basketball101
USNA Foundation '29
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2024
- Messages
- 273
should i bother keeping faith that I might still have a chance for a direct appointment? Or should I just give it up?
You should live your life hoping for the best, planning for the worst, and working hard.should i bother keeping faith that I might still have a chance for a direct appointment? Or should I just give it up?
if I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t view this as anything negative. With every obstacle comes opportunity. Maybe you didn’t get a direct appointment, but this now gives you the OPPORTUNITY to mature, strengthen yourself in every aspect, the OPPORTUNITY to attend a foundation school surrounded by other preps for USNA! Take this prep year as the time of opportunity)should i bother keeping faith that I might still have a chance for a direct appointment? Or should I just give it up?
One last thought: If you ask most graduates who received a direct appointment what one thing they wish they could have done differently in the process, many will say they wish they'd had the opportunity for a "prep year." It's not just the academics, it's living away from home on your own, being a year older and more mature, etc. It definitely makes USNA easier and makes you more likely to be successful.
I agree with this - with my son and his classmates.While I agree with virtually everything you have posted in this thread, and definitely agree that a Foundation/NAPS offer is definitely cause to celebrate, I don't agree that "most" SA graduates who receive direct appointments wish they had been offered a prep year. It's one thing to tout the benefits of receiving a "golden ticket" to a deferred offer of appointment, but it is something else again to downplay the benefits of a direct path. My kids and their fellow Mids/Cadets with whom I have interacted certainly did not regret receiving direct offers.
To be honest, it seems that the failure rate in prep is equal to, or possibly greater, than the rate of direct admits at the Academies.
Amazing reports! Thanks for finding and sharing them.My original point was that the dropout rate during NAPS is higher than the dropout rate during USNA, not that NAPS students that matriculate to USNA had higher dropout rates than the general population. However, after looking at a couple of recent IEA's, it appears that both may be true. It is clear that a lower percentage of NAPS candidates move on to USNA compared to the percentage of Midshipmen that actually graduate from USNA. It is also true (at least for 2021 and 2023) that Midshipmen that matriculate to USNA from NAPS have a lower graduation rate than the overall population, which I found somewhat surprising.
USNA Class of 2023 Institutional Effectiveness Assessment
USNA Class of 2021 Institutional Effectiveness Assessment
(edit. Apparently 2019 was the only recent class where the graduation rate of NAPS appointees exceeded that of direct-entry appointees:
"...Midshipmen who matriculated to USNA from NAPS graduated at a 90.4% rate, the highest rate of any major feeder source. This is the first time in recent history that NAPS midshipmen graduated at a higher rate than direct-entry midshipmen...")
I'll think about it-thanks for the advice!... so this is just my banter (too much free time here or nonsense really) about the Foundation:
* Glimpse on the "other" side.
- Roommate. NBA Phenom, 6'10". 17 years old, extra year, for NCAA Division 1 eligibility. Dad is NBA star. Buying shoes $2,000.00 pair.
- Classmate. Travels in private jet. By. Himself.
* Swimming. Weak swimmer, works out after school with swimming coach. Becomes USNA proficient swimmer. Pass test one time.
* Foundation's Captain Standing Order. Mild mannered and polite Captain issues order (Like President Roosevelt, "Speak Softly but carry a big STICK."). Don't get in trouble with the law; Avoid Cs or Admissions will relook you; Stay fit/healthy; Pass fitness test. And this order is repeated constantly for 9 months. For some or most this is the dynamite that they are tied to (like Wile E. Coyote chasing the Road Runner). One way to succeed or explode in spectacular fashion, spectacular.
* Maturity. Time to mature physically, socially, intellectualy.
* Plebe Summer. With all that family separation and dealing with funky roommates/classmates already out of the way, one can just focus on training business.
do you think I still have a slim (very slim) chance of still getting a direct appointment? My brother who graduated from the academy says that sometimes kids get pulled off the foundation listAmazing reports! Thanks for finding and sharing them.
My Firsties buddy was originally NAPS, but was changed late to direct. He had accepted NAPS. So yes, first hand knowledge that it does happen. I don’t think it’s common. I also don’t think it’s something to count on.do you think I still have a slim (very slim) chance of still getting a direct appointment? My brother who graduated from the academy says that sometimes kids get pulled off the foundation list
yeah thats what my brother told me. I guess I'm just finding any way now I just don't know how to get back on their radarMy Firsties buddy was originally NAPS, but was changed late to direct. He had accepted NAPS. So yes, first hand knowledge that it does happen. I don’t think it’s common. I also don’t think it’s something to count on.
Well it’s not up to you, or anything you have control over. It’s up to them. So don’t even spend time thinking about this.yeah thats what my brother told me. I guess I'm just finding any way now I just don't know how to get back on their radar
Thanks for the advice-idk I guess in some way my parents feel disappointed in me just bc my brother was first in his class at the academy last year, and my sister got the principal NROTC scholarship bc of her academic success. I guess in a way I feel like I’m letting them down. I haven’t talked to my parents about it, but I was planning on doing that soon. I also come from one of the best schools in my state, where just about everyone goes to top colleges and universities in the country. I guess in a way, if I did choose to go to prep, my school would look down on me. Maybe prep is exactly what I need. We will see, though. And in time I will probably get my head out of the gutter.Well it’s not up to you, or anything you have control over. It’s up to them. So don’t even spend time thinking about this.
You just need to stew on this a bit. Put it on the back burner for a bit. Maybe then you will gain some clarity.
I really think you are too hung up on what other people think. Honestly, that’s something you will need to grow out of. In only ONE year, no one will care. And a month after your graduate high school, your friend group will diminish from high school. Your real friends won’t care, and who cares what others think. And wherever you end up you will be meeting your new besties.
Have you talked this through with your parents? What is really bothering you? I think people are having a hard time understanding your seeming great conflict. You have gotten GREAT advice and perspective already. I would suggest putting it to bed, and revisiting this later.
Excellent documents, loved reading them, thanks. Here is what I surmised:My original point was that the dropout rate during NAPS is higher than the dropout rate during USNA, not that NAPS students that matriculate to USNA had higher dropout rates than the general population. However, after looking at a couple of recent IEA's, it appears that both may be true. It is clear that a lower percentage of NAPS candidates move on to USNA compared to the percentage of Midshipmen that actually graduate from USNA. It is also true (at least for 2021 and 2023) that Midshipmen that matriculate to USNA from NAPS have a lower graduation rate than the overall population, which I found somewhat surprising.
USNA Class of 2023 Institutional Effectiveness Assessment
USNA Class of 2021 Institutional Effectiveness Assessment
(edit. Apparently 2019 was the only recent class where the graduation rate of NAPS appointees exceeded that of direct-entry appointees:
"...Midshipmen who matriculated to USNA from NAPS graduated at a 90.4% rate, the highest rate of any major feeder source. This is the first time in recent history that NAPS midshipmen graduated at a higher rate than direct-entry midshipmen...")
You have spent several days now bemoaning the fact you got Foundation. Could you get pulled direct, maybe? The chances are extremely low. Don’t count on it. There is no getting on their radar. You have even stated your STEM grades aren’t great. You want to make your time at USNA better? Great, go Foundation and build up your study habits and STEM knowledge. It will only help you to be a better Mid and not struggle through the experience as much. Great, your brother is smart and did well academically. But, you aren’t him. Very few kids graduate college in 4. Your high school friends won’t understand and that is fine. If you want to attend USNA stop whining, accept Foundation, focus on picking the right school for you, and start working on the PRT. Every point you make is about perception. The goal of USNA is to produce Naval Officer and not once have you mentioned how an extra year will help create a more mature, well prepared Officer ready to lead Sailors. The extra year does a great deal of good for maturing.Thanks for the advice-idk I guess in some way my parents feel disappointed in me just bc my brother was first in his class at the academy last year, and my sister got the principal NROTC scholarship bc of her academic success. I guess in a way I feel like I’m letting them down. I haven’t talked to my parents about it, but I was planning on doing that soon. I also come from one of the best schools in my state, where just about everyone goes to top colleges and universities in the country. I guess in a way, if I did choose to go to prep, my school would look down on me. Maybe prep is exactly what I need. We will see, though. And in time I will probably get my head out of the gutter.