Official Candidate Class of 2016!

Quick note on Summer Seminar...a stat they give you is that about 1/3 of those attending Summer Seminar will get an appointment for the class of 2016. So between now and when the application is due continue to stand out in your community and improve yourselves.
 
I just wanted to mention, I was not accepted into NASS and recieved my Official Candidate Letter in the first batch. Good sign of me being a strong candidate or something else?
 
Not to throw to much of a damper on everyone's enthusiasm but a ******** monkey or your average 12 year old can fill out the online form and start a candidate file. It is a necessary step and receiving the letter is confirmation that your electronic application did not head into some electronic oblivion, nothing more.

You are about to start one of the most competitive college application processes in the country. It is a four part application process and all 4 parts have to be successfully completed just to compete for an actual appointment. Every year there are a few hundred applicants that successfully complete all 4 parts and still do not get in. It's a difficult process because it's a hard school to survive in and even more is expected once you graduate. Think of the process like a fish ladder with bears sitting on the sidelines. The lazy, careless , and stupid ones either quit or are eaten alive. The tough, smart, and lucky ones with non-stop drive make it to the top.

Couple of overall suggestions:

- Rolling admissions - Every year it seems to be a race to get the application completed as fast as you can. This is dumb. Admissions does not even start reviewing applications until an August-September timeframe. A reasonable early timeframe is to have your application in by the end of September.

- Getting application completed early means nothing if you are turning in crap. Every part of your application should reflect your best effort. Especially the Personal Statement and letters of recommendation. You want no regrets or second thoughts that, "it could have been better".

- NASS is a double edge sword. You are evaluating the Academy but those detailers are evaluating you. Bust your ass and support your squad mates. Do not quit at anything. At all costs do not disrespect your detailers. The results can vary between unpleasant and potentially fatal to your application hopes.

Best of Luck to All
 
MIDNDAD said:
Not to throw to much of a damper on everyone's enthusiasm but a ******** monkey or your average 12 year old can fill out the online form and start a candidate file. It is a necessary step and receiving the letter is confirmation that your electronic application did not head into some electronic oblivion, nothing more.

You are about to start one of the most competitive college application processes in the country. It is a four part application process and all 4 parts have to be successfully completed just to compete for an actual appointment. Every year there are a few hundred applicants that successfully complete all 4 parts and still do not get in. It's a difficult process because it's a hard school to survive in and even more is expected once you graduate. Think of the process like a fish ladder with bears sitting on the sidelines. The lazy, careless , and stupid ones either quit or are eaten alive. The tough, smart, and lucky ones with non-stop drive make it to the top.

Couple of overall suggestions:

- Rolling admissions - Every year it seems to be a race to get the application completed as fast as you can. This is dumb. Admissions does not even start reviewing applications until an August-September timeframe. A reasonable early timeframe is to have your application in by the end of September.

- Getting application completed early means nothing if you are turning in crap. Every part of your application should reflect your best effort. Especially the Personal Statement and letters of recommendation. You want no regrets or second thoughts that, "it could have been better".

- NASS is a double edge sword. You are evaluating the Academy but those detailers are evaluating you. Bust your ass and support your squad mates. Do not quit at anything. At all costs do not disrespect your detailers. The results can vary between unpleasant and potentially fatal to your application hopes.

Best of Luck to All
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Question...where do the letters of recommendation come in the application process? DS started the process last week--he already had the required English & Math teachers send their online questionnaire, but is there a separate piece to the application where you choose people to write an actual letter of recommendation for you?
 
The letters of reccomendation are quite important. My daughter went to the approprioate teachers and told them what school she was applying to and what she required. She then asked them to provide her a copy of the letter. Once she saw the letters she knew if it was a good reccomendation or not. She then sent the teachers the link for them to send to the Academy. Also, your MOC will want letters of reccomendation. You may want to reuse the same ones or find new sources. Lastly, you can send 1 or 2 addtional letters of reccomendation in with the application. They will be looked at as part of the packet. More than that and they will be ignored.

Lastly, your son needs to be in control of what is sent to the Academy as much as possible. Ask to see copies of any letters sent. Worst anyone will do is say no. What you do not want is a mediocre letter of reccomendation going out without your sons knowledge.
 
MIDNDAD;Not to throw to much of a damper on everyone's enthusiasm but a ******** monkey or your average 12 year old can fill out the online form and start a candidate file. QUOTE said:
LOL! A 12 year old yes, a ******** monkey...I don't know, maybe an above average chimpanzee.

Remember that over 19,000 people filled out the initial application last year and were official candidates - that field was eventually narrowed down to less than 1,500 admitted (don't have the official figures for the class of 2015 yet).
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Given the quality of education today, I'd still give the edge to the monkey vs a 12 year old.

Now those last 1400 -1800 those kids are a lot smarter than the average bear! LOL
 
The admission page refers to a 30 day turnaround for part of App. What are they refering to? "You should complete the online forms and ensure they are received by the Academy as soon as you possibly can, preferably within 30 days."
 
I was accepted to NASS, but I still have not received my official candidate letter. Is this bad cause it seems like most people are getting it already.
 
Settle down guys. The candidate letters will be sent out "as early as July" - I'm sure it means nothing if you have not received one yet. The 30 day turn around on filling out the information on the electronic application is not a hard deadline - when you get your letter and can access the CIS you should complete the parts that you can in a timely fashion.
 
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