To Those Planning to Apply for NASS

[usna1985]

As the opening date for applying to NASS approaches, if you are a candidate please consider the following:

It is important to understand that, for USNA at least (I can't speak for the other SAs), your qualifications are NOT the only thing that is important in whether you are selected. NASS is a recruiting tool with one of the goals being to introduce USNA to potential applicants who might not otherwise know of it or know much about it. As part of this process, USNA may "target" certain schools, cities, communities, etc. where USNA has traditionally not been well represented among applicants.

Thus, a highly qualified student from a school, district, community, etc. that typically sends a large number of candidates to USNA may not be offered an NASS slot while a potentially "lesser" qualified candidate elsewhere may get the slot. This is why we tell people that not being selected for NASS does NOT mean that you shouldn't apply to USNA, that you won't get in, that USNA doesn't think you're competetive, etc. Likewise, being accepted to NASS does NOT mean that you're a shoe-in for an appointment, that you'll get an appointment, that USNA thinks you're better than your peers who didn't get an NASS slot, etc.

Finally, attending any SA's summer program (and doing ok while there) gives you a small "bump" in admissions -- but you get similar bumps for things such as team captain, Eagle Scout, club president, being a military "brat," etc. Not attending a summer program is NOT a negative from an admissions standpoint b/c USNA realizes there are many reasons people can't go (finances, sports camps, long school year, etc.). That said, if you get accepted and you can afford to attend, not attending only hurts you b/c you miss out on a lot of information about your possible future.

Bottom line . . . if possible, apply to NASS. If you get accepted and you can afford to go, GO. But if you don't get accepted, there may be reasons that are not directly related to you. So, if you don't get accepted and still want to attend USNA, APPLY!!

 

[DevilDog]

As the opening date for applying to NASS approaches, if you are a candidate please consider the following:

It is important to understand that, for USNA at least (I can't speak for the other SAs), your qualifications are NOT the only thing that is important in whether you are selected. NASS is a recruiting tool with one of the goals being to introduce USNA to potential applicants who might not otherwise know of it or know much about it. As part of this process, USNA may "target" certain schools, cities, communities, etc. where USNA has traditionally not been well represented among applicants.

Thus, a highly qualified student from a school, district, community, etc. that typically sends a large number of candidates to USNA may not be offered an NASS slot while a potentially "lesser" qualified candidate elsewhere may get the slot. This is why we tell people that not being selected for NASS does NOT mean that you shouldn't apply to USNA, that you won't get in, that USNA doesn't think you're competetive, etc. Likewise, being accepted to NASS does NOT mean that you're a shoe-in for an appointment, that you'll get an appointment, that USNA thinks you're better than your peers who didn't get an NASS slot, etc.

Finally, attending any SA's summer program (and doing ok while there) gives you a small "bump" in admissions -- but you get similar bumps for things such as team captain, Eagle Scout, club president, being a military "brat," etc. Not attending a summer program is NOT a negative from an admissions standpoint b/c USNA realizes there are many reasons people can't go (finances, sports camps, long school year, etc.). That said, if you get accepted and you can afford to attend, not attending only hurts you b/c you miss out on a lot of information about your possible future.

Bottom line . . . if possible, apply to NASS. If you get accepted and you can afford to go, GO. But if you don't get accepted, there may be reasons that are not directly related to you. So, if you don't get accepted and still want to attend USNA, APPLY!!

I have a question. My son has been accepted to the USAFA SS. Logistically USNA SS is a lot closer, also, he wants to be a Marine. The AFA is showing interest in him for Lax, he likes the AFA but would prefer Navy. If he is accepted to both, would the AFA consider it a diss if he attends Navy SS instead?

 

[MIDNDAD]

As usual 1985 is right on the money in advise.

Here is my perspective as a parent of a Midshipmen who attended NASS in 2006 and was a NASS cadre/detailer in 2008.

2006 really cemented my D's desire to head towards a military career and go to a SA or ROTC as the backup plan. As parents we were 100% supportive, but that is a huge commitment for a 17 year to make and all of us wanted to make sure she moved forward with as much information as possible. To that end applications were sent to all SA's and one private military college for their summer programs. D was accepted to AF, USNA, and private college. Fortunatley we were able to afford sending her to all three. Her experiances were totally different at all three programs. The cumulative experience solitified her commitment and USNA emerged as the clear No. 1 choice. Each SS program, the location of the campus, and the cadre running the programs are different. Prior to attending SS, AF was No.1 with USNA a distant third. After, it was all Navy and AF was the backup.

1985 is very correct, the SS programs are are recruiting tool but it is a tool that has two sides. The side that a prospective candidate sees is a brief exposure to a military lifestyle at one of the SA's. It is only a glimpse and the cadre/detailers role is to be mentors to the kids in their squads. The cadre are under spacific orders as to what they can and can not do these kids and overall do their best to showcase the particular SA. Even so a lot of kids that attend realize that a SA is not for them and this is part of the purpose of going. For others it stoaks the fire that I want to go.

Fom the SA side the carde/detailers are evaluating the kids in their squads and are required to write a report on each. Each detailer can take this responsiblity differently but from what my D told me the average kid gets a simple one page summary but the kids on either the good or bad end of the spectrum got her special attention with mutiple page efforts. Bottom line when the review board is looking at a future application they have addtional data and a reccomendation yes or no from that cadre/detailer. Now the weight of that evaluation is unknown but it is a factor. D has kept in contact with some of her SS squad members and is proud that 2 of her strongest have LOA and will be part of the class of 2013.

Bottom line do what you think is best and what you can afford to give your child the opportunity to make the best decision. When they are there, be in shape, be respectfull, and give it 100% effort. Somebody is watching.

Best of luck!!!

 

[kaullman]

USNA1985 and MIDNDAD are both on target. I would add that if a candidate has the opportunity to attend more than one summer seminar, that would give additional data should a choice between SAs that offer Appts have to be made.

As parents, we do what we can for our kids. It is reasonable to offer your child the choice of one of the SSs that have accepted your child. As a Blue and Gold Officer, I appreciate honesty, so I'd rather hear that a particular candidate would rather be USAFA than the standard "USNA is my first choice" and be uncertain of the honesty.

BGO, USNA 2007 dad, CDR USN (ret)

 

[usna1985]

The AFA is showing interest in him for Lax, he likes the AFA but would prefer Navy. If he is accepted to both, would the AFA consider it a diss if he attends Navy SS instead?

I can't speak for what USAFA will or won't do. USNA does not care which SA seminar you attend. They recognize that, for a huge variety of reasons, students may select one over another. You get the same small "bump" for any seminar. However, as noted, not attending is NOT a negative and attending a seminar will not really help a student with an otherwise poor or average record.

As for the detailer's review of candidates, please remember that the Admissions Board knows these reviews are coming from 19+-year-olds who have probably never provided an evaluation of anyone in their lives. Thus, if the review is consistent with comments of teachers and the BGO, it will carry some weight. Or, if there are specific (and factual) comments (i.e., could not perform any of the PT events, frequently stated he/she was only here b/c parents wanted him/her here), that might carry some weight. But, with the exceptions noted above, it is unlikely that the summer seminar comments will make or break any candidate.

What I'm saying is that, if you attend a summer seminar, do NOT feel you have to be buddy-buddy with the detailer or be a "smack" or otherwise brown-nose in order to get a good detailer review to have a shot at getting into the SA. Do your best, have a good attitude, and you'll be fine.

 

[NativeTexan]

As for the detailer's review of candidates, please remember that the Admissions Board knows these reviews are coming from 19+-year-olds who have probably never provided an evaluation of anyone in their lives. Thus, if the review is consistent with comments of teachers and the BGO, it will carry some weight. Or, if there are specific (and factual) comments (i.e., could not perform any of the PT events, frequently stated he/she was only here b/c parents wanted him/her here), that might carry some weight. But, with the exceptions noted above, it is unlikely that the summer seminar comments will make or break any candidate.

This is right on the money. My Mid who was a NASS detailer said that the evaluation is used more for the benefit of the NASS Detailer being their first leadership opportunity at the Academy. (Same holds true for ay evaluation that is supposedly done by the Mid on a candidate attending CVW)