NASS or Boys State?

[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???

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?

He will rec an email within 24 hours after taking CFA at NASS that says it was entered (passed). No one knows what "passing is".

 

[Naval Architect Wannabe]

I know you have had a lot of replies, but I did the whole baseball season and then CFA at NASS thing so I thought I'd put in my two cents. First, it won't be too bad. I did baseball season six days a week with 2-3 games a week and a full AP schedule which severely limited my workout time, but I was still able to max out two events and come pretty close to my squadmate who maxed four and had the highest score out of all Session 2 NASSers--not tooting my own horn, just showing that it doesn't have any major impact on your scores. My advice would be to always just do a little something every night. Do just the push ups or just the pull ups or just the shuttle run, and he'll be ready to go. Also, I would do core every other day no matter what as that helps all events. It'll be hard with baseball season and all that comes with it (deltoid bursitis, sore elbow, etc.), but it is able to be done.

 

[anneluck]

My DS did SLE, NASS, and Boys State. USNA allowed him to switch his NASS week to accommodate his schedule. My two cents- apply to everything possible. Work out the details when acceptances roll in.

CFA was at NASS. DS did well at NASS and did not consider retesting after that. USNA sent his scores to USMA because he did better on the CFA at NASS. USMA accepted the improved results. And yes, kids are told they pass at some point during the week. Not immediately following the CFA.

 

[lef9820]

My DS did SLE, NASS, and Boys State. USNA allowed him to switch his NASS week to accommodate his schedule. My two cents- apply to everything possible. Work out the details when acceptances roll in.

CFA was at NASS. DS did well at NASS and did not consider retesting after that. USNA sent his scores to USMA because he did better on the CFA at NASS. USMA accepted the improved results. And yes, kids are told they pass at some point during the week. Not immediately following the CFA.

I totally agree with this! I applied to NASS, SLE, Air Force Summer Seminar, and Coast Guard AIM. I was accepted to NASS and USAFA SS. Rejected from AIM and SLE. I had to choose between NASS and AF due to conflicts with school. I chose NASS as USNA has been my goal for years now.

 

[Padre101]

I know you have had a lot of replies, but I did the whole baseball season and then CFA at NASS thing so I thought I'd put in my two cents. First, it won't be too bad. I did baseball season six days a week with 2-3 games a week and a full AP schedule which severely limited my workout time, but I was still able to max out two events and come pretty close to my squadmate who maxed four and had the highest score out of all Session 2 NASSers--not tooting my own horn, just showing that it doesn't have any major impact on your scores. My advice would be to always just do a little something every night. Do just the push ups or just the pull ups or just the shuttle run, and he'll be ready to go. Also, I would do core every other day no matter what as that helps all events. It'll be hard with baseball season and all that comes with it (deltoid bursitis, sore elbow, etc.), but it is able to be done.

Great advice. Much appreciated!

 

[Padre101]

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?

He will rec an email within 24 hours after taking CFA at NASS that says it was entered (passed). No one knows what "passing is".

Proudofmyboy, is it possible for you to let us know your DS's CFA score so we get an idea of what a passing score is? If you don't mind.....Thank you again.

 

[BlackKnight89]

USNA was really helpful about NASS. My DS had a conflict and they moved him from session 1 to session 2. Just stay in contact with your admissions officer at USNA. My son's rep was very responsive and helpful. By the way, DS took his CFA at NASS and passed, but later improved his scores prior to being boarded in August.

 

[Padre101]

USNA was really helpful about NASS. My DS had a conflict and they moved him from session 1 to session 2. Just stay in contact with your admissions officer at USNA. My son's rep was very responsive and helpful. By the way, DS took his CFA at NASS and passed, but later improved his scores prior to being boarded in August.

BlackKnight, how do you know who your Admissions Officer is? Is it by region? And how often do they rotate/PCS? If you start establishing a rapport now, can some new Admission Officer come in by the time my DS applies next year? Also, a bit confused about the CFA, if your DS passed, why take it again to improve the score? Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Maplerock]

I'd go to summer seminar. You will get a better feel for whether you want to go that direction. You can also take the CFA there and make a good impression.

If your application is weak, go for the boys state. If you don't have the credentials it won't matter if you like Navy or not.

Summer Seminar is a lifelong memory and a great experience. Boys State can be too. Follow your heart.

 

[USMAROTCFamily]

I would have him apply to both, or more, and then try to work it out to attend both, if he is able to. If scheduling issues do not allow for both, then I would definitely reach out to Regional Admissions Officer for guidance. My DS was accepted to Boys State and several of the academy programs and couldn't attend all of them, but was able to go to Boys State and NASS. When he got his LOA to USNA, there was a handwritten note on the letter with comments about his performance at NASS, so he must have made an impression. When he spoke with his admissions officer at USMA, he was asked why he had opted not to go to SLE. He explained that it conflicted with Boys State. The Admissions officer told him that not going to SLE, when he had been accepted, was not a problem as they don't give points to his file for going. The Admissions Officer reviewed his file with him to look at the strength of it. DS was trying to get his Eagle Scout rank completed in order to help his file. We were surprised when his rep told him that it wouldn't make a difference if he completed it, as he had already "maxed out" his leadership points. (He did end up getting his Eagle Rank, but not until AFTER his appointment). So it may be possible if your DS has tons of leadership positions already in his file, that going to Boys State may not even make a difference for him, if he would prefer to go to NASS. He won't know, though, unless he reaches out to his Admissions Officer.

 

[BlackKnight89]

USNA was really helpful about NASS. My DS had a conflict and they moved him from session 1 to session 2. Just stay in contact with your admissions officer at USNA. My son's rep was very responsive and helpful. By the way, DS took his CFA at NASS and passed, but later improved his scores prior to being boarded in August.

BlackKnight, how do you know who your Admissions Officer is? Is it by region? And how often do they rotate/PCS? If you start establishing a rapport now, can some new Admission Officer come in by the time my DS applies next year? Also, a bit confused about the CFA, if your DS passed, why take it again to improve the score? Thank you in advance for your help.

Padre,

Your admissions counselor's name and email address are in the candidate portal once you become an official candidate. They are there to answer questions along with the Blue and Gold Officer (BGO) whose contact information is also in the candidate portal. The admissions officer is done by region and the BGO will usually be more local to you. My DS' BGO covered the five local high schools. I have no idea how long the admissions counselors are in this assignment. My DS has a Lieutenant or O-3 as an admissions counselor, so based on my own military experience I would assume it is a three year tour, but you cannot be sure where they stand in that tour timeline. Regardless, they are there to answer questions. I have found that the BGO is probably your most responsive contact with the longest continuity. In terms of the CFA, yes my DS passed at NASS and was told while he was there that he passed, but felt he could do better, so he took the test again and improved his score before the board started meeting in late August. For the CFA our BGO said all you had to do was pass, but the admissions counselor recommended improving the score if my DS felt he could do so significantly. All I can say is that is the advice he got and it was conflicting, so he opted to improve his score which I think was the smart move.

 

[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???

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?

He will rec an email within 24 hours after taking CFA at NASS that says it was entered (passed). No one knows what "passing is".

Proudofmyboy, is it possible for you to let us know your DS's CFA score so we get an idea of what a passing score is? If you don't mind.....Thank you again.

sent you a PM...

 

[TexasSailMom]

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.

FYI: USNA worked with us to move to a different NASS session occurring after Boys State (fantastic experience). 1st get accepted to NASS & get selected for Boys State- then sort it out, perhaps.

 

[Yacht Rock]

Very helpful thread. I understand attending Boys State translates to leadership points for the CWS. DS prefers to attend (if accepted) SLE, NASS, etc. However Boys State June 2016 would create a scheduling conflict. Would the following resume be sufficient for leadership points if one did NOT attend Boys State?

- elected and served on school's community Service Council (liaison between boarding school students and faculty)
- elected to serve on school Honor Committee (one of the oldest secondary school honor codes in the nation)
- elected to serve as student Monitor (Prefect)
- Created, organized, and acted as head of new school club (Military Appreciation Club)
- Dorm manager
- Captain of wrestling and XC team