Chances of getting into NAPS instead of USNA?

lacrosslady

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Joined
Jan 23, 2023
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15
So far I think NAPS would be my best bet as a way to get into USNA, if any at all. I participate in 3 varsity sports (one going to states next week), different summer programs, girls state, sea cadet with high leadership, and lead organizer position in volunteer community renovation project. However I won't lie, my high school grades aren't that great overall in math at all. I'm actually repeating a course that was originally advanced because I failed it, but I've now passed out of the class with an 80. Overall HS transcript notes my current GPA is at 3.3, but there's room for improvement as a junior. Is it possible that with a 1350 SAT score I would still have a chance at NAPS or even the academy? Wiki says NAPS doesn't accept students with any passed failed classes, but also must have a GPA >2.2. Additionally, with these details would I be appealing to alternate colleges to then apply to transfer over to USNA? I'm trying to keep my expectations realistic and be real with the situation.

I understand that no one can accurately provide detailed insight except for the Academies themselves, but I'm so grateful for any thoughts provided.
 
? Wiki says NAPS doesn't accept students with any passed failed classes, but also must have a GPA >2.2. Additionally, with these details would I be appealing to alternate colleges to then apply to transfer over to USNA? I'm trying to keep my expectations realistic and be real with the situation.
First , believe 1/2 (if that) of what you read on Wikipedia..I just checked the page and there are numerous misstatements. Always rely on primary sources-- in this case the USNA.edu website.

You don't give enough information to make any judgment about whether you are competitive for Admission, but it doesn't change my conclusion and advice -- The only certainty in the Admission process is that 100% of those that don't appy (meaning complete their application) will not get in. If you want to attend USNA --give it your best shot and see what happens.
 
In addition to what @Old Navy BGO said: your plan B, C and D should be college programs that take similar courses to what a USNA Plebe takes. Since Math is an area of concern-you should seek one on one tutoring if possible.
 
Are you good enough in your best sport to be recruited by a mid level d1 sports program?

If in doubt ask your club or HS coach.
 
Are you good enough in your best sport to be recruited by a mid level d1 sports program?

If in doubt ask your club or HS coach.
I run xc, play lacrosse, and made it to states with nordic ski (xc ski)
To my knowledge only West Point has a nordic ski (biathlon) team and truthfully I'm not good enough for a D1 team in either other sport. I've heard of people starting their own teams/clubs though within academies since nordic ski absolutely is a competitive sport within other colleges. But Annapolis isn't exactly located in a snowy mountain!
 
What is your plan to improve your grades and math skills quickly? A tutor is a great idea, and Khan Academy is as well. Is there something that demands your time that isn't necessary that can be dropped in order to allow more time for academic improvement?
 
I run xc, play lacrosse, and made it to states with nordic ski (xc ski)
To my knowledge only West Point has a nordic ski (biathlon) team and truthfully I'm not good enough for a D1 team in either other sport. I've heard of people starting their own teams/clubs though within academies since nordic ski absolutely is a competitive sport within other colleges. But Annapolis isn't exactly located in a snowy mountain!
In general naps is there for folks the academy or the military wants a lot, that fall a little short in preparation And they are willing to invest significant time and money in them to over come the deficiencies.

Playing lots of sports helps in the application process because most of those applying play sports. You kind of stand out if you don’t play.
 
What is your plan to improve your grades and math skills quickly? A tutor is a great idea, and Khan Academy is as well. Is there something that demands your time that isn't necessary that can be dropped in order to allow more time for academic improvement?
I currently dedicate an hour and a half to SAT studies (majority math) every night to improve those scores. I also attend weekly free SAT help through my school. Within the next month I'll likely be enrolled in biweekly online tutoring sessions. I'm planning on taking precalc and college algebra in my senior year and I won't mess it up like I did this time. I will not let myself and my grades slip like they did before.
 
I currently dedicate an hour and a half to SAT studies (majority math) every night to improve those scores. I also attend weekly free SAT help through my school. Within the next month I'll likely be enrolled in biweekly online tutoring sessions. I'm planning on taking precalc and college algebra in my senior year and I won't mess it up like I did this time. I will not let myself and my grades slip like they did before.
Your persistence and hard work towards Math & SAT scores can be a great topic for interviews and essays. Good Naval Officers learn that the are not perfect and find ways of improving. You are demonstrating this. Good luck!
 
In general naps is there for folks the academy or the military wants a lot, that fall a little short in preparation And they are willing to invest significant time and money in them to over come the deficiencies.

Playing lots of sports helps in the application process because most of those applying play sports. You kind of stand out if you don’t play.
Is it possible to get in contact with NAPS coaches and see if I can play through there? I know that prep schools go against other preps and jr colleges so it's not exactly the same as D1 level. Could I have a better chance there than the actual academy? Are there official tryouts or is it mostly off recommendation/video footage?
 
Your persistence and hard work towards Math & SAT scores can be a great topic for interviews and essays. Good Naval Officers learn that the are not perfect and find ways of improving. You are demonstrating this. Good luck!
Thank you so much for responding, I didn't think of it like this before. I really appreciate the advice!
 
Is it possible to get in contact with NAPS coaches and see if I can play through there? I know that prep schools go against other preps and jr colleges so it's not exactly the same as D1 level. Could I have a better chance there than the actual academy? Are there official tryouts or is it mostly off recommendation/video footage?
You are not able to apply directly to NAPS or for USNA Foundation prep school scholarships at civilian prep schools. Your application to USNA puts you into consideration for those opportunities, which are determined by closely-held criteria by USNA Admissions. Prior enlisted personnel, some recruited athletes and others USNA wants to further prep to increase their chances of success at USNA are in that group at NAPS.

Any athletic recruiting is done through the USNA coaching staff. Do the research to see if you are competitive for a D1 school/Navy. Look at navysports.com for recruiting questionnaires for sports of interest or search on google. Talk with your own coach to see if you are competitive.

Focus on a USNA application, as well as alternate plans that include a year taking and excelling at plebe-like classes in college, perhaps with NROTC involvement. NROTC is also a nom source. There are college re-applicants in every incoming class.

If you aren’t offered prep or a USNA appointment, and you still want USNA, you will execute one of your carefully prepared alternate plans.

Class profiles are created for each class. Note the Educational Background section.
 
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I think you are on the right track … you should apply.

Do what @Old Navy BGO says … complete all parts of your application … on time and in a quality manner … and see what happens.
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For the athletic side of NAPS, I can only give my perspective from 30 years ago.

Maybe things have changed over the years, but I do not know if there are permanently placed coaches for all sports (maybe the "big" ones like football and soccer??). When I was there, our XC coach was an active duty officer on shore duty at NAPS who basically volunteered to coach us, and another officer joined in as assistant. I think they were both also teachers.

The swim coach was a civilian, and she had been there a while.

And I started a triathlon club so I could get out of doing an organized sport for the third trimester and get off base and ride my bike. We used the swim coach as the sponsor. :p
 
For the athletic side of NAPS, I can only give my perspective from 30 years ago.

Maybe things have changed over the years, but I do not know if there are permanently placed coaches for all sports (maybe the "big" ones like football and soccer??). When I was there, our XC coach was an active duty officer on shore duty at NAPS who basically volunteered to coach us, and another officer joined in as assistant. I think they were both also teachers.

The swim coach was a civilian, and she had been there a while.

And I started a triathlon club so I could get out of doing an organized sport for the third trimester and get off base and ride my bike. We used the swim coach as the sponsor. :p
Similar but the sports that have a full time coach during the school year may change .

I do not believe there was a mens soccer coach as of at least last last year at naps. Have no idea about the woman’s side.

Years ago there was a mens soccer coach during season (a recent USNA Grad) and the few woman soccer players at naps played on the mens team. Spring the practices were student led

I think it really depends on the individual USNA coaches as to how much they see naps as a great help to building their program or something to avoid if possible.
 
For the athletic side of NAPS, I can only give my perspective from 30 years ago.

Maybe things have changed over the years, but I do not know if there are permanently placed coaches for all sports (maybe the "big" ones like football and soccer??). When I was there, our XC coach was an active duty officer on shore duty at NAPS who basically volunteered to coach us, and another officer joined in as assistant. I think they were both also teachers.

The swim coach was a civilian, and she had been there a while.

And I started a triathlon club so I could get out of doing an organized sport for the third trimester and get off base and ride my bike. We used the swim coach as the sponsor. :p
That's awesome you got to make your own club. How many people did you get to band together for that? Ski is pretty obscure but I was definitely considering that in the back of my mind if I really hated organized sports there.
 
I think there were about 10-ish of us. Mostly people that were on my swim and XC teams. If I remember correctly, we basically just got a verbal okay to do it after approaching the officers and saying our swim coach would sponsor/monitor (which we never had her actually do anything). I was able to get out and ride around Newport on weekdays for my training, which was nice.
 
My son was fortunate to make the endurance team plebe year. He was very happy to be allowed to run around Annapolis the last four years. Growing up - he had an unusual sense of direction. He explored and memorized the whole city.

How bad is life on the yard when you are happy to leave and run ten miles a day?!? I would have preferred a nap. ;)
 
My son was fortunate to make the endurance team plebe year. He was very happy to be allowed to run around Annapolis the last four years. Growing up - he had an unusual sense of direction. He explored and memorized the whole city.

How bad is life on the yard when you are happy to leave and run ten miles a day?!? I would have preferred a nap. ;)

What's the endurance team?
 
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