Naval Academy Inspire Program

A

Air13

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Apr 25, 2021
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Has anyone heard of this program? I got an email today that's supposedly from the naval academy office of admissions but the email name doesn't match up with previous emails and the email itself is from an @gmail address. The link to register leads to a google form, but the part to submit an essay doesn't accept pdfs...

I just want to be cautious and don't want to be scammed or anything.
 
I have never heard of this, but that also doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. In either case, you are right to be skeptical. You should never click a link from an unrecognized email address or phone number, even if it appears authentic at first glance. My advice: Call the front desk of the Admissions Office during working hours and ask about it. They’ll surely know, and if it was fake they’ll appreciate you bringing it to their attention.
 
Never heard of the program and can't imagine official USNA correspondence coming from gmail. Agree to check with Admissions. And good on you for spotting the discrepancies!!
 
I checked with admissions and apparently it is a real program. Thank you to everyone.
 
usna1985 said:
interested to hear what it's about . . .
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Basically, they pay for me and my parent to go to a cost free weekend in Annapolis. I can shadow a midshipman, attend a football game, learn about attending, and meet key leaders on the yard. They pay the travel expenses for both me and my parent and they pay for my parent's hotel stay for the weekend.
 
It’s not mentioned in the BGO handbook or in the recent BGO training.
 
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Air13 said:
Basically, they pay for me and my parent to go to a cost free weekend in Annapolis. I can shadow a midshipman, attend a football game, learn about attending, and meet key leaders on the yard. They pay the travel expenses for both me and my parent and they pay for my parent's hotel stay for the weekend.
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Are you going to go? Sounds like a souped up CVW. I would jump at the opportunity to go!

But also have never heard of the program. Maybe it’s new.
 
The Inspire Program is indeed a new Admissions outreach program. ACs received details about this program, it is similar to the CVW, but only offered once per semester and candidates may not attend both.

The Inspire program is very limited, only 30 candidates, and is focused on underrepresented areas and groups. The main difference between Inspire and CVW from what I can tell is that parents are included. I believe the cost of hotel is covered for the parent (one parent per candidate). There is a full day of briefings/tours on Friday, same as CVW.

The other main difference is that instead of ending on Saturday morning as the CVW does, the Inspire program includes a dinner on Saturday night (parents included) and a USNA basketball game, as well a the CFA on Saturday morning.
 
I have never heard about this Inspire program. But it seems that this program is better than LOA. USNA really wants these candidates. Otherwise, why are they willing to pay all fees? Congratulations!
 
F4EF15 said:
I have never heard about this Inspire program. But it seems that this program is better than LOA. USNA really wants these candidates. Otherwise, why are they willing to pay all fees? Congratulations!
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I was told by someone at the Academy that they are looking to give out LOA's that weekend.
 
F4EF15 said:
I have never heard about this Inspire program. But it seems that this program is better than LOA. USNA really wants these candidates. Otherwise, why are they willing to pay all fees? Congratulations!
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Better than CVW. I would take the LOA if I had a nom and knew I would be 3q.
 
It's an official program. I actually was approved to be an attendee this November (Nov 11-13 weekend) so I can provide any information from a candidate's perspective on it if it's wanted.
 
F4EF15 said:
I have never heard about this Inspire program. But it seems that this program is better than LOA. USNA really wants these candidates. Otherwise, why are they willing to pay all fees? Congratulations!
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Apples and Waterskis. Two very different things. The Inspire program is kind of a subset of the CVW program and serves to allow potential candidates from underprivileged/underrepresented communities a chance to see and experience USNA. In a way, its better than a plain old CVW because it includes a parent.
An LOA is not a program, it is a certification that the Admissions Dept "wants" a particular candidate subject to whatever conditions are included with it. Being invited to an Inspire visit is not a guarantee of an LOA and as has been seen in the past, an LOA is not a guarantee of an offer of acceptance.
 
redraider2022 said:
It's an official program. I actually was approved to be an attendee this November (Nov 11-13 weekend) so I can provide any information from a candidate's perspective on it if it's wanted.
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Congrats! How did it go? My son just got an email inviting him to apply. What factors do you think made it possible for you to be accepted?
 
julianwesly said:
Congrats! How did it go? My son just got an email inviting him to apply. What factors do you think made it possible for you to be accepted?
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Awesome experience. Check my profile, I think I made a post about it. I was given an LOA in person by the Dean of Admissions Mr. Latta during the formal dinner program they had and now I’m appointed to USNA, so I can definitely say it was a great trip.

In terms of acceptance you have to write a small essay and you are put on a wait list if you are someone they want to attend. I got a call from an Annapolis number which turned out to be a USN Captain who works at USNA. He asked me a few questions and we had a nice little conversation before he told me I would be able to attend and I was on the go list. The call came at around 9PM at night though, fair warning.

I’m not quite sure what factors got me in entirely. I’m a demographic minority but there were non-minorities present as much as minorities during my weekend so demographics I think might have played a part but not a integral part. During the formal dinner one of the speakers basically mentioned that every candidate in attendance has something USNA wants in a candidate, and every candidate is bringing some value to USNA. Basically USNA sees something valuable and wants to lock the candidate in so your son is probably considered a priority for USNA.
 
Anyone there look like they can throw a football or block for someone that can? ;)
 
julianwesly said:
What factors do you think made it possible for you to be accepted?
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redraider2022 said:
During the formal dinner one of the speakers basically mentioned that every candidate in attendance has something USNA wants in a candidate, and every candidate is bringing some value to USNA
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^ This. The fact that DS was "invited" to apply suggests that Admissions sees something they like. INSPIRE is not an athletic recruiting program, but has been described as an enhanced CVW, with more parental inclusion, in order to encourage persons who might not otherwise select USNA to attend. As noted above, this is not limited to racial minorities, but includes other under represented demographics.

Red Raider -- Congratulations on the Appointment ? Did you accept the Offer ? If so, the program works !
 
Old Navy BGO said:
Red Raider -- Congratulations on the Appointment ? Did you accept the Offer ? If so, the program works !
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If/when USAFA sends me a letter of non-selection, I will be able to decide to accept/decline. I don’t want to rush anything, as I already have to decide between USNA/USMA appointments currently. I’m leaning for USNA if I had to choose at this very moment.
 
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