<p>I would be interested in hearing ONLY from mids and their parents as to what extent the summer session helped the mid determine that the Naval Academy was for them or wasn't for them after attending the summer session.</p>
<p>I did not attend summer seminar but was a squad leader for it when I was a mid. I can tell you that both of my squads had those that decided they wanted to go to the academy and those that did not. Of the 12 that I had between the two week, four of them are at the academy. The reasons I got for those that wanted to go at the end of their week of SS was that they felt like they fit the mold. They enjoyed the physical aspect and the structure. Those that decided for sure they did not want to continue the application process were the ones that throughout the week, were upset by the strict guidelines and the structure. Also some people just do not want somebody in their face, and as everybody who has ties to the military knows, you have to have thick skin or you will not survive. </p>
<p>Basically the academy is for some people and not for others. During my interview with them at the beginning of the week many of their reasons for wanting to go to the academy were legit such as serving as an officer etc. Others however showed a severe lack of being informed about the academy. One said the reason he wanted to attend was because he thought the uniforms were cool. You just have to decide if a structured life where you will not get the “college experience” is for you. Any questions feel free to shoot me a message</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply, navy07. That is helpful!</p>
<p>IMO, any opportunity that offers you a glimpse into the workings of USNA, what life is like as a plebe, what to expect- and more importantly, what will be expected of you once you arrive, is an opportunity not to be missed. So if offered, and if you have the means to attend, attend.</p>
<p>If you are not offered, then do what you can to visit the academy on your own. The more information you have, the better your decision as to whether or not this is for you.</p>
<p>I am not a mid so i do not meet your criteria exactly but i felt like i had some insight into this topic so here goes</p>
<p>I went there and loved every second. I gave me the absolute drive to finish the app within a month of returning home. I could think of absolutely no other way i would want to spend my next four years since i went to NASS.</p>
<p>In my squad there were two kids whose parents were military and they went cause they had been told to go. Neither of them liked it and they constantly saught ways to push the limits of what they could get away with in terms of slacking. Neither applied to USNA.</p>
<p>I met a kid at the airport while leaving and sat and ate with him while waiting for flights. He told me that he had more respect for anyone who did the Service Academy path because of what he went through. He said that he had no problem with the physical or the mental stress that most people based their decision to not apply on, but for him it was the little things like knowing that you were going to be fed whatever king’s hall felt like serving you and at the times that they felt like serving you. He also did not apply to USNA</p>
<p>hope you got something useful out of this. I guess what I hope you take is that NASS is going to do something different to everyone, if you choose not to apply its going to be for something you personal feel strongly about. If you choose to apply and attend like many people do you are going to hear why people didn’t and respect their decision but chances are you will not be able to understand it. In my opinion thats the difference, the kids who ended up applying that I know heard all the reasons why you wouldn’t want to go but couldnt find credance in any of them.</p>
<p>^^^^ it sounds as if NASS did what it was supposed to do.</p>
<p>im not a mid yet either, but id like to add my thoughts as well.
If u can, go to NASS. IMO it was the best way to see what life at the academy was like. I had a lot of fun there, so i got home and was done with the app. in july. But more importantly, there was a moment on the last day there, right after finishing sea trials, where i thought “this is the place i want to be” and i did it. ill be there in less than 3 months now and i can’t wait!<br>
When you are there, give it all a chance. Don’t think u are “too cool” to do the drill stuff or to yell at the top of ur lungs during count-off. the first day there, all 5 companies met in Alumni hall for an assembly about the academy honor code or something. (there are a few assemblies) and they wanted us to cheer for our companies (mine was Delta company) and everyone was kind of hesitant. but throughout the week, everyone became more and more dedicated to the company. with late night spirit missions and water balloon fights and what not. it was all such a great experience. by our last assembly, the whole company would cheer in hopes of being the color company. Anyway, sorry for the rambling, but go if u can. I had a great time!</p>
<p>GO NAVY!! 2013!</p>
<p>All good stuff. Thank you for all of the insight.</p>
<p>Not a parent of a mid, because my son falls into the category of those who discovered it wasn’t for him. He enjoyed the experience in many ways, but it helped him see that it was not a good fit for him. It was certainly well worth it for him to attend. He didn’t belong in a SA and found that out.</p>
<p>NASS was a major turning point for my daughter. When she showed interest in USNA, I insisted that she apply to NASS, figuring it would either build or end her interest. She loved the whole experience. Once she came home, there was absolutely no doubt what she wanted to do for a career, or how she wanted to be commissioned. During that same summer, she attended the USAFA SS and a summer program at a “regular” college. For my daughter, neither one “fit” her as well as her experience at NASS. She loved the camaraderie, the physical challenges, the spirit missions, all of it. Although some posters on here thought their time on the YPs was “boring,” my now-Mid was excited by her first chance to take the conn.</p>
<p>I attended the closing morning at NASS. The energy level in Alumni Hall was incredible, even though everyone had to be tired from the whole week.</p>
<p>On the other hand, NASS was the deciding factor for one of my daughter’s classmates to choose to attend a “regular” college, even though he had LOAs to USNA, USMA, and USAFA. As others have pointed out, if NASS helps someone to decide about whether to apply for an appointment - either way - then the experience is worth it.</p>
<p>Not a mid or parent, but a BGO. Here’s my 2 cents: If you love NASS, you may or may not love USNA. If you hate NASS, USNA probably isn’t for you. </p>
<p>The reason for the former statement, BTW, is that NASS is only a glimpse into plebe/mid life. Loving it for a week isn’t the same as an entire summer, a full year, or the four years it takes to graduate. But if you hate even the “short course,” it’s very unlikely you’re going to like the longer, tougher version that is USNA.</p>
<p>We didn’t have NASS in my day – I wish we had. Since NASS came along, the attrition rate has dropped. Not sure if there is any correlation, but would hope so.</p>
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<p>This strikes me as a simple, profound and valuable insight about NASS for the benefit of potential candidates. And it seems any downside of attending NASS would more generally apply to those substantially disinterested to begin with.</p>
<p>I think the NASS is, in general, a worthwhile experience that gives the candidate some insight as to whether the academy is the right fit for them.</p>
<p>However, the NASS also creates the false impression that everybody is competing against everybody. And, of course, in a sense, that’s true - especially for candidates. The candidates are there, thinking they have to “beat out” the guy next to them. </p>
<p>Once you are AT the academy, however, the sense of competing against the guy next to you completely evaporates and there is more of a “we’re all in this together” attitude. Which, to my way of thinking, is a much more realistic and healthy perspective. Naturally, there are limits to how well the academy experience can be duplicated at the NASS.</p>
<p>This is just one small negative about the experience.</p>
<p>I had to inform my son (I am a graduate) that the experience is much more cooperative once you get there. Everybody wants to see their classmates succeed and, more importantly, they want to succeed as a GROUP.</p>
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<p>Fascinating. Seriously. As any grad knows, the first thing you learn at USNA is not to bilge your shipmate. And, as stated above, the indoctrination works and is critically important. I can’t remember one time in my four years at USNA when I did anything to be better than someone else. I always tried to do my personal best, which may or may not have actually been my best and may or may not have been better than a classmate’s best. But 99.9% of the time, it was “cooperate and graduate.” </p>
<p>I suppose I’m surprised that NASS fosters the competition theme. In reality, the students aren’t necessarily competing with each other (much depends on district in which you live, etc.). And, I’m surprised that USNA doesn’t try to discourage that competition but maybe there’s nothing they can really do.</p>
<p>I’m a mom of a youngster (class of 2011) and a 2013 applicant. Both attended summer seminar. Both said the competition issue is friendly between companies. Spirit missions were popular to “hit” other companies. Both said that teamwork was emphasized. The goal was to bring your squad along in team fashion. It wasn’t good for the candidate who was trying to show off or out do their squad shipmates. The squad leader does an evaluation for each person in their squad. It includes not only their physical ability/aptitude, but their perceived ability to succeed in the military environment.</p>
<p>My youngster went to summer seminar to confirm it was for him. He loved the comraderie and the O course. He was not in good shape when he arrived for summer seminar and barely passed his CFA. That was the only thing that made him think he was not fit for Academy life. He loved every other aspect including the commitment to serve his country. Within a week of attending summer seminar, he decided that physical fitness is the price he would have to pay to obtain what he wanted. So he pursued his application, received an LOA, and subsequently an appointment. Amazingly, he likes to run now and maxes out the strength portion of the PRT. He also served as a summer seminar squad leader last summer for the class of 2013.</p>
<p>My other child attended the summer seminar for the class of 2013 at USNA and USAFA. She found that neither Academy was not for her. She passed her CFA, just barely, but she also found that her skin wasn’t thick enough to survive. She also feared the post Academy commitment. She withdrew her Academy applications and is planning to attend a civilian University. </p>
<p>I’m glad that they both went to summer seminar to learn if the Academy is for them. Granted, the midshipmen call it Summer “Scam-inar”, because it doesn’t fully portray Academy life. It’s more like summer camp. There would be no way to simulate the academic and physical rigor that the midshipmen experience. But I think that it gives the candidates a glimpse of Academy life. </p>
<p>The true resource of Summer Seminar is this: talk openly with your squad leaders at the appropriate times. Come with serious questions and listen to the answers. Learn from the people who just finished their plebe year. They can tell you what plebe year is like better than a mom or a BGO and even better than a grad. Those plebe memories get fuzzy and romanticized after a year or two.</p>
<p>Okay, I’m off the soap box.</p>
<p>My Plebe has consistently talked about how she “would never have made it” through the Endurance course at NASS without the encouragement of her squad leader and squad mates. She has talked for two years now about the strong support and camaraderie she experienced, and she is intent on providing that type of experience for this year’s NASS participants. As Kathie has posted, there was a lot of competition at NASS, but it was always between squads/companies, not between individuals “bilging” each other. At least, my Plebe had an experience virtually identical to Kathie’s son’s experience.</p>