Summer STEM Acceptance Criteria

[nalaandbella]

I tried searching the forums for anything and everything on summer stem acceptance.

My DS is a Freshman and applied for session 2. Is the selection criteria completely random, based on grades, personal statement, military parent, congressional district, or all of the above? I am trying to set his expectations.

He has straight A's in all honors classes including taking pre-calc as a freshman, his father was LT in Navy, plays a competitive sport at a high level and has great community service. We live in a state where the public schools do not get out until after the session ends so probably not a ton of applicants from our state/congressional district. All of this is definitely helpful for his future USNA application but does any of it matter now?
I think all of the above should help him, but I am really clueless.

Anyone have any insight in to how the selection process actually works?

 

[Jganor]

I think he covers all the bases. I don’t believe MOC / districts factor in at this point. STEM is where it all started for my son, same timeline as yours. Buckle up, it’s a great ride if that’s what they really want.

 

[nalaandbella]

Thanks so much. I had read somewhere that they try to establish diversity based on socio-economic/race and location. Not sure how true anything I have read actually is.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

We live in a state where the public schools do not get out until after the session ends so probably not a ton of applicants from our state/congressional district. All of this is definitely helpful for his future USNA application but does any of it matter now?

STEM, like NASS is a promotional program ..not necessarily based upon qualification for Admission. The goal is to get young students on the yard, and to see the Academy so they apply when eligible. All of the characteristics OP describes are desired in applicants, and certainly make them attractive to the program, but can't emphasize enough that there is limited capacity and USNA does try to get a good mix of kids from all backgrounds and locations. I've often said here that the kid who grew up right outside the gates of Annapolis (that extends down to NORVA!) and has always wanted to attend USNA is not really the target audience for these programs.

 

[nalaandbella]

Right, so they know they already have a future applicant they don't need to show his why USNA is so amazing. I guess we will wait and see what happens but have other plans lined for that week up JIC.