NASS

[ontothefray22]

Top 6% in Class
Straight A's
National Honor Society
National English Honor Society (Secretary)
Student Council
Key Club Secretary
Model United Nations Delegate
Sports Editor for the Yearbook
AMVETS Essay Winner
Football captain
3 varsity letters (4 by the time NASS occurs)
Academic Letter
NSHSS Invitation
Washington Media and Journal Conference Acceptance

Is this competitive for NASS? I know it's easier than SLE as there are 2,500 kids accepted. I don't want to post my test scores, however what is a good range for the PSAT? Thanks!

 

[usna1985]

This has been said before but bears repeating. NASS is a RECRUITING TOOL. It is not necessarily a meritocracy. The primary purpose if NASS is to make kids in areas and at schools that historically have been under represented at USNA aware of the USNA in the hopes that they will go back to their schools and communities and "talk up" USNA.

As a result, kids with "stronger" records from areas where USNA is generally well known may be turned down in favor of "lesser qualified" kids from under-represented areas. IOW, if you live in Montana, your chances of being accepted to NASS are greater -- all things being equal -- than if you live in northern VA.

The fact you are accepted to NASS does not necessarily mean you are a shoe-in for USNA and, conversely, the fact you are not accepted for NASS does not mean you don't have a good shot at an appointment.

 

[ontothefray22]

This has been said before but bears repeating. NASS is a RECRUITING TOOL. It is not necessarily a meritocracy. The primary purpose if NASS is to make kids in areas and at schools that historically have been under represented at USNA aware of the USNA in the hopes that they will go back to their schools and communities and "talk up" USNA.

As a result, kids with "stronger" records from areas where USNA is generally well known may be turned down in favor of "lesser qualified" kids from under-represented areas. IOW, if you live in Montana, your chances of being accepted to NASS are greater -- all things being equal -- than if you live in northern VA.

The fact you are accepted to NASS does not necessarily mean you are a shoe-in for USNA and, conversely, the fact you are not accepted for NASS does not mean you don't have a good shot at an appointment.

Sweet! Thanks. Now does the NASS admissions board look at your current address or the district you're applying out of? I'm a military brat so just curious.

 

[RickD_USAF]

Sweet! Thanks. Now does the NASS admissions board look at your current address or the district you're applying out of? I'm a military brat so just curious.

They look for geographic diversity. My DS didn't get accepted into NASS, but we live 52 miles away. Although he did attend CVW. It is hit or miss. Apply and see what happens.

 

[usna1985]

I would say your current address b/c those are the people you are likely to interact with after NASS.

Also, to be clear, I don't want to suggest that qualifications don't matter -- they do. But NASS should not be viewed as a "vetting" for a USNA appointment -- in either direction. The selections for NASS and STEM are based on somewhat different (and fewer) criteria than USNA appointments.

Also, consider applying to the NASS equivalents at USMA and USAFA, even if those aren't necessarily your first choice schools (and USCGA/USMMA if they have a similar program). A summer program at any SA will give you a sense of what life at a SA is like and also, you may find that you like that school better (or worse) than you expected.