NA Summer Seminar

[NavyHoops]

Remember USNA looks at school profile also. So if your DS is a 3.5ish student at a school that sends plenty of kids to Ivy and Ivy type schools that plays in his favor. Strong SATs/ACTs will definitely help also. All he can do is apply and let the cards fall where they may. They want a well rounded individual who demonstrates the ability to lead, learn, follow, and of high character. So focus on strengths, build on weaknesses in his application and hope for the best with plans A-Z in place.

And remember that acceptance or turn down to NASS does not equate to an appointment, future indication of one, or a future turn down for an appointment. It is a recruiting event. USNA uses it to reach out to candidates from areas that are under represented and URMs. If you aren't accepted, don't think its the end of the world. Just push forward. NASS is a great experience, but it is not what being a Mid is like. A CVW is a much more realistic view of what USNA is like day to day as a Midshipmen. NASS is a great event to get exposure to USNA, meet like minded kids and decide if a military type environment is the right fit.

 

[Mr.2021]

I was accepted to NASS about 2 weeks ago and I currently have a GPA of a 3.63. It is not "too low", but I do feel it is "below average". Good luck to your son.

 

[NotCollege]

From this thread and others I have seen it looks like many of the kids who got CVW invites in September or earlier have not yet heard about NASS while kids who got invited to CVW right after their NASS application went in and accepted the CVW have gotten NASS. This is just what I have observed so far. They explicitly say that one does not have an effect on the other and that NASS has no effect on admission but their does seem to be a correlation in my opinion.

 

[Padre101]

From this thread and others I have seen it looks like many of the kids who got CVW invites in September or earlier have not yet heard about NASS while kids who got invited to CVW right after their NASS application went in and accepted the CVW have gotten NASS. This is just what I have observed so far. They explicitly say that one does not have an effect on the other and that NASS has no effect on admission but their does seem to be a correlation in my opinion.

Interesting observation. There seems to be some truth to it.

 

[Zandercott]

I went to CVW in Jan and my plebe, as well as her roommate were both varsity athletes with 3.2-3.5 GPAs. Recruited athlete is the key to admission without high GPA I think.

 

[Zandercott]

Also I was invited to CVW before NASS app went in. I also had applied to STEM (but didn't get in).

 

[Zandercott]

Sorry, missed part of the thread- I put in my NASS app on the first day, went to CVW before NASS app went in and I just barely got NASS acceptance letter yesterday. I think there are so many variables, geography being the biggest factor in NASS (read the brochure) but also ethnic representation. Sad to say, if you're a "white boy", lots and lots of tough competition.

 

[Padre101]

Sorry, missed part of the thread- I put in my NASS app on the first day, went to CVW before NASS app went in and I just barely got NASS acceptance letter yesterday. I think there are so many variables, geography being the biggest factor in NASS (read the brochure) but also ethnic representation. Sad to say, if you're a "white boy", lots and lots of tough competition.

I generally agree, but my DS is half Hispanic and half Vietnamese, and he's still waiting. He was invited to CVW in Oct.

 

[NavyHoops]

From this thread and others I have seen it looks like many of the kids who got CVW invites in September or earlier have not yet heard about NASS while kids who got invited to CVW right after their NASS application went in and accepted the CVW have gotten NASS. This is just what I have observed so far. They explicitly say that one does not have an effect on the other and that NASS has no effect on admission but their does seem to be a correlation in my opinion.

I would highly recommend not leaping to this conclusion. Remember you are dealing with small a fraction of the population on this forum versus all who have applied to NASS and/or received CVWs. For many months we have seen 2020 candidates panic and have anxiety over the fact of so many LOAs and appointments went out early, when in reality it was a very small percentage, its just what was showing up on the this forum and when the appointment list was made folks realized it wasn't that many. NASS is a great a great experience and those who get selected, enjoy it, learn, explore, think if this is the right place for you.

And Zandercott is correct, geography and URM play more into NASS than anything, but disagree on the second part. The majority of NASS participants will be white males, as well as USNA applicants and appointees (as is the fleet and USNA's goal is to the mirror the fleet as close as possible while producing top notch unrestricted line officers). Remember USNA is trying to "spread the word" and educate about USNA. So if a young man goes back to Wyoming where they have maybe had 4 candidates over a few years and no appointees, but applies and is appointed, they have now educated an entire high school/community about USNA between the counselors now being educated, him being presented his appointment at whatever recognition event they do, his team mates/church/community, and the article they write about him in the paper. Essentially free advertisement! URM is also more than race... it can be many factors such as a family immigrating, first generation college, a young woman who supports her family, a low income family, a kid who grew up in the foster system.

 

[Zandercott]

I agree and well said by NavyHoops- I think what I was trying to say about the "white boy" is that most of who apply to the academy are in that category and I would think that would be the toughest category to be in. Regarding NASS and reading the brochure I really think geography is one of the top things.

 

[Swag]

Remember USNA looks at school profile also. So if your DS is a 3.5ish student at a school that sends plenty of kids to Ivy and Ivy type schools that plays in his favor. Strong SATs/ACTs will definitely help also. All he can do is apply and let the cards fall where they may. They want a well rounded individual who demonstrates the ability to lead, learn, follow, and of high character. So focus on strengths, build on weaknesses in his application and hope for the best with plans A-Z in place.

And remember that acceptance or turn down to NASS does not equate to an appointment, future indication of one, or a future turn down for an appointment. It is a recruiting event. USNA uses it to reach out to candidates from areas that are under represented and URMs. If you aren't accepted, don't think its the end of the world. Just push forward. NASS is a great experience, but it is not what being a Mid is like. A CVW is a much more realistic view of what USNA is like day to day as a Midshipmen. NASS is a great event to get exposure to USNA, meet like minded kids and decide if a military type environment is the right fit.

Thank you all for your insight. Right now my DS if focused on testing, raising his GPA, and enjoying his lacrosse season. Not to mention looking forward to CVW. The dream began when his father and I received his first "rejection" letter from both the Navy the Marine Corp. thanking him for his interest but notifying us that he was underage. I think he was 13 or 14...We had no idea he had filled out an online application. We still have the letters!
NavyHoops, your information is extremely helpful and you are truly an asset to this forum. I truly believe that each and every DS and DD will be placed exactly where they are meant to be. Congratulations to you all and to your parents who must be so proud.

 

[FirstinhisHS]

Just want to put my own two cents in, if anybody doesn't get a NASS acceptance or is one of those people who gets it the last week before the deadline, don't freak out or think your chances are shot. I was a 3-time rejected applicant for STEM and got my NASS acceptance the last week possible (I applied within 2 days of the application opening), but still managed to get an LOA, all 3 congressional noms, and will be at I-day on June 30 barring any injury. Not tooting my own horn, just saying stay the course and don't get discouraged because I know I poured over every NASS forum post last year for months freaking out because I hadn't gotten accepted yet.

And just saying, if you're Echo 43 at NASS, yal better be the best

You were E43? Who was your squad leader? I was E46 and I had Rodgers. Which session did you attend?

 

[starbuck]

NASS is a great experience. DS was not selected for NASS, but attend CVW. He is member of class of 2017. DD was selected for NASS and attend CVW. She received an appointment for class of 2020.

 

[BTV2021]

I would highly recommend not leaping to this conclusion. Remember you are dealing with small a fraction of the population on this forum versus all who have applied to NASS and/or received CVWs. For many months we have seen 2020 candidates panic and have anxiety over the fact of so many LOAs and appointments went out early, when in reality it was a very small percentage, its just what was showing up on the this forum and when the appointment list was made folks realized it wasn't that many. NASS is a great a great experience and those who get selected, enjoy it, learn, explore, think if this is the right place for you.

And Zandercott is correct, geography and URM play more into NASS than anything, but disagree on the second part. The majority of NASS participants will be white males, as well as USNA applicants and appointees (as is the fleet and USNA's goal is to the mirror the fleet as close as possible while producing top notch unrestricted line officers). Remember USNA is trying to "spread the word" and educate about USNA. So if a young man goes back to Wyoming where they have maybe had 4 candidates over a few years and no appointees, but applies and is appointed, they have now educated an entire high school/community about USNA between the counselors now being educated, him being presented his appointment at whatever recognition event they do, his team mates/church/community, and the article they write about him in the paper. Essentially free advertisement! URM is also more than race... it can be many factors such as a family immigrating, first generation college, a young woman who supports her family, a low income family, a kid who grew up in the foster system.

I also agree with this because even with my CVW I was one of 2 Black candidates in my company. Geographically everyone there was from all over the U.S. where as I live in Annapolis! I got my summer seminar acceptance pretty early but I know that means nothing towards appointments. It's great to live right in Annapolis but it's also nerve wrecking because of just how competitive it will be as more students start to apply.