DS Very Impressed By NASS

<p>Well that went far beyond anything we expected. NASS for our DS cant be expressed in my words other than this is exactly what he wants. Although he remains grounded with a B & C plan, the Academy is his primary focus. As soon as we saw him he would not stop talking about every min of the time he was there. Adding to the good feeling he just got his ACT scores, no prep Math 32, English 31, Comp. 30. It's my understanding that these are good scores, please correct me if I'm wrong. </p>

<p>There were some really impressive kids there many of which went to other Academy camps and many of which are going with other options other than the Navy Academy. My DS was surprised on hom many kids didn't want to be there to start with. </p>

<p>In the end this is one very happy kid. The application process now continues.</p>

<p>Glad to hear NASS went so well for DS of 3Units! I would say that his ACT score is very solid and will enhance his application to NAVY (I am no expert on Navy admissions).</p>

<p>We had the same experience of hearing everything about every minute. Beat Army!</p>

<p>Glad to hear he had a great time!</p>

<p>Those are great scores, congrats to him!</p>

<p>Not to be a Debbie Downer, but my son was 3q’d with a nomination and did not receive an appointment (he did to USCGA, however, which he turned down). 34 ACT, attended NASS, Boys State, 4 year varsity athlete, 2 year team captain, tons of volunteer hours, AP classes, top 3% of his class at highly competitive large high school, great BGO interview… The whole package. SO MUCH depends on where you are from (we are in a very competitive area) and I think some of it is just the luck of the draw, so please keep him focused on ALL of his options. Luckily, we did, and S had already decided to commit to a traditional university long before receiving the TWE (which did not arrive until late May!) and is very happily headed off to college in the fall. Best of luck to your son, it is a tough and noble endeavor!</p>

<p>What is the TWE?</p>

<p>Thin White Envelope… Rejection letter. If you are ever on the Service Academy Forums you will see that and many other acronyms that you have to learn or you will have no clue what they are talking about.</p>

<p>GranIPC,</p>

<p>Do you mind sharing what State you hail from? Also, why did Navy send out the TWE at the end of May after you need to deposit at another school. Is that typical? Thank you for sharing.</p>

<p>We are in Texas… And yes, VERY ommon. There are stories of kids getting offers of appointments up until the day before they are to report! Some get them very early, but most not until springtime or later. His USCGA appointment did not come until May. So, the lesson is they need to be fully set to head to Plan B until that appointment is in hand, even if it means potentially losing some deposit money. If you have kids who are starting this journey, I HIGHLY recommend you visit the Service Academy Forums, and visit often. So much good information from parents and cadets who have been through the process.</p>

<p>^^^Thank you! My son attended NASS this summer, has identical test scores as your son. What stood out to me on my tour was the amount of athletic recruiting needed to fill all their teams (I think my tour guide said 40% or sometimes higher?). I think this makes it difficult. Thank you for the reference to the forum. I hope your son was happy with his college/university?</p>

<p>There are aspects of one’s application that you will never have a chance to see. You really don’t know what teacher recommendations, for example, contain. Where you live has more to do with getting a NOM since some areas of the country already have a lot of competition due to a large military presence. People often confuse that with the rest of the applicaiton. Where you live have very little to do with the evaluation done by tha academy since the same criteria applies to everyone, regardless of where you live or whether you were the first or last person to submit your application. Also points out why we can’t answer those who ask ‘what are my chances’ on this forum since the application consists of more then grades and stats. In reality, the whole candidiate score will rate some candidates stronger then others and eventually there is a cut-off point on how many appointments can be given.</p>

<p>I agree that athletic recruiting takes a big bite out of the pie, and my son was not a recruited athlete. I feel VERY confident in his recommendations as he was accepted to every other very selective university to which he applied including USCGA, and received every scholarship he applied for with recommendations from the same teachers. He was not the principal nominee on his slate, and from all my research over the last few years, whether USNA wants to admit it or not, that does make a difference. And as it is, I think it was definitely what was supposed to happen, he has no regrets about where he is headed and is very happy with his decision. But the fact remains that the number of highly qualified applicants is increasing as the Class size is decreasing. There just simply are not enough spots for every qualified applicant, and at that point it is obvious things come into play regarding regions/quotas they need to meet, etc. It’s no big surprise, just the way of the world.</p>

<p>Granipc,</p>

<p>I am just starting this process and every step of life is a roll of the dice to a certain extant. The truth is; with your son’s academic, athletic and leadership success to take with him he will succeed wherever he goes. He will love University life and make the most of it.</p>

<p>I so appreciate your comments about keeping an open mind and focusing on all your options. My son came back from NASS with a “Go Navy” attitude and has a hard time focusing on other schools. Youthful exuberance! Glad you were able to share with all your wisdom on this forum. You just never know in life!</p>

<p>Best of luck to your son this year. I think college is the best time in life and I’m a little jealous of these kids sometimes to be just getting started.</p>

<p>All the responses are very good here. </p>

<p>Granipc, your not at all a Debbie Downer this is reality so your thoughts are very important. My 1st DS went through the NROTC process, although a little different it remains competative. Knowing what our other DS went through our DS2 is grounded yet confident. It would be a comforting thought about being a recruited athlete and taking a big bite out of the pie; however, we have learned otherwise. Unless my DS stood out he remains equal to the rest…in the end he still will need his NOM and the appoitment. </p>

<p>One thing we did learn is that as important as the SAT & ACT’s are no University, College or Academy stacks thier incoming class with all top of the line kids. These schools like to get a little mix of all things. </p>

<p>It was explained to us like this at one school admissions process: Picture building two baseball teams, on one team every player is of AROD caliber on the other team you have a mix of talent. Which team will win? 9 out of 10 it would be the mixed team because of the mixed talent and skillset one complementing the other, one helping the other. The AROD team would have too many conflicts because they would all think they were special. I thought this said it all in fact it really helped ground our children, they got the message that anybody stands a chance as long as you meeting the min / max requirements.</p>

<p>In the end lets all hope these kids reach their goals, dreams, aspirations and make a differance in our communities and nation. If our DS gets in that would be an honor; however, if he does not we will be equally as proud and love him just the same. </p>

<p>Currently his Academy and NROTC applications are now complete and submitted. He has gone through both of his officer interviews and awaits scheduling for the US Sneator & Congressman interviews. At this point the only thing he has left is the medical and the wait. One step at a time.</p>