Could I be considered for an appointment to NAPS?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>For the longest time I have read books about Naval History, and dreamed of being appointed to the Naval Academy. I'm currently a Sophomore in High School, my grades for Freshman year and Sophomore year are not quite what they should be for someone of my academic capability. Lacking in Academics, not because I can't do it but I have to break through a tough barrier of bad habits, I make up for it in other aspects of the application process. I consider myself to be a leader, I hold major leadership positions in Youth Groups, as well as in School clubs. I participate Athletically in Soccer, Basketball and Rowing. I am involved in a lot of Community Service projects, and held a leadership position tasked with creating Community Service projects. In the opinion of people around me I posses all the critical skills and desire to become a successful Naval Officer, it is the haunting of my grades that hold me back. Hopefully from a Direct Commission to the USNA and not to NAPS.</p>

<p>While my Grades are not great, I do have the desire to learn, and become a well-rounded member of society. I read a lot, particularly History. I participated in National History Day, and led my group on to the National Competition. I'm very smart and driven, but just a little off track academically.</p>

<p>Some Further Information to help you better understand my position:
- My grades right now are B's and C's. I still have two years for improvement.
- I took the PSAT's this year and scored a 1650. My Critical reading was in the 96th Percentile, the writing, which consisted of solely grammar (I need practice with grammar, that is the one thing I never was taught in school) I scored better then average but I don't remember the number. I need to work on Math though, that was around average. I'm going to take classes over the summer and into next year to increase my grade.
- I am Very athletic, particularly Rowing is useful for College
- Hopefully this is very helpful, I am really good friends with the Commanding Officer of the Admissions Office.</p>

<p>At this point, I know I have put myself in a bad position. If I had gotten A's and B's for the first two years of High School, I would be set and wouldn't have to worry about getting accepted to the Academy. But I didn't. Now all I can hope for is that the Admission board will see that I have the potential to be a great Officer and give me an Appointment to the Naval Academy Prep School where i can work on my academics. If you could please leave comments about my chances of getting in it would be greatly appreciated. I'm also considering NROTC, but the Academy is and always will be my first choice no matter what.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Absent any hard data on your self-described modest school performance, it’s impossible to even speculate on your chances for admission to USNA or NAPS. The former’s monumentally competitive, and the latter’s one of the great mysteries of who and why appointments are awarded. </p>

<p>From your self-description, my personal observations and opinion include applauding your candid introspection and sincere desire, while encouraging you to consider alternate paths to USN service. And they are several beyond USNA. The competition is monstrous on this road, and as you note, you’ve put yourself at enormous disadvantage. Rudy’s Notre Dame story is encouraging and heart-warming, but it wouldn’t have worked at the Yard.</p>

3

<p>What is done is done.
More importantly, you have this year [and even part of next] to make things change. Truth be told, decisions will be made based on YOUR JUNIOR YEAR… and if on the fence, your first semester of SENIOR YEAR. No time to waste.</p>

<p>Focus on your grades and get them where they need to be.
Find a math teacher that will work with you to strengthen those skills- it will matter.
Don’t rest on your laurels- actively work on getting what needs to get done, done.
Desire is important, but grades will matter.</p>

<p>THIS SUMMER
get a math review book [barons or the like] and focus on algebra and geometry. Get an SAT book and complete practice exams under timed conditions. Go over the answers you miss and UNDERSTAND where you went wrong. Take the practice exams again- as many times as you can. If you can afford it, get a good math SAT tutor- the SAT exams can be tricky, so understanding the question types helps.</p>

<p>JUNIOR YEAR
get those grades up. Do not let your ECAs get in the way of that. Grades do matter. GO to extra help. Understand the homework. Put the effort in. It will pay off no matter WHERE you end up applying/attending.</p>

<p>You mentioned a layer of bad habits. Those are in YOUR control. TAKE control and CHANGE them NOW and GET YOURSELF ON TRACK…there is simply no way around it, so make up your mind and do it. If you are as smart and driven as you say you are, then stop making excuses and GET MOVING. Go to summer school if you have to. ALL in your control!!! </p>

<p>Friends with the commanding officer of the admissions office- great, but he/she can be reassigned at any moment. DON’T COUNT ON IT. </p>

<p>Bottom line: the academy has a low tolerance for EXCUSES- they want to see ACTION. Do what you have to do to get your grades up- bottom line. Don’t waste another minute on “what are my chances”… your chances will be a whole lot better if you FOCUS ON YOUR GRADES and SATS. GET MOVING!!!</p>

4

<p>I received a Congressional Nomination this past thursday, still an uphill battle for acceptance to USNA or NAPs but this goes to show that you can turn around and succeed.</p>

<p>Looking back now its great to see all that I’ve accomplished, even if I don’t get accepted, a Congressional Nomination ain’t half bad.</p>

5

<p>Going to NAPS first is significantly better than a direct appointment in my opinion (as a prior Napster if you haven’t already guessed). I went to NAPS because my congressman didn’t want to give me any nominations, so in order to get one through the Secretary of the Navy they sent me to NAPS. Now once there, you can test into what they called advanced classes, which are close to the matrix as a plebe. Through it I was able to validate 19 credit hours (a whole semester) and started already eligible for the graduate degree programs for a master when I get to my firstie year. Coming in as a napster helps with the military aspect too, by the time you get to USNA you’ve already been there done that, and it’s not a major shock like I saw in some direct entrees. But that also means the upperclass expects more from you during plebe summer, and although not technically a leadership role they will put more responsibility on you and depending on your character the other plebes will follow you. It will be you that brings the squad together, show how racks are made, how to clean, techniques you’ve already learned at NAPS to change into different uniforms in 2 minutes. So don’t give NAPS a bad connotation. (Plus you get paid more than a firstie ($950/mo) and have more privileges too) But what the others say is right, getting put up for NAPS is a big mystery, but I do know your Blue and Gold Officer has the largest say in it, and if admissions ever calls you and asks if you would be interested if offered, tell them yes (they asked me if i wanted to go to NAPs before officially notifying me). Good luck</p>

6

<p>Applauding Napster 11 and your enthusiasm for NAPS, along with your rationale for its strength. I’d beg to differ, suggesting that each year there are 1,000 or so plebes who’d mightily disagree with your contentions. </p>

<p>NAPS provides enormous flexibility for USNA officials for deferred appointments for athletes, students who were either in need of refreshment or remediation of academic skills, and appointment for students who failed to receive a nomination in their first go-round seeking one. For the Napster appointees, at least the vast majority, it provides a reprieve and an answered prayer knowing there were many, make that MANY who were deemed more qualified and were provided neither an appointment nor a year @ NAPS. Not to denigrate but to edify '11’s allegations, many if not most appointees from the Fleet would be counseled that if they don’t absolutely need refreshment/remediation, avoid NAPS @ every cost.</p>

<p>Lastly, and returning to my own contention. Absent a psychotic plebe, none who are @ The Yard would hope for a previous year @ NAPS unless they needed a nom, 50 lbs to aid their defensive line play, or enhancement of their chemistry, writing, and/or pre-calc prep. </p>

<p>Suffice it to say, I understand NAPster '11’s enthusiastic apology for an extra year @ NAPS and youthful exhuberance … and as noted, for many it has the merit of being one of God’s answered prayers … but given your druthers? Were you able, choose NAPS … not. Choose USNA.</p>

<p>While only personal opinion, NAPS would be an outstanding candidate for mothballing with diminishing defense budgets. Foundation schools could and would provide any/all functions that NAPS does at a vastly lower pricetag. This one’s a no brainer, but for one major deterrent. USNA likes being able to control 200 - 300 appointments that otherwise many would never see the light of day for various reasons.</p>

<p>Let me finish with one thought: For Napster beneficiaries, you rightly should be proud of receiving the gift of this opportunity. For most, a lifeline to a dream, even if it is for candidates excluding Napster11, not the preferred route and requires another year of preparation prior to the real deal. Receive it with joy, pride, gratitude. :)</p>

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<p>Great attitude, Napster11. I have to chime in as a mom of a former Napster and now graduate of USNA. My daughter did NAPS despite having a NROTC scholarship to her second choice school etc. etc. She had a nomination and also got put in the advanced classes. She was actually rejected initially, appealed the decision and upon showing good cause was offered NAPS. There are as many reasons as students at NAPS and though initially less than thrilled (as she thought, at 18, she knew everything and was ready to go straight to the yard) she would tell you now (and realized it pretty quickly) how valuable the NAPS year was to her. During that year, my very mature daughter truly grew up. She learned to be away from home, learned about military regs, and walked into USNA feeling confident and with a couple hundred friends who had her back. She alo was able to validate out of many classes and did very well there. She was part of the brigade leadership her firstie year as well. Her first year out in the fleet, she won the Naval Leadership award. So, while whistle pig might want to believe that it is somehow some lesser group of people, or something to not be fully proud of, nor appreciated, it is something that, I guess, unless you go through it, you don’t know how beneficial it is. She is now one of the youngest attending the Naval Post-Graduate School in engineering with a great path already determined and interviewed for while at the Academy. So, while this sounds braggy and I don’t want to mislead anyone into thinking her years on the yard were easy, the NAPS route is something to strongly consider. At 18, a year seems like forever. It flies by and means nothing in the big picture and might end up providing you with much more than you could ever imagine.</p>

8

<p>Congratulations, Hopefully12.</p>

<p>I’m in complete agreement w/ NAPSter11 and NAPS05mom re: the wonderful results NAPS can produce.</p>

<p>My son, NAPS '07, had a story similar to NAPS05’s daughter’s. At USNA, he held a number of Brigade leadership roles, made the Superintendent’s list repeatedly, and like NAPSter11, he waived enough USNA classes to qualify for the graduate education program, VGEP. Seven months after commissioning/graduating from USNA in the top 15% of the class, he had a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. What he most values from the NAPS experience, though, is the friendship and camaraderie among his NAPS classmates, especially the prior enlisted. They’re still his closest USNA friends.</p>

<p>Speaking of prior enlisted, the one I know wasn’t counseled to “avoid NAPS @ every (sic)” cost. </p>

<p>I don’t understand why some like to take shots @ the program. USNA seems to see such desirable qualities in a small number of applicants that it’s willing to bet on them. Seems to have paid off w/ the stories on this page.</p>

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<p>No shots, just callin g it what it is. And noting that anyone, all of the Foundation schools are monumentally superior, senior, and accountable, and cost effective than NAPS … all of which are important in these days of shrinking budgets. The issues are so clear and apparent … as are the reasons the Navy ddems it sacred. Among a relative handful of legit candidates canbe hidden those the Navy could otherwise have a tough time ‘splainin’.
Face it … each and every season , there are many far superior candidates rejected outright and given no holding tank with guaranteed admission, nomination, and appointment … all in return for getting a 1.8 gpa in a 13th year of high school.</p>

<p>Just one of those quiet little secrets we NEVER hear the ptb address. Sleeping dog always defended by pulling out anecdotal cases of the good kids who made it through this hidden loophole … at the expense of all those candidates who needed no remediation , stockpiling, or a freebie nomination that are lost in admissions files of past years.</p>

<p>Ever wonder why no “application” for this opportunity? If you may have, now you know. Navy knows it would be buried inapplicants far superior to virtually all they mysteriosly appoint.</p>

10

<p>What is clear and apparent to me is that some people will always have a bias against NAPS for any number of reasons. The way the admissions process works is you apply to USNA and they decide who to offer an opportunity to NAPS. The candidate isn’t given a choice of NAPS vs a direct appointment, the process doesn’t work that way.</p>

<p>I would imagine that some in the Fleet also look down on USNA grads…but that certainly isn’t a reason to not go to USNA. How one acts among their peers probably has far more to do with how they are accepted and fit in vs. the route they took to get there.</p>

11

<p>Perhaps as equally clear and apparent that those unable to address the genuine issue will always revert to that ol’ reliable PC clarion call of “bias.” :wink: </p>

<p>:cool:</p>

12

<p>Hopefully12, have you been in touch w/ the USNA crew coach? He might help your case.</p>

<p>And based on your thoughtful post, I bet you can determine for yourself which posts are helpful and relevant, and which represent a bias.</p>

13

<p>For what it’s worth, WhistlePig has been on this forum for years stirring it up. It’s what they like to do. Take it for what it’s worth. I haven’t been on her in a long long time and remember the user name a one that loves to incite. So it goes. </p>

<p>I always wonder, though, why someone who has absolutely no experience at an institution (NAPS) feels they can just “call it as it is”. Unless you have direct experience, you are merely going off appearances and conjecture. While there might certainly be candidates outright rejected at USNA with superior stats to candidates selected for NAPS, the bigger picture looks at far more things than grades and test scores. Demographics, desire, character, extra-curriculars, leadership and on and on are all part of the picture and it seems that USNA knows what they are doing. Who are any one of us to think we can do better?</p>

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<p>NAPS05mom = genius.</p>

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<p>Now ladies, no need for name calling nor personal attacks. Always the response when there is none other. Please stick to the issue of NAPS. Understandably, you’re well informed. So refute the issues if you can. Allow me to help. </p>

<p>Question#1: Why aren’t rejected USNA candidates allowed to apply?</p>

<h1>2: Why should the Navy go to the expense of running a special school for special children?</h1>

<h1>3: Why does the Foundation send its selects to real prep schools?</h1>

<h1>4: Why are so many superior candidates disallowed from being sent to NAPS in favor of lesser ranked candidates?</h1>

<h1>5: Has there ever been a NAPS grad with a 2.o (whoops now 1.8 gpa) who was given the go ahead who was NOT given an offer?</h1>

<p>Can you lend any insight?</p>

<p>P.S. 05, great to see you’re still reading 7 years after your NAPS appointment.:cool: Keep up on homework.</p>

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<p>Hopefully12, I hope your questions have been answered.</p>

<p>If you are interested in the issue re: the existence of NAPS, you might go through history on this site (or the ServiceAcademyForum), where you’ll find the same poster’s complaints rehashed many times.</p>

17

<p>Great post, No. Cal Mom.</p>

<p>Like said above, read the history and draw your own conclusions. As for my simple answer. I have my ideas on why the Navy does some things and doesn’t do others. But that and $1 (or $4 at Starbucks) will get you a cup of coffee. My ideas are irrelevant. There are goals the USN need to meet and somehow they seem to know what they are doing. I don’t feel the need to question it. </p>

<p>Oh, and Whistlepig, “7 years after your appointment” It wasn’t MY appointment. It was my daughter’s appointment and the beginning of an amazing career for her. As for my return, I have a junior nephew interested in the Academy.</p>

18

<p>Aloha,my Son has been invited to go to Naps as he only had a 3.3 GPA he comes from the best private school in Hawaii Kamehameha, but we are not to hard on him ie. cleaning the room doing dishes that type of thing, I’m not sure its for him, he is a football kicker and that’s why he was asked… He is smart and strong but a local boy used to a slower pace here in Hawaii, are they going to be really mean to him?</p>