NASS or Boys State?

chris.nugent13

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2011
Messages
32
Im sure this question gets asked a lot, but I got accepted to Boys State today and Ive been accepted to the third week of NASS which is the same week as Boys State here in California. Im very torn on which one to pick, I know the American Legion really emphasizes that you go if youve been accepted. So what are your opinions on the matter? Thanks in advance.
 
Boys State

Im sure this question gets asked a lot, but I got accepted to Boys State today and Ive been accepted to the third week of NASS which is the same week as Boys State here in California. Im very torn on which one to pick, I know the American Legion really emphasizes that you go if youve been accepted. So what are your opinions on the matter? Thanks in advance.

If you can only attend BS or NASS, make it Boys State. Whereas USNA emphasizes attending NASS is not a requirement for receiving an appointment Boys State is a real nugget on your application. It has been said here many times NASS is a marketing/recruiting tool to help generate interest in USNA. Have you spoken with admissions about the scheduling conflict? Give them a call. They are very helpful there.
Congrats and Good Luck...
 
Boy's State because of the level of weight it can carry during nom interviews. NASS is overrated.It is a good opportunity to visit USNA and learn but not really a must-go. NASS for really for you to learn about the academy; it has little to no bearing on actual admissions.
There are other opportunities to visit USNA, like CVW's.

Cannot speak for other states but almost everyone in SC that I know of that has been accepted for Class of 2016 attended Boy's State/Girl's State .

NASS may impact your appointment chances if:

you get a super strong reccomendation from your squad leader- somewhat help
you did something really stupid that got you sent home-harms you
 
you get a super strong reccomendation from your squad leader- somewhat help
you did something really stupid that got you sent home-harms you

Not so sure about the recommendation bit. I wasn't even interviewed by my squad leader, I think she just filled out the recommendation without it. I don't think it carries all that much weight.

Go to Boy's State. See if you can get NASS moved. If you can't, go to a CVW later on.

NASS doesn't carry nearly as much weight as Boy's State. In fact, I'm the only one in my NASS squad with a USNA appointment.

The only advantage I got was some talking points during interviews (funny stories about Mock Indoc, opening the peanut butter, spirit missions, etc.).
 
Not so sure about the recommendation bit. I wasn't even interviewed by my squad leader, I think she just filled out the recommendation without it. I don't think it carries all that much weight.

Go to Boy's State. See if you can get NASS moved.

Mine did a short 10-15 minute interview with each of us at the beginning and at the end. I got the impression he neither liked me nor hated me- neutral. This will probably be the case with most people.
 
Ask For Candidate Visit Weekend

There are other opportunities to visit USNA, like CVW's.

Candidate Visit Weekend, CVW, is a 3 day/2 night (if I remember correctly) visit to USNA where you get to tag along a Midshipman and observe his daily activities. You get to see some things that you wouldn't get to at NASS such as classroom instruction while still getting to bunk in Bancroft and dine at King Hall. My son enjoyed CVW very much. If USNA can't accomodate you for a different NASS session, I would suggest asking them for a CVW. And let me also add it never hurts to bounce off your BGO what you may hear in the forum. They're the experts.
Cheers...
 
I never applied to Boy's State. Will this be a serious or minor problem on my application?
 
Not a problem at all. Just something good to have done. I only found out what Boy's State was a couple weeks ago.
 
On the topic of CVW's, do those have to be offered to you or can you request one from an Admissions representative?
 
On the topic of CVW's, do those have to be offered to you or can you request one from an Admissions representative?

both.

USNA supposedly only has x slots for each CVW (on every month starting in October) and gives the spots to top candidates. I found out many of the people I met at NASS received the opportunity, emailed my RD, and got it.
Therefore, they are request-able.
 
DS had this decision made for him because he had to commit for Boys State before he heard back from NASS - glad to hear Boys State is the choice since he didn't get the NASS acceptance until today.

I don't know how it is in other states (we're in VA) but here, you don't apply for Boys State, you are nominated and selected without your knowledge. DS didn't know anything about it until he was selected.
 
Had the same problem last year with out DS. Call the academy and ask to change the session to another week. In our situation DS has to miss last week of school (final exams) to go to West Point then back for Boys State then out to NASS successively then 1 week at Coast Guard Aim in July. It was hard but doable and I think it made a good impression on our DS's congressional interview. He certainly did everything possible to put a good package together and was rewarded with 4 noms and 3 appointments plus 4 yr ROTC.

The academies have to run into this situation every year and they do want to help if they can. Boys state is looked on favorable by West Point, not to sure what USNA thought but that's where he's headed in 2 months.

Good luck, show initiative and make it happen.

:thumb:
 
USNA has a checkbox for Boys State as well and also think highly of it.
 
DS can't change to another session. He has exams for Governor's School during Session 1 and exams for regular high school during the week of Session 2.
 
The decision to join the military is a HUGE life changing decision. One should take every opportunity to see what it is really like before making that committment, whether it be NASS or CVW. Don't decide on Boys State over NASS just because you think it gives you more points on your WCS.
 
NASS < CVW, in my opinion, for seeing life at the Academy. I didn't attend both, but two fellow drags in the company I was with seemed very disillusioned. Maybe easily spooked by their Plebes' ghost stories or something, I dunno, but they kept saying how NASS made the place seem different.

Whereas for me, the CVW sealed the deal. I felt at home there. I certainly agree with time2, you need to experience the Naval Academy if you want to attend. All the goods and bads. Shoot, NASS and CVW together would be awesome. Maybe you could come back and correct me, tell me that NASS was the better experience. That'd be fun!
 
Go to a CVW in January, February, or early March, i.e. right in the middle of Dark Ages. You'll definitely see USNA at its worst then.
 
One more time... because of the selection process of NASS, the number of applicants, and the current emphasis on using the program for recruiting, I STRONGLY recommend prospects for USNA look to STEM and to the sports camps that are available ( see www.navysports.com). There are going to be conflicts between and among NASS and the other SAs summer programs, plus other summer events for high schoolers. At the same time it would seem to me to be very important for someone looking at USNA to make every effort to make a meaningful visit to the Yard!
 
Back
Top