<p>hiya there!
i was wondering if anyone could give me some feedback about the navy's summer program (or seminar, not sure what's its called exactly), like what you do in it, how long, etc. thanks</p>
<p>summer seminar is an awesome experience. it lasts from saturday night to thursday morning. you are organized into squads of about 8 with a youngster as your squad leader. throughout the week you visit different departments during the day. at night there is usually something special like a dance or the sunset parade at the iwo jima memorial. wednesday is sea trials which is a great experience, but really hard, and that night there is a brief plebe indoctrination period. you follow the schedule of a plebe with pt in the morning and recreation in the afternoon after classes. my time there was great and definately showed me how challenging/rewarding the naval academy experience is.</p>
<p>It was the coolest thing I've ever done. DO IT!</p>
<p>I went last year, first session. It was awesome! Even though the entire Brigade isn't there, you'll get a taste of what Academy life is like. Indoc was cool. Sea Trials were a blast. If you're interested in going NAVY, you've gotta try and go to SS!</p>
<p>Doug</p>
<p>Summer seminar was a good experience, but I almost feel that I got a better feel for the place at CVW. Talking to the plebes about their experience was awsome, and being there when service selections were given out reminded me why I want to go to the Academy in the first place. CVW just doesnt show you the face of the Academy the admissions people want you to see, you see how the real daily routine works. </p>
<p>S.S. is great for learning about what you are getting into, but don't pass up on a chance for a CVW.</p>
<p>Based on my son's experiences I completly agree with JPhelan05. Go to SS if offered the opportunity to see what the physical requirements are and what Indoc night is like. CVW gave a better overall impression of what day-to-day life is like the good and the hard! Doing both should give you the best chance to understand what your are signing on for! Most don't have the luxury of doing this at a civilian school so doing this at an Academy is an awesome opportunity!</p>
<p>Wow, absolutely do not go to summer seminar expecting to gain either a physical impression or indoc experience. Go to see the campus and experience the weather, interact with your leaders (they just finished their plebe year). The physical standards are quite a joke. As for CVW, realize the plebe you are with gets it easy because you are with them. Rating is non-existant, etc.</p>
<p>Buffalo~I guess I meant if you can't funtction with SS then you really need to think if the Academy is right for you. It will only get harder. If you can't tolerate Indoc night again the same. In my son's session and in another we know's session that evening made the decision for people. As far as CVW it seemed like a great opportunity to us.</p>
<p>How would you suggest making a decsiosn?</p>
<p>They certainly helped with the decision, but many people put way too much emphasis on them. Several plebes I know dropped because it "wasnt like summer seminar." One of the better ways is to talk to those currently going through it or have in the past. Of course, they can't haze you so basically they can yell and threaten. The most important thing is to be adaptable.</p>
<p>What was your opinion of the academic classes you attended during SS?</p>
<p>the academic classes werent really aimed to teach you about material, they more wanted to give you an idea of the department and what the major was about. some of the classes were kind of slow but there were some fun ones such as war games on the computer or the relaxing yp ride. the classes all had a project for you to do in class so it got you involved, but most of the time you were trying to keep your eyes open from lack of sleep.</p>
<p>heyitsme - thanks for the insight. Overall you thought it was a good experience?</p>
<p>It was definitely a good experience- try and apply if you can. You will at least get a big picture, and from the midshipmen you should get some of the smaller picture too. Things are definitely sugar-coated, but it is worth it. Try and apply to some of the other academies programs as well. I did the one at Coast Guard, and I got a much better sense of what it is like to be a freshman, or to be in Swab summer. There was a LOT less sugar coating of that military-wise, but the physical activities were nothing compared to Annapolis.</p>
<p>My son's in for AFA SS and he's applied to both USNA & USMA. He doesn't seem as interested in Coast Guard at this point - but that could change on a moments notice...</p>
<p>SS was great! It really gives you a realistic perspective of what USNA is all about. I was so happy to find that my squad leaders were so cool and helpful. It was scary to think that they were only two years older than me but so mature and able to lead our squad. The O course and running in cadence was really fun. It also settled some questions I had about the general sturcture of everything and made me realize I had to work a little harder to get in shape. Overall its definitely worth it.</p>
<p>Does anyone remember how soon they were notified of their acceptance to SS? Is it on a rolling basis or is does everyone find out sometime in April? Just trying to make vacation plans around all of this.</p>
<p>Last year our son sent in his application electronically on Feb 4th. He received a letter about March 1st confirming his acceptance.</p>
<p>Thanks, aspen - I'm starting to feel like a secretary/travel agent...</p>
<p>I applied to the summer seminar and I hope I get in. Is anyone else from Texas? I want to get in so badly.</p>
<p>Will it help that I will have 4 varsity letters in basketball and 2 in track next year? </p>
<p>I'm so glad I found this website. I have so many questions to ask.</p>