summer sessions nightmare?
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Yes I know someone that went to all 3 SS (minus CG) and Girl's State.
I could have done so but opted out of WP and AFA- accepted to both.
My interview panel told me getting selected for WP SLS is harder than getting into WP. Not sure if that was partially a joke, but nevertheless that was what they said....
Applying early will help... got my WP SLS acceptance within a week, similar deal with AFA. Now USNA ..........................took long enough but I made it
Christcorp
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I don't think it's really mathematically possible to do all 3 AND Boy's state.
First thing: Get accepted to summer seminar and boy's state. Worry about which one you can attend after being accepted. Why worry about something you have absolutely no control over? You might only get accepted to one summer seminar. In which case, all your worrying is for nothing. Apply first: Get accepted second: Worry about which ones you can go to next:. For What It's Worth...... If you are fortunate enough to get chosen to go to boy's state, that should be your first priority. Unless you already have a lot of proven and validated leadership activities. e.g. varsity captain; class officer; other local civic/government selected programs similar to boy's state, etc... Summer seminar is for your benefit. It allows you to get a taste of the academy and whether you would like to do it or not. It has very little affect on receiving an appointment. Maybe a little perception points by your MOC or the admissions board; but very little. A validated selected leadership role like boy's state carries weight during the weighted scoring of your application. best of luck to you. mike....
This is a tough question as Boys State and WP SLS are BOTH top priorities. However, I would advise you to get accepted to both but make SLS the top priority. Remember that there are TWO sessions of SLS to help you deconflict any overlap. My son ( a current member of the class of 2015 Company I-3 and doing very well) had the same problem last year but was able to go to both by attending the second session of the WP SLS.
I got accepted to all 3, but because my school was still going on could only choose 2. Oddly enought, I went to NASS and AFSS and then went to an Army sports camp. Ended up choosing WP...They are all very similar and will give you a quick glimpse into Academy life. I would not over-stress about which one you go to, however. You can visit any (and should do a visit during the year), but the 3 are very similar to one another. There's no advantage of going to them past putting in your application to begin your file; it's a chance for the academies to sell themselves to you, not the other way around.
Christcorp
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Nick; I understand for the individual who truly doesn't know which academy to apply to, that SLS can be enlightening. I'm just curious why you would say that SLS should be priority over accepting Boy's State? SLS doesn't help you get into West Point, but Boy's State definitely helps you get into West Point. And with the academies becoming more and more competitive, I'm just curious why you'd choose SLS over Boy's State? Unless you already had 3-4 high level leadership experiences already?
cisco
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Nick; The first SLS session is the one he posted. The second one occurs during Boys State. So, really there's no way around it.
Choose Boys State. SLS is fun, and will give you a better insight on what you may be in for. But, so can an overnight visit or a trip to WP. (Of course SLS would give you a much better idea, though). If you truely want to get accepted into an Academy, Boys State could help you in all. Where as going to a summer session, would barely help you and would only be for one of the Academies. Yet, like everyone else has said, wait until you're accepted. Then if you're accepted to more than one, choose.
Choose Boys State. SLS is fun, and will give you a better insight on what you may be in for. But, so can an overnight visit or a trip to WP. (Of course SLS would give you a much better idea, though). If you truely want to get accepted into an Academy, Boys State could help you in all. Where as going to a summer session, would barely help you and would only be for one of the Academies. Yet, like everyone else has said, wait until you're accepted. Then if you're accepted to more than one, choose.
Thanks guys
First guys thanks for the input
I was already notified that I am our schools rep for boys state. I'm definitely going. It was a lot of paperwork that I had to do but it won't be anything compared to the application process for SA.
If by some miracle I get into SLS, my parents said they would pick me up from there NY and drive me the 13 hours to get to boys state. The American Legion already agreed that I wouldn't have to ride the mandatory schoolbus down to boys state.
My concern is that SLS may be harder to get into than USAFA in my area (I think this because far less people seek MOC moms for usafa than USMA in my area so if this is a recruitment tool usafa may be a safer bet)
There is no way I can do usafa and USMA summer programs. The week before boys state. Since the application dates are six weeks apart I would imagine that it has happened that people apply to USAFA than dobt go hoping they get into USMA but then don't get in and you are left with none.
I am also hoping for NASS- again a VERY long shot as I've read that there 3x more MOC requests for USNA than for USMA, and 7x more MOC requests for NASS than for USAFA in my congressional district. 'course I could be reading this wrong.
I'm also applying to a couple of engineering camps.
First guys thanks for the input
I was already notified that I am our schools rep for boys state. I'm definitely going. It was a lot of paperwork that I had to do but it won't be anything compared to the application process for SA.
If by some miracle I get into SLS, my parents said they would pick me up from there NY and drive me the 13 hours to get to boys state. The American Legion already agreed that I wouldn't have to ride the mandatory schoolbus down to boys state.
My concern is that SLS may be harder to get into than USAFA in my area (I think this because far less people seek MOC moms for usafa than USMA in my area so if this is a recruitment tool usafa may be a safer bet)
There is no way I can do usafa and USMA summer programs. The week before boys state. Since the application dates are six weeks apart I would imagine that it has happened that people apply to USAFA than dobt go hoping they get into USMA but then don't get in and you are left with none.
I am also hoping for NASS- again a VERY long shot as I've read that there 3x more MOC requests for USNA than for USMA, and 7x more MOC requests for NASS than for USAFA in my congressional district. 'course I could be reading this wrong.
I'm also applying to a couple of engineering camps.
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Dixieland
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Do not miss Boys' State. It is so much more than something to put down on college applications. Both of my sons found it a worthwhile and rewarding week.
My cadet did not do SLS. He did not want to miss that much school and have to reschedule exams. USMA is the only SA he was interested in and since he had had a couple of day visits, he was satisfied with his choice and didn't bother with SLS.
One of my cadet's friends did SLS and NASS (older brother is a USNA grad) last summer and that helped him realize that he was NOT interested in a service academy so I guess it works both ways.
My cadet did not do SLS. He did not want to miss that much school and have to reschedule exams. USMA is the only SA he was interested in and since he had had a couple of day visits, he was satisfied with his choice and didn't bother with SLS.
One of my cadet's friends did SLS and NASS (older brother is a USNA grad) last summer and that helped him realize that he was NOT interested in a service academy so I guess it works both ways.
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To answer your specific question, yes, if things haven't changed in the last couple years (my kids went in 2009 and 2010), then the schedule you posted would in fact be possible. While USNA and USMA had a closing ceremony during the day on the last day, USAFA started running buses at 4am so students could make flights after around 6:30am. My oldest son looked at doing that directly from USAFA to USNA but ended up changing the schedule around to make it work better. The issue isn't missing some of the seminar (you could leave a bit early/late) but in using their transportation. It's challenging to get from USAFA to the airport (especially as a candidate) without using their supplied shuttles, so you have to use them when operating. Same for WP so you would need to be sure your flight from AF to WP got you there in their arrival window, and/or have a backup plan in case the flight was delayed. At Navy you can always take Supershuttle so it's not as critical.
If your concern is how tired you'll be, I think you'll be fine. My oldest son did 3 in a row (but not Boys State) and enjoyed all of them. I would warn though that it will get repetitive. At each one you'll learn a lot of the same things and sit through lectures on how the nomination process works - same for the application, Dodmerb, practice/real CFA. My son did USAFA last and while it was his top choice (and he's a sophomore there now), he was getting bored by the end of that last seminar.
Good luck and hope it all works out for you!
If your concern is how tired you'll be, I think you'll be fine. My oldest son did 3 in a row (but not Boys State) and enjoyed all of them. I would warn though that it will get repetitive. At each one you'll learn a lot of the same things and sit through lectures on how the nomination process works - same for the application, Dodmerb, practice/real CFA. My son did USAFA last and while it was his top choice (and he's a sophomore there now), he was getting bored by the end of that last seminar.
Good luck and hope it all works out for you!
matt123456
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when I went to summer seminar I know of about 10-20 candidates that went to military academy summer seminar the week before.
My DD went to all three Seminars AND Girl State (plus a week long running camp). She was tired and home sick but learned a lot and is very proud of this accomplishment. My advice is to do all you can because this opportunity only comes once in a life time!!
I mentioned that both are top priorities and choosing is a tough choice. My son (Class of 2015) went to both by choosing the SLS SESSION (there are two sessions) that did not conflict with Boy's State. This is a "toss-up". I know that reports are written on every SLS candidate. My son's Regional Admissions Officer told him that his SLS report was VERY good. Since these people can strongly influence who gets in - I think the SLS report was important.
My son already had a strong leadership record (Captain of football team, Captain of Wrestling team, President of Student Body etc) so the Boy's State was not too important plus he had never been to West Point.
IN SHORT - YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG WITH EITHER CHOICE.
My son already had a strong leadership record (Captain of football team, Captain of Wrestling team, President of Student Body etc) so the Boy's State was not too important plus he had never been to West Point.
IN SHORT - YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG WITH EITHER CHOICE.
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Our DS made the same decision around the summer seminars, which we supported. And followed up with overnights to two of them.
It was worth the hassle & cost, it made his decision clear.
Last summer there was one combination of sessions that allowed for a reasonable schedule to hit all three. And another that would have worked, but required flying from one to the next. USCGA AIM is later, it's easier to work in if desired.
Even though it's not a total cadet experience, you do get exposed to cadet leadership through cadre. And a good feel for the school facilities. And some exposure to cadet life.
What impacted our cadet is he saw a significant difference in professionalism across the cadre. Not just individuals, at all levels. His initial observation was confirmed in his overnights.
That alone justified the expense.
My read: If you can't make the summer seminar for your choices, then for sure arrange detailed visits, and ideally an overnight if they allow it.
They will be committing the next 9+ years of their life! Make an informed decision.
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