NAPS and Foundation Program

Pers3us

5-Year Member
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Aug 2, 2011
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Does attending NAPS or the Foundation Program automatically garauntee you an appointment in the next admissions cycle, or.... How does it work, it's something that has always confused me... Thanks.
 
Does attending NAPS or the Foundation Program automatically garauntee you an appointment in the next admissions cycle, or.... How does it work, it's something that has always confused me... Thanks.

No and yes.

It is not a "guarantee" but to the degree that students successfully complete the program with 2.0 (some say 1.8 for NAPS) they are offered appointments.

Lots of threads on here informing "how it works."

Students cannot apply. They are selected.

Can you specify what you are confused about?
 
Well, really I'm just confused on if someone in either program needs to find a nomination again, is it like repeating the application again? Also, I've heard that if a candidate is triple Q'd then they are no longer eligible for the programs. Is this true?
 
No and yes.

It is not a "guarantee" but to the degree that students successfully complete the program with 2.0 (some say 1.8 for NAPS) they are offered appointments.

Lots of threads on here informing "how it works."

Students cannot apply. They are selected.

Can you specify what you are confused about?

It's really a 2.2 for NAPS... though some football players have been known to get by with less. :mad:
 
Well, really I'm just confused on if someone in either program needs to find a nomination again, is it like repeating the application again? Also, I've heard that if a candidate is triple Q'd then they are no longer eligible for the programs. Is this true?

USNA requires NAPS (I think) and Foundation (definitely) candidates to apply for noms. However, if they successfully complete the program and want to attend USNA and don't receive a nom, USNA will "find" one for them.

As a general rule, the programs are offered to those who are not scholastically qualified for a direct appointment to USNA. So as a general rule, if you are scholastically qualified for USNA, you shouldn't be offered NAPS or Foundation. Is this universally true? Honestly, I don't know.
 
It's really a 2.2 for NAPS... though some football players have been known to get by with less. :mad:
This change is good to know. One non-athlete from 2011 was known to have been appointed from NAPS with a 1.8 gpa.

Is this policy? Can you direct us to any validation of this change? Thanks.
 
Here is a link to the information brochure published by USNA about NAPS prior to this academic year. http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/NAPS Information Brochure (AY2012-2013) docx.pdf

If you look on pg. 8, there are the criteria for an appointment to USNA. You are required to have a nomination. Most NAPSters are able to get one from their congressman, although a few (including prior enlisted) may need one from the SecNav.

- Successful completion of the course of
instruction at NAPS (> 2.2 GPA)
- No failing grade in any subject
- Improving or sustained course grades
and SAT scores
- Pass the USNA Physical Readiness
Test
-Body fat compostion within USNA
standards (Male < 20%, Female < 30%)
-Favorable conduct and honor aptitude
- Favorable recommendation from
NAPS’ Commanding Officer

Generally speaking, you will get a favorable recommendation from the CO if you meet the requirements above, especially regarding conduct and honor.

WP, I know that the NAPS class of 2012 had the same academic requirements as we do this year. I am unsure about 2011 and before however.

It is widely known that some waivers do occur though (for example, if an immediate relative died during the year and caused extenuating circumstances for the NAPSter). I believe one person last year (a prior Marine IIRC) had to stay several weeks after graduation to study further in order to receive his appointment. Recruited athletes, especially football players are the most common ones to receive special treatment. My roommate is a football player and is extremely smart (SATs well over 2000 and nearly a 3.5 gpa here in all advanced classes). He's only here because of a medical condition that they're treating him for here. He will most likely receive a waiver for this condition assuming treatment continues well. Most football players are not like this however. Anyway, I'm drifting off topic...
 
USNA requires NAPS (I think) and Foundation (definitely) candidates to apply for noms. However, if they successfully complete the program and want to attend USNA and don't receive a nom, USNA will "find" one for them.

As a general rule, the programs are offered to those who are not scholastically qualified for a direct appointment to USNA. So as a general rule, if you are scholastically qualified for USNA, you shouldn't be offered NAPS or Foundation. Is this universally true? Honestly, I don't know.

1985... Your comment about "if you are scholastically qualified for USNA, you shouldn't be offered NAPS or Foundation" is not universally true. Over the years, I have developed first hand knowledge of a number of Foundation students who were 3Q'ed, and did not obtain MOC (or other) nominations for USNA (but did for other SA's). The USNA was interested in them, and offered Foundation Scholarships. They spent their year at "prep" school, minded their P&Q's, demonstrated their capabilities, went through the MOC nominatin process again, this time obtaining one for the USNA, and are attending / graduated from the USNA.
 
It's really a 2.2 for NAPS... though some football players have been known to get by with less. :mad:

My NAPSter friend told me that anything above 2.2 is extra, and that the gpa you get in NAPS isn't as important as the USNA one.
 
1985... Your comment about "if you are scholastically qualified for USNA, you shouldn't be offered NAPS or Foundation" is not universally true. Over the years, I have developed first hand knowledge of a number of Foundation students who were 3Q'ed, and did not obtain MOC (or other) nominations for USNA (but did for other SA's). The USNA was interested in them, and offered Foundation Scholarships. They spent their year at "prep" school, minded their P&Q's, demonstrated their capabilities, went through the MOC nominatin process again, this time obtaining one for the USNA, and are attending / graduated from the USNA.

Ditto. We know 2 foundation students of this ilk. The old story that the story isn't always and/or necessarily the story.
 
Sigh. Because that's a great attitude to have.

Agreed, even if it's the truth, which in the end may "set him/her free." :confused:

Still, were we in a court of law, thems is the facts. Anything above that is "extra" and unnecessary to obtain that appointment. Like it or not, that is the reality of NAPS. It's pass/fail if appointment is the objective, and matters not a lick if one has the 2.2 or the 4.0.

Now, if sequestering becomes a more viable means for diminishing unneeded spending? May NAPS be among the next to go! Beyond the major moaning we'd hear from the football and lacrosse coaches, none would have a clue it was gone.
 
I really don't like the ideas being thrown around about the sequester. I went ahead and asked them for myself and this is the official word and NOTHING more.
Hi Luke, that is a great question. Unfortunately, we have no idea at this point. We are all waiting to see if the sequester goes into affect at the end of this week, and even then we'll have to see if a new budget gets passed on March 27. Until that time, we don't have any information on how the sequester will affect the Academy. Our number one priority will be to the Midshipmen, and we will try to minimize the impact on them as much as possible. We should have more information in the coming months. -Naval Academy Admissions Facebook
Also, this is the most from the SECNAV that has been officially released:
http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2013/03/02/department-of-the-navy-response-to-sequestration/
 
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Does attending NAPS or the Foundation Program automatically garauntee you an appointment in the next admissions cycle, or.... How does it work, it's something that has always confused me... Thanks.
Yes and No. We have had a good experience with a Naval Foundation. Our DS was qualified and had a MOC but no appointment. DS choose the Foundation and has liked having a year under his belt. He did have to get another nom (he got 2), updated his application, retake his PFT, community service and maintain good grades.
 
1985... Your comment about "if you are scholastically qualified for USNA, you shouldn't be offered NAPS or Foundation" is not universally true. Over the years, I have developed first hand knowledge of a number of Foundation students who were 3Q'ed, and did not obtain MOC (or other) nominations for USNA (but did for other SA's). The USNA was interested in them, and offered Foundation Scholarships. They spent their year at "prep" school, minded their P&Q's, demonstrated their capabilities, went through the MOC nominatin process again, this time obtaining one for the USNA, and are attending / graduated from the USNA.

My daughter was a Napster (class of 2015) and she received a letter from the USNA that she was scholastically qualified. This year, my son is a USNA Foundation recipient (class of 2017), but did not receive an official letter from the USNA. However, it is safe to assume that he is also scholastically qualified, because he has slightly better grades and SAT scores than my daughter. My son is currently attending a 4 year university (community college is no longer acceptable) and awaiting an appointment. He went to a Prep School last semester and received grades on the high 90's. As I looked at the post of other candidates that received a direct appointment, I believe that my children's stats are up to par and even better than others.
I'm posting a little bit of information about my son just to give you an idea of what a foundation recipient stats looks like.

ACT Scores: Math 34 English 35
SAT Scores: Math 800 English 690

My son's school does not rank, but he received a letter from the state of CA that he is qualified for the (ELC) Eligibility in the Local Context program. ELC, draws qualified students from among the top 9 percent of each participating high school. He got accepted to all 4 CA Universities that he applied to.

These are just some of his accomplishments:
Honor Society
Lifetime member of the CA Scholarship Federation
International Thespian Society (school secretary and had several lead roles)
DECA (won several awards and school's VP of membership)
Community service awards for outstanding community service from the CA State Assembly, City Mayor, Neighbourhood President, and School District.
Student Ambassador to Australia
He can understand 4 languages (he's fluent on 2, the other is conversational (spoken at home) and he took Spanish for a year)
Member of several school clubs

Both my daughter and my son needed a nomination to get an appointment. An appointment is not guaranteed until all the requirements are met in good standing. They did not apply and was directly picked by NAPS and Foundation. Also, my daughter graduated NAPS with a GPA well above 2.2, just saying.
 
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Good grief! 800/690 Math/English and still sent to the Foundation Program? I think that right there shows how tight the competition for appointment is!
 
Question for Gaia_CKJ...

Hello, & thanks for the info on NAPS & Foundation schools. You said:
My son is currently attending a 4 year university (community college is no longer acceptable) and awaiting an appointment.
No longer acceptable for USNA? I'm curious because my son's Plan B (or maybe Plan C) involves a year at community college before re-applying.

Your son's academics look outstanding! In trying to see why he wouldn't be directly appointed, I'm also wondering about sports involvement, or perhaps leadership roles. Trying to guess at all the pieces of the Whole Person score is like doing a jigsaw puzzle in the dark. How'd he do on the CFA? Thanks for any info!
 
I was referring to USNA Foundation recipients and not a regular candidate. In the past, if you attended a prep school that only offers half a semester, a recipient is required to attend the other semester in a college of her/his choice. The new requirement for the USNAF states that a recipient must attend a 4 yr. college/university. Attending a community college for the second half is no longer permitted. A recipient may also choose to attend a full year military school in which case, attending a university is not needed.

For those who are curious, my son is not a recruited athlete. He was a member of Track and Field (long jump, high jump, and 100 meter dash sprinter), but not a varsity letter holder. He passed CFA, but when he took it during NASS, his run was over 7minutes but maxed on push-ups and sit-ups. He took it again at prep school and improved his mile run to 6:50, he made 16 pull-ups and maxed on almost all except the throw.

We have so much faith in the admission process and we feel so blessed that my children were given these wonderful opportunities. Trying to second guess why my daughter was offered NAPS instead of Foundation or why my son didn't get a direct appointment actually doesn't really matters to us.
 
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