NASS acceptance updates

but his chances of being selected are very slim according to Admissions because he is very aware of USNA.

As a newbie parent to all this, I have heard all you sages repeat it several times - and I trust what you say. And it makes sense to view NASS as a recruiting tool. In your DS case this make sense, too, since he would be related to a BGO. BUT - how do they tell THIS about candidates they are not as familiar with? We live approx 90 min from Annapolis. Do they just assume Mid Atlantic families can/have made the trip? I know Mid Atlantic candidates get accepted, so...? Hence the scepticism/confusion. Same is true about their evaluation of, and offers to, candidates for CVWs. We live equidistant (approx) to USMA. DS accepted to SLE, still waiting on NASS. Fingers still crossed.
 
My oldest son, DS #1, applied to USAFA SS way back in the day. We are geographically ‘close’ to USAFA. He didn’t get in, took it as he wasn’t wanted. Or competitive. Or whatever but didn’t even apply to any academy BC of (at least in part) it. This was before we discovered the forums. So I get what you are feeling. A rejection is a rejection no matter what!

BUT....what does one do with a “rejection”? Or a failure. Or a misstep? IMO, THATS what’s important to realize. THATS what shows how bad you want it. And how bad you want it is ultimately what drives obtaining an appointment. My oldest didn’t want it bad enough. It wasn’t his journey. Im also a person of faith. And believe everything happens for a reason. Perhaps NOT getting in SS ultimately helps obtain the ultimate goal of an appointment??

People here are BGO’s, and are told it doesn’t have an impact directly on admissions. From their USNA (I’m USNA but they are similar programs) training. The rejection letter my now junior (DS #3) recently received from USAFA SS SAYS it’s NOT an indication of competitiveness. To still apply. So the thing we DO know is that those in the know say it doesn’t have an impact.

The other part, theorizing or contemplating why some do and some don’t is honestly useless. That will NEVER be figured out. For some of the very reasons you stated. And actually, statistic wise, those that DONT attend have a better chance of an appointment as most of a class did not attend a SS.

DS #2 was rejected USAFA SS. Accepted USNA SS. He never obtained a nom to USAFA and was TWE. He is currently a Plebe at USNA. Only 1 of his USNA SS mates is there with him. Knowing what he knows now about what it takes to be a Mid, looking back, many of those SS attendees didn’t have ‘what it takes’ in his opinion. Additionally he has had a CVW drag that didn’t meet ANY of the 3q’s (not even gpa!). So DS has NO idea why he was on a CVW. Further evidence it all doesn’t make sense. It never will.

I understand your thoughts. They follow logic. But this whole process isn’t logical. So don’t put any additional consideration as to your child’s competitiveness for an appointment from not getting into a SS or CVW. I would counsel them to strengthen their resolve for the ultimate goal: an appointment. If they really want it !
 
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My oldest son, DS #1, applied to USAFA SS way back in the day. We are geographically ‘close’ to USAFA. He didn’t get in, took it as he wasn’t wanted. Or competitive. Or whatever but didn’t even apply to any academy BC of (at least in part) it. This was before we discovered the forums. So I get what you are feeling. A rejection is a rejection no matter what!

BUT....what does one do with a “rejection”? Or a failure. Or a misstep? IMO, THATS what’s important to realize. THATS what shows how bad you want it. And how bad you want it is ultimately what drives obtaining an appointment. My oldest didn’t want it bad enough. It wasn’t his journey. Im also a person of faith. And believe everything happens for a reason. Perhaps NOT getting in SS ultimately helps obtain the ultimate goal of an appointment??

People here are BGO’s, and are told it doesn’t have an impact directly on admissions. From their USNA (I’m USNA but they are similar programs) training. The rejection letter my now junior (DS #3) recently received from USAFA SS SAYS it’s NOT an indication of competitiveness. To still apply. So the thing we DO know is that those in the know say it doesn’t have an impact.

The other part, theorizing or contemplating why some do and some don’t is honestly useless. That will NEVER be figured out. For some of the very reasons you stated. And actually, statistic wise, those that DONT attend have a better chance of an appointment as most of a class did not attend a SS.

DS #2 was rejected USAFA SS. Accepted USNA SS. He never obtained a nom to USAFA and was TWE. He is currently a Plebe at USNA. Only 1 of his USNA SS mates is there with him. Knowing what he knows now about what it takes to be a Mid, looking back, many of those SS attendees didn’t have ‘what it takes’ in his opinion. Additionally he has had a CVW drag that didn’t meet ANY of the 3q’s (not even gpa!). So DS has NO idea why he was on a CVW. Further evidence it all doesn’t make sense. It never will.

I understand your thoughts. They follow logic. But this whole process isn’t logical. So don’t put any additional consideration as to your child’s competitiveness for an appointment from not getting into a SS or CVW. I would counsel them to strengthen their resolve for the ultimate goal: an appointment. If they really want it !

While this conversation is focused on NASS, USAFA has posted this notice on their admissions site:

Please keep in mind that selection to attend Summer Seminar is NOT in any way a prerequisite for admission to the Academy. Summer Seminar is NOT a pre-screening or pre-selection program. All students applying for Summer Seminar are encouraged to apply for appointment to the Academy, regardless of selection for Summer Seminar. There is no correlation between selection for Summer Seminar and appointment to the Academy. If you are not selected for Summer Seminar, it should not be interpreted as a reflection on your qualifications or ability to successfully pursue an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.
 
While this conversation is focused on NASS, USAFA has posted this notice on their admissions site:

Please keep in mind that selection to attend Summer Seminar is NOT in any way a prerequisite for admission to the Academy. Summer Seminar is NOT a pre-screening or pre-selection program. All students applying for Summer Seminar are encouraged to apply for appointment to the Academy, regardless of selection for Summer Seminar. There is no correlation between selection for Summer Seminar and appointment to the Academy. If you are not selected for Summer Seminar, it should not be interpreted as a reflection on your qualifications or ability to successfully pursue an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.

I feel like people generally understand this, at least logically. It makes sense.

What I read is a desire to understand why some are selected while others aren’t. Geographical location is thrown out there often, and it makes sense. Yet some are close and are selected.

Bottom line: admissions decides who. For whatever reason. And I don’t think we will ever know.
 
Please keep in mind that selection to attend Summer Seminar is NOT in any way a prerequisite for admission to the Academy. Summer Seminar is NOT a pre-screening or pre-selection program. All students applying for Summer Seminar are encouraged to apply for appointment to the Academy, regardless of selection for Summer Seminar. There is no correlation between selection for Summer Seminar and appointment to the Academy. If you are not selected for Summer Seminar, it should not be interpreted as a reflection on your qualifications or ability to successfully pursue an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.

This is essentially the same message USNA gives the BGO's. Of course, it's nice to go.... you can get the CFA out of the way, and your Squad Leader does write an eval. How much weight that eval has is pure speculation. However, the absence of that Squad leader interview (because you didn't attend NASS ) is going to have zero impact on your application.

There is alot of speculation about NASS here ... and many candidates and parents approach it with the same fervor as an Appointment. My advice is simple, apply if you want, attend if you can, if you attend -be yourself. If you don't get in or can't attend, move on to what is important, the application and quest for an Appointment. Worry about what you can control, not needless speculation about "What ifs..."

(Note to self-- quit reading NASS threads...)
 
@Old Navy BGO’s “simple advice” is well put.
@SCubb....it doesn’t make sense and the quicker we all realize it the better. DS lives 40 minutes from NA, has tailgated there with family and friends for years, attended STEM, CVW, and accepted in to NASS. He is turning down SS because of conflicts with Boys State and finals which I’m happy he picked. He knows NA as well as any H.S. student. The unfortunate thing is he was not accepted to AFA SS which he is interested in finding out about. Maybe he will have that determination to get the AFA appointment or possibly the other way around. We will see. Good luck @SCubb
 
Question, if March/April CVW is reserved for NASS candidates who were not selected, does that mean that CVW is not as valuable as NASS?
 
Question, if March/April CVW is reserved for NASS candidates who were not selected, does that mean that CVW is not as valuable as NASS?

Personally, I would not make that assumption - there are limited opportunities to bring potential applicants onto campus and give them a small taste of cadet life. By eliminating overlap between NASS and CVW, the USNA is able to maximize the number of individuals that they can engage.
 
Question, if March/April CVW is reserved for NASS candidates who were not selected, does that mean that CVW is not as valuable as NASS?

Value is in the eye of the beholder. They’re both great experiences for someone considering USNA. NASS is longer so you can see more and perhaps bond better with peers. CVW is shorter but more realistic because classes are in session.
 
Question, if March/April CVW is reserved for NASS candidates who were not selected, does that mean that CVW is not as valuable as NASS?

Personally, I would not make that assumption - there are limited opportunities to bring potential applicants onto campus and give them a small taste of cadet life. By eliminating overlap between NASS and CVW, the USNA is able to maximize the number of individuals that they can engage.
Thanks. So does that mean that NASS is more competitive to get than a CVW? I always thought the reverse.
 
NASS is a ‘competitive’ application process.

CVW’s are invitations from admissions.

As far as competitiveness, they are apples and oranges. There are very different processes to attending.
 
Another big difference is that NASS is also a leadership training block for current USNA Mids. They are learning and practicing their leadership skills ‘using’ SS candidates. The Mids are evaluated on THEIR performance.
 
To build on @justdoit19, attendees to CVW are called “drags” by the Mids who must escort them and provide space in their room for them. Care to guess the origin of the term?
 
To build on @justdoit19, attendees to CVW are called “drags” by the Mids who must escort them and provide space in their room for them. Care to guess the origin of the term?
That's a great name! So am I correct that candidates cannot attend both NASS and CVW? I know prior posts mentioned it, but wondering if it's a hard rule or if exceptions are made.
 
To build on @justdoit19, attendees to CVW are called “drags” by the Mids who must escort them and provide space in their room for them. Care to guess the origin of the term?
That's a great name! So am I correct that candidates cannot attend both NASS and CVW? I know prior posts mentioned it, but wondering if it's a hard rule or if exceptions are made.
My DD USNA 2019 did NASS and also received a CVW in February senior year, after she already had appointment. So some kids do both, and many do neither and get appointments. So no "rule" there.
 
To build on @justdoit19, attendees to CVW are called “drags” by the Mids who must escort them and provide space in their room for them. Care to guess the origin of the term?
The derivation is probably not what you think. Long before the term "drag" was used to denote a boring or bad time ("It's a drag man"), the term "Drag" was in use at USNA for another purpose. In USNA slang, a "drag" is a person that you are accompanying and to be more specific, it was most often used for a person's date. Considering that we're talking about the days before the mid 70's when USNA was all male, the term "drag" was most often applied to one's girlfriend or fiancee.

I'm just guessing here but I doubt that was what MidCakePa was alluding to.
 
That was something new that I read here for this year going forward. In order to maximize exposure to USNA, candidates who have both will be asked to choose one or the other. I haven’t actually seen a post from someone who has had both, and been asked to choose.

It would seem to me that it would be pretty easy for USNA to simply ‘award only one’ event and a candidate wouldn’t even have to choose.

One thing is certain, admissions does as admissions wants.
 
I think the term currently means “dragging” them around with them. Nothing negative.

Also DS’s kept actually wandering off. And getting lost. DS was pretty frustrated. I think DS’s drag was a unique one. DS’s stories over break were hilarious.

Note to future drags: pay attention to your plebe. Follow them, don’t lead, and don’t go off and explore on your own. True story.
 
To build on @justdoit19, attendees to CVW are called “drags” by the Mids who must escort them and provide space in their room for them. Care to guess the origin of the term?
That's a great name! So am I correct that candidates cannot attend both NASS and CVW? I know prior posts mentioned it, but wondering if it's a hard rule or if exceptions are made.
From USNA for those who will question where the information is from.
"11-FEB-19 Summer Seminar Updates
Students who have been accepted to NASS 2019 will not normally be invited to a Candidate Visit Weekend (CVW) during March and April 2019. These two weekends will be reserved for students who do not receive a spot in NASS. If a student has already confirmed a spot for the March or April CVW and they have been accepted to NASS, they will be contacted and provided the option of attending the CVW or NASS, or withdrawing from the CVW to allow another student who will not have the opportunity or will be unable to attend NASS for another reason. Since there is a possibility that our message may be misunderstood, the primary method of communicating with these candidates will be via telephone.

A student may apply for NASS regardless of place/year in school [college student, graduating early, 5th year of HS (i.e. a certified Aviation Maintenance Technician School)}. The key element is that the student will be 17 years old by I-Day for the Class of 2024. Age is the key, the student may need to adjust their high school graduation year in the drop down and explain in the Remarks or Additional Comments section of the application."
 
From USNA for those who will question where the information is from.
"11-FEB-19 Summer Seminar Updates
Students who have been accepted to NASS 2019 will not normally be invited to a Candidate Visit Weekend (CVW) during March and April 2019. These two weekends will be reserved for students who do not receive a spot in NASS. If a student has already confirmed a spot for the March or April CVW and they have been accepted to NASS, they will be contacted and provided the option of attending the CVW or NASS, or withdrawing from the CVW to allow another student who will not have the opportunity or will be unable to attend NASS for another reason. Since there is a possibility that our message may be misunderstood, the primary method of communicating with these candidates will be via telephone.

A student may apply for NASS regardless of place/year in school [college student, graduating early, 5th year of HS (i.e. a certified Aviation Maintenance Technician School)}. The key element is that the student will be 17 years old by I-Day for the Class of 2024. Age is the key, the student may need to adjust their high school graduation year in the drop down and explain in the Remarks or Additional Comments section of the application."

Thanks @ThePatternisFull that’s the one I was remembering!
 
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