Usna stem :(

USNA2017??

USNA2017??

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
19
I got my "Thin White Letter" in the mail today...been sad the whole afternoon and i'm wondering what i could've done better for my application. I had A's in Math Science and English. Taking 8th grade algebra (the only honors class at my small private school). They only ask for your grades and what kind of classes you're taking if i remember correctly. They even sent an invitation. I'm only in 8th grade so i plan on attending next year and I'd like to know what i should do to increase my chances. I'm already in a boatload of ECA's, Run a 6 minute mile, 75-80 proper pushups in 2 min, 98-105 situps in 2 minutes................please enlighten me:frown::frown:
 
Our daughter was rejected too :(

Our son is a plebe this year and encouraged our daughter, who is thinking of a math or engineering career, to apply for STEM. She too received the thin white rejection letter. She is going into 8th grade, is enrolled in honors math (she will attend our high school for math next year), honors science, honors english and honors social studies - with A+ in all of them. And she is an accomplished athlete (travel soccer and ice hockey) and musician (violin). So I am not sure what the admissions department was looking for. I expect she will try again next year, but I am sure she will be a little more careful not to get her hopes up too high. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Well i'm definitely going to apply for it next year too. I was really discouraged when i opened the letter but after thinking about it, it's better to get rejected for a week-long summer program then to get rejected from the 4-year sleepover. I also think that it doesn't give the admissions board a full view of the applicant. I've also read that the program was designed for non-informed candidates...but im not sure.
I'm Trilingual (Spanish, English, Portuguese), dad's a former USMC Maj./ Gunnery Sgt. I'm in Football , Track, and wrestling, 2 belts away from a black belt in kyuki-do and just started jujitsu. Straight A's in all of my classes.......idk what they're looking for but i'm going to take some IB classes in science and math at Northwestern so hopefully that gives me a boost...I'd like to know who they have in mind for this lol:biggrin:
 
My daughter, currently in 8th grade, also got the TWE. She's also highly qualified.

My best guess is that it is a recruiting tool. Those who seem, otherwise, to be perfectly qualified and extremely interested, may be rejected for exactly that reason. USNA has to make 0 effort to convince our daughter that it's a great place--she already knows that. Therefore, they use the STEM slot for someone who does NOT already have the experience/interest.

Just my theory.
 
I am a teacher and one of my students was accepted into this program. I am not sure, but my guess is it's to attract "diverse" students. I know I could be wrong, but the congrats letter was signed by someone in the department of (I forget exactly...the letter is at school)...something to do w/ diversity recruiting...my student is a member of a minority group. He is involved in several athletic and school groups. His grades are A's and B's. I had never heard of this program until he got in...my own son would be interested and will apply next year...and please don't slam me, but I wonder if this is not geared toward middle class white males. After all, Navy has no problem recruiting from that particular demographic....
 
I agree. I'm just going to keep chugging along and then i might still try next year, even if the theory is correct. Thanks for the answers and reasoning, i feel a lot less..."unqualified"? I don't know but i'm not upset anymore. So thanks and good luck w/ everyone else working towards Canoe U:thumb:
 
Perhaps a BGO can weigh in but like mom3boys said - these programs, including NASS, SLS etc are basically opportunities for the academies to provide outreach to encourage youngsters to apply. They are marketing programs.
Esp at the middle school level - do not feel that your rejection from attending is any indication of your future qualifications as a candidate.

Don't let it get you down - find something else that is fun to do this summer!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top