NSA workstudy

maxd950729

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Jan 24, 2016
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I'm a junior in high school and a class of 2021 hopeful. I live in Pasadena, Maryland. I was recently accepted into doing a high school workstudy at NSA where I will be working with active duty military members. The program was really competitive and was a long process because I needed to get a top secret security clearance. The issue is that this will cause me to have a half schedule my senior year. My half schedule would consist of AP calculus, AP English and a computer science course. I have already taken physics and chemistry and the other classes I need to graduate. Would having this half schedule hurt my chances of getting an appointment?
 
I don't think this hurts at all. You are not taking a half-schedule to have an "easier" year...you are taking it for an excellent opportunity that might be just as beneficial as any other class you would take. Furthermore, if you already have taken chemistry and physics and did well (B+ or better), then it is another reason in your favor. The courses that you would be taking at your H.S. are in valuable subjects (calculus, English, computer science). I look at this as no different than a MIDN validating courses at USNA, which opens up other opportunities later on. It cannot hurt to confirm your plan with an admissions counselor. Normally BGOs are the first to say additional LORs are not desired...but this might be one of those opportunities where it may be beneficial...however, it still needs to be unique/distinguishable from other LORs (teacher, BGO) in your package.
 
I earned a B in honors Chem and an A in Ap physics so that wouldn't be an issue. How would an LOR help?
 
Letters of recommendation for college help those of us who sit on admissions committees get a clearer picture of what motivates a student to want to attend, what kind of challenges they've faced and overcome in their lives so far, how (with what kind of emotion and character) they met those challenges, how they've contributed to the communities they're a part of. Your English and math teachers will write mostly about you as a student. A work-study supervisor can write about who you are in that environment. You really, really should not think about asking for a letter now. However: you might think about what kind of behavior you want others to describe about you in the coming 9+ months. When you're not around, how do you want people to talk about you? How do you want your supervisor to answer a telephone call asking for a reference? Can you envision what they're saying? What kind of personal challenges do you think you'll confront in the next few months? (You know yourself. You know what you're like when you get that tight warm feeling in your chest when you're not sure you can do something.) How would you like the future people you work with to describe how you respond when you're "up against it"?

That's the kind of complementary perspective that your work-study supervisor may be able to provide to enrich your USNA application.
 
Congratulations on getting into this program - it sounds like an excellent opportunity and a start to a lucrative career. I would encourage you to take some additional steps to make sure the admissions committee appreciates what you've accomplished. Make sure your math, English teachers, HS counselors and Principal understand what this program is and how competitive it is. Consider writing up a brag sheet for them and talk to them in real life - IRL. Don't assume they know what this program is. They will be writing your LOR or will be the people USNA may contact to find out more about you.
 
I don't think you need to worry about that. Take the opportunity to talk to the Navy officers and enlisted that are all over that place. Many officers are lateral transfers, so you'll run former pilots, NFOs, submariners, and SWOs turned CW/IP. It's a good chance to get a feel for what happens after the Academy, which is the most important part.

You'll have plenty to talk about in your application essays and a perspective very few applicants will have.

Make sure to transfer your clearance to USNA if you do attend. It should be good for a while, and will let you see cool stuff on summer cruise no one else will be able to.
 
My twin brother was in same work study at NSA and loved it. The people that you will meet and experiences are priceless and one that a few will be able to match on a nationwide scale. However, coming from MD-3 congressional district (one of most competitive in country along with NOVA) do not think this alone will get you into USNA. Dont get me wrong it is a great bullet on your HS resume. When you sit down for your interviews make sure that this comes up and also work it your essays as well. Try to max out the CFA (for both USNA and NROTC), get your medical done asap and remember to enjoy your last HS year!

Should you not be able to get USNA (prepare for the worst and hope for the best mentality here), you will come away with a unique HS experience. As you know living in the area, having that TS clearance (good for 3 or 5 years) WILL open internships and other opportunities that most dont know about. I dont know if your math and science are strong or not, keep all of your options open. That being stated, if your end goal is too becoming an officer check out other programs as well. There is NROTC, OCS and NUPOC to name a few. NUPOC is an amazing opportunity in of itself! Apply after 1.5 years of college, get accepted/pass the interview and get a $15k check and a monthly check around $4k with allowances factored in and NO NROTC time(inspections and what not) and best part is your "enlisted time" counts toward your pay faster as in O1 over 2 /4. and the time counts toward your retirement. There is more but you can google it too. Neither my brother nor I, got into USNA; however, he is going to UPENN (dual major via M&T) and Im going to Yale also dual major. Im just pointing out other avenues to get a commission.
 
Who in admissions would I clarify with for this workstudy?
Admissions office
Admissions couselor
BGO
 
Do you have access to CIS yet? Your admissions counselor should be listed on there (along with their contact information). Otherwise, call USNA admissions and ask to speak with the MD admissions counselor (Region 1).
 
Yes I have access to CIS and my admissions counselors info is there so I will talk to her. Thanks for the advice everyone.
 
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