should I attend SLE along with NASS?

A

archeng_enthusiant

Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2022
Messages
29
I decided to apply for SLE on a whim and got accepted along with NASS. My priorities lie with USNA, is it worth attending both programs?
 
Can you see yourself as an Army officer? Are the career options something that speak to you?

Is the lifestyle of an army officer versus a naval officer something that speaks to you one way or the other?

If you can afford it and make it work, I personally think exposure to options is key.
 
I attended both and it helped me greatly to make my decision.

SLE felt like summer camp with machine guns. NASS felt like a Service Academy.

I chose USNA.

(Obviously I also attended visit weekends)
 
There are 2 reasons to attend SLE along with NASS. The first is that you do have some interest in USMA. Maybe not as great now as USNA but still some. Seeing WP up close and personal might change your mind or at least make you interested enough to apply to WP.

Second, you want an additional life experience, can afford to attend, and don't have anything "better" to do that week. I'm not joking about this -- you'll learn something and it will be an interesting experience.

The major downside of attending if you have zero interest is that you're probably taking a slot away from someone who really wants to attend USMA. Also, if cost is an issue, why waste your parents' money on something that doesn't interest you.

As an aside, it's my understanding that all SAs "count" attendance at any SA summer program equally and don't give double credit. IOW, if you attend NASS, that still "counts" for USMA purposes as much as SLE. Ditto for USNA and SLE. In addition, at least for USNA, you get "credit" for one summer program; attending 2 or 3 doesn't benefit you more from an admissions standpoint.
 
Also, you may think you know what you want, but these could both open your eyes to different thoughts about that.

Go to both if you feel called to serve. You may find that you don’t receive an appointment to USNA. You do receive one to USMA. And SLE could be instrumental in deciding whether to accept USMA. Or not.

Go open minded, open to the journey. You are still over a year out from ultimately deciding your path, and a lot of growth and change happens during you senior year. You may think differently, this time next year.
 
Last edited:
I haven't been to SLE but I attended both NASS and AFASS, and I have to say they both showed me what the academies have to offer. At these summer seminars it is an opportunity to meet a lot of amazing people that are driven or at least interested in serving their country. The SS's are great opportunities and if you can attend them I really recommend it.

NASS is kinda like a toned down plebe summer, while AFASS was more about the academics, both are great.
 
I didn't do it, but last summer I talked with a few other applicants at NASS who had just gotten back from SLE. They said it was a great experience and had more of the military aspect (marching, shooting, yelling). NASS had that on the first day but transitioned towards PT and Classes and more academy-like stuff towards the middle of the week. If you can do both and USMA might interest you, I would reccomend it.
 
Giving yourself options is always a great idea. One of my students attended both. Today he is a new Army 2LT. I hope you are also looking to apply for an NROTC scholarship and, perhaps, an AROTC scholarship too. I call it Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. The latter, Plan C, being without an appointment or ROTC scholarship, but moving forward with college. Ideally, you will join the ROTC unit on campus and then reapply to USNA or USMA as a college freshman. Some 25 - 30% of midshipmen did not (and do not) 'arrive' directly from high school. I hope you enjoy both NASS and SLE!
 
Going to both is valuable because they give you different experiences and can help you make decisions. Before going to SLE, I didn't have much of an interest in attending West Point over USNA or USAFA, but I still wanted to try it out and make sure. While SLE was a great experience for me, and I enjoyed the program, it made me realize for sure that USMA wasn't the school for me. The other 2 summer seminars were also great experiences, and I could see myself attending those schools. I eventually chose the ROTC route, but I'm glad I did the summer seminars.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top