Special Programs (?)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

What are the specialty areas offered at the service academies? Does this question entail your service selection (ie. SWO, Marine)?

Also, could anyone explain the process of becoming an actual USNA candidate following NASS application?

Thank you in advance!

2

I cannot comment on specialty areas as I am not a current Mid, but I can comment on the NASS–>USNA Candidate. When you apply for NASS, you are filling out not only a SS app, but also a preliminary application. Your admission to NASS is independent of your establishment as an official candidate, however there is no additional action required once the
NASS app is submitted. Once you have filled out an NASS application, it us up to the academy to decide whether they make you an official candidate. This is because there are plenty of people not applying to NASS who fill out a preliminary app for USNA.

The official candidate package/notification WILL NOT come along with your NASS decision. I was rejected from NASS, and about a month later received an official candidate package. These official candidate packages usually are sent in early spring. You will first receive the official candidate letter by email, and a few weeks later, it will come as physical mail. All you need to begin an official USNA App is the login info/candidate number, which are both provided in the official candidate email.

Remember, NASS is more of a recruiting tool than an actual indicator of your chances for admission. If you don’t get in, don’t sweat it, put forth all effort into the actual USNA application. If you do get in, don’t start to take it easy, because many people who get into NASS end up getting rejected from USNA.

3

I have a couple of questions following your answer:

  1. Do you believe that if there were bad PSAT scores on my NASS application would that disqualify me as an official candidate?
  2. I know there is a relationship between my USNA application “opening” (probably receiving the login info/ letter) and submitting an application for a nomination. I have already begun on some of the nom. apps.- Am I restricted by when I receive confirmation be being considered an official candidate to submit nomination app. material?
4

I have a couple of questions following your answer:

  1. Do you believe that if there were bad PSAT scores on my NASS application would that disqualify me as an official candidate?
  2. I know there is a relationship between my USNA application “opening” (probably receiving the login info/ letter) and submitting an application for a nomination. I have already begun on some of the nom. apps.- Am I restricted by when I receive confirmation be being considered an official candidate to submit nomination app. material?

(sorry about the double posting)

5
  1. It really depends on how bad the PSAT scores are. I couldnt say for sure, but I would guess anything above a 130, and you would be fine. Also, USNA does have some understanding that kids who take the PSAT may have never had other standardized test prep before it.
  2. Generally, you should only submit nomination application after being established as an official candidate, as the nominating sources need to be able to access your admissions profile to upload nominations. All nomination application also require you to officially send in and often additionally self-report SAT/ACT scores, so it would be prudent to hold off until you have taken the official test at least once. It is however wise to get an early start on the essays, that is, if your congressman/senator requires an essay. Plus, most nominating sources only want your apps starting at the earliest in July/August. My congresswoman did not even start accepting applications until September of my senior year. Remember that many congressmen/senators just got finished with this years nomination cycle last week