<p>You apply to NASS on the website. However, you can only apply beginning Feb. 1 of your junior year. </p>
<p>Also, attending NASS can marginally help your application; however, not attending will not hurt your chances. The view is that, if you attend NASS and do well, you have a slightly better understanding of what USNA will be like than someone who didn’t attend. However, you get an equal “boost” for being a child of a military parent – for the same reason. You also get the same boost for attending West Point’s or USAFA’s equivalent of NASS (b/c USNA realizes that candidates may choose another service program due to cost, timing, or other legitimate reasons). The “boost,” however, is very small and, for the overwhelming majority of candidates, will not make any difference in whether or not they receive an appointment.</p>
<p>The reason not attending doesn’t hurt you is that USNA realizes that some people just can’t attend (can’t afford to; school runs too long into June; doing other programs, etc.).</p>
<p>The main reasons for NASS are (1) for potential candidates to get “some” idea what USNA is like and (2) for USNA to attract/recruit strong candidates. It’s a great opportunity for candidates who can do it financially and time-wise. However, if you didn’t do NASS, don’t despair. Many candidates who receive appointments have not participated in NASS and do fine in the application process and at USNA.</p>
<p>The “best way to boost your chances,” BTW is not to attend NASS but to do extremely well in the most difficult courses your high school has to offer, play varsity sports, take on challenging leadership positions in or out of school, and do well on your SAT/ACT. It’s not magic and there is no “secret” to success. Hard work, especially over the course of your final 3 years of high school, is what it takes.</p>