Overqualified for NAPS?

[wnsham96]

Current NAPSTER, there's definitely no such thing as being overqualified for NAPS. There are people here who got 1400s on the SAT and had 4.5 GPAs who are also recruited varsity athletes. People ask why they got sent to NAPS- they're killing it with all A's/B's in advanced/intermediate courses. Even the smartest people struggle here, there's definitely no such thing as being overqualified.

Good to know! My son is hoping for NAPS if he doesn’t get an appointment. I keep reading that mostly students with less than stellar grades are picked. He’s a straight A student but lacks in athletics.

 

[NeptunePride]

My son has an interview appointment with both our Congressman panel and Senator panel this weekend. His grades are good (top 5% of class, 3.95 GPA), he's an Eagle Scout, is a team leader at his job, in NHS, taking AP Chinese, 1st tenor sax in jazz band, lots of service hours.

However, his SAT scores are a bit low (670/670) and he hasn't done any sports since his sophomore year (basketball club team). He's working out to improve his CFA scores, and will be taking the SAT (or ACT) again, but there's not a lot he can do about his lack of participation in sports now. So, he's competitive ... but average.

He's also not a minority. Just a white young male who works hard in school and at his job.

He's completed his DoDMERB and had his BGO interview, so he's moving along.

So - would he qualify for NAPS if he didn't get an appointment? Or are his grades too high? How does a candidate get an appointment if they can't check the athletics box? A miracle?

NAPS usually is a place for really qualified candidates that didn’t get good test scores. This info is from my research in literally all of the internet.

In my case. I did the IB Diploma program, 3.82GPA, did basketball, soccer, weightlifting, running, swimming. I have over 170 hours of community service. I attended Summer Seminar. BUT I had a composite of 21 on my ACT score. And I got appointed to NAPS.

Your DS should be appointed to USNA if not we should receive an offer to NAPS.

Please let me know if your son got it or if you have more questions.

 

[NavyHoops]

NAPS usually is a place for really qualified candidates that didn’t get good test scores. This info is from my research in literally all of the internet.

In my case. I did the IB Diploma program, 3.82GPA, did basketball, soccer, weightlifting, running, swimming. I have over 170 hours of community service. I attended Summer Seminar. BUT I had a composite of 21 on my ACT score. And I got appointed to NAPS.

Your DS should be appointed to USNA if not we should receive an offer to NAPS.

Please let me know if your son got it or if you have more questions.

In some cases I agree. I have seen NAPS for other reasons also… mediocre test scores, but kids who come from schools that do not have level offerings in advanced math. USNA thought a year tune up with higher rigor courses would be important to their success. Maybe it’s a small town or just a bad area for public schools. I have also seen kids who spent an enormous part of their youth over seas due to military, state dept or some other career. Getting them acclimated back to the US culturally tends to be a big shock and helps kids in this case. Heck USNA had a Rhodes Scholar one year who went to NAPS. Obviously was smart enough, but was prior enlisted and needed to get back into the school world. Most candidates are there because they lacked something in their academic profile, but other wise strong apps. The small percentage could be there for other reasons such as prior enlisted and need to get back into mode or some other adjustment time due to unique backgrounds.

 

[NeptunePride]

In some cases I agree. I have seen NAPS for other reasons also… mediocre test scores, but kids who come from schools that do not have level offerings in advanced math. USNA thought a year tune up with higher rigor courses would be important to their success. Maybe it’s a small town or just a bad area for public schools. I have also seen kids who spent an enormous part of their youth over seas due to military, state dept or some other career. Getting them acclimated back to the US culturally tends to be a big shock and helps kids in this case. Heck USNA had a Rhodes Scholar one year who went to NAPS. Obviously was smart enough, but was prior enlisted and needed to get back into the school world. Most candidates are there because they lacked something in their academic profile, but other wise strong apps. The small percentage could be there for other reasons such as prior enlisted and need to get back into mode or some other adjustment time due to unique backgrounds.

I didnt say I was born and raised in Chile. It is very probable that they wanted me to get used to the US educational system.

 

[OldRetSWO]

Heck USNA had a Rhodes Scholar one year who went to NAPS. Obviously was smart enough, but was prior enlisted and needed to get back into the school world.

He also dropped out of High School and enlisted in the USMC.
His father is a classmate and pretty accomplished as well. Other family members have also been notable.

 

[MidCakePa]

NAPS usually is a place for really qualified candidates that didn’t get good test scores.

I have seen NAPS for other reasons also… mediocre test scores, but kids who come from schools that do not have level offerings in advanced math.

Most candidates are there because they lacked something in their academic profile, but other wise strong apps.

Sorry, @Juddusna, but more inclined to trust @NavyHoops on this one. She’s actually “been there, done that” when it comes to USNA. With all due respect, your posts tend toward overly cocksure certitude that’s nonetheless misinformed.

You once wrote that attending NASS “does increase your chances“ of being appointed to USNA, partly because the detailers “write a report on you that admissions will read.” By all credible accounts, USNA does not count NASS attendance in its admissions formula. Also, that report from the detailers? It’s for their own training, not for admissions’ eyes.

You once wrote that joining ROTC “greatly decreases your chance“ of being appointed to USNA. By all credible accounts, ROTC can provide a tremendous boost to one’s candidacy. It demonstrates seriousness of purpose, shows commitment to the military, and brings a possible source of nomination.

While I appreciate your commitment to serving — and congratulate you for being accepted to NAPS — you’ve barely completed the application cycle. Please beware of shooting from the hip.

 

[Capt MJ]

Sorry, @Juddusna, but more inclined to trust @NavyHoops on this one. She’s actually “been there, done that” when it comes to USNA. With all due respect, your posts tend toward overly cocksure certitude that’s nonetheless misinformed.

You once wrote that attending NASS “does increase your chances“ of being appointed to USNA, partly because the detailers “write a report on you that admissions will read.” By all credible accounts, USNA does not count NASS attendance in its admissions formula. Also, that report from the detailers? It’s for their own training, not for admissions’ eyes.

You once wrote that joining ROTC “greatly decreases your chance“ of being appointed to USNA. By all credible accounts, ROTC can provide a tremendous boost to one’s candidacy. It demonstrates seriousness of purpose, shows commitment to the military, and brings a possible source of nomination.

While I appreciate your commitment to serving — and congratulate you for being accepted to NAPS — you’ve barely completed the application cycle. Please beware of shooting from the hip.

All this x 10. Don’t mix up opinions and assumptions drawn from anecdotes with facts; go to primary sources and do the legwork.

 

[Heatherg21]

I completely celebrate new members and encourage them to contribute and pose questions. I would caution them against making emphatic statements that are just categorically false.

This forum has such a breadth of knowledge, arguing them or challenging such wisdom and experience seems to some degree to be contentious. Of course all are entitled to their own opinions, but some are factually incorrect.

 

[NavyHoops]

I didnt say I was born and raised in Chile. It is very probable that they wanted me to get used to the US educational system.

I had no idea to that, it’s something I have seen a few times happen as a BGO and also sitting on MOC panels. You mentioned a 21 ACT above I believe, not sure on the break down of that score, but that is low in USNA terms. Regardless of educational location, that is a flag for USNA. NAPS is a great opportunity and will prepare you well. One of the amazing parts of USNA and NAPS is you will meet so many people with interesting stories and backgrounds. Many decades later, it’s why we are still close with our classmates. They are just amazing and continue to amaze me. I still wonder how I got picked and then made I through. Embrace the ride and don’t worry why you or someone else got picked, focus on passing the PRT (the CFA doesn’t mean anything anymore), developing good study habits and staying out of trouble.

 

[NeptunePride]

Sorry, @Juddusna, but more inclined to trust @NavyHoops on this one. She’s actually “been there, done that” when it comes to USNA. With all due respect, your posts tend toward overly cocksure certitude that’s nonetheless misinformed.

You once wrote that attending NASS “does increase your chances“ of being appointed to USNA, partly because the detailers “write a report on you that admissions will read.” By all credible accounts, USNA does not count NASS attendance in its admissions formula. Also, that report from the detailers? It’s for their own training, not for admissions’ eyes.

You once wrote that joining ROTC “greatly decreases your chance“ of being appointed to USNA. By all credible accounts, ROTC can provide a tremendous boost to one’s candidacy. It demonstrates seriousness of purpose, shows commitment to the military, and brings a possible source of nomination.

While I appreciate your commitment to serving — and congratulate you for being accepted to NAPS — you’ve barely completed the application cycle. Please beware of shooting from the hip.

Like I said, I gathered that info on NAPS through my research on the internet, I never said that was a FACT.

Second of all, you believe people that “been there done that” Well, I’ve been to NASS and my detailers (Midshipmen) and the person in charge of the program MID 1/C Kenna Pierce also said the report is going to Admissions.
I also asked my BGO and she reaffirmed.

And about the ROTC that was a mistake I made for not specifically saying that is an opinion not a fact and I say sorry for that.

 

[NeptunePride]

I had no idea to that, it’s something I have seen a few times happen as a BGO and also sitting on MOC panels. You mentioned a 21 ACT above I believe, not sure on the break down of that score, but that is low in USNA terms. Regardless of educational location, that is a flag for USNA. NAPS is a great opportunity and will prepare you well. One of the amazing parts of USNA and NAPS is you will meet so many people with interesting stories and backgrounds. Many decades later, it’s why we are still close with our classmates. They are just amazing and continue to amaze me. I still wonder how I got picked and then made I through. Embrace the ride and don’t worry why you or someone else got picked, focus on passing the PRT (the CFA doesn’t mean anything anymore), developing good study habits and staying out of trouble.

Thank you! I appreciate it

 

[Old Navy BGO]

This info is from my research in literally all of the internet.

Pro Tip -- never rely or cite "the internet" as authority. Always look at the veracity of the source on the Internet. While some information may appear to be valid, you need to be careful.

With respect to NAPS and being overqualified, the stated mission is "to enhance Midshipman Candidates's moral, mental, and physical foundations to prepare them for success at at the US Naval Academy." The Admissions Board can recommend NAPS for a variety of reasons, including need for additional academic preparation, which is probably the most common , but not the only reason, for those coming out of HS. The bottom line, the program is for those that are highly qualified and show good potential, but are missing something in their preparation to the extent that Admissions determines that an additional year of preparation gives the best opportunity for success.

NAPS is not the outcome for those that are 3Q but don't win their MOC nomination slate or those that are very well qualified but don't get a NOM. ( I am sure that could happens, since Admissions has alot of flexibility in who goes to NAPS, but it is not the norm). What this means is there are Candidates who are 3Q, and probably more qualified on paper than those that get selected for NAPS, who get the TWE each year, which leads to the theory or commentary that they are "overqualified" for NAPS.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Second of all, you believe people that “been there done that” Well, I’ve been to NASS and my detailers (Midshipmen) and the person in charge of the program MID 1/C Kenna Pierce also said the report is going to Admissions.
I also asked my BGO and she reaffirmed.

Another Pro Tip -- The first rule of holes is 1) when in a hole, stop digging.

Yes, the NASS detailer writes an eval...and yes, the eval goes to Admissions, but that eval does not give you a boost on Admissions. The NASS eval is largely training for the Detailers, many of whom have never led a unit or done evals before. I really good or really bad eval may get some attention, but the eval isn't going to give you and advantage over the person who didn't attend NASS. USNA has made it very clear that NASS (or STEM ) selection or attendance is not a predictor of success in the Admission process. As I've said here repeatedly -- there are limited spaced available for these programs, and the kid from NORVA/DC area who has spent his life visiting USNA and USNA is his life long ambition is not the target audience for these programs.