mdsu

what is the selection process like?
is the competition insane?

Whistle Pig

Responding to your questions ...

1. Insane

2. Yes.

Needs of the Navy (Academy, more specifically) drive the process, it seems. They like people from areas not often sending students to USNA; they like students of color, unusual ethnicity; they like females; they love top shelf candidates.

Yes, it's very competitive, especially for those who choose not to apply. Guaranteed not to gain acceptance! Go get 'em, if you're serious about USNA, and don't be deluded that it will give you a true-to-TheYard Midshipmen experience. But it will give you a wonderful exposure ...you to USNA; USNA to you. And the price is right. You'll get $300 worth of sweats, gear, Blue n Gold chotchky (sp?), and your mom's food bill will be substantially revived for a week. I suppose you can argue this fiduciary point if you have to buy round trip passage on the QE II to get there and back ...

mdsu

im just worried because i dont really have leadership in clubs and stuff becasue this is my third high school moving with the military. i had a different school, 9th,10th, 11th grade so far so you know what i mean, starting over.

P_Moscoso

Apply anyway!!!

SemperExcelsius

NASS was awesome and definitely a week well spent. Just thought I'd throw that out there

WP is right. Insane would probably be the best word. If I heard right, there are more applicants to the USNA Summer seminar than there are to any other academy summer seminar, therefore, making it very competitive. Selection for Summer Seminars are generally based more off of what is on paper (i.e. SAT/ACT, Class rank, GPA, EC activities, etc.)... So generally speaking, a person with higher SAT and GPA is more likely to get accepted to NASS.

As mentioned above, it can get pretty competitive. Although, in my squad, there were a few kids that had below average stats and got in. Catch was, they got called a week or so before the seminar and were asked to come down. So there is always a chance of it happening.

Just apply and see what happens. Good luck!

PlebeMom2012

FYI, my son was NOT accepted to NASS but WAS offered an appointment and is now half way through his plebe year. So if you don't make NASS, don't give up!

Whistle Pig

There ya go! PlebeMom2012'sPlebe would seem to reinforce, lend credence to SemperExcelcius' point of competition possibly being greater for NASS than USNA. Go figure. And Go get'em!

Remember ...12:01a.m. 01 Feb 2009 ... No beauty sleep that nite.

PlebeMom2012

Well, Semper may be right and he may not be. My son was a desirable USNA candidate and got his appointment very early in the process. I know of many who WERE accepted into NASS who did NOT receive an appointment. So rather than the competition being greater for NASS than USNA, I think perhaps the competition is "different". And I'm guessing that your location plays a stronger role in NASS admissions than it does in USNA admissions.

The ways of USNA are not always clear to us on the outside. Still, we certainly trust them with our son and are grateful to be a part of things in our small way.

Whistle Pig

Well, there ya go again! PlebeMom2012'sPlebe'sPals' experiences would seem to reinforce, lend credence to my point ...what was my point?

At any rate, I doubt it'd do much good if NASS had 600 wannabes from Washington ...or anywhere else. I'm bettin' they spread 'em around. One thing we know for sure, to quibble a bit ...geography plays a huge role in the USNA process. It's called 5 Mids/MOC.

I think all we're proving is ...we don't know! And this brings us full circle to simply say ...if ya wanna go, apply. If ya don't, don't.

And Merry Christmas to all ... and to all a good night!

navy2010

NASS is a great opportunity to gain an inside glimpse of what USNA is all about. If you are considering applying to USNA, then apply to NASS.

Keep in mind the following:
1. While NASS is a competetive application process (there are limited spaces afterall) it is not as competetive as the actual admission process.

2. Not all NASS attendees will be offered an appointment, just as not all appointees will have attended NASS.

3. Not all NASS attendees are based on Merit alone; there are many other factors that get considered...how many applicants are from the same MOC area, how well is that area already represented at USNA, etc..... clearly attendees from the mid-west may get priority oversome on the east coast, especially those within a reasonable driving distance of USNA. Location is one factor taken into consideration.

4. Other factors: minority groups. Women are no longer considered in that category (the academy has exceeded its target for qualified women candidates for several classes now). The current emphasis is on attracting african-american and hispanic candidates from under-represented areas of the country. If you fall into one of these groups you conceivably have an advantage.

5. "First come first serve" does not necessarily hold true. You do not have to set your alarm clock to the wee hours of 1 Feb. But do apply within the first few days of FEB.

6. Flexibility- the more flexible you are with your time in terms of when you can attend the better.

7. The number of NASS spots increased for the summer of 2008, and are expected to remain at that level for 2009.

8. If you get accepted to go, then prep ahead of time (ie: run) and ago with a great attitude. You will be evaluated and that evaluation will count should your record go before the admissions board.

9. If you do not get an opportunity to attend, then create another one. Consider attending a summer sports camp. When the time comes (fall of senior year) , speak to your BGO about a CVW (Candidates visit weekend). Take your parents on a road trip and go and visit on your own. Attend an information session. Take the tour.

10. No need to prove anything. Compared to the majority of selective colleges and universities, you will find the service academies to be relatively transparent in their application process, NASS included. The problem lies, IMO, in those that seek information not for edification, but in some innane attempt to game the system..... and in the long run, the only disservice is the one you do to yourself.

BOTTOM LINE.
NASS is but ONE WAY to collect information about the USNA and if it is a good fit for you. If you do attend, trust that the USNA will be evaluating you (even if just from a physical standpoint) if you are a good fit for them. If you go, go prepared. And that includes physically fit, and fit for running. NASS is neither a guarentee of admission, nor a deterrent if you are not afforded the opportunity.

jthemackmaster

I got accepted and attended summer seminar. my advice is to if at all possible visit the academy and get an interview with an admissions officer. i think that significantly helped my chances, as a week after the visit i got an email from him saying he had selected me to attend. if during the interview the officer sees your drive and you can explain your situation, it will greatly help your chances.