<p>Just want to congratulate those who have received appointments - unfortunately my son won't be among you as he had hoped. It's been a pleasure watching all your progress.</p>
<p>I am sorry to hear that. Good luck to him, I am sure everything will be just great for him!</p>
<p>My condolences too. What are his plans now? ROTC?</p>
<p>I am so sorry. Did your son receive a letter in the mail saying he wasn't selected? Does he have a backup plan?</p>
<p>It can be incredibly heartbreaking, I can only imagine. I fear everyday that the faithful letter will arrive and I won't be selected. But I would still be incredibly happy that I would get to go to the USCGA, as well enjoyed the experience of applying this year.</p>
<p>Good luck to your son and don't get too low.</p>
<p>He got the "thin" letter from the Admissions office yesterday. He had NROTC as a backup but wasn't selected there either. He really wanted to go to the Naval Academy, was really excited after he came back from Summer Seminar. Perhaps we should have encouraged him more to have a "Plan C" - now his plan C is community college since he's missed so many application deadlines elsewhere. </p>
<p>We knew USNA wasn't a sure thing as much as he wanted it - his SATs were 1300, though he is an Eagle Scout he didn't have a strong athletic background (though definitely qualified physically) I hope he tries again next year, any advice from anyone out there regarding that?</p>
<p>Thanks for all your kind words.</p>
<p>EC's MOM:
Did your son get accepted to the schools listed on his NROTC scholarship applicaton?</p>
<p>You might want to consider going to one of them, rather than the local community college. Finances might be a stretch, but he would be better positioned for reapplication next year. He can join NROTC without having a scholarship. Again it would position him better for reapplication as he would have a recommendation from his unit leader. I have been lead to believe that the unit leader's recommendation carries a significant weight in terms of recognizing naval officer potential. While at school, he should become involved in team sports, if possible, or at least intramural or club level. If he really wants this, go back through the threads and read about those who were just appointed after their second (or third) try.</p>
<p>Best of Luck
CM</p>
<p>Along with the others I feel badly for your son...perhaps you were in a very competitive district. Did he have a nomination? I'm wondering if all the "sorry" letters go out; at the same time? I'm waiting to hear myself. Good luck to EC in whatever he does.</p>
<p>Eric had a nomination from our congressman (in West Michigan) - I had talked someone on his staff after he received the nomination and got the impression that there weren't even 10 names submitted. So I don't think we are in that competitive of a district.</p>
<p>CM, you have some good advice - well worth considering and I have passed it on to my son. Thanks.</p>
<p>EC's mom... I was in the same situation that your son is in about 2 years ago. I had failed to get into the USNA and had also missed many deadlines for the college in my hometown... I'm not sure by how much that you've missed these deadlines, but I was able to talk with the dean of the engineering college here at Texas Tech. He was able to "pull" some strings (big ones at that) and get me enrolled for the next semester. I am now planning on leaving Texas Tech (after 2 years of service) and transfer up to USNA for the class of 2009... If USNA is what Eric really wants tell him to never lose sight of his goals... any and every goal that he makes for himself is within reach (no matter how many times that "thin" letter makes its way to your door) I had to apply 3 times before I got that appointment packet...</p>
<p>Spider:</p>
<p>man...I can only imagine that the second 'thin letter' was a thousand times worse than the first.</p>
<p>I figure this is as good a place as any to share with everyone one of my favorite quotes:</p>
<p>"Success flourishes only through perseverence; ceaseless, restless perseverence."
-Baron Manfred von Richtofen (aka The Red Baron of WWI)</p>
<p>I may not be going either, I'm failing :(</p>
<p>Hang in there. You have been working so hard for almost a year now. Get all the EC you can and keep up your good attitude. It you're close, I hear they may pass people through who are working hard etc. Best of luck to you. :)
NAPS05mom</p>
<p>you are failing? Is NAPS really that difficult? I must take for granted the fact that I come from an area that prepares for college work very well.</p>
<p>I actually inquired about whether NAPS was an option for me, but I was told that I had no academic weaknesses that would require NAPS. I haven't gotten straight-A's, but when an A is a 96 or above I guess they are really an accomplishment. What area do you hail from?</p>
<p>Work hard and don't give up. If you fail, you will have wasted a year of your life.</p>
<p>Dr Snipes:
I don't even know where to begin....(but I'll try). NAPs has several levels of classes, some of which are studying higher level than the Plebes at the Academy. For instance, Advanced Physics is using the same course/text as second year Midshipmen. I know that my daughter (also a very very good student at her private very competitive academy) couldn't believe the calibur of some of the students there; especially the priors coming out of Nuke School. It was actually a shock to her and quite humbling. So, to answer your question, NAPS is difficult. It is meant to be. </p>
<p>But, your comment that if someone fails, it is a wasted year couldn't be more wrong. NAPS is considered the best prep school in the country. This extra prep year can get kids into very prestigious schools should they not choose to go to the Academy. Or at the least, academically, it is an extra year studying courses that improve SATs and basic knowledge etc. The intangibles of this year are almost too many to list. These Napsters go in as children and leave as accomplished, polished, strong, mature young men and women who know more about life than most kids gleen from 4 years at civilian colleges. They have learned how to think, how to manage their time, how to manage their money, how to keep their mouth shut (something very difficult for many teens), how to have honor and courage. It is difficult to put into words the benefits of a program such as NAPS. My daughter, also wasn't identified as someone who should go to NAPS, but she basically lobbied her way in after she was denied admission to the academy. As her biased mom, I think she would have been fine academically going directly to the academy. But, I also know that this year has prepared her emotionally and academically so much better than she could have hoped to be a year ago. I really think this is the best way to go to the academies. Your post to USNA_rej. was obnoxious, coming from a high school kid who doesn't know much about life yet.<br>
NAPS-5mom</p>
<p>she lobbied her way in? How did she manage to do that?</p>
<p>I wasn't trying to be obnoxius, though I have a tendency to come off that way to alot of people (go figure). NAPS may be an awsome prep school, but to FAIL out of anything would be a waste of the time spent there. Obviously the time management, military regimen, and physical aspects of it are important to the development of a young adult, but to fail out would be to waste the time spent academically. I don't really know alot about NAPS, but I do know that at most educational institutions, if you fail, you do not achieve any credit for the academic work you did.</p>
<p>NAPS Mom:
I too am interested in how your daughter "lobbied" her way into NAPS after being denied admission (for obvious reasons...) Please share as many details as you care to. That would be appreciated!</p>
<p>Well, I don't want to get too detailed about this because I'm sure that the people at the academy don't really want a whole lot of people doing what my daughter did. But, basically, she didn't take "no" for an answer and set out to do everything in her power to be reconsidered. </p>
<p>EC's mom: PM me if you would like to talk more. </p>
<p>Dr. Snipes, what you don't understand about NAPS, is that "failing" is a relative term. It means not hitting the minimum to go to the academy which is higher than actual "failing" grades. It could be a failure of the PRT too. So, the credits would count so to speak. I would say this to you: If you have a tendency to come off as obnoxious to a lot of people (your words), then you really need to work on that before I-Day. Otherwise, you will be eaten alive. I always think that teenagers in general could use a little more "brake fluid" (for their cars AND their mouths some times) LOL :)</p>
<p>NAPS05mom</p>
<p>Interesting message NAPS05mom.</p>
<p>After the beating I took in the "Nervous Appointees" thread for making similar comments, mostly from teens, I want to offer a word of support. [I received several supportive pm's regarding my words.]</p>
<p>I had just about quit looking at these threads for other than bored amusement, when I came across your comments.</p>
<p>"coming from a high school kid who doesn't know much about life yet."</p>
<p>Not to beat up too much on the "kids" but some of them could clearly use some "brake fluid" in how they come across the internet, which does not offer an opportunity for inflection, understanding, etc. What young people don't always understand is that much can be learned from failure; it is only if you don't learn from your failures has the time been wasted.</p>
<p>What is your daughter's academy status?</p>
<p>I did not take it as obnoxious. I felt the same way a year ago, it's just a 2.0-piece of cake. I graduated high school with a 4.1 gpa with a few honors and AP classes (In English and History that do not matter much here). I won't talk or whine about the academics, you'll find out for yourself. I never took Calculus so I'm in foundation math and it's still a struggle. The thing is Math is 2 periods long and it counts for two classes. So to be an open book, I failed Math this marking period so it is two Fs. That's what killed my CQPA(gpa). It is my fault because help is everywhere but I choose not to get it. Now my roommate is helping me every afternoon because she explains the material better. It is not a good position to be in but many are "coasting" this last trimester and I feel they are more at risk. For example last year there was a guy with over a 3.0. He did not turn in his English portfolio at the end of the year and he did not go to the Academy because of it. I'm sure scared as hell that I won't graduate and I know I will be puting in 100% effort these last few weeks. I WILL GET THROUGH THIS!<br>
sigh</p>
<p>Keep Plugging, Emily! I have read your posts (and met you :) ) over the last year and I know you can do it. I would say though to go to "official" EC. If you are borderline, then it will look better on your record that you sought out help. Hang in there.<br>
NAPS05mom (Tricia)</p>