NASS Question

bleepbloop

5-Year Member
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Dec 12, 2012
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The moment I submit my application to NASS, is it possible to alter anything after that will hopefully put me in a better position over other candidates? Such as if I get a higher SAT score or I begin actively participating/volunteering at soup kitchens and the like.
 
I seem to recall reading that you cannot update your application once submitted, but am sure someone who has actually applied will correct me if I'm wrong.:smile:

One important point, the most qualified candidates do NOT necessarily get accepted. NASS is a recruiting tool and is designed to showcase USNA to geographic areas and schools that traditionally have sent no or very few people to USNA. Thus, a "lesser" qualified candidate in one of those areas may well get the nod over a "more" qualified candidate from an area or school that is well represented at USNA.
 
A Yes with A No

One important point, the most qualified candidates do NOT necessarily get accepted. NASS is a recruiting tool and is designed to showcase USNA to geographic areas and schools that traditionally have sent no or very few people to USNA. Thus, a "lesser" qualified candidate in one of those areas may well get the nod over a "more" qualified candidate from an area or school that is well represented at USNA.

This is true. However, if a competitive applicant is not invited to NASS, don't be surprised if that same letter has an invitation to CVW. While at a parents' meeting at the start of my son's CVW, an AC explained how NASS is a marketing tool and that if our DS/DD was at CVW, USNA was certain our DS/DD was hooked on USNA and CVW was a way to acknowledge that. Out of that group of approx 50 kids who were there for CVW, only one had an invitation to NASS. The AC told the kids right before they left to begin their CVW to not be concerned they were not invited to NASS and that being at CVW reflected their competitive status. But there is more. Before my son's CVW checkin, we went by admissions to say hello to our AC. My son wanted to thank him for the invitation to CVW. He asked if there was a waiting list and if so, he asked if he could be put on that list. I concurred as I explained I to our AC I could have my son there with very short notice. A few days after my son returned from CVW, there was a TWE inviting him to NASS. So, if one is initially denied an invitation to NASS, things could still work out. And not all TWEs have bad news. Good luck to all.
 
This is true. However, if a competitive applicant is not invited to NASS, don't be surprised if that same letter has an invitation to CVW. While at a parents' meeting at the start of my son's CVW, an AC explained how NASS is a marketing tool and that if our DS/DD was at CVW, USNA was certain our DS/DD was hooked on USNA and CVW was a way to acknowledge that. Out of that group of approx 50 kids who were there for CVW, only one had an invitation to NASS. The AC told the kids right before they left to begin their CVW to not be concerned they were not invited to NASS and that being at CVW reflected their competitive status. But there is more. Before my son's CVW checkin, we went by admissions to say hello to our AC. My son wanted to thank him for the invitation to CVW. He asked if there was a waiting list and if so, he asked if he could be put on that list. I concurred as I explained I to our AC I could have my son there with very short notice. A few days after my son returned from CVW, there was a TWE inviting him to NASS. So, if one is initially denied an invitation to NASS, things could still work out. And not all TWEs have bad news. Good luck to all.

Is there a thread for abbreviations and acronyms? Your reply has me racking my brain, but thank you for the information. Also, does it help to submit an application early? I forgot to ask my guidance counselor whether or not my school ranks its students, and it being a saturday, no staff is in school.
 
Some Common Abreviations

Is there a thread for abbreviations and acronyms? Your reply has me racking my brain, but thank you for the information. Also, does it help to submit an application early? I forgot to ask my guidance counselor whether or not my school ranks its students, and it being a saturday, no staff is in school.

Yes, there is a thread for acronyms and abbreviations; http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=11568 Here are some used most.

DS Dear Son
DD Dear Daughter
CVW Candidate Visit Weekend
NASS Naval Academy Summer Seminar
BFE Big Fat Envelope
TWE Thin White Envelope
MoC Member of Congress

Good luck to you and all others. Cheers.
 
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Yep, you can't update your application once submitted, HOWEVER, unlike the other service academies, acceptance to NASS is not offered on a rolling basis, getting your app in as soon as possible is not quite as necessary.
As it was said before, acceptance to NASS Is also a fairly poor indicator of your ability to be admitted to the academy. I got in after about a week and a half on the wait list, despite the fact that I ended up with an LOA in October. I'm from an area within an hour's drive to USNA, so I'm pretty sure they initially passed me up to give someone from farther away a spot. If you get wait listed, there's still a decent possibility of getting in. I met many others from closer-in areas that had also been initially on te wait list.
 
Look at NASS objectively: There are about 2,250 slots available over the three weeks of the program. The recent incoming plebe classes had about 1.200 members - so it is intuitively obvious that at least half of the NASSers didn't get appointments. Realistically, as noted in other discussions of NASS, participation does not predict selection for an appointment. In recent years it seems to have become more of a recruiting tool which has increased angst among applicants which also is a problem as I strongly suspect that some unsuccessful applicants have pulled away from USNA. The important aspect of participating in any of the visitation programs is the opportunity to become more familiar with USNA, its personnel, programs, resources, environment. I strongly recommend to prospects of any age to look into STEM, navysports.com camps, CVW, etc, FUT DO VISIT THE YARD BEFORE ACCEPTING AN OFFER OF APPOINTMENT - FOR YOUR OWN BEST INTERESTS! SERIOUSLY!
 
what date are NASS apps due?

DS & I have scoured the USNA website and cannot seem to find the last date the submit the NASS applications? I believe the app opened on January 17 - for some reason I have that date clear in my mind but not the due date. Thanks in advance for any help!
 
Riveranduin, I believe that acceptance to NASS is on a rolling basis as stated on the Naval Academy Admissions facebook page. Can anyone comfirm?
 
I read on the Naval Academy Admissions Facebook page that the NASS is on rolling admissions with an April 1st deadline. Notifications will be made from now until April 15th.
 
I read on the Naval Academy Admissions Facebook page that the NASS is on rolling admissions with an April 1st deadline. Notifications will be made from now until April 15th.
This is correct ... but not.

Why "not?" Because while offers of appointments are made throughout the late fall into late spring, the notion of "rolling admissions" is not at all like that practice at secular institutions not encumbered by a parallel process of being nominated in addition to becoming qualified to compete for an appointment.

The spot(s) for which a candidate might well be most competitive and nominated for might not be filled until late in the game, even when the candidate might have completed her app in August. There may be lots of inklings in between the actual offer that may depend upon others in his/her pool.

So just a word of caution in translating and assuming.

And still, the best word of GENERAL advice seems to be apply early and often. :rolleyes:
 
WP, someone asked about the NASS - summer program. On the Naval Academy Admissions fb page, a similar question was asked and the person from admissions replied that NASS is rolling admissions. Just relaying what someone from the academy posted.
 
Are you from a DC school? I know you mentioned only being an hours drive from the Academy
 
Officially Confused

So I am one that can get lost in the mass of posts and confuse information...In advance sorry if I am beating a horse here.

As I read and understand it:

The Naval Academy Summer Seminar is on a rolling admissions...
Is this correct?

If this is the case when would the rolling admissions actually begin if the application opened on Jann. 17th.?
I have to spell out acronyms and have hard facts, I just cant function any other way.

Thank you...:thumb:
 
WP, someone asked about the NASS - summer program. On the Naval Academy Admissions fb page, a similar question was asked and the person from admissions replied that NASS is rolling admissions. Just relaying what someone from the academy posted.
I understand. And I stand corrected re: NASS where there is no nomination, no recognizable geographic determination.

I was in error, discussing the "rolling admission" relative to the appointment process. Thanks for correcting my error.
 
Ahhhh Thank You

Thank you for the input and the update. If any one person can get lost in information it will be me.
 
Could somebody explain the "rolling admissions" to me? I've also heard that is how STEM applications are done and the response I get from google is very vague.
 
First deemed "acceptable", first offered. Thus putting one's best application sooner can be better than later. Spots are filled as acceptable apps are reviewed and deemed admissable and offered.

Maybe it's easier to understand "rolling admission" by considering a non-rolling admission process in which ALL applications are accepted by a specific "cut-off" date, and then reviewed at one time with the idea of admitting the top candidates.

Each process has its advantages and disadvantages. Does that help any?
 
Are you from a DC school? I know you mentioned only being an hours drive from the Academy
Virginia district 11, a suburb of DC.
Evidently I was wrong on the rolling admissions thing, which would likely explain my wait-listing last year. I stalled a lot on turning it in, something I would advise against. Getting it in early is better than waiting around for notification of something that may or may not happen before the due date (as was my case).
 
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