Accepted to Summer Seminar!

According to the Naval Academy's website, the application dosen't open until 8:00 am EST. There goes your plan :biggrin:.
 
i tried to do that when i was applying 2 years ago. but they actually never got the site up for almost a week. it was supposed to open Jan. 1 but i think it was Jan. 6 that it was working...and i was checking multiple times a day!
 
That's ridiculous! I'll just have to set the alarm for 6:50 then, and it's already 1:20! Yikes! :yllol:
 
Just applied for NASS. If I do get accepted, I'm going to have one busy June.
 
Same with me. If I am accepted to session 3, I'll have some decisions to make. Should I 1) Counsel at Girl Scout Camp, 2) Attend NASS, 3) Sailing lessons with Sea Scouts, or 4) Taekwondo Black Belt Camp?
 
Hey Guys, my son did the "busy june" thing last year. Best thing he ever did to attend as many summer seminars as he could.
FalconGirl, I think your choice is clear: NASS! :) Have fun!
 
All excellent endeavors and a difficult choice. Especially with it being your last real free summer. Let's hope you get a different week. But if not, then try to put all things into "YOUR PERSPECTIVE". (And remember; I usually right with all potential readers asking a similar question in mind. So don't take everything I say as though it was personal).

While Summer Seminar definitely gives the candidate a better understanding of the academy; it doesn't really improve or reduce the chances of the candidate getting an appointment. Therefor; if you were as close to 100% sure you knew what you were getting into; I.e. Maybe you're a Military brat; then maybe Summer Seminar isn't that important.

Having to choose between air force and navy in my opinion is easy. I don't believe that there's ANY applicant in the country that feels equally about the different branches of military. They know which one they want, and they are WILLING to take one of the others as a "BACKUP". If you honestly think they are both the same and equal, and you would feel the same if you received an appointment to either one, then you definitely don't know what you're getting into. But; if air force is your #1 choice; then you take that summer seminar. That's a no brainer. If navy is your primary choice, then you take that summer seminar.

Different people will have different opinions about your choices and decisions. And while they will all have good intentions, none will be the right opinion. The right opinion is; "What do you want to be doing this summer". Only you know what you want to do. Just don't try to make these strategic decisions. If it's a choice of which summer seminar; choose the one that is the military that you want. If it's the summer seminar or another activity; choose which one is what you really want to be doing. Of course, it's always best if you can reschedule different activities so you can attend ALL OF THEM. But that's not always possible. You've probably read in one of the other posts, that there are a lot of different reasons some people apply to the air force or other military academy. For some, the military academy is their #1 choice in the entire world. (It's their DREAM SCHOOL). For some, it's a backup if they don't get accepted or can't find the money to their dream school. (It's one of their safety schools).

I guess what I'm saying to all those who have similar decisions to make; is if you are true to yourself and know exactly why you are doing or choosing whatever it is in life; then the decisions become very simple. It's when you try and do or choose but you don't know what you really want; or you're trying to play too many sides at once in an attempt to "Cover all your bases", that decisions become difficult. Many people wish they had done some things differently as they get older and look back. I can honestly say that the ONLY thing I would have done differently (of significance) is more of "Concept" than a particular thing. It would be to follow my heart and do what I WANTED to do, more than what I thought would be the RIGHT thing, more advantageous, or safe thing to do. Life is too short. Do what you want to do. Not what others want you to do or what is expected of you. The time will come; either in the military or a civilian job, where certain things will be expected of you and you'll have to follow them. At least be heading into the area that you WANT to be. Then, it's a lot easier to be a follower. best of luck. Mike.....
 
Thanks for the great advice CC. The Air Force Academy is my first choice by far and I made sure that I could attend AF summer seminar. I am a military brat, but would like to be able to compare the atmospheres and opportunities offered by the Naval Academy. Unfortunately, AF summer seminar session A interferes with the first two Naval Academy sessions. I have some prioritizing to do.
 
If USAFA is your first choice by far, then the choice should be obvious :)
 
Christcorp said:
All excellent endeavors and a difficult choice. Especially with it being your last real free summer. Let's hope you get a different week. But if not, then try to put all things into "YOUR PERSPECTIVE". (And remember; I usually right with all potential readers asking a similar question in mind. So don't take everything I say as though it was personal).

While Summer Seminar definitely gives the candidate a better understanding of the academy; it doesn't really improve or reduce the chances of the candidate getting an appointment. Therefor; if you were as close to 100% sure you knew what you were getting into; I.e. Maybe you're a Military brat; then maybe Summer Seminar isn't that important.

Having to choose between air force and navy in my opinion is easy. I don't believe that there's ANY applicant in the country that feels equally about the different branches of military. They know which one they want, and they are WILLING to take one of the others as a "BACKUP". If you honestly think they are both the same and equal, and you would feel the same if you received an appointment to either one, then you definitely don't know what you're getting into. But; if air force is your #1 choice; then you take that summer seminar. That's a no brainer. If navy is your primary choice, then you take that summer seminar.

Different people will have different opinions about your choices and decisions. And while they will all have good intentions, none will be the right opinion. The right opinion is; "What do you want to be doing this summer". Only you know what you want to do. Just don't try to make these strategic decisions. If it's a choice of which summer seminar; choose the one that is the military that you want. If it's the summer seminar or another activity; choose which one is what you really want to be doing. Of course, it's always best if you can reschedule different activities so you can attend ALL OF THEM. But that's not always possible. You've probably read in one of the other posts, that there are a lot of different reasons some people apply to the air force or other military academy. For some, the military academy is their #1 choice in the entire world. (It's their DREAM SCHOOL). For some, it's a backup if they don't get accepted or can't find the money to their dream school. (It's one of their safety schools).

I guess what I'm saying to all those who have similar decisions to make; is if you are true to yourself and know exactly why you are doing or choosing whatever it is in life; then the decisions become very simple. It's when you try and do or choose but you don't know what you really want; or you're trying to play too many sides at once in an attempt to "Cover all your bases", that decisions become difficult. Many people wish they had done some things differently as they get older and look back. I can honestly say that the ONLY thing I would have done differently (of significance) is more of "Concept" than a particular thing. It would be to follow my heart and do what I WANTED to do, more than what I thought would be the RIGHT thing, more advantageous, or safe thing to do. Life is too short. Do what you want to do. Not what others want you to do or what is expected of you. The time will come; either in the military or a civilian job, where certain things will be expected of you and you'll have to follow them. At least be heading into the area that you WANT to be. Then, it's a lot easier to be a follower. best of luck. Mike.....
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Mike

Thanks for your thoughts and concern. I looked back at myself after reading your post and am thankful that I believe I'm doing the right thing.

My goal to attend all three seminars has three purposes.
1. To learn about them and meet the people
2. To visit the campus
3. To eventually get an appointment

To be fully honest, I have not really expressed interest in the NASS. I applied just in case. I want to attend either USAFA or USMA - I believe I would enjoy attending either academy equally. Its just that I don't know enough to make a decision. Thankfully, I was accepted to both - my opportunities to learn are obviously much better and I hope to make a decision after returning from both seminars.

A year ago, attending a service academy was a distant thought. I had always believed and researched that I would go to a 4-year university upon graduation. With the seminars and a growing interest in attending an academy, you might see how confused I actually am trying to consider a) living a civilian life as opposed to b) living a whole different kind of life.

I hope I'm not too calculating as you warn us not to be. But I believe that I'm following my guts and hopefully I know what I'm doing with my life.
 
It sounds like you are dead on track. You are doing fine. As long as the choices you are making are for YOU; and not your parents, brother/sisters, friends, girl/boy friend, etc... THEN IT'S THE RIGHT CHOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It only becomes difficult and complicated when you start worrying too much about what others think/care about. When you're in high school, you have to care about what your parents and friends think. It's part of the social circle you exist in. If you are going to a college where you are wanting/hoping/expecting your parents to contribute; then there too you need to care what they think. But an academy education is different. You're in the military. You are part of the military system FOR THE NEXT 9 YEARS!!!!! Whether you like it or not. That is your life now. Is it nice if your parents/friends/family/etc... bought into the idea and support you? Most definitely. ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T GET AN APPOINTMENT.

That's not to sound negative, but only about 17% of those who apply will be offered an appointment. And when it comes time to walk in the door, it will be down to about 14%. So, just in case you don't get accepted; or you get in and decide it's not for you; you definitely don't want to isolate anyone in your family; or your friends. However, a time comes in every young man or young lady's life where they have to become responsible totally for their own actions and decisions. This is as good a time as any to start. This is your future; make the most of it. Definitely have back up plans. Apply to NO LESS THAN 5 colleges. If the military is definitely the most important thing to you; also apply for ROTC if that fits your plans. Either way; decide those plans FOR YOU!!! But have some well though out reasons WHY, for when others ask you that question. Parents, friends, ALO/Senator/Rep when you're looking for a nomination. It's real easy to have a good answer when you're doing it for the right reason and the right person. It's hard to sound convincing if you're doing for other people. later.... mike.....
 
Pdub: I am going to Air Force Summer Seminar, that wasn't in question :thumb:.
 
Heed the great CC's advice! He knows what he's talking about :thumb:

But for those of you who are deciding between summer seminars, here's my take on it. Last summer, I attended both USNA and AFA summer seminars. They were/are the only two academies that I am interested in. In my opinion they both provided valuable pieces to an incomplete decision. As CC said, if you are sure that you want only that ONE academy, it may be a better use of your time to attend something such as boys/girls state, or being a counselor. Something that will definitely help in your admission to the academy that you love, since the seminar doesn't strengthen your application much.

As I said, I went to both summer seminars, and had a BLAST at both.
Go to one seminar if:
1.) You don't know much at all about that academy.
2.) Want to check out the campus cause you've never seen it (fyi, you can do this at orientation also)
3.) Are certain that is where you want to go and just wanna go cause its "cool"
4.) Want to see if academy life (despite the less than adequate demonstration of "cadet life" they give at summer seminar)
5.) Want the T-Shirt.

Go to multiple seminars if:
1.) You are torn between two academies. (Torn as in you are ripped, emotionally and mentally if you had both appointments in hand. And can only pick one)**
2.) Same as #2 above
3.) Have the money and want to make friends (weak reason IMO)
4.) Want to ask plebes/cadets same questions and get honest answers to compare (this site does the same thing though)
5.) Want more than one T-Shirt

**This is why I went to both seminars... It helped a TON. This IMO, is the only reason one person should attend more than one seminar.

That's my view on it... Although, I attended both seminars and do not have an appointment in hand... Hopefully this helps some of ya'll out! Good luck!
 
Mom (marciemi) responding here!

My son (s0cc3rizlife92) is another one hoping to do all three seminars.

He is hoping to go to the USNA SS first, then USMA’s, then USAFA’s. If you’re wondering why all three, we really didn’t plan to do that. But he’s always wanted USAFA. If going to the SS there gives him ANY advantage whatsoever as far as admissions, then I want him to have it. Plus I just feel that any time out there has to help him out if he does end up there (in terms of knowing his way around, having felt the effect of the altitude, etc.). So that was a given that if he got accepted there that he would go. We just made his flight reservations yesterday, and have completed all his forms, so he's set for that one!

We’d told him he had to choose between one of the other two if he got accepted at both. But we got the USMA SLS letter in December (literally he applied online on Dec. 16 and the letter was dated Dec 17) and it’s due by the end of Feb. Meanwhile, he just applied for NASS yesterday, but of course we don't know when we'll hear anything. We’re going on the assumption that if he was accepted for WP’s (total 800 kids) and USAFA’s (total 900 kids – 3 sessions of 300 this year from what I’ve read on the forums), that he should be into USNA’s (total 2250 kids). Especially since it says they’re looking for a diverse geographical area, and I don't think there is a strong Naval presence here in Green Bay!


However, he insists if he doesn’t get into AF, that he would choose Navy instead, just because of the chance to fly. Personally, after going to the summer seminar at Navy myself, and spending a semester there as an exchange student, I just don’t really feel that positive about Navy. (Ok, ok, I'm a WP'er, so I may be a little biased! :wink:) Plus he’s never visited the Naval Academy (well, once for about an hour when he was 7), but he went to the sports camps at both WP and AF so has gotten to see the campuses, live in the barracks, eat in the mess halls (or whatever the AF equivalent words are!) and get a bit of a feel for them. So he really NEEDS to go to Navy.

But being proud (or pushy) grads/parents, my husband and I would really like to have him consider WP instead, so we decided to suck up the cost and get him out there as well. Plus I just have a small fear that it would look bad to turn down the SS for them, even though I realize people do it all the time. Again, just in case he decides he wants that, I want him to have the best chance that he can. But overall, I think that if he went to both Army and Navy's summer programs and still wanted Navy instead (as a back up for AF of course), then I would be much more supportive of an informed decision (not just an “I want to fly” one).

Oh, and of course those t-shirts are a big factor in the decision! :shake:
 
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I think it's great that he can go to all 3 summer seminars. My only comment was if there was a conflict and you had to choose. But if you can go to all 3; then by all means do it.

As for summer seminar giving an applicant any advantage. Directly; no it doesn't. Indirectly; I believe it does. Not with the scores the academy rates you on. Where I think it gives a candidate an advantage, is in quality. If after going to summer seminar, a candidate walks away still wanting to go to the academy; then chances are they are going to be MORE MOTIVATED than they were before. That has been the norm for most who have attended. Those who really wanted the academy prior to the academy are inspired, motivated, and more excited than they were prior. As such, they tend to be more diligent in getting their application done. More detailed with their writing samples. More motivated to get the application done as early as possible. More dedicated to do better with the CFA. More diligent at communicating with their teachers who will be writing letters of recommendation. The attitude they have when they walk into the ALO's office for the interview will be apparent. When they walk into the interview with their MOC, the glow on their face will be apparent.

It's hard to explain, but that was my best attempt. Remember; applying to a military academy is one of the most difficult job interviews you will ever attempt in your life. The gained attitude, confidence, enthusiasm, excitement, etc... that you "POTENTIALLY" can get from going to the summer seminar could easily be what gets you an appointment in a higher quality application; a more determined CFA score; or a more genuine interview with your MOC/ALO. Where you may have been 2/10 lower in your GPA, your MOC might score you higher in the nominations because of the apparent excitement and enthusiasm.

Plus, there's always the added bonus of more knowledge. If you go to the summer seminars; you can have a better understanding of whether a particular academy, or an academy education in general is right for you. So yes, there are advantages to getting an appointment, but not in the tangible way you might think. later... mike....
 
Summer or Summer Seminar?

I would highly recommend that all prospective candidates for a service academy attend at least one of the three summer seminars offered. I think that 3 is over kill but 2 would be great if you can make it work. I am a firm believer that since I attended a summer seminar, it increased my chances of getting an appointment to that service academy even though they don’t guarantee it. I was told by service academy members that if a summer seminar attendee does well that their evaluations done by the academy personnel actually help your chances towards an appointment to that academy. They stated that about 30% of 780 or 230 juniors of that summer seminar will apply and be given an appointment. That may sound like a large number but it is not when you think about these kids come from all over the US. I am not sure how many of those 230 actually accepted those appointments though. I know that my Cadre member told me personally that I was going to get an outstanding evaluation and those "DO" go into your "permanent record" at the academy of which you attended. They will also start your application process automatically just by attending a summer seminar. I only attended one summer seminar (SSUSAFA 6/08, A Flight, Element A 11) but I had friends who attended the others at West Point and Annapolis so I had feed back from them and I do not regret going to only one. I did finish all my paper work in mid December and I received LOA’s and nominations from MOCs and the academies by the first week of January which is considered an early appointment. I have appointments to USAFA and USNA but I am also waiting on Harvard via ROTC from Air Force or Navy. Just a side bar note that I was talking to my Air Force liaison officer and he told me that even if a school does not offer you admission that you can go to the ROTC unit at that school and talk to them about it. They will then go to the admissions office and tell them that here is a student with a full ride scholarship who wants to attend said university and we want to have him considered for admission. NICE!!! The major thing is that first you must have a ROTC scholarship and they must ok the university to which you were accepted. Remember when you apply to colleges that you should have choices that include a stretch school, 1st, 2nd, 2 - 50/50’s and a backup choice or 2 just incase all fails. If the military is the way you want to go then also consider ROTC as a backup plan just incase you don’t get an appointment.
“APPLY NOW” time is running out and space is limited, it is not too late for summer seminars!!!!

So in a nut shell:
1) Go to at least one summer seminar
2) Work hard
3) Learn all you can
4) Have fun (most important)
5) Meet lots of other kids from all over the place
6) Get “lots” of cool stuff just not t-shirts
7) Don’t take the last day personally, just endure it! i.e. SSUSAFA Dooley for a day, it is going to be tuff, no joke.

Good luck to all who try and endure,

Sincerely,

MKF2013
USAFA(#1)\USNA(#2)\Harvard(??)
 
Personally, as a parent, the "Doolie for a Day" part is much of the reason I do want my son to go to the seminars. I want to know now (and have him know) that this is what he wants to do. 3 summer seminars (and 2-3 of those days - I didn't see it listed on West Point's schedule) will give him a bit of a real feel for what it will be like (and I realize it doesn't compare to Beast - been there, done that!). But 5 days of getting up at 0530 and running hard until 2330 is hard on anyone. Add in the PT and everything else, and he's going to be a tired kid. And he's not a very adventurous eater, so most likely a hungry kid!

But if he does these and says no way, well then he knows that this summer and we know that this summer and I don't have to deal with calls/letters next summer instead telling me that he wants to leave and didn't know it would be like this. Please don't read this backwards. I'm not saying that if you can handle SS, you can handle an academy. The other way around. If he's not happy with the stress, sleep (or lack of), food (or lack of variety of), or physical demands (too much of!) at SS, then he probably will have a hard time the next summer. Or at least know what he's getting himself into. And hopefully, if he still wants it, motivate him to work even harder to get into shape and be prepared for it.
 
Dadandgrad said:
Personally, as a parent, the "Doolie for a Day" part is much of the reason I do want my son to go to the seminars. I want to know now (and have him know) that this is what he wants to do. 3 summer seminars (and 2-3 of those days - I didn't see it listed on West Point's schedule) will give him a bit of a real feel for what it will be like (and I realize it doesn't compare to Beast - been there, done that!). But 5 days of getting up at 0530 and running hard until 2330 is hard on anyone. Add in the PT and everything else, and he's going to be a tired kid. .
Click to expand...

True... Doolie for a day was fairly challenging. Haven't experienced the actual thing though so I can't say if it helps you prepare kinda-sorta-maybe :confused:

Dadandgrad has a point, if you go to the SS and can't handle the constant running around and don't like the idea of sleeping very little (I mean this was SS and 5 hours was probably the norm per night... real BCT must be draining!) then I guess going to the seminar to help you see if you can still enjoy yourself when you're almost a walking zombie is a GOOD thing. Good point D&G... :thumb:
 
Dadandgrad - Doolie for a day

DadandGrad,

Hope this helps:

Well having been through the Air Force's Summer Seminar and had two friends go to the Navy and Army equivalent. I would say that the Army and Air Force are the hardest. The Navy only had "one" hour of in your face yelling during a formation as compared to the 12 hours at Air Force and Army. "All" the summer seminars are still very physically demanding so please don't get me wrong.
Here is a link that shows the Summer Seminar 2008 week 2 which I attended but no images of me were captured to my parent’s disappointment. Have your son check this out because it is a copy of the official DVD sent to the attendees of the summer seminar.
It should give him a hint of what he is going to get into and remember it is at 7500 feet altitude, so he should be in shape it he does not want to suffer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfAtmIeHNJs

Sincerely,

MKF2013
USAFA(1st)\USNA(2nd)\Harvard(??)

:thumb:
 
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