NASS or Boys State?

Padre101

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My DS is a junior in high school and has been invited to CVW this fall. Looking down the road, due to how late his school ends, it looks like he has a scheduling conflict between NASS or Boys State. Assuming he gets selected to both, which one should he attend to enhance his USNA candidacy? (Sorry if this question was asked before). Does it hurt a candidate to be selected and not go to NASS or any SA summer seminar-like program? Thank you in advance.
 
JMPO, but I would do Boys State if it cannot be deconflicted with NASS, especially since he already has a CVW lined up. Lots of previous threads on this subject. Differing opinions, I gave you mine.
 
Thanks Sledge, I appreciate the input. I guess to clarify my question for other posters: "Then is it better (1) not apply to NASS than (2) to apply, get accepted and then not go???"
 
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I don't think there is a problem if one applies, gets accepted, and doesn't go as long as notifications are handled properly. NASS does nothing to help your son's application while Boys State does. NASS, among other things is meant to give you some look at the academy. With a CVW lined up, NASS, while fun, isn't really necessary.
 
There should be multiple possible weeks for NASS that you can choose on the application, so hopefully there will be a way that he can do both. In terms of either/or, I don't know.
 
Padre,

I assumed by your post stating that "school gets out so late" that you had checked and seen that your DS could not attend the first two sessions of NASS and that meant Session 3 conflicted with Boys State. As Kinnem said, I don't think there is an application penalty for not attending if proper notice is given.

If one of the other 2 sessions is an option, the NASS people will certainly work with you to get your session changed. They did with my DS for the exact reason of attending Boys State.
 
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My DS took a week off from school to attend NASS due to conflicts. Not always a possibility, but worth a shot. Apply to NASS anyway, It gets that preliminary app in early and gets him tracking towards his candidate number.
 
Correct. DS's school schedule conflicts with the first two sessions. I will look in the possibility of him taking off from school but that's right in the smack middle of finals. Thanks for all your advice! (Assuming he gets accepted to NASS or Boys State)
 
Correct. DS's school schedule conflicts with the first two sessions. I will look in the possibility of him taking off from school but that's right in the smack middle of finals. Thanks for all your advice!
Padre,
It was DS finals week too. He took his the week before, after school. I'll bet your DS school believes in him and would help too. The thing is, if he is looking at several academies, it gives him more of a look at things that CVW will not, and more importantly, he will learn what it is like to go through the week with shipmates, allowing him to understand what it means to count on each other. That "bonding" is what makes a n Academy education unique.
 
My DS did the same thing. Be sure to have your child talk to a guidance counselors and teachers and get their support and they should help you with finals. Due to school policy, DS had to take his finals late.

Here was his schedule - He skipped finals week, attended NASS ( session 1), studied during a red eye plane ride home, took all 6 finals on Thursday and Friday and then left for Boys State on Friday at 10 pm ( an all night bus ride to Sacramento). It was a tight schedule and a bit stressful, but, according to him, totally worth it
 
My DS did the same thing. Be sure to have your child talk to a guidance counselors and teachers and get their support and they should help you with finals. Due to school policy, DS had to take his finals late.

Here was his schedule - He skipped finals week, attended NASS ( session 1), studied during a red eye plane ride home, took all 6 finals on Thursday and Friday and then left for Boys State on Friday at 10 pm ( an all night bus ride to Sacramento). It was a tight schedule and a bit stressful, but, according to him, totally worth it
Roger that..That is what the Academies want to see. Can you juggle and make it happen. Good test for Plebe year..
 
Correct. DS's school schedule conflicts with the first two sessions. I will look in the possibility of him taking off from school but that's right in the smack middle of finals. Thanks for all your advice!
Padre,
It was DS finals week too. He took his the week before, after school. I'll bet your DS school believes in him and would help too. The thing is, if he is looking at several academies, it gives him more of a look at things that CVW will not, and more importantly, he will learn what it is like to go through the week with shipmates, allowing him to understand what it means to count on each other. That "bonding" is what makes a n Academy education unique.

Appreciate the advice, and apparently it worked out for your DS, Proudofmyboy.
 
In addition, it is my understanding that at NASS he will take a CFA and not at CVW. Which leads me into another question, were your DSs or DDs ready for the CFAs? My DS is on his varsity baseball team in the spring (not much cardio training), whereas he's in better shape in the fall because of varsity cross country. Did your children take another CFA after NASS???
 
In addition, it is my understanding that at NASS he will take a CFA and not at CVW. Which leads me into another question, were your DSs or DDs ready for the CFAs? My DS is on his varsity baseball team in the spring (not much cardio training), whereas he's in better shape in the fall because of varsity cross country. Did your children take another CFA after NASS???
DS took his at NASS...Wam/bam/pass/ done and in his record. Do your best don't obsess.
 
IF...IF...IF you have a choice or need to make a choice between them...its really not much of a decision: it's Boys State.
NASS is nice but only a recruiting tool and you get no points. Boys State you get points. Enhance your application anywhere and everywhere you can.
 
In addition, it is my understanding that at NASS he will take a CFA and not at CVW. Which leads me into another question, were your DSs or DDs ready for the CFAs? My DS is on his varsity baseball team in the spring (not much cardio training), whereas he's in better shape in the fall because of varsity cross country. Did your children take another CFA after NASS???
DS took his at NASS...Wam/bam/pass/ done and in his record. Do your best don't obsess.


I should pay you folks tuition, because you're educating me a great deal. Question: Did the USNA tell your DS that he "passed" the CFA? Or did he just deduce it based upon his scores?
 
I attended CVW in the spring of my junior year and then was selected for NASS, as well. I did not apply for or attend Girl's State once I found out I had been selected for NASS. Like your son, my school gets out late in June and I could only miss one week. I chose to attend NASS because I wanted to show the Academy that I was very serious in my pursuit of an Appointment and that I would take advantage of every opportunity they offered me. People have said that NASS has no bearing on an application, but your squad leader for the week does write a report on your performance, and a good recommendation could be beneficial. I also wanted the opportunity to take the CFA with a group of people to motivate and push me, rather than alone. I prepared A LOT for the CFA and passed on the first try at NASS. The atmosphere there was great, my squad mates and the detailers were encouraging, and I have no doubts that it improved my score. I would highly recommending completing the CFA at NASS. I was then also able to call the Academy a week or so after I left and have them forward my scores to the other Academies I am applying to. Hope that helps.
 
I attended CVW in the spring of my junior year and then was selected for NASS, as well. I did not apply for or attend Girl's State once I found out I had been selected for NASS. Like your son, my school gets out late in June and I could only miss one week. I chose to attend NASS because I wanted to show the Academy that I was very serious in my pursuit of an Appointment and that I would take advantage of every opportunity they offered me. People have said that NASS has no bearing on an application, but your squad leader for the week does write a report on your performance, and a good recommendation could be beneficial. I also wanted the opportunity to take the CFA with a group of people to motivate and push me, rather than alone. I prepared A LOT for the CFA and passed on the first try at NASS. The atmosphere there was great, my squad mates and the detailers were encouraging, and I have no doubts that it improved my score. I would highly recommending completing the CFA at NASS. I was then also able to call the Academy a week or so after I left and have them forward my scores to the other Academies I am applying to. Hope that helps.

Great insight, thank you very much!
 
FWIW - In 2014, son attended CVW (Feb), West Point SLE (Jun), and Boys State (Jun). Completed CFA at SLE. Did NOT attend NASS. Received USNA appointment in Feb 2015.
 
My DS is a junior in high school and has been invited to CVW this fall. Looking down the road, due to how late his school ends, it looks like he has a scheduling conflict between NASS or Boys State. Assuming he gets selected to both, which one should he attend to enhance his USNA candidacy? (Sorry if this question was asked before). Does it hurt a candidate to be selected and not go to NASS or any SA summer seminar-like program? Thank you in advance.

I had to exact same problem last year. I ended up not applying to NASS and attending Boys State instead because I was aware of the conflict very early too. I am a candidate right now.. we will see were I end up!
 
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