NASS to 'feel out' the USNA?

stella

5-Year Member
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From most of the post on NASS, it seems that the vast majority if not all posters are going because they have already decided to apply to USNA. For our oldest, she is going to learn more about USNA from basic standpoint (as she has been told NASS week is not at all like life at USNA) and to physically see USNA beyond a tour...but she is also hoping to gain a better understanding of two aspects before and after USNA: the application process and life after USNA.
Just curious as to whether or not there will be others their with the same goal or if NASS generally if filled with students set on the SA career path and maybe even USNA specifically.

S
 
From most of the post on NASS, it seems that the vast majority if not all posters are going because they have already decided to apply to USNA. For our oldest, she is going to learn more about USNA from basic standpoint (as she has been told NASS week is not at all like life at USNA) and to physically see USNA beyond a tour...but she is also hoping to gain a better understanding of two aspects before and after USNA: the application process and life after USNA.
Just curious as to whether or not there will be others their with the same goal or if NASS generally if filled with students set on the SA career path and maybe even USNA specifically.

S

After the CVW, I'm definitely applying to USNA and I look forward to NASS for the experience and to make some like-minded friends. I've been dead set on the SAs for some time now, although I'm sure there are more like your DD.
 
I agree with you. My DS was accepted to NASS and since then has become more and more interested in attending USNA and is excited about the process. He is not one of those who "always wanted to go". He has also applied for the USCGA AIM program and is waiting to hear on that as well. I an hoping he gets accepted because I would like him to be able to make the comparisons in programs, campuses, etc. From what we read, the USCGA program is a bit tougher than the NASS.

I have always told him that I would rather he return from NASS and say "It's not for me" rather than go through the process, possibly get accepted, and quit during the plebe year. I know a few who that has happened to. I believe that to be one of the cornerstones of the academies summer programs. Not at all to say that the summer program is a true feel of "academy life", but it is a start.

It's going to be an interesting summer!
 
As a BGO in a competitive district in Pennsylvania, in the past 3 years none of the five (5) candidates who were selected for NASS, have ultimately received an appointment. Three of them never finished the application, deciding after going to NASS that they didn't want to go to USNA. This year I have two candidates for the class of '18 who are already selected for NASS whom I have told to take the opportunity to not only try and absorb the midshipman experience, but also really try and learn about what the Naval Service and a career in the Navy is about. My district, although competitive for SA nominations and appointments is a decidedly non-military area, and frequently candidates have only a very basic idea about what the Navy is really about.

So going back to your question, I think your daughter is taking the right approach to use NASS as a fact finding mission. NASS motivation depends a lot on the area that candidates come from and how much they already know about the academy and the Navy. Some who go to NASS have been focused on the academy for several years, but many are early high potential students who will have many other schools and scholarship opportunities to select from. Service Academies are not for everyone and I've noticed that many of my highest SAT/ACT scorers don't finish up the application, presumably because they've decided upon other opportunities, and don't want to go through the laborious application process, just to "see if they can get in". Your daughter should not be afraid to ask questions and "interview" the academy to see if it is right for her.
 
I think it's fair to assume that most people attending NASS/AIM/etc. have decided to apply to a service academy or may even think that it's their first choice...but things change and people change their mind after actually trying out the whole Navy thing in person.

Out of my AIM squad (didn't do NASS), only one ended up going to USCGA (two of us ended up at USNA, with the other one leaving before 2-for-7s) and the overwhelming majority ended up doing nothing military at all. All of us had shown up at AIM with, at the very least, serious interest in USCGA.
According to my friends who both did NASS as candidates and worked NASS detail as 3/C, really not that many NASS-ters end up at USNA, by choice or otherwise. Like, maybe 2-3 per squad.
 
Getting a Grasp of SAs

Thanks for the input. I was wondering if she would be the only one asking questions and trying to get more information while others were just intent on trying to prove to those running NASS that they would be good canditates. She certianly will work hard and try her best and has (I hope!) good enough social skills to not be annoying with questions and observation, but to some level I think she is also looking at NASS as a time for her to learn about USNA...not just for USNA to watch and learn about her.

She will be doing the same at USAFA ss. This process, lingo, life and complete feel of the SA and military life is tough to grasp when you are a civilian family in a non-military area.

S
 
Thanks for the input. I was wondering if she would be the only one asking questions and trying to get more information while others were just intent on trying to prove to those running NASS that they would be good canditates. She certianly will work hard and try her best and has (I hope!) good enough social skills to not be annoying with questions and observation, but to some level I think she is also looking at NASS as a time for her to learn about USNA...not just for USNA to watch and learn about her.

She will be doing the same at USAFA ss. This process, lingo, life and complete feel of the SA and military life is tough to grasp when you are a civilian family in a non-military area.

S

The CVW would have been excellent for her, I had a great time on mine and being at the academy with mids for 3 days gives you a great insight into life there (probably better than NASS - doesn't mean I'm not going though :wink:). You should tell her to consider it, I wish West Point and AFA offered the same thing.
 
The CVW would have been excellent for her, I had a great time on mine and being at the academy with mids for 3 days gives you a great insight into life there (probably better than NASS - doesn't mean I'm not going though :wink:). You should tell her to consider it, I wish West Point and AFA offered the same thing.

West Point does have something like a CVW, a senior at my high school went on one after he got is LOE. Apparently it's sort of a new thing there and they aren't as frequent or as large as the CVWs at USNA.

I agree with you on the point about the CVW, it was absolutely incredible and really gave me the "uncensored" view of what life is really like at the Academy.

Did you go to the CVW on April 25-27? If so, what company did you stay with?
 
My DS is going for a fact-finding mission as well. He has wanted to be an air force pilot since the second grade and attend AFA since the third. It was only last year with the more advanced science classes that he "discovered" the navy and his interest in nuclear submarines and USNA has become an almost equal first choice.

Because he didnt get SS, we went on a cadet visit to AFA last month and I could tell from the minute we rolled through the front gate that he felt like he had come home. He absolutely loved every minute of it.

Through his AF obsession he is more familiar with AFA and the air force after AFA and what if he doesn't get pilot than he is with USNA and the navy and what if he doesn't get nuclear subs. So he will be asking lots of questions and getting a feel for USNA as well as life after.

We are trusting what everyone says about NASS being a recruiting tool and a means to see if you feel that USNA feels like a fit for you. He plans on being himself, working hard, having fun, touring the yard, barracks, labs, training areas and mess hall. :thumb:
 
West Point does have something like a CVW, a senior at my high school went on one after he got is LOE. Apparently it's sort of a new thing there and they aren't as frequent or as large as the CVWs at USNA.

I agree with you on the point about the CVW, it was absolutely incredible and really gave me the "uncensored" view of what life is really like at the Academy.

Did you go to the CVW on April 25-27? If so, what company did you stay with?

I did, stayed with 21st for most of the time, when they went to Dining Out I hung out with another guy I knew who was in 4th. I met a couple mids who said they would be working at NASS as well, lots of friendly guys at USNA it seemed. I also just visited WP for a day visit, and plan on visiting a friend at AFA for a visit next fall, should be interesting. Also, those overnights are only for LOE/LOA recipients or appointees as of now at WP.
 
My DS is going for a fact-finding mission as well. He has wanted to be an air force pilot since the second grade and attend AFA since the third. It was only last year with the more advanced science classes that he "discovered" the navy and his interest in nuclear submarines and USNA has become an almost equal first choice.

Because he didnt get SS, we went on a cadet visit to AFA last month and I could tell from the minute we rolled through the front gate that he felt like he had come home. He absolutely loved every minute of it.

Through his AF obsession he is more familiar with AFA and the air force after AFA and what if he doesn't get pilot than he is with USNA and the navy and what if he doesn't get nuclear subs. So he will be asking lots of questions and getting a feel for USNA as well as life after.

We are trusting what everyone says about NASS being a recruiting tool and a means to see if you feel that USNA feels like a fit for you. He plans on being himself, working hard, having fun, touring the yard, barracks, labs, training areas and mess hall. :thumb:

You know...you can go pilot (two kinds, actually) from USNA as well...
 
To back up Hurricane, about 300 USNA grads go to flight school each year, and about 80 go nuke; also about 300 go USMC. One of the nice things about a broader selection to choose from, more end up doing what they want to do. It also provides an opportunity to change your mind during summer cruises.
More to the point: I've been a BGO since 1991, and spent about 12 years as an Area Coordinator for Northeast Ohio - we send about 15 new plebes to USNA each cycle, so we are reasonably competitive. I feel it is absolutely essential for serious service academy prospects to visit the academies of interest before accepting an offer of appointment! It is important for them to see and feel the academy (ies) environment before I-day, and to get the opportunity to talk with current midshipmen/cadets about what is happening now at the academy. The SA's represent tremendous opportunities if they fit the needs, interests, and abilities of the prospect; if it is a bad fit it can be very traumatic. These schools are very different from the normal colleges and universities and they require a serious and profound commitment if the youngster is going to succeed.

If you work with your BGO you probably will find a way to connect with some local midshipmen home on leave, or attend an OPINFO event featuring discussions with some midshipmen. So far as visiting USNA, it is open to visitors most everyday except Christmas; Admissions/Guidance now is located in Halsey Fieldhouse just inside Gate 1 and there are daily briefings except for Sundays. You also can work through your USNA guidance counselor to arrange a CVW to help you see a snapshot of the daily routine at USNA. Take advantage of all of these opportunities - this is YOUR education and occupational future we're talking about, regardless of whether you make it a career. One thing almost certain is that the academy experience will impact the rest of your life, so make it good. Best wishes to all of you.
 
Our DD went to NASS and it convinced her. she wanted USNA. She has since graduated and in the Fleet with a P-3 Sqdn Worth a trip
 
In my opinion a CVW (Candidate Visitation Weekend) gives a candidate better perspective of what life is like at the Naval Academy during the academic portion of the year.

A CVW will not give you any insight to what Plebe Summer is like, however. NASS is better for that but Plebe Summer is such a narrow perspective. It's 6 weeks of about 185 weeks of their stay at the academy.

Quite frankly, there's is no way to fully know what the experience will be like. Sometimes, the best you can do is educate yourself to the best of your ability and then jump in with both feet and experience it as you go.

You should be equally concerned about whether you are right for the academy than if the academy is right for you. But you'll never know the answer to either unless you swear in on I-Day.
 
From most of the post on NASS, it seems that the vast majority if not all posters are going because they have already decided to apply to USNA. For our oldest, she is going to learn more about USNA from basic standpoint (as she has been told NASS week is not at all like life at USNA) and to physically see USNA beyond a tour...but she is also hoping to gain a better understanding of two aspects before and after USNA: the application process and life after USNA.
Just curious as to whether or not there will be others their with the same goal or if NASS generally if filled with students set on the SA career path and maybe even USNA specifically.

S

I went in 2009 after my Junior year in high school. At the time USAFA was my top choice and I was still planning on applying to USNA. Half way through NASS '09 my mind was totally flipped and I knew that USNA was where I wanted to go. The atmosphere, teachers, mids; everything seemed like an awesome fit for me and when I went to USAFA-SS it just reinforced that feeling. 4 years later I finally have my chance, better late than never!
 
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