<p>I plan on applying on Feb 1 for USNA SS but I was wondering how much test scores play into selection. The only reason I am asking is because I feel I need more improvement on my SAT scores... I just hope/pray that they are good enough to get me admission to the SS, as I am dying to go and experience a taste of the Naval Academy.</p>
<p>These were my scores.</p>
<p>580-CR
580-Math
640-Writing</p>
<p>Just wondering if anyone here has some insights as to whether this will be good enough for SS. </p>
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<li><p>Congrats on your sincere interest in a great institution and patriotic service to your nation. You’re on a great path, one of those turns in the road that Robt. Frost talked of in his classis poem, at least by most of your peers. Keep walking!</p></li>
<li><p>NASS, while not distinctly distinct from USNA appointments (a very high % of Plebes did in fact attend NASS), i.e. there is a high correlation of attendance between the 2, one is not dependent upon the other. </p></li>
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<p>3.NASS is used to recruit specific target areas and subsets of the population. This means that some who may not necessarily “fit” the USNA Class of 20?? profile, USNA is attempting to manipulate ensuing class profiles using NASS.</p>
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<li><p>Consequently, this may mean that candidates who might be deemed competitive candidates for appointment are excluded because the limited spaces @ NASS are allocated for others. It is a zero-sum game, as is the appointment process, which simply means that when one receives a slot at either, someone cannot. Both pools are fixed, limited.</p></li>
<li><p>All this simply to suggest not reading into NOT being selected for NASS as a necessarily negative indicator.</p></li>
<li><p>Conversely, being invited to attend should be interpreted as a definitively positive indicator. USNA perceives this candidate’s potential and possibilities for eventually competing for an appointment.</p></li>
<li><p>Now to your early indicators. Generally, and “on average” your stats are bottom 4th. So you’re not out of the hunt. And if you are in specific, targeted priority groupings of geography, race, ethnicity, you might be in a significantly stronger position. You give no information about those potential advantages available to certain applicants.</p></li>
<li><p>Continue working hard, practicing on the SAT/ACT. DEFINITELY take the latter to see if it is more to your skill and test-taking sets. It often is, especially for those students who are high in achievement and perhaps less so in aptitude. These tests have distinctly different foundations and assessment objectives.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t quit! You’ve the right attitude, good record that you can enhance, and from your words, the Real Admiral looking over your application. Keep talking to Him! </p></li>
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<p>Yo Joe, whadya know! How was the vaudeville show/</p>
<p>I’m suspicious that tomorrow Punxsy’ll have to be like the movie GHog Day … snow’ll keep Phil from seeing his shadow! So they’ll have to wait until the next day, and the next, and the next …</p>
<p>Your scores aren’t bad, but those test scores are CRUCIAL for getting into good colleges and scholarships. You standardized test scores must be acceptable, I got a 27 on the ACT and I got into the USNA SS. What’s more important is how rounded you are. Your scores are decent, but do you letter in sports? Part of any other school organizations? It also depends on your gender and race. If you’re a half Latina, half black and a woman, you stand a better chance of getting in.</p>
<p>As far as getting a taste of USNA during SS, I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but SS is NOTHING like what life at the Naval Academy is. I went to the SS last year, and I had a blast. It was tiring, but it was a great experience. The worst part of SS was when the Mids lined up all of us SS attendees and yelled at us for a half an hour. But that wasn’t even bad at all. Plebe Year is nothing like SS.</p>
<p>If you don’t get into SS, don’t worry. I know a USNA grad who didn’t get into SS but got into USNA. Good luck with everything. If you have questions about the USNA application process, ask. I’ve just been appointed to USNA, so I know about everything up to that point.</p>
<p>Another option to “experiencing the life” is to apply for a “Drag Weekend”. My son received an invitation to attend early in this, his junior year. It was valuable in that he was paired up with a Plebe, and attended classes, meals, PT etc with the Plebe for 36 hours. It was a nice peak into the daily life. He enjoyed it. We are awaiting word on NASS.</p>
<p>Can you tell us more of this “Drag Weekend?” I’m not familiar with it. How does one get information, apply for this? Correct to understand your son did this as a HS junior? New to me. Is he a member of a priority target group?</p>
<p>It is unusual [as in never heard of it before] for a junio to be invited but that is not to say it doesn’t happen [because we know that, really, anything is feasible if the academy wants to do it.]</p>
<p>Thanks for clarifying my reference of “Drag Weekend” as CVW. I couldn’t remember the official term. As my son attended as a result of an invitation, I don’t know how he was selected. He had contacted the academy, as many students do, with an interest in becoming a Midshipman at USNA following graduation from HS. I was told by a midshipman that generally CVW is attended by HS seniors who may not have had the opportunity to attend NASS. He also stated that while my son had received an invitation, students could apply. I do not know that process, but contacting the admissions office would be a logical first step. I have called them with questions and found them to be very helpful.
Good Luck</p>
<p>My son applied for USNA Summer Seminar and still has not heard anything, nor have a couple of his friends. Any idea about how long this could take?</p>
<p>So, if you are rejected from summer seminar, (not even waitlisted) is it even worth it to continue the process? I am kind of figuring if I was in consideration I would at least be waitlisted.</p>
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