Any thoughts on the rowing camps at the Naval Academy or any of the sports camps at the different military academies? What’s the best year to go?
I think they are great.
@Manzanita2019: Our son was a varsity HS rower and attended a rowing session at Navy for the purpose of visiting the post prior to his service academy applications. It is not the most rigorous choice if you are looking to improve your rowing skills but, if you are considering applying to USNA and have never visited Annapolis, it will give you the chance to do so as well as talk with mids about their experience there. Attending any of the academy summer camps has no bearing on admissions, though. They are primarily marketing tools/outreach programs targeted to those who might not consider the military otherwise and applicants the academies would like to encourage. Because they are pay-to-play, they cannot be considered in the egalitarian points-based admissions rubric; there are no points given for attending any of these camps (unlike Boys State, for example). Also, because the applications consider standardized test scores (ACT/SAT, etc.), it’s best to apply after you have taken those tests. Our son attended the summer between junior and senior year.