Summer Seminar

[G0navybeat@rmy]

I'm a current junior in high school and my dream is to go to USNA but I'm not sure of my chances for when I apply. I applied to Summer STEM two times and got turned down both times so I'm unsure of my chances. Here's a quick resume:

• I have participated in 5 sports: football, track, cross country, swim, and basketball, with football, track, and swim as varsity
• I am currently taking Chinese lessons outside of school and French for my language credit
• I have participated on a competitive robotics team and I take robotics classes at my school, and I founded my school's model aviation club
• I was in Band for 5 years before I dropped it to take more STEM classes, and in that time I the Trumpet Section Leader as well as a member of the state honor band
• In JROTC I was a platoon leader and I am currently a company commander, I was also a company commander at JCLC
• I was a member of a state championship winning drill team
• I have a 3.8 U/W GPA with AP and Honors classes, I have maintained straight A's except for a C I got in Honors Chem, which I think is a potential weakness on my application
• I am a member of CAP
• I have over 100 service hours

What do you guys think of my chances?

 

[usna28]

I did not get into STEM both times that I applied but I still got into Summer Seminar. Make sure you try to get an SAT score in for your application. My squad and I all had above average SAT/ACT for USNA so that will definitely make you more appealing for the admissions board. If you have any questions, shoot me a message.

 

[G0navybeat@rmy]

I did not get into STEM both times that I applied but I still got into Summer Seminar. Make sure you try to get an SAT score in for your application. My squad and I all had above average SAT/ACT for USNA so that will definitely make you more appealing for the admissions board. If you have any questions, shoot me a message.

I plan on applying the day applications open up on January 3rd, I'm taking the ACT in December and the SAT in March. I'll use my ACT scores on my SS application and both scores if I don't get it and need to reapply

 

[NavyHoops]

It’s great if you get into Summer Seminar, it if you don’t, it’s not the end of the world. If USNA is your goal, acceptance to SS, should not be a make or break to apply. There are so many factors that go into SS acceptance such as demographics and so everything is self reported. Ensure you follow what the admissions website states, map out your timeline, review your MOC sites, get in shape and focus on what you can control. SS is a great program, but it’s not the end all be all. Heck, maybe you will get selected for a CVW.

 

[MidCakePa]

Summer STEM, like Summer Seminar, is a recruiting tool. It’s used to expose underrepresented segments to USNA. These segments could be geographic (for example, kids from innner-city San Francisco or rural Michigan) or socio-economic or some other classification. Hence, while a good high-school record can help, admission to Summer STEM is not a total meritocracy. So don’t be discouraged if you’re not accepted. That has no bearing on your chance of appointment.

My DS, a 10th grader, failed to get into Summer STEM last year. He’ll try again this year. But if he doesn’t get in again — his solid record notwithstanding — I’ll attribute it to the fact that his older sister is a midshipman (who happened to attend Summer STEM and Summer Seminar). Hence, DS is not someone who needs more exposure to USNA or any convincing that it could be a goood fit for him.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

I'm a current junior in high school and my dream is to go to USNA but I'm not sure of my chances for when I apply

If you don't get into NASS, it won't be based upon your qualifications , but rather that you aren't the target audience. NASS is not a "pre-admission" screen or test of your commitment, but rather a recruiting /awareness program. USNA doesn't need to sell you on attending.

The example I like to use is my 2nd nephew (Cousin's son). He had all the tickets, academics, sports, and leadership, etc. but really little knowledge of Service Academies or desire to attend. He also came from an underrepresented area, where they don't get many candidates. Someone suggested that he attend NASS (I wasn't involved, I don't see the family much, but did exchange emails with my cousin to explain the program to her), he applied , attended, and decided USNA wasn't for him. It's too bad, as he wouldn't have been a great Midshipman and Naval Officer. He is the type of kid who could have his choice of any college in the country (the list of schools he was accepted to was quite impressive).
In my opinion (this is not an official policy statement), that is what NASS exists for -- giving the top caliber person the opportunity to dip his toes in the water , see if USNA is for him/her. (I also think it is a great opportunity for persons who are interested in multiple service academies to compare and contrast).

 

[NavyorArmy2023]

I'm a current junior in high school and my dream is to go to USNA but I'm not sure of my chances for when I apply. I applied to Summer STEM two times and got turned down both times so I'm unsure of my chances. Here's a quick resume:

• I have participated in 5 sports: football, track, cross country, swim, and basketball, with football, track, and swim as varsity
• I am currently taking Chinese lessons outside of school and French for my language credit
• I have participated on a competitive robotics team and I take robotics classes at my school, and I founded my school's model aviation club
• I was in Band for 5 years before I dropped it to take more STEM classes, and in that time I the Trumpet Section Leader as well as a member of the state honor band
• In JROTC I was a platoon leader and I am currently a company commander, I was also a company commander at JCLC
• I was a member of a state championship winning drill team
• I have a 3.8 U/W GPA with AP and Honors classes, I have maintained straight A's except for a C I got in Honors Chem, which I think is a potential weakness on my application
• I am a member of CAP
• I have over 100 service hours

What do you guys think of my chances?

DS was not selected for summer STEM either but was selected to attend NASS this past summer. He just received his conditional offer of appointment for the class of 2023 (LOA). You’re already taking the competitive courses and involved in a lot of sports and clubs. Keep up the grades and be well prepare for the ACT/SAT.

 

[Hashbrowns and eggs]

I'm a current junior in high school and my dream is to go to USNA but I'm not sure of my chances for when I apply

If you don't get into NASS, it won't be based upon your qualifications , but rather that you aren't the target audience. NASS is not a "pre-admission" screen or test of your commitment, but rather a recruiting /awareness program. USNA doesn't need to sell you on attending.

Is this invariably true? I met kids from Virginia, Texas, areas that are, from what ive read, highly represented. Heck, the school I go to sent a guy two years back (he's a youngster now.) I still got into NASS? Obviously, it's a marketing tool, but couldn't NASS be used to sell USNA to "high value" candidates?

 

[usna1985]

NASS is a recruiting tool; it is thus targeted to those USNA wants to recruit as well as those who are in a position to influence those USNA is trying to recruit. It is true that some very highly qualified applicants from areas such as VA, TX, CA are invited. Other very highly qualified applicants from those areas are turned down.

Some marginally qualified candidates are invited -- they may not be viable candidates for USNA but the hope is that they will go back to their schools, communities, churches, sports teams, etc. and influence other, better-qualified students, to apply to USNA.

The very unfortunate fact about STEM and NASS is that, when someone with decent qualifications is turned down, it can discourage that person from applying to USNA. I've seen it happen. But the process is what it is and those of us who have lived with it can only encourage folks who are turned down to stay the course.