advantages-tangible: One definite advantage was the CFA. DS took this first at USMA SLS and did very well. While at USMA SLS he met with his USMA Regional Director who told him that for some reason the "mile is shorter at USNA" DS thought his RD was joking but then he went to NASS and he got his best mile time-ever.
USMA CFA SCORES:
BB throw 62
pull up 18
shuttle run 9.0
crunches 95
push ups 75
mile 6.26
USNA CFA SCORES:
BB throw 68
pull up 18
shuttle run 8.8
crunches 95
push ups 75
mile: 5:45
They did do an interview. He said he felt like that went extremely well. Partly though was because he thought his detailer (they are referred to at Mr. ____) was an
exceptionally awesome guy and made him feel a part of the scene. It is just my OPINION that a good interview may give you a small boost. Maybe not alot but every little bit helps.
advantages-intangible:
My son felt like he really fit in while at NASS and likes the brotherhood at the academy and used that has a backdrop for many of his essays and interview questions. "When I went to the academy this summer, I knew I wanted to go there because____"
summer programs gave him a "sense of what was going on"-especially compared to Boys state. He got a
flavor for what a service academy experience
may feel like VS the civilian college experience of boys state may feel like.
usnabgo08 point:
DS came home with alot of text-friends some of who applied to the academy and many of who didnt. The common thread that ran between the friends that he made and his Detailer that he really liked, was that they were a combination of earnest and effortfull with a big chunk of laugh-at-yourself. DS reported that some of the funniest people he met in his life were from NASS. The ones who he didnt like were the ones who 1.) didnt try hard on the physical aspects 2.) were too hair-on-fire for newbies 3.) refused to participate in a group activity 4.) couldnt see the humor in it all.
1964BGO point:
I want to agree with 1964BGOs recommendation to prepare for the cfa before getting there. There was a lot of chatter on the ride home from the airport on the wide variance of CFA scores. Sadly, some of the stories were hilarious.
Stats: I often hear that 1/3 of those who went to NASS end up at USNA. I am not sure that statistic tells the full story. The data I would like to know is how many who attended NASS,
and then applied to USNA, and then got a nomination, got an appointment?
>>There are many who go to NASS but then dont apply.
>>There are some who go to NASS and other summer leadership programs but then also apply to another S.A and get the nomination to the other S.A.
>>There are also some who go to NASS, apply, get the nomination but then choose another S.A.
I would guess that the number of those attending NASS, who finish their application and then get a nomination is far higher than 1/3.
Either way-DS loved it (and came home with quite a serious wardrobe!)