NAPS Frustration

[BoosterChair]

Hello! I’ve been a lurker on this forum for a while now, I figure now is better than ever to take part. I’ve been on the NAPS waitlist for a while now, getting my notification on April 13th at around 9 am. But since then? Waiting and being miserable.

It certainly isn’t my only shot, I’ve received the National NROTC scholarship for which I’m incredibly grateful for, but this whole dilemma with the waitlist is drawing down on my motivation. I applied a while ago, I’ve waited as long. I had to do my BGO interviews last minute because my original turned me over to another who has been, with exception of the very beginning and my NAPS notification, totally absent. And then I surmise from people here that the odds of NAPS waitlist changing are slim to none, regardless of being qualified without waivers or tardiness.

Realistically this is a rant, and I know it’s a very petty thing, I realize my journey is no harder than any other candidate. For those like my friends from NASS and those made through NJROTC, I’m very excited for their success in being admitted to the USNA or NAPS, but it just leaves me in a place where I’m confused at how such things can be put to chance until the very last moment. There are so many that are in it for the long run being shut out by those who still haven’t decided on what they truly want to do with their future.

I figure what my main asking here is, although I’m used to being turned down, is my reaction the same as everyone else? Can it earnestly be said that this is something that’s occurred to a few people once or twice?

Oh and I’d like a large order of fries and a diet Dr Thunder

 

[justdoit19]

Firstly, hang in there. Your feelings are normal.

Here is a HYPOTHETICAL situation: you are ‘next man up’ to a student who hasn’t yet decided. Know one knows why they haven’t decided yet, but they earned the right to make their decisions. And should you receive an offer, you will also be given time to decide. That is a pretty simplistic example but shows why some could still on the WL.

Further, the report date for NAPS is a ways off yet. USNA isn’t doing this to mess with people. This is part of the class build process. This happens every single year. Stinks to be the one in your position, I can empathize as my youngest was a WL pull. But, I also know that someday this will be a faint memory/story of the journey to where you ultimately end up.

You most likely understand all this. But it doesn’t take away your own feelings, which are valid. But know that someday this will all be settled and you will have your answers. I read a quote the other day that I shared with my own kids. You will get through this.

 

[NavyHoops]

Honestly this isn’t a matter of someone waiting to make a decision. It’s a matter of someone waiting to clear a waiver, someone who hurts a knee and is awaiting to see if it’s a sprain and ready for July or surgery, someone who gets cold feet. The wait list isn’t a fun place to be, but is USNA is your #1, then the wait list is a better place to be than with a TWE. The military lifestyle is full of hurry up and waits and then last minute shifts. Adaptability is crucial. Good luck, I hope that BFE comes in for NAPS.

 

[TIME2GO]

Hello! I’ve been a lurker on this forum for a while now, I figure now is better than ever to take part. I’ve been on the NAPS waitlist for a while now, getting my notification on April 13th at around 9 am. But since then? Waiting and being miserable.

It certainly isn’t my only shot, I’ve received the National NROTC scholarship for which I’m incredibly grateful for, but this whole dilemma with the waitlist is drawing down on my motivation. I applied a while ago, I’ve waited as long. I had to do my BGO interviews last minute because my original turned me over to another who has been, with exception of the very beginning and my NAPS notification, totally absent. And then I surmise from people here that the odds of NAPS waitlist changing are slim to none, regardless of being qualified without waivers or tardiness.

Realistically this is a rant, and I know it’s a very petty thing, I realize my journey is no harder than any other candidate. For those like my friends from NASS and those made through NJROTC, I’m very excited for their success in being admitted to the USNA or NAPS, but it just leaves me in a place where I’m confused at how such things can be put to chance until the very last moment. There are so many that are in it for the long run being shut out by those who still haven’t decided on what they truly want to do with their future.

I figure what my main asking here is, although I’m used to being turned down, is my reaction the same as everyone else? Can it earnestly be said that this is something that’s occurred to a few people once or twice?

Oh and I’d like a large order of fries and a diet Dr Thunder

Hang in there, you are certainly not alone in your feelings. I tend to believe that everyone left on both the USNA and the NAPS WL have faced some obstacles and deserve a spot. Unfortunately, I know the reality is that there will not be enough spots for everyone. It's a hard place to be when you want it so badly and it's right there just ever so slightly out if reach. I remind myself that waiting for an academy spot is nothing compared to the potential waiting that could come from having a son or daughter serving, waiting for news of their safety, waiting to find out if and when they are coming home.

We don't have all the answers, how competitive are the other applicants on the slate, how many from my slate are recruited athletes, how many were at NAPS last year? DS was sent a letter in the mail with incorrect information. He was able to contact someone in admissions to inform them. At that time he asked if everything on his application looked OK. He was told he was very strong in all areas except leadership. He knew his leadership would likely be his weakest area, but found out he had nothing at all listed. He is a 4 time captain of his sport that he's been voted MVP and gone to State in multiple times as well as being a manager at his job and other smaller projects within school, church and athletic clubs. Somehow, his fault or the system(he did have numerous computer issues) these were apparently not on his application. He had 3 nominations but the spots had already been assigned. As hard as the WL is, we are happy he's still in it until he's not. He has moved forward with the new plan A/B and plans on serving in the Navy whatever route he's given. He still feels he would learn and benefit most from the academy, so we wait.

Again, best wishes to you. I really do wish there was a was a way spots could be found for all the waitlisters. Congratulations on your scholarship BoosterChair!

As always, I have found justdoit19 and Capt MJ posts and explanations the most helpful.

 

[USMC Crayons]

Maybe some of the esteemed people of the forum can help me with this question. With of of the talk of NAPS and what it is and is not, how is somebody that received a National NROTC Scholarship on a wait list for NAPS? A candidate with that in hand is certainly academically qualified for Annapolis. This kind of thing flies in the face of what the majority of posters have said that NAPS is used for. Make it make sense.

And to the OP, I feel for you. If it helps any, at least you are still in the game. Some unbelievably strong candidates were dropped like a bag of dirt about 2 months ago.

 

[gniyji]

Maybe some of the esteemed people of the forum can help me with this question. With of of the talk of NAPS and what it is and is not, how is somebody that received a National NROTC Scholarship on a wait list for NAPS? A candidate with that in hand is certainly academically qualified for Annapolis. This kind of thing flies in the face of what the majority of posters have said that NAPS is used for. Make it make sense.

And to the OP, I feel for you. If it helps any, at least you are still in the game. Some unbelievably strong candidates were dropped like a bag of dirt about 2 months ago.

My kid was dumped like a bag of dirt. During his BGO interview, he was indeed encouraged to consider the possibility an offer to NAPS. Of course they did not offer him.

Interesting though, his West Point FFR encouraged him to select top Ivy as a backup plan in case of no appointment.

USNA is hot, so is NAPS, my guess

 

[MidCakePa]

With of of the talk of NAPS and what it is and is not, how is somebody that received a National NROTC Scholarship on a wait list for NAPS? A candidate with that in hand is certainly academically qualified for Annapolis.

I understand the frustration but also see a fallacy in your argument. USNA appointment vs. ROTC scholarship is apples vs. oranges. Both fruit, but the similarities pretty much end there.

First, these are two distinctly different competitions with different criteria. Each asks of candidates two different sets of inputs. Yes, there's some overlap of inputs, but how they're evaluated and weighed is also different. For example, USNA combs the transcript and measures it in context of the school profile. Best I know, ROTC doesn't do that.

Second, these are two different prizes. One is entry into a very specific institution. The other is a pool of funds to be used at an institution that may or may not be as academically selective or rigorous as USNA. Yes, some ROTC scholarship winners will be admitted to an esteemed school. Othess will be admitted to a less-selective, less-rigorous school. Remember also that academics account for most but not all of the criteria for USNA and ROTC.

If only it were a uniform, perfectly rote rack-and-stack system. It is not, because I'm pretty sure that's not the best way to select the best future officers.

 

[USMC Crayons]

I understand the frustration but also see a fallacy in your argument. USNA appointment vs. ROTC scholarship is apples vs. oranges. Both fruit, but the similarities pretty much end there.

First, these are two distinctly different competitions with different criteria. Each asks of candidates two different sets of inputs. Yes, there's some overlap of inputs, but how they're evaluated and weighed is also different. For example, USNA combs the transcript and measures it in context of the school profile. Best I know, ROTC doesn't do that.

Second, these are two different prizes. One is entry into a very specific institution. The other is a pool of funds to be used at an institution that may or may not be as academically selective or rigorous as USNA. Yes, some ROTC scholarship winners will be admitted to an esteemed school. Othess will be admitted to a less-selective, less-rigorous school. Remember also that academics account for most but not all of the criteria for USNA and ROTC.

If only it were a uniform, perfectly rote rack-and-stack system. It is not, because I'm pretty sure that's not the best way to select the best future officers.

I could see your argument if we were talking about NROTC-MO, just because I know that the Marine Corps option, while still very competitive, is driven by different factors than the Navy one. Since Navy focuses so much on Tier 1 STEM majors, I am not sure that a recipient being slotted to a NAPS waitlist passes the sniff test. If you look at what Annapolis publishes under their consideration for NAPS, it doesn't really align with a candidate with that scholarship in hand. Anecdotal of course, but every kid I ever met that with the Navy option 4 year was an absolutely smoking candidate that for the most part could have gone to any school they wanted, and were without a doubt the total package. And I live in Navy central, so I have met dozens of them.

 

[BoosterChair]

Firstly, hang in there. Your feelings are normal.

Here is a HYPOTHETICAL situation: you are ‘next man up’ to a student who hasn’t yet decided. Know one knows why they haven’t decided yet, but they earned the right to make their decisions. And should you receive an offer, you will also be given time to decide. That is a pretty simplistic example but shows why some could still on the WL.

Further, the report date for NAPS is a ways off yet. USNA isn’t doing this to mess with people. This is part of the class build process. This happens every single year. Stinks to be the one in your position, I can empathize as my youngest was a WL pull. But, I also know that someday this will be a faint memory/story of the journey to where you ultimately end up.

You most likely understand all this. But it doesn’t take away your own feelings, which are valid. But know that someday this will all be settled and you will have your answers. I read a quote the other day that I shared with my own kids. You will get through this.




View attachment 16341

Thank you for such a realistic approach to it, like someone else had said, your contributions here and those of Capt. MJ have played a really big part in me holding out hope. Congratulations to your youngest!

 

[BoosterChair]

Maybe some of the esteemed people of the forum can help me with this question. With of of the talk of NAPS and what it is and is not, how is somebody that received a National NROTC Scholarship on a wait list for NAPS? A candidate with that in hand is certainly academically qualified for Annapolis. This kind of thing flies in the face of what the majority of posters have said that NAPS is used for. Make it make sense.

And to the OP, I feel for you. If it helps any, at least you are still in the game. Some unbelievably strong candidates were dropped like a bag of dirt about 2 months ago.

Well, truth be told, not quite. I know why I'm on the NAPS track and that's because I, frankly, am not good at math. Me and my BGO talked and decided that NAPS would be the best fit. You're definitely right though, I know many people that I thought were more qualified than myself dropped without second thought. I'm very grateful to still have some skin in the game with a sliver of hope.

 

[USMC Crayons]

Well, truth be told, not quite. I know why I'm on the NAPS waitlist and that's because I, frankly, am not good at math. You're definitely right though, I know many people that I thought were more qualified than dropped without second thought. I'm very grateful to still have some skin in the game with a sliver of hope.

Well, I stand corrected. I have a slightly jaded frame of reference, just because it is so competitive in our area. As an example, one of the NROTC national scholarship winners locally also received the Army and Air Force National Scholarships and appointments to every service academy except USMMA (which he didn't apply to). Ultimately he turned down all of the academies and is going to Princeton on the AROTC scholarship. I only mention these superlatives because it was on the news and is public knowledge.

All the same, I wish you nothing but the best, and I am sure you will do great things no matter what Annapolis ends up deciding.

 

[BoosterChair]

Well, I stand corrected. I have a slightly jaded frame of reference, just because it is so competitive in our area. As an example, one of the NROTC national scholarship winners locally also received the Army and Air Force National Scholarships and appointments to every service academy except USMMA (which he didn't apply to). Ultimately he turned down all of the academies and is going to Princeton on the AROTC scholarship. I only mention these superlatives because it was on the news and is public knowledge.

All the same, I wish you nothing but the best, and I am sure you will do great things no matter what Annapolis ends up deciding.

Most definitely, my area is highly competitive as well being in the panhandle of FL so I was glad to have the scholarship granted to me and still be on the NAPS waitlist. Thank you for your input on it all however

 

[Dr. Strange Love]

Well, I stand corrected. I have a slightly jaded frame of reference, just because it is so competitive in our area. As an example, one of the NROTC national scholarship winners locally also received the Army and Air Force National Scholarships and appointments to every service academy except USMMA (which he didn't apply to). Ultimately he turned down all of the academies and is going to Princeton on the AROTC scholarship. I only mention these superlatives because it was on the news and is public knowledge.

All the same, I wish you nothing but the best, and I am sure you will do great things no matter what Annapolis ends up deciding.

.
You’ll miss a lot of diamonds if all that you use is GPAs and grades in Math, Physics, and Chem to compare candidates.

We told our daughter that if you are ok with a C in math … then we are ok with a C in math … same for all the math and sciences courses. Just take all the hardest courses and get a passing grade … nothing wrong with this approach …

If this kid then goes on to win all kinds of Writing & Piano awards … and Rocks the SAT taken only 1 time …

… then anyone comparing and evaluating the kid sees that he/she is for real and doesn’t run from competition.

The NoVA Comstock MOC nominations committee wrote DD a letter explaining their position on her … they couldn’t compare her to the other Nominees based on GPA …. Her GPA wasn’t a factor when she got a very favorable evaluation from them …

… I guess NAVY* saw the same thing too …

### Kids should be allowed to set their own standard ###
.

 

[USMC Crayons]

.
You’ll miss a lot of diamonds if all that you use is GPAs and grades in Math, Physics, and Chem to compare candidates.

We told our daughter that if you are ok with a C in math … then we are ok with a C in math … same for all the math and sciences courses. Just take all the hardest courses and get a passing grade … nothing wrong with this approach …

If this kid then goes on to win all kinds of writing & piano awards … and Rocks the SAT taken only 1 time …

… then anyone comparing and evaluating the kid sees that he/she is for real and doesn’t run from competition.

The NoVA Comstock MOC nominations committee wrote DD a letter explaining their position on her … they couldn’t compare her to the other Nominees based on GPA …. Her GPA wasn’t a factor when she got a very favorable evaluation from them …

… I guess NAVY* saw the same thing too …
.

I don't disagree with you one bit. You were lucky to have a MOC committee that cared to see past the numbers and look at the candidate. Unfortunately, in our area our local rep's panel just became a combo of a score/GPA contest and a little bit of who you knew.

 

[gniyji]

I have to make a correction -- my kid was not dumped like a dirt bag, not at all --- he has been recycled !
actually just a short while ago when he got an email from Navy Recruiting Command (N34) "I am sending you this email based on your application to the United States Naval Academy and a desire to serve the nation. This email is being sent to inform you of another outstanding avenue to join the Navy and serve in the prestigious Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program".

Very interesting, other than USNA. NROTC, OSC --- this may not be so well known !

 

[NavyHoops]

I have to make a correction -- my kid was not dumped like a dirt bag, not at all --- he has been recycled !
actually just a short while ago when he got an email from Navy Recruiting Command (N34) "I am sending you this email based on your application to the United States Naval Academy and a desire to serve the nation. This email is being sent to inform you of another outstanding avenue to join the Navy and serve in the prestigious Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program".

Very interesting, other than USNA. NROTC, OSC --- this may not be so well known !

NUPOC is a great program for those who desire that career field. It is lesser known than ROTC, SAs or even OCS. But, I will say, the long timers on this form bring up NUPOC a lot as a path to serve.

 

[USMC Crayons]

NUPOC is a great program for those who desire that career field. It is lesser known than ROTC, SAs or even OCS. But, I will say, the long timers on this form bring up NUPOC a lot as a path to serve.

DS received that email as well. Too bad he’s not looking to go nuke, that’s one hell of a program.

 

[AimHighMom]

My DS got the NUPOC email too. Wow! Quite the opportunity. He is headed elsewhere, but it looks amazing.

 

[Navymom0502]

I have to make a correction -- my kid was not dumped like a dirt bag, not at all --- he has been recycled !
actually just a short while ago when he got an email from Navy Recruiting Command (N34) "I am sending you this email based on your application to the United States Naval Academy and a desire to serve the nation. This email is being sent to inform you of another outstanding avenue to join the Navy and serve in the prestigious Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program".

Very interesting, other than USNA. NROTC, OSC --- this may not be so well known !

Did he reach out to someone about this or was it sent to him?

 

[Nuke3395]

I’ve known several NUPOC alumni and every one of them had nothing but good things to say about the program. My son had a 4 yr NROTC scholarship, but was going to do the NUPOC program instead. We crunched some numbers and from a financial standpoint, the NUPOC program appears to cover more of the ridiculous cost of tuition. That said, as mentioned, you have to want to split atoms! Also, if you have a NROTC scholarship and think you may be interested in NUPOC, you can’t double dip…if you accept any of the NROTC scholarship money, you are no longer eligible for NUPOC…that’s how it was explained to us…make sure to ask about that.