USNAPS - Too young

[KPilot]

Hi,

I'm a US citizen living in the UK, in the age-based 9th grade equivalent year. This is, however, the second last year of school in the UK. (After which you can go into workforce training or pick 3 subjects to study at a Sixth Form.) This will leave me, after graduating (in the 10th grade equivalent year) a few months too young to attend USNA. I read on this forum that someone too young to attend USNA had been given a spot at NAPS instead, though when I asked in a Q&A chat room on the USNA website I was told that "USNA accessions have the same age requirement." The same was said when I asked about Foundation Scholarships.

Does anyone know anything about how accurate that is? The wording seemed a bit ambiguous to me - as well as the part about the Foundation, as isn't that a private entity anyway? I'm also curious about how it works at USMMA, USAFA, and NROTC - are the age requirements set-in-stone in all regards there as well, or is there more leeway? My thinking here is probably too hopeful.


Best wishes and thanks for the help,
Teddy

 

[99Gold]

First, you might want to change your user name if it is your real name. This is an anonymous forum and you want to protect your identity.

Second, I will only speak to USAFA, but I doubt the other SAs are different. On the USAFA website, it states that the age range to enter the prep school is 17-22. The Falcon Foundation (who provides the scholarships for civilian prep) is a private non-profit but the only way to apply for one is to apply to USAFA. In order to apply to USAFA, you have to meet the admission requirements.

Where did you read on the forum that someone too young was sent to NAPS? I wonder if that was recent or a different generation. Things change over the years.

You could always self-prep and apply the following year.

Edited to add: I found the "too young" post and it was from 2018. I wonder if USNA really wanted that young lady so offered her a NAPS spot as a hold since she was too young to enter USNA. That would tell me that there is wiggle-room in the age requirements of NAPS (and possibly the other SA prep schools). With the USAFA app, ds couldn't become a candidate unless he met the age requirements so he wouldn't have had an app to review for USAFAPS or FFS. I think it was the same with USMA and USNA. I don't understand how that young lady became a candidate without meeting the age requirments.

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

There was someone here within the last week or two that “thought” their child “might” have gotten NAPS despite a stellar HS academic record because they were on the young side.

And the parent might have been the correct. Or it could have been any number of other reasons.

For NAPS you take an oath as part of the US Navy. On active duty. You have to be old enough to enlist. No exceptions. You have to be at least 17.

Will you be 17? Will you have the = of a US high school education?

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

As far the USNA if that is your goal.

Sixth form (concentration on STEM courses) or a year self funded at a foundation type of prep school in the US (no enlistment) would be among two options to consider.

Then apply to the SA

NAPS is not a slow warm up. It’s tough.

You want to be as well prepared physically, mentally, academically as you can be if NAPS is ever in your future. About 1/3 of those that start NAPS summer each year are gone before NAPS graduation the following May.,

 

[KPilot]

First, you might want to change your user name if it is your real name. This is an anonymous forum and you want to protect your identity.

Second, I will only speak to USAFA, but I doubt the other SAs are different. On the USAFA website, it states that the age range to enter the prep school is 17-22. The Falcon Foundation (who provides the scholarships for civilian prep) is a private non-profit but the only way to apply for one is to apply to USAFA. In order to apply to USAFA, you have to meet the admission requirements.

Where did you read on the forum that someone too young was sent to NAPS? I wonder if that was recent or a different generation. Things change over the years.

You could always self-prep and apply the following year.

Edited to add: I found the "too young" post and it was from 2018. I wonder if USNA really wanted that young lady so offered her a NAPS spot as a hold since she was too young to enter USNA. That would tell me that there is wiggle-room in the age requirements of NAPS (and possibly the other SA prep schools). With the USAFA app, ds couldn't become a candidate unless he met the age requirements so he wouldn't have had an app to review for USAFAPS or FFS. I think it was the same with USMA and USNA. I don't understand how that young lady became a candidate without meeting the age requirments.

Hi,

Thanks for the help - you're probably right (I had thought that I could still file a preliminary application and hope to see what was possible from there, but waiting a year is a good idea.) The 2018 post is probably out of date by now, but I've asked USNA if applying young is possible, just in case. About my username - it's not my real name, though I see how it could look like one.

 

[KPilot]

There was someone here within the last week or two that “thought” their child “might” have gotten NAPS despite a stellar HS academic record because they were on the young side.

And the parent might have been the correct. Or it could have been any number of other reasons.

For NAPS you take an oath as part of the US Navy. On active duty. You have to be old enough to enlist. No exceptions. You have to be at least 17.

Will you be 17? Will you have the = of a US high school education?

Young side as in under 17, or just about being old enough? I'll try to find that post. About being 17, that would definitely make sense. And yes, GCSEs (the leaving examination) seem to be equivalent.

 

[KPilot]

As far the USNA if that is your goal.

Sixth form (concentration on STEM courses) or a year self funded at a foundation type of prep school in the US (no enlistment) would be among two options to consider.

Then apply to the SA

NAPS is not a slow warm up. It’s tough.

You want to be as well prepared physically, mentally, academically as you can be if NAPS is ever in your future. About 1/3 of those that start NAPS summer each year are gone before NAPS graduation the following May.,

A prep school could be a good idea, I'll try and figure out if its' possible - if not, Sixth form is probably the best option. Never realised NAPS was that tough - a whole third gone. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

They quit or they are sent home for grades or conduct. Or an honors violation such as cheating.

If you really work with the teachers on that class work they will do everything they can to help pass you on. Lots and lots of help available.

If you get restriction once for behavior it’s not a great big deal.

Its tough. But if you don’t screw up behavior wise and really work on the academics you will do fine. The entire school wants you to do well.

NAPS unlike the academy has more at risk type of students from an academic standpoint. Mine included. A higher failure rate should not be a giant surprise.

Its a great school and will prepare you well if naps is in your future.

Quitting? I still don’t understand it. But kids will report in that first day and get yelled at some by cadre and decide to quit right there. Some on that first day. I just have never understood what they were expecting.

 

[RETCDR17]

They quit or they are sent home for grades or conduct. Or an honors violation such as cheating.

If you really work with the teachers on that class work they will do everything they can to help pass you on. Lots and lots of help available.

If you get restriction once for behavior it’s not a great big deal.

Its tough. But if you don’t screw up behavior wise and really work on the academics you will do fine. The entire school wants you to do well.

NAPS unlike the academy has more at risk type of students from an academic standpoint. Mine included. A higher failure rate should not be a giant surprise.

Its a great school and will prepare you well if naps is in your future.

Quitting? I still don’t understand it. But kids will report in that first day and get yelled at some by cadre and decide to quit right there. Some on that first day. I just have never understood what they were expecting.

STB, are/were you in the NAPS program or staff? I am researching NAPS; just found the separate forum and will dig in. Hub and I are hopeful our son can qualify for NAPS- he has stellar leadership (Eagle, JROTC unit commander), sports, vol, but only decent grades and SAT. If you're in a position to elaborate can you share what the stats are for kids who get offered NAPS?

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

STB, are/were you in the NAPS program or staff? I am researching NAPS; just found the separate forum and will dig in. Hub and I are hopeful our son can qualify for NAPS- he has stellar leadership (Eagle, JROTC unit commander), sports, vol, but only decent grades and SAT. If you're in a position to elaborate can you share what the stats are for kids who get offered NAPS?

No I am a parent who has had kids in the family go thru naps. Some back a few years some very recently. So I have been able to enjoy their misery from a safe distance

The main stat for why someone who was not ready for a direct admit and gets an offer to naps is that they in general have something Navy or USMC or the USNA really wants.

Usually you think of priors, recruited sports types, etc but it appears to be a wide range of kids many of which are not priors, recruited sports types, etc.

I’d love to know the thinking that goes into a naps offer besides the obvious of being a prior or a recruited sports type or an under represented minority.

Edited: if they really want someone and think that naps will help them get thru the SA decent grades and SATs will be more than ok.

 

[RETCDR17]

No I am a parent who has had kids in the family go thru naps. Some back a few years some very recently. So I have been able to enjoy their misery from a safe distance

The main stat for why someone who was not ready for a direct admit and gets an offer to naps is that they in general have something Navy or USMC or the USNA really wants.

Usually you think of priors, recruited sports types, etc but it appears to be a wide range of kids many of which are not priors, recruited sports types, etc.

I’d love to know the thinking that goes into a naps offer besides the obvious of being a prior or a recruited sports type or an under represented minority.

Edited: if they really want someone and think that naps will help them get thru the SA decent grades and SATs will be more than ok.

lol, the misery from a safe distance. I hope to be one of you, too. I have done my misery irl with the Navy. someone else's turn.
Yes i just read everything pertaining to NAPS in the prep forum. Basically, there are some obvious choices and then the intangibles, just like everything else I suppose. We will do what we can to guide our son through the process and hope for the best.

 

[Small Team Bacsi]

If you're in a position to elaborate can you share what the stats are for kids who get offered NAPS?

Others may be able to help on that I have never seen a break down As far as naps and academic stats.

It’s not IMO that you have certain stats that make you the next 200+ on the direct admit list after the direct admits are taken care of.

it’s people the USNA wants for a variety of reasons and they fall short on the academic side ( some times on the physical side as well)

A lot will be recruited sports types, many will be prior enlisted, the rest run the gamut and for a variety of reasons.

But despite falling short of a direct admit the USNA wants them badly enough to send them to a year of school and military and physical training.

 

[Capt MJ]

As noted by experienced posters, NAPS is a flexible class-building tool used by Admissions in a number of different ways. It is a relatively small group of people.

The USNA Alumni Foundation scholarships to prep schools are used similarly, offered to those USNA is willing to “save a seat for” in the following class, but feel the candidate would benefit from the prep experience, usually academic, but for whatever reason Admissions seems appropriate, both for NAPS and Foundation program.

The reality is every cycle, there wil be fully qualified candidates with nominations who will not be offered an appointment in that cycle. There will be many candidates who are not fully qualified who will not be offered a prep opportunity in that cycle. Admissions has decades upon decades of class-building experience, and they use the tools they have at hand to attract, find, evaluate, develop and appoint candidates to create a class that meets their goals for the class or the one following.

The class profile notes how many come from NAPS and how many from Foundation scholarships. See Class of 2025, haven’t found 2026 yet, but they are similar numbers each year:

CLASS OF 2025 STATS

CLASS OF 2025 STATS page for USNA News Center at USNA.edu. Updated Fri Mar 28 13:48:00 EDT 2025.

www.usna.edu

 

[Old Navy BGO]

I was told that "USNA accessions have the same age requirement."

Does anyone know anything about how accurate that is? T

Let me get this straight- you asked USNA Admissions, and got a direct answer,....and then post on an anonymous Forum to confirm accuracy or get a second opinion ?

First, if you don't trust what Admissions told you (and yes, it is possible whom was on the line that day could be wrong), the answer is to look at primary sources like the statues, regulations, and written instructions that govern all aspects of the admissions process.

Second, the critieria for Admisson to USNA is 17-23 years old on June 1 of Admission to USNA. In order to attend NAPS, you have to enlist in the Navy, and (based on a very quick look) the minimum age for enlistment is 17. Thus, you couldn't enlist in USNA in 16, spend a year at NAPS , and enroll at 17.

Finally, on a more practical note -- 17 is young to attend a Service Academy; if you are interested , go to Prep School or even a 4 year college, do well and then apply.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

STB, are/were you in the NAPS program or staff? I am researching NAPS; just found the separate forum and will dig in. Hub and I are hopeful our son can qualify for NAPS- he has stellar leadership (Eagle, JROTC unit commander), sports, vol, but only decent grades and SAT. If you're in a position to elaborate can you share what the stats are for kids who get offered NAPS?

See the post I made in the MOC Recommendation thread -- there is no benefit to researching or wasting brain cells on NAPS/Foundation unless you get the Offer (and if you do, the decision to accept it is easy). That said, description of DS is similar to what I had (long long ago), and they offered me NAPS.