<p>I was just wondering how USNA decides who gets invited to NAPS and who doesnt. Is it usually candidates who just didnt meet the standards academically? Any responses will be appreciated!</p>
<p>My son graduated from NAPS in June and is now a plebe in the class of 2011. We visited Newport several times and got to know several of his friends and talked to a number of other NAPSters. Conclusion re: I have no idea how USNA makes this decision. </p>
<p>As you probably know, the prep program originated to help prep prior enlisted. It's become an avenue for recruited athletes and females/URMs as well. However, I met plenty of students who just didn't fit these descriptions. My son had a competitive profile EXCEPT for SATs that didn't quite measure up. I met another kid who had great SATs, ECs, athletics, and leadership but his grades weren't quite where they might have been. Why did the Navy choose to offer these candidates extra prep, when other, perhaps more qualified, kids got a flat rejection? Only the Navy knows.</p>
<p>The only unifying quality I could see among NAPSters was a burning desire to be at the Academy. I suspect USNA Admissions staff can spot something about leadership potential/ military aptitude that eludes me. </p>
<p>I should add that after going through the college admissions process w/ three kids, I've also been mystified by anecdotal instances of kids accepted at "more selective" traditional colleges but rejected by less selective ones. All applicants can do is give it 100% and be sure first choice destinations know how fervent their desire is. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>
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The only unifying quality I could see among NAPSters was a burning desire to be at the Academy. I suspect USNA Admissions staff can spot something about leadership potential/ military aptitude that eludes me. </p>
<p>I should add that after going through the college admissions process w/ three kids, I've also been mystified by anecdotal instances of kids accepted at "more selective" traditional colleges but rejected by less selective ones. All applicants can do is give it 100% and be sure first choice destinations know how fervent their desire is.
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<p>Amen.</p>
<p>While it can GENERALLY be thought that the first X number of candidates left over after appointments are awarded then get offers to NAPS, it's not that simple. Again, the selection process has entirely too much chance built into it: </p>
<p>How many applicants?
How many are enlisted Navy/USMC?
What do their records look like?
What are the needs of the Service?
How many applicants from state to state?</p>
<p>etc.</p>
<p>Apply and find out for yourself. Truly, it is the only way to know for sure.</p>
<p>Go get 'em! :)</p>
<p>I save good information I read on the net, so I apologize if I am plagerizing any member's own thoughts in this regard. I thought them so good I kept them for later use... That said...</p>
<p>NAPS is a program open only to those candidates found by the Admissions Board to be Academically Unqualified for direct admission to the Academy. If a candidate has earned a combination of reasonably good grades and SAT/ACT scores, that candidate will likely be deemed Academically Qualified. If a candidate is determined by the Admissions Board to be Academically Qualified, that candidate will not be eligible for NAPS consideration.</p>
<p>A large number of those selected for NAPS come from 4 sources: </p>
<p> Athletes,
Applicants from disadvantaged scholastic backgrounds,
Those who, by their scores, grades, or high school curriculum are thought to need additional math or science education, and/or
Sailors from the fleet who have been away from a scholastic environment for a period of time.</p>
<p>These candidates often require a little more help to balance their qualifications. For instance, here is a list from the USNA on the reasons candidates are often recommended for NAPS. The typical candidate will fit in one or more of the following categories.</p>
<p> High grades / Low SAT/ACTs
High SAT/ACTs / Low grades
Average grades / High leadership potential
High grades or SAT/ACTs / Weak leadership experience
Away from Academic environment for one year or more
No Chemistry or Physics</p>
<p>NAPS is not a 2nd chance opportunity for candidates that did not fully apply themselves in high school and hope to make amends by a years additional commitment. NAPS is for candidates demonstrating great promise, but simply did not have the opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of or to fulfill their academic prerequisites during their high school years, or need to reacquaint themselves with an academic environment before being tossed into the rigorous Naval Academy regimen.</p>
<p>In my experience as a BGO it is just as hard to get accepted to NAPS as to get into the Academy (perhaps harder).</p>
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NAPS is not a 2nd chance opportunity for candidates that did not fully apply themselves in high school and hope to make amends by a year’s additional commitment.
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</p>
<p>Err........ I dunno. Sounds like someone who wasn't academically qualified to me, although the difference may be one of degree. </p>
<p>If they didn't apply themselves AT ALL, their grades will not be "made up for" by one year of NAPS (obviously). If, however, they just barely missed the cutoff, or failed to meet it simply because other candidates were better, would that then open the door for them?</p>
<p>That would sound much more like what happened to me and my other non-prior-military NAPS classmates...</p>
<p>Listen to ANYTHING OskiWow says.</p>
<p>More than a BGO: the man is a saint.</p>
<p>When I was at NASS my squad leader, Foquette, told me that he had to attend NAPS.</p>
<p>He had a 4.3 GPA, and roughly 1300 SAT's, both of which are very good. He was told that because his 18th birthday was in the September entering his plebe year, the Naval Academy wanted him to go to NAPS, that just sounds wierd.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, it is common for Admissions to do that. I have heard a few cases of that.</p>
<p>I just got accepted for naps!</p>
<p>I must have gotten lucky- my birthday isn't until mid August. Do you think it's something where they want you to be 18 before you start the academic year? Because my birthday is, I think, the day before academic year starts.</p>
<p>And congrats Nautical!</p>
<p>I don't turn 18 until Sept. 5 and I have my LOA. Guess I got lucky too.</p>
<p>congrats nautical!!</p>
<p>The plebe I stayed with at CVW went to NAPS even though he was triple Q'd out of highschool. He got a nomination from a representative, but the rep picked someone else as his principal nomination. The Academy then sent this guy to NAPS for a year, and now he is a plebe. But he told me that he had been triple-qualified upon being accepted to NAPS.</p>
<p>Congrats to zrmvhs08 who just got an offer for NAPS!</p>
<p>He's been really motivated and passionate about going to USNA and I'm very happy for him.</p>
<p>score for the shout out!</p>
<p>thanks man</p>
<p>Hey congrats zrmvrhs, thats awesome!</p>