Summer Seminar Importance

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FlyBoy036

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Does anyone know if Summer Seminar can positively/negatively influence your chances of admission? Or is it purely a marketing tool like some of threads on here say, I've heard it both ways.
 
I think it can be positive in several ways, but more as a personal growth than anything. Allows you take your CFA in a competitive environment, get to talk to Mids and See behind the scenes and meet like minded individuals. It’s also great to live, eat and sleep in Bancroft. Not many get to do that. You do get a short write up and can be awarded the top person in your platoon. Although you may not get ‘points’ towards your composite for admissions, a positive write up won’t hurt. Now a poor attitude, performance or other things with a negative evaluation would probably be more impactful than a positive one.
 
Bunch of threads on this. SASS is not dispositive of ultimate acceptance by any means. However, mid-detainees at SASS do write reports so if you present with an utterly miserable candidate (attitude wise - I am surmising), it would be reflected in your report.

Other than that - if you are accepted - threads indicate - go - have a great time & enjoy the experience. See if USNA works for you.
 
A few years ago, my son was devastated when he didn't get into NASS, even though he'd been invited out of the blue to a CVW early in his junior year of high school. (On the other hand, he was invited to USAFA SS, which hosts far fewer candidates and is much more selective.) Fast forward to today: he's a youngster Class of 2020 at USNA. He recalls that, at his CVW, he asked many of the plebes about NASS and the vast majority said they weren't invited. So the moral of the story is that, statistically, no matter what anyone tells you, most mids never attended NASS - and they still got appointments to USNA. If you're not invited, be dissappointed that you didn't get to visit, but don't worry that it'll affect your chances of an appointment. Work hard at being the best you can be, put together a good application, and ask your admissions counselor for a CVW if one isn't offered by early in your senior year. In truth, a CVW is a better opportunity to see USNA as it really is during the ac year anyway.
 
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Summer Seminar is a tool to try to get folks interested in the academy. People are picked for geographic location, ethnicity, and the usual academic excellence, etc. Since so few slots are available they cannot use it to anyone's advantage or disadvantage in making appointment decisions.
 
As part of the overall process of receiving an appointment, it was helpful for DS, as he received principal noms at least in part bc he attended SS. One MOC told him that it added to his application and scoring. It shows a real interest and dedication to the academy. So, in DS’s case, being a “plus” for a nomination source, helped in receiving a nomination and ultimately an appointment.

I completely agree, based upon DS’s discussions with mids on his visits, that attending is a marketing thing. In DS’s case, it also helped with earning a nomination (he actually received 3). It was also a wonderful experience! Our younger son will also apply. It’s a character builder and self-discovery experience no matter what path is taken.
 
2020Vision said:
A few years ago, my son was devastated when he didn't get into NASS, even though he'd been invited out of the blue to a CVW early in his junior year of high school. (On the other hand, he was invited to USAFA SS, which hosts far fewer candidates and is much more selective.) Fast forward to today: he's a youngster Class of 2020 at USNA. He recalls that, at his CVW, he asked many of the plebes about NASS and the vast majority said they weren't invited. So the moral of the story is that, statistically, no matter what anyone tells you, most mids never attended NASS - and they still got appointments to USNA. If you're not invited, be dissappointed that you didn't get to visit, but don't worry that it'll affect your chances of an appointment. Work hard at being the best you can be, put together a good application, and ask your admissions counselor for a CVW if one isn't offered by early in your senior year. In truth, a CVW is a better opportunity to see USNA as it really is during the ac year anyway.
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I got invited earlier this year to a CVW full of seniors (I'm a junior) and this sounds a lot like my current situaton. Thanks!
 
None of us work in admissions, so we don't know how they might consider NASS attendance as it relates to getting an appointment. It certainly would make sense to act/behave as though you ARE getting evaluated when attending NASS, can't go wrong there.
 
My understanding is the following . . . if you attend and do well, it's a slight bump. But nothing more than you'd get for so many other things in your package (sports/leadership/academic achievements). If you attend and do terribly, that can be a negative. NOT attending for any reason (not accepted, decline) is not viewed negatively -- IOW, it doesn't hurt you not to attend.

What is doing "terribly?" -- based on discussions with mids who've led NASS, it's being totally out of shape and/or not being a team player. IOW, grousing all the time, not trying to help out your classmates, not participating in activities, saying you don't want to be there. Maybe not a deal killer, but certainly won't make you more competitive.

So if you attend, be sure to be in decent shape and be 100% invested in learning about USNA and at least trying to things that are new/hard. Doing your best and having a positive attitude . . . even if you're not exceptional at the activities . . . will be viewed favorably.
 
I went last year, it was a really great time, and I learned a lot about the academy from it. I totally suggest going if you get invited. It may not directly impact your chances of getting in, but it is great for meeting people that will make sure you get that application done lol! If USNA is something you're super serious about I would invest in NASS. It was the best week of my summer.
 
DS did not get into NASS. Several months later was invited to a CVW. Although initially disappointed with NASS rejection, DS worked on those things within his control to put the best application forward. At his CVW he came to find out that most of the MIDS he met did not attend summer seminar. Fortunately, DS received and accepted his appointment in January despite a NASS rejection which, at the time, seemed like a setback in his pursuit of a USNA appointment. In the end, DS felt that not getting accepted to NASS caused him to remain focused on his desire to ultimately serve. CVW was such an amazing experience for DS and ‘sealed the deal’ for him. So, NASS, is not the best potential indicator of a future appointment as is evidenced by current MIDS, my DS, and others on this forum. If you get accepted into NASS, or not, use either to your advantage to learn more about yourself and whether it pushes you closer or further from USNA and the ultimate goal to serve. In my DS’s case, his NASS rejection drew him closer.
 
I think another positive for attending NASS if offered is being able to take the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) while there. My DS said it was extremely motivating to test with other candidates with detailers looking/cheering them on. It helped pushed him to do his best versus taking it at home with a coach timing him. DS is now a Napster waiting to hear if he gets his USNA appointment in May.
 
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While not directly related to the OP's Question - a Thesis was published a few years ago from Naval Postgraduate School which studied the influence of Summer Seminar on Graduation Rates and Performance at USNA. It found that attendees of NASS had higher success rates - and that the continued use of NASS as a recruiting tool was beneficial.

As other respondents have stated - NASS gives both the Member and the Academy the opportunity to examine if the Naval Academy is the right place. But there are many examples of candidates who don't get Appointments yet attended NASS - and who didn't attend NASS and still get in.

Bottom Line: Use the experience to help determine what is best for you!

If you are interested - here is the link to the Thesis:
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a424694.pdf
 
When I was at my congressional nomination interview I was asked if I attended the summer seminar. I told them I applied but didn't get in. They told me it was only marketing as well. BTW all three were Naval Academy grads.

I attended a CVW in September. During the opening presentation, they pulled one girl up. They asked her if she got into NASS. She said no. Then they said well congratulations, you are one of the first LOA we will give out.

Hope this helps.
 
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When I went to NASS, a squad leader told me that there is no impact, but statistically 2/3 of kids that got into NASS and then applied to the academy (plenty go to NASS and that’s the end of it) got in. However the majority of midshipmen did not go to NASS, but many of them never applied etc. The numbers and scenarios are far too complex to sit and ponder. This statistic is not mine so don’t hold me to it, but this midshipman just told me that there is no causation, but there is correlation.
 
ThePatternisFull said:
No influence!
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I'm not saying you're wrong per se, but why do squad leaders make performance review notes (beyond just the CFA) about NASS attendees if that's not taken into consideration with Admissions...?

navy2022VA said:
but statistically 2/3 of kids that got into NASS and then applied to the academy (plenty go to NASS and that’s the end of it) got in. However the majority of midshipmen did not go to NASS, but many of them never applied etc.
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About 1 out 3 USNA MIDNs attend NASS, which works out to about 1 out 6 NASS attendees ending up at the USNA. If 2/3 get of those that go on to apply to the USNA get in, that'd mean that only 1 out 4 or 5 actually go on to apply (if my math is right - I'm getting old!)... May be the case, but that seems a little low (I would've thought more would have gone on to apply). I wonder if the 2/3 appointment rate is for NASS attendees that were 3Q'ed & nom'ed...(?)

But for the OP, irrespective, you can't put a lot of faith into such statistics as to calculating your own odds - the bar for getting into NASS varies based on your geographic region, diversity considerations, etc. Bottomline is that if you're considering the USNA and have the opportunity to go to NASS, you should go and do your best to impress. DS (USNA class of 2022) loved his experience there!
 
FlyBoy036 said:
Does anyone know if Summer Seminar can positively/negatively influence your chances of admission? Or is it purely a marketing tool like some of threads on here say, I've heard it both ways.
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As others have said, not everyone who gets into NASS gets into USNA and vice versa. With that being said, there was a handwritten note on my DS's LOA from USNA from the Director of Admissions that referenced his outstanding performance at NASS. He obviously had a strong packet in order to get an appointment, but we'll never know if NASS was really impactful on him receiving the LOA, or if that was simply an observation comment.
 
Mids who serve as detailers for NASS do so as part of their summer training. As leaders-in-training, they're learning to evaluate the performance of those who serve under them and to document that performance. Therefore, much of the purpose for NASS is to provide these mids with an opportunity to practice these skills. The evals these mids write about NASS attendees are more for that purpose than any other.
 
Hopeful-Dad said:
ThePatternisFull said:
No influence!
Click to expand...
I'm not saying you're wrong per se, but why do squad leaders make performance review notes (beyond just the CFA) about NASS attendees if that's not taken into consideration with Admissions...?

Hopeful-Dad I am not wrong. As a BGO with a Mid at the Academy... maybe I have a little bit of insight into the process and the Academy.

If you handle is correct you are hoping to have your DS become a Mid?

It seems you are trying to give alot of information to many of the posters on this board and I am not really sure you have the experience (less than a month on the board) or the insight to offer the opinion. After reading several of your posts they are not on point.
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