Summer Seminar or Candidate Visit?

Davy Read

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Apr 9, 2015
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Recently, I was sent an invite to a Candidate Visit to the Naval Academy and I am a junior. I've read that it is good because the academy believes you will triple qualify and are competitive for appointment. However, I still have not heard back about Summer Seminar and I applied the day it opened, and honestly I am seeing people who I believe are less qualified being accepted. I have a 30 on the ACT and a 3.7/4.9 GPA, but I've seen someone with a 23 ACT get in. I know academics aren't all of it, but it is 60% of your admissions score. It isn't as though I have no outside resume: I have five varsity letters ( 3 Lacrosse 2 Football ), I have over 100 volunteer hours, and I've been a class officer twice, and ran for Student Body (I lost, but the fact I was nominated out of 300 eligible to be one of the 12, I believe stands for my leadership, and I was nominated for every position out of the six.) I will also be attending Boys' state and will make a run at Boys' nation. So here are my questions: Should I be anxious if I am denied to Summer Seminar or does the academy feel as though they've already exposed me? Which is an indicator that you are more competitive Candidate Visit or Summer Seminar? I also heard that your plebe writes a report on you, is this true? I think that would help me and lastly can you tell me if I have good chances. Thanks for the Help, Davy.
 
Davy, I am sure you have read the other summer seminar threads and have heard people mention that geography has as much to do with getting accepted to SS as it does anything else. That person with a 23 could be an inner city applicant who immigrated from some war torn country and works 40 hours a week to support their family. A 23 won't cut it at USNA but they might be a peer t candidate for NAPS. You are going to drive yourself nuts if you spend your time comparing yourself to everyone. Remember it's a recruiting event. USNA looks for those who are from under represented areas in geography or applicants. USNA could simply decide that you are from an area that has tons of applicants. A CVW is a great chance as you get to see the Academy during the academic year and really get exposed to daily USNA life. SS is a great event but it isn't the academic year. Don't get anxious if you don't get accepted to SS as it will not be an indicator to your USNA acceptance. Take a deep breathe. Sounds like you are on a good track. Keep working on those ACT scores, getting your application and noms ready and working out, worry about you and what you can control.
 
My son applied for two years to STEM and last year to Summer Seminar.He got rejected to all of those. He never was offered a CVW either or had a LOA. However he made it to the waitlist for class of 2019. Focus on improving in all areas and don't forget to practice interview skills.. Interviews are just as important as tests and grades. So are letters of recommendation. The way you present yourself holds a lot of weight. Agreed control what you can and dont compare stats with others. You will drive yourself crazy.
 
Thanks for your help, but I got accepted Summer Seminar the day after I posted this! Best of Luck in your applications
 
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, right? Welcome to the roller coaster ride, Davy.
My sons experience was the he was not selected for NASS, in spite of credentials in your neighborhood. Shortly after he heard about that he was invited to a CVW, which he was unable to attend.
Fast forward to October of 2013-he received an LOA. He is currently a Plebe and never actually got around to doing a CVW until January, 2014. Good luck.
 
The fact you are offered a CVW does not mean you are on track for an appointment. While it is generally considered a good sign to be invited to CVW, there are many stories of those who participated and later received TWEs. Also, CVWs are now being targeted more at juniors, about whom USNA knows relatively little.

As Hoops said, being accepted for NASS also does not necessarily mean you are a competitive candidate. Receiving an LOA is a good indication of competitiveness. Receiving an appointment is a better one.

Your youngster (they are no longer plebes) at NASS does write some sort of evaluation. The key is doing your best at every event, not complaining, not being one of "those guys" (or gals). Also, show up in shape.

Finally -- and one of my pet peeves -- being elected to a position shows you are popular; it doesn't necessarily show you are a leader. What you actually do in that position, or in other activities, is what demonstrates leadership.
 
Take the CVW or contact your Blue and Gold to get one.
 
Congrats on your accomplishments Davy! You appear to be a very motivated young man and well on your way to achieving even greater things. I do not believe you should be concerned if you are not offered an invitation to summer seminar. Like you, my son completed his summer seminar application on the day it opened and immediately received a CVW invitation. He attended the CVW in February 2014 and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Unfortunately, he was not invited to attend summer seminar and like you, he thought it was a bad sign. Well, he was wrong! So proud to say he received his Appointment to USNA in February 2015! So, do not despair if that summer seminar invitation does not arrive. You will always read about candidates who you perceive to be less qualified receiving invitations/nominations/appointments, but you will also hear about those who appear far more qualified being denied. You can't dwell on that. Just continue to be the best you can be!

By the way, while attending one of the parent panels during CVW, I asked the Admissions Counselor, "Why are our children here? Why were they invited and what does it mean?" After the counselor finished chuckling she said, "We can't give away all of the secrets of what goes on behind the Admissions curtain, but what I can tell you is your sons and daughters are doing something right. We like what we see and we encourage you to keep it up and complete the application process." I encourage you to follow this advice!
 
If you can make it happen you should go to both CVW and SS.
 
Davy, if Davy Read is your real name you should
1. Abandon that identity on this forum and create a new ID,or
2. Contact Tactical Nuke to change your ID.
If you're OK with 1 I strongly recommend that. You should always appear to be anonymous on a public forum by never using your real name. It's just a good cyber security measure.
 
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