What do you do when you dont make the cut?

In the words of Navy Lacrosse, Find a Way. NHS and Boy's State aren't everything. Pick yourself up, and keep pushing. Good things come with effort.
 
Nick, man up.

My son's PSATs, then SATs, were low-ish, though his grades, ec's, sports, leadership were great. He applied to NASS and was turned down INSTANTLY. Then he got a letter from USNA admissions saying, "Normally we open a USNA applicant file for all NASS applicants; we're not doing that for you."

He was devastated. But he didn't quit, or feel sorry for himself.

Enter his sainted BGO: He happened to call to introduce himself at about that time, said, "Wait, I know your school, and know your grades aren't inflated -- let me see if I can get a file opened for you." He did. Son got SAT tutoring, upped SATs but not to 1800. Still, he applied, blah blah blah, heard nothing. A classmate received an appointment. Son figured he didn't make the cut.

So son got on a plane, flew 3,000 miles and just appeared at the Academy. Somehow got to see his admissions officer and a coach (in a sport he wants to pursue but hasn't tried). Frankly, didn't get any encouragement. At all. I mean, LESS than no encouragement.

Came home, sad but believing he'd done everything possible. 48 hours later phone rang (on a Sunday), and his BGO said, "How'd you like to go to NAPS?"

He's now a 2/C, top 15% of his class, 1st Sgt in his company, training plebes this summer, blah blah blah. The point is, if you want it, keep pushing. This path is not for the faint of heart.

Don't give up!

But, buried within this great story is an element of LUCK that was beyond your son's control - the BGO intervening and getting his file opened. True?

If not for the BGO's initiative, your son, despite his determination, would have been shot down from the get go. In some ways, this story is NOT very encouraging because it leads one to believe that you have to catch a lucky break to get over the hurdles.

And sometimes - it DOES take some luck. Sadly, determination and positive thinking is NOT always enough.
 
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