynavy · Sep 2, 2013

Are there applications deadlines and opening times? Or can you apply any time?

If I applied around May/June, would I be applying at the end of that fiscal year or would my application bump over to next year's application pool? I've heard from everyone that the application process takes a really long time.

So, to sum it up, the best time to apply would be when?

Dranger · Sep 2, 2013

Depends when the boards are (Army is Nov I believe), either way it is very difficult now at any time.

elisabethm · Sep 3, 2013

Just get it in as quickly as you can. Before applying, I had heard that the boards for the Navy NCP were in the fall, but they selected quite a few of us in the spring as well. (Most of the people on the NCP class of 2014 role call thread were selected in April 2013, like I was.) Your recruiter will be able to tell you if there are specific deadlines. If you can get it in earlier than May/June, I would definitely recommend it. I would try to get it submitted in the fall because that's when everyone else submits their applications. You do not want your application to be the last one in. If your recruiter gives you a deadline, make it.

I think that if you submitted in May/June your application would roll over into the next fiscal year. Even though May/June is months away from the next fiscal year (it starts in October), I've heard that the board does not meet very often. (I really don't know for sure. This is just my guess.)

inspiredbynavy · Sep 3, 2013

I finish my prereqs for nursing school in the Spring and I wont be able to apply until then. I might even consider holding off on applying for NCP until Fall just to get my GPA up a bit. I'm not sure yet.

elisabethm · Sep 3, 2013

Oh, I guess you really can't get it in any earlier then. In that case, I think you'll probably end up in the next fiscal year, although I'm not really sure. Your recruiter will be able to give you more accurate info. Good luck on your application!

inspiredbynavy · Sep 5, 2013

I wouldn't feel comfortable asking my recruiter the types of questions I ask on here, you know? You were great help though. Thank you so much, elisabethm!