<p>I got a brochure in the mail today from the Naval Academy about attending the summer seminar. I've considered applying to one of the service academies before, and this looks like a good chance to see what it's like.</p>
<p>I have very strong academic and leadership skills. Here's a brief rundown:
Grade: Currently a junior.
ACT: 29 (from 10th grade)
PSAT: 198
GPA (3.9)
Leadership:
1. Owner and founder of successful Internet business earning thousands per year.
2. Web design for school and local hospital.
3. Internship with National Park Service's National Center for Preservation Technology & Training as part of school's required work service.
4. 200+ service hours at hospital and local summer camp.
5. Won 2nd in state for computer science in 9th grade.
6. Speech & Debate, Beta Club, Tech Squad, school ambassador, & more.</p>
<p>I attend a state boarding school in Louisiana for academically gifted juniors and seniors where everything is taught on the college level.</p>
<p>The problem: The only mistake I made in high school was not joining an athletic team. I did letter in basketball in 9th grade at a different school for being the team videographer, but that's it. I do enjoy running in my spare time, however. My friends and I often run on the track or around campus on a course to stay in shape.</p>
<p>I understand all of the service academies require a high level of physical endurance. I am willing to train as much as is needed to get in the right physical shape. </p>
<p>My questions are:
1. Will not having the right athletic credentials hurt me drastically, or do my leadership and academic achievements make up for it? This is for both the summer program and the academy.
2. I have plenty of time to get in shape before the summer seminar, if I'm accepted. If I explain to them that I am currently training to get in better shape, will that help my chances? Or is this even necessary?</p>
<p>I would think for the summer seminar you will do fine to get in on your academics and leadership. When I was there last year it wasn't as physically demanding as i thought it would be. So long as you can run a mile in about 6 or 7 minutes and do 50 or 60 pushups/situps in 2 mins you will be fine.
For the actual appointment, if you do well on the CFA the admissions board should see that you are physically qualified, however, it could defintely help if you played a sport next year.</p>
<p>As for an appointment, joining a sport senior year could help or hurt you. </p>
<p>If it causes you to do poorly in AP/honors classes or takes away time from a lot of your other ECs, I wouldn't recommend doing it. Become exceptionally good at what you are doing now, and try and earn a captain position in one of your ECs.</p>
<p>If, however, you can manage your time effectively and get onto the varsity team of a sport, I would strongly suggest doing it. </p>
<p>My circumstances prevented me from doing any sport in high school. I have yet to see as whether that will prevent me from getting an appointment, however, as I passed the CFA and was highly praised at SS. I do know that it has significantly lowered my chances.</p>
<p>In the end, it depends from what region you're from. If its an unpopulated area with a weak pool of nominations, you may have a good chance. Larger state, and you'll have a tough time.</p>
<p>I agree with what PLEBE '08 said - the summer seminars aren't that physically demanding (although staying awake in class is another story). While I can't speak for NASS (I had a sprained ankle - it sucked, avoid injury at all costs), SLS (West Point) wasn't too bad. Keep running and try to increase your intensity and distance. Get some strength training in (checkout the Armstrong Pull Up Program) as it will help on the CFA and during mock Sea Trials.</p>
<p>From what I heard from a fellow NASSer who also went to the Air Force Seminar, it was a joke compared to USNA. But yeah, NASS wasn't THAT physically demanding except for the mock Sea Trials. </p>
<p>A lot of it is a blur to me, but what I do remember is being awoken through use of metal pipes being thrown down a hallway, airhorns blown in my room, and the squad leader yelling "Get the f**k up!!". Luckily I was on 3rd deck, and heard the commotion of the floors below me, giving me all of 20 seconds warning. Of course, climbing 4 flights of stairs after morning PT wasn't fun, especially when I have 5 minutes to go up, shower, and be back down for formation.</p>
<p>Really, the only hard part was making sure you were where you had to be on time. </p>
<p>Oh, and staying awake for the classes as the week wore on.</p>
<p>My major suggestion: bring a small fan that has a clamp. I was too tired to notice the second day, but the first night, I was tossing and turning in the 85 degree heat.</p>
<p>If you're really serious about applying to USNA, you might want to check with your high school spring sports coaches about whether it's too late to participate (even as JV) this year. You may be able to join track/field, for instance. If that's not possible, you may be able to start in a youth soccer program or martial arts. If joining a team now is not an option, try to find something (if possible) for summer or next school year. </p>
<p>And as mentioned above, get into shape NOW. If you do attend NASS, you WILL do a CFA, and it might as well be a good one.</p>
<p>Yea staying awake in class gets pretty hard because you have to wake up so early. Just make sure you get the good workshops. Robotics, martial arts, intro to YPs, fleet command, and physics were all fun.</p>
<p>ah, YP's. I remember sleeping in the sun on the deck. Oceanography's a blast, though. You get to go on a YP and use lots of interesting equipment. I fell asleep in physics because it was in a dark room with comfy chairs... I vaguely remember some of the students asking the prof if they could shock the sleepers with the Van De Graff generator. Otherwise, a good trick for staying awake is to write your rates over and over again to help you memorize them for mock Indoc.
Oh, and definitely get fleet war gaming - the simulator is amazing!</p>
<p>Chemistry, Physics, Martial Arts, Intro the Honor Concept (really makes you think), and the mechanical engineering course were fun. YPs were alright (good time to catch up on sleep because we didn't really do anything). The aerospace (could have been astronautical seminar - can't remember) was given by an engineer and it was, to but this bluntly, extremely boring. Overall it was great and you get used to getting up early. Sea trials were easy except, to me at least, for the pool stage. That was my last stage and I was already tired. Needless to say, except for doing the 5 m, that was not much fun.</p>
<p>Oh the fan is definitely a good idea. The first night was so hot that I wish I could have slept naked it a tub of ice water, but the next night the AC had been turned on for 24 hours and I was so cold that I was curled up into a ball and shivering AND I AM FROM ALASKA. So just be prepared for either way although they do give you a sweatsuit to wear but that can't be counted on after sea trials.</p>
<p>I personally found the YPs to be one of the best seminars because I was up on the bridge and had the chance to con the YP part of the way. We also did a 'man overboard' drill which was fun. The option to sleep in the sun is also a wonderful prospect.</p>
<p>And yeah, you do get really sleepy. I drink coffee every morning so going 6 days without coffee and waking up roughly before 5 makes the boring academic workshops tough. I stayed awake by writing the rates we had to memorize over and over -- I remembered them all, needless to say. :p</p>
<p>Your credentials look great. I am sure that you will be very competitive for a spot in one of the seminars. I would highly recommend competing in a sport either this year or next. For instance, I would join Spring Track and Field, as it is too late to join winter track. I know that being in shape is great and it will definatley be of your benefit. However, I also feel that the Academies like to see candidates and applicants on a team because it shows the ability to 'be part of a team', and in some cases, shows the ability to lead.</p>
<p>To be quite honest, every interview I have had, whether it be an Academy interview or an interview for competition, the people interviewing have always been so interested in athletics. I have been asked at least 10 times during different interviews what "being a part of an athletic team" has taught me. Being on an athletic team opens up a world of opportunity!</p>
<p>This is not to say that being part of Athletics is the only way you an get in because IT IS NOT. I am sure you are doing excellent where you are. It is just simply recommended by me to compete in sports. ;-)</p>
<p>As for the Seminar, ABSOLUTELY apply. It was one of the best weeks of my life. I loved all aspects of it and it gave you a tiny taste of what the Academy is like. </p>
<p>Best of luck with the SS application and hopefully all will work out with the athletics.</p>
<p>If you want to go to Yale or UPenn, maybe you should try one of their summer programs. I'm sure they have lots (I seem to remember getting a brochure for a math and science program at UPenn). </p>
<p>P.S. NASS is for the USNA - Navy, in Annapolis, SLS is for USMA - Army, at West Point</p>
<p>YPs were great. You will get a chance to be helmsman, but our rudder malfunctioned so our YP tour was cut short. The leadership class is also cool.</p>
<p>Hey apply for NASS RIGHT NOW, if you haven't already. You're a junior right now? Do a spring sport, do a club sport. Start now. What are you talking about "waiting til SR year?" Get at least one, even an intramural under your belt right now. No more waiting. If you want it, go get it!</p>
<p>Your stats look awesome man, and thats cool that you make so much money off of a site you made! I applied for the c/o 2012, and got selected for NAPS due to my poor math skills. As I see it, you've got everything but the athletics... so fix it. And NASS def. wasn't as physically demanding as I thought it might be, but keep in mind I am pretty athletic. I suggest you goto: </p>
<p>^^ We took the midshipman PRT (physical readiness test) just for kicks, and that was probably the most strenuous thing.</p>
<p>If you DO GET ACCEPTED for NASS, I STRONGLY suggest you work on your CFA (cand. fitness assessment) prior to getting there. You can find that info here:</p>
<p>you NEED sports on your resume to be selected for an appointment. remember you are going into the MILITARY if you go to USNA and are required to be a student athlete. Most applicants have more than one varsity sport under their belt where as you have none. On top of that, your CFA scores wont be as strong because you arent as physically active so get after them. start playing sports now. your scores and resume is okay but without athletics it is nothing special so an appointment would be tough. computers and intelligence are good on your resume especially for most universities but you have to realize, the academy is looking for leaders and not so much eggheads. it searches for well rounded applicants. I have a friend who was turned down. his ACT was quite a bit higher than your, same grades, similar resume, but only had one varsity letter. thats how it works at the academy very often.</p>