Importance of NASS.

A

aviatordream

5-Year Member
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Jul 5, 2011
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I'm taking a math class this summer at my local CC and doing summer training with my vball team during the dates for the USNA summer seminars. Both the head of the math department and my coach said I can not skip a week, regardless of the situation. It stinks, but I feel that there's nothing I can really do about it. Everyone I've talked to has talked on and on about how I need to attend a summer seminar. Will I still be considered competitive if I'm not a recruited athlete and I'm not going to NASS? One person told me that these factors together hurt my chances tremendously.
 
aviatordream said:
I'm taking a math class this summer at my local CC and doing summer training with my vball team during the dates for the USNA summer seminars. Both the head of the math department and my coach said I can not skip a week, regardless of the situation. It stinks, but I feel that there's nothing I can really do about it. Everyone I've talked to has talked on and on about how I need to attend a summer seminar. Will I still be considered competitive if I'm not a recruited athlete and I'm not going to NASS? One person told me that these factors together hurt my chances tremendously.
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First off,I am not an expert, however I have an appointment and will speak from experience. I did not attend NASS and did not plan to even apply to a SA just over a year ago,you are ahead of the game. What is more important,IMO, is that you are doing something with your summer that you enjoy and will benefit you as a whole person.
 
aviatordream said:
I'm taking a math class this summer at my local CC and doing summer training with my vball team during the dates for the USNA summer seminars. Both the head of the math department and my coach said I can not skip a week, regardless of the situation. It stinks, but I feel that there's nothing I can really do about it. Everyone I've talked to has talked on and on about how I need to attend a summer seminar. Will I still be considered competitive if I'm not a recruited athlete and I'm not going to NASS? One person told me that these factors together hurt my chances tremendously.
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If you know USNA is what you want regardless of anything....
don't go to NASS

It seems like lame logic but NASS is a recruiting tool.
recruiting-get your interest

I enjoyed it but I really did not see the need to have gone. CVW was much more informative. I really doubt NASS helped me get an appointment.
 
NASS is not something to break your neck over. There's an evaluation done by your squad leader, but I don't think it carries much weight in the grand scale of things.

I went to NASS to choose between USMA and USNA. I knew getting two appointments would be highly unlikely, and my best shot would be to go 100% for one academy. NASS and SLS helped me make that decision.

It's highly beneficial to visit the Academy at some point, though, like for a CVW.

Still make an effort to apply to NASS though, as things may change, and even if you don't get to attend you'll still have a candidate number and a head start when the application opens.
 
You could try an alternate approach and sign on for a sports camp. Visit www.navysports.com and see if there is a camp that interests you. The objective is to get you into the Yard so that you can get a sense for the environment at NAVY, to meet and discuss midshipman life and academics, etc, and to try out some of the facilities. Anyone considering a service academy should make the effort to visit the SA of interest at least once - even if he/she KNOWS it is a precise fit. It could save a lot of misery down the line.
 
1964BGO said:
You could try an alternate approach and sign on for a sports camp. Visit www.navysports.com and see if there is a camp that interests you. The objective is to get you into the Yard so that you can get a sense for the environment at NAVY, to meet and discuss midshipman life and academics, etc, and to try out some of the facilities. Anyone considering a service academy should make the effort to visit the SA of interest at least once - even if he/she KNOWS it is a precise fit. It could save a lot of misery down the line.
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Yeah, I thought about that too. But again, the camp that I would be interested in (volleyball) is during my math class.
 
navy2016 said:
If you know USNA is what you want regardless of anything....
don't go to NASS
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Even if you are unsure, given your situation, don't go. Do well in the math class, impress your volleyball coach, and complete your USNA application over the summer. If your application is complete and you are competitive, you would be able to arrange a CVW early next fall. It is a much better indicator of real life at the Academy and you should be able to decide then if the Academy is really what you want.
 
My Son received an invitation to NASS and promptly broke his arm, so he never attended. He ended up receiving an LOA, based in large part (I believe) on his SAT math score, and attended a CVW in March of his Senior year. He is now a Youngster.

Do the math!
 
NASS is a great opportunity, especially for those who've never seen USNA or who aren't sure a SA is for them. That said, not attending is not viewed by USNA as a negative -- IOW, failing to apply or choosing not to attend if accepted isn't viewed unfavorably.

First, many exceptional candidates don't get offered NASS b/c, as noted, it's a recruiting tool. LOTS of people turned down for NASS receive appointments (3 of my candidates already this year). Second, USNA recognizes that many students can't attend due to scheduling issues, financial issues, conflicts with other summer seminars, camps, etc. Third, there is an option (though not a guarantee) for a CVW which also provides a lot of insight into life at USNA.

If you have other commitments during June, you should do those to the best of your ability and not worry about NASS.
 
I did both Summer Seminar and Drag Weekend (aka CVW). I'm glad I did NASS, but its only real value is if you want/need exposure to USNA to decide if you want to go, learn something about the place, etc. One of my fellow campers was shocked to learn you had to wear a uniform all the time as a Mid, so...probably a good thing for him he went and learned. You seem to be under the impression that it's an "audition" for Navy, which is not the case. It's nice to be able to say to Admissions, I did Seminar and loved it! but not not a requirement. Especially since it conflicts with your sports/academic commitments. Admissions would rather see someone honor their obligations, dig?

CVW was a much more useful introduction. My advice: go during the Dark Ages (February is good), and drag with a Plebe. If you can see the Yard at its most depressing and are still raring to go, you might be a good fit.
 
NASS is for you, not the Academy. Ya, they do evaluations and stuff, but they really don't mean all that much unless you get a bad one (which rarely happens). If the academy offered you NASS, then they're already interested. NASS is just supposed to convince you to go.

Don't sweat it if you don't go.
 
usna1985 said:
NASS is a great opportunity, especially for those who've never seen USNA or who aren't sure a SA is for them. That said, not attending is not viewed by USNA as a negative -- IOW, failing to apply or choosing not to attend if accepted isn't viewed unfavorably.
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Very true. One of my sons was invited to NASS and chose not to attend and was also invited for a CVW and, again, chose not to attend. He got an LOA.

His twin brother got the same offers and only attended NASS. He didn't like it. He also got an LOA.

I'm a grad so, they already knew a lot about the Naval Academy. They've also visited it on several occasions. Attend those things if you think you need it. But, obviously, as usna1985 says, it will not hurt you not to attend.
 
Memphis9489 said:
But, obviously, as usna1985 says, it will not hurt you not to attend.
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I just want to add qualify my comment above.:smile:

It won't hurt you from an admissions standpoint not to attend NASS. And, if you have something "better" or "more important" to do -- school, camps, etc. -- or if financially you can't manage it, don't worry about not being there.

However, if your alternative is sitting around playing on your computer or going to beach week, then you are hurting yourself by not attending NASS. As Memphis said above, for some people NASS convinces them that USNA is not right for them. And, quite honestly, if that's the case, much better to find out this summer than after you've spent a lot of time completing your paperwork or, even worse, after I-Day.

So, if NASS is a viable option given your circumstances, you should absolutely go -- for yourself! If you can't do it, your chances of an appointment won't suffer.
 
usna1985 said:
I just want to add qualify my comment above.:smile:

As Memphis said above, for some people NASS convinces them that USNA is not right for them. And, quite honestly, if that's the case, much better to find out this summer than after you've spent a lot of time completing your paperwork or, even worse, after I-Day.
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This is true. I attended NASS and decided the USCGA culture and overall feel was better for me. It was a great time, however. If you're considering other SA's go to their summer programs or shadow. You'll never know if its for you if you never actually visit the campus. :thumb:
 
will there be a place for my ds to put down on his applications which of the summer seminars he attended?
 
place for sems.

Vista123 said:
will there be a place for my ds to put down on his applications which of the summer seminars he attended?
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Speaking from experience, I think the academies know if you went to their seminar. I put it on my resume for my congressional nomination, which they thought was nice--ended up getting it. It can only help.
 
usna1985 said:
As Memphis said above, for some people NASS convinces them that USNA is not right for them. And, quite honestly, if that's the case, much better to find out this summer than after you've spent a lot of time completing your paperwork or, even worse, after I-Day.
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My one son who did attend NASS (his brother did not), came back not very impressed with all that they did. I mean, really, it's a little taste of Plebe Summer - how much "fun" could it be?

If you come back from NASS and say, "Wow! That was fun! I had an ass-kickin' good time! I really want to go to the Naval Academy and get some MORE of that lifting telephone pole stuff" - you're nuts!

When my son came back and told me all that they did - I, at least, had the background to inform him, "That is not what defines the Naval Academy." Yeah, maybe you'll be doing a lot of that stuff during Plebe Summer, but that is only 6 weeks of a 4 year experience. Plebe Summer sucks - there's no way of getting around that. That's just something you have to go through to get to the more realistic, rewarding, and meaningful part of the Naval Academy experience.

You can't judge a service academy by your summer seminar experience. But, if you can't imagine yourself enduring that kind of experience for even 6 weeks - then you're probably not service academy material - whether it's the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy or whatever. You have to be able to put up with a little "suck".
 
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