<p>If you are interested in either NAPS or a Foundation Prep School, you need to let your Blue & Gold Officer know ASAP. Initial invitations from the Foundation go out in January. NAPS is evaluated continuously throughout the admissions calendar. Being from Maryland makes it extremely competitive as there are so many candidates from the area. A great deal depends on the TYPE of nomination that you receive from your MOC. Most MOCs present a slate of 10 candidates and then the decision is based on the whole person score. However, there are still many that utilize the other systems. If you are the principal nominee, then you will receive an appointment if your are triple q’d. You may not be the highest ranking candidate in terms of whole person score but that will not matter. The principal gets the appointment and then the others are thrown into the mix and hope to receive an at large appointment. Even though you have a Presidential Nomination, I hope that you have applied to all of your other sources as well.</p>
<p>I know that you posted another thread regarding athletic recruiting. If you are not a blue chip recruit (there are very few of those) it could still be advantageous to reach out to the coaches in your sport. Don’t forget, everyone at USNA plays a sport…either varsity, club or intramurals. If you have a good record in a given sport and could compete at the varsity level, contact the coaches immediately. You never know what may help your case. If the admissions board is evaluating two equally qualified candidates in terms of whole person score and one is an athlete that MAY be able to contribute to a team in some way, who do you think will get the nod? The bottom line is that you should utilize every possible angle to help your case. Good luck and NEVER give up. My son received his appointment quite late in the process but he never stopped believing that he would earn an appointment and worked very hard to get it.</p>