NASS chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>Yes, I want to know how likely I am to get into USNA's summer program. I didn't think admission was so important until I saw how many graduates of the last class attended. So, here we go:</p>

<p>Academic:</p>

<ul>
<li>27 Composite ACT (English 26; Math 28; Reading 23; Science 29)</li>
<li>4.0 GPA</li>
<li>Homeschooled</li>
</ul>

<p>Athletic:</p>

<ul>
<li>Two 5k’s</li>
<li>One 10k</li>
<li>One 11 mile bike race (3rd place)</li>
<li>4 seasons of JV lacrosse (started last season)</li>
<li>Active runner and road biker.</li>
<li>Active hiker and backpacker.</li>
</ul>

<p>Other accomplishments:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Active Member of Boy Scout Troop 371 Since September 2007</p>

<ul>
<li>Senior Patrol Leader (former Troop Guide and Patrol Leader)</li>
<li>Life Scout (Eagle Project in progress; will have Eagle by ~feb. 2013)</li>
<li>Most Senior Scout of the Fastest Growing Troop in our District </li>
</ul></li>
<li><p>Graduate of East Alabama Children’s Choir (2007-2010)</p></li>
<li><p>Active member of East Alabama Youth Choral Since 2010</p></li>
<li><p>Active member of Grace Heritage Church Since spring 2012 (attending since 2004)</p></li>
<li><p>Former owner of Handcrafted by Henry (woodworking company, 2011-2012)</p>

<ul>
<li>Formation of non-profit organization (which will benefit the elderly through practical means) in progress, might be in existence by the application due date.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><p>Active Member of Catalyst Speech & Debate Club (1st year)</p></li>
<li><p>Volunteer Service: 4 weeks of total work at White Sulphur Springs Retreat Center (OCF); assisted a local carpenter (summer 2010) for experience and knowledge.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>I heard in another post that USNA is targeting specific types of guys (regarding geography, race, family, etc.) So, if it matters at all:</p>

<ul>
<li>My parents are both white.</li>
<li>I have seven siblings (I'm number 4)</li>
<li>My Dad has an average middle-class income (professor at AU)</li>
<li>I live in Auburn, AL (District 3; Mike Rodgers)</li>
<li>My Dad is a USNA graduate ('85) and has a PHD</li>
<li>My biological Grandfather served as an officer in the Navy for 22 years (helicopter squadron leader at one point).</li>
</ul>

<p>I realize I might have just provided a bunch of irrelevant information, but I don't really know want the application will look like. </p>

<p>I've wanted to go to USNA for a while now, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to give me any pointers on how to ultimately improve my chances for USNA. Every time I think about being an officer in the United States Navy, my determination quadruples (If I get rejected at USNA, I will certainly do ROTC). I am very determined to attend USNA, and I want my application so good that USNA would be stupid to reject me. Anything that would help me get to that point would be awesome, and truly appreciated.</p>

<p>Oh, and yes, how likely do you guys think I am to get a spot in NASS?</p>

<p>Side Note: I know that my ACT scores are low....my goal is to have a 32 before graduation, which I think is a very reachable goal for me.</p>

<p>Best Regards,</p>

<p>Henry Gue</p>

2

<p>Short answer … none knows. You’ll know the answer if you apply. </p>

<p>NASS is a marketing tool and spots are very competitive. Often it has little to do with what you may really want to know, i.e. USNA chances. There are no readily apparent items that would seem to suggest “can’t miss!” Nor is there any apparent item(s) that might say “no way!” </p>

<p>In any case, don’t make the mistake of over-estimating the meaning of a NASS rejection. Conversely, an admission is always a fair indicator of positive interest. A great % of appointees are known to have been NASS participants.</p>

3

<p>Location is really what makes the difference. As Whistle Pig said, it<code>s a marketing tool. Those that don</code>t live close usually are at a little of an advantage. Virginia and Maryland are usually the toughest to get SS spots, since they can visit USNA whenever. I don`t know about Alabama at all.</p>

<p>But if you don<code>t get in, don</code>t lose faith.</p>

4

<p>Alright, thanks for the responses. Sounds like USNA doesn’t pick the best individuals for NASS, just the ones they want…which is kinda sad. I will definitely apply, though. And yes, hopefully they’ll like me because I live in the middle of nowhere. </p>

<p>I will certainly still be determined, regardless of their decision. </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

5

<p>You could always visit yourself, or you might get an offer to do the CVW.</p>

6

<p>rebel, you’ve managed to provide a spin on what you’ve been told that leads me to wonder if you might want to revisit your objectives. Your candor inkles that you might not be such a great fit for either NASS or USNA, no matter your scores, activities, address in nowhereland, or athletic prowess. USNA needs somethings more, and Navy is a team sport. The selection processes for NASS and appointment may be flawed in many ways, and they still manage to attract and appoint a whole bunch of the best. And that’s not sad. No one’s perfect, right?</p>

7

<p>Thanks for your comments, Whistle Pig. I will really take them to mind. You seem to be saying that I may not be the best for USNA because they look for individuals who bring more to the table than achievements - especially in the area of teamwork. Am I right? </p>

<p>When I said that I thought that it was ‘sad’ that USNA targets certain individuals, I was referring to the reality that many organizations try very hard to avoid discrimination, and end up discriminating in the process. I have a friend in Maryland who would be a <em>very</em> good fit at USNA, but because of his location, he probably won’t looked at, at all. If all of the best candidates lived in one state, the Academy would only be filled 1/50th with truly qualified young men. Thus, through trying to recruit a varied geographic or racial class, USNA will, without a shadow of doubt, intentionally overlook many, more qualified candidates. Where I come from, “intentionally overlooking people despite their qualification,” is called discrimination. </p>

<p>I don’t mean to be super defensive, and yes, I may need to rethink my intentions for wanting to attend the Academy. I still think that I would function very well at the Academy, so maybe you could explain a little more what you mean by me not being a such a “great fit.” Thank you for your comments, really. </p>

<ul>
<li>Henry Gue</li>
</ul>

<p>Side Note: I was a little taken back by you addressing me as ‘rebel.’ The 'him" in ‘rebelforhim’ refers to Christ. I rebel against the world’s ways because I’m called by Christ. I guess I should have foreseen the unintended consequences of having such a different forum name.</p>

8

<p>I think you might have misinterpreted what we said wrong. I meant that admission to the summer seminar is a marketing tool, where location is often important, but when it comes down to actual admission to USNA, location doesn<code>t matter as much. It matters in a way, as some states (Maryland, Virginia, etc.) are more competitive, as are certain districts, but it</code>s no longer a marketing tool as the summer seminar is. So yes, it is a bit sad, as USNA does in a way, discriminate, I suppose, but on a much lower level than what you are thinking. Take for example, the fact that there<code>s a very high man to women ratio, with women making up about 22%(?) of the Plebes. Women have an ever so slight advantage, but that</code>s actually dissolving. Same for ethnicity and race. But like I said, it<code>s on a much lower level than what you seem to think. Summer seminar is really just a marketing tool, and if you don</code>t get in, it means almost nothing.</p>

<p>Whistle Pig can enlighten you some more.</p>

9

<p>Just thought I could throw in some ‘been there, done that’ stuff. I went to NASS this past summer. I live in a highly competitive district, and only applied for one of the three sessions, but I still got in. </p>

<p>While there, I noticed ALOT of people who were athletic recruits. In my squad of 8, we had 6 guys and 2 girls, broken down as follows:
Guys
2 football recruiting prospects
1 track prospect
2 well above average academics w/ other extracurriculars
1 from a middle of nowhere place w/ nothing really OUTSTANDING, at least that he told us.
Girls
1 track recruit
1 above average academics </p>

<p>It was rough running the CFA and having a bunch of kids get <5 minute miles…</p>

<p>In the end I think that it’s really a crapshoot, just as is admission to any number of select schools and the programs associated with them. </p>

<p>Best of luck! Btw, if you do get in and have the wonderful opportunity to go, know that you are being evaluated there and how you act does affect (to what degree, I don’t know) your chance of admission. My LOA had a handwritten note referencing NASS.</p>

10

<p>Is a sub six mile good enough or does one have to get down to sub 5:20?</p>