Chances at USNA Prep School while not being a Recruited Athlete?

[jp21]

Hello All,

For some background:
- My first choice is USNA, and my second is USMA.
- I received a Senator Nom for USMA and my application was strong. My USNA application was basically the same, but I did not receive a nomination for USNA as my district is really competitive.

With all that being said, the main question:
You don’t need a nomination for NAPS, but is it common for someone without a nomination to get into NAPS who isn’t a recruited athlete, for example? I’ve heard you have to be less academically qualified to get into NAPS — my grades aren’t too bad but they aren’t all A’s either. I think I even had a C+ in something. Again, I’m not a recruited athlete, but I do have extracurricular and leadership experience. Is NAPS a likely option or am I pretty much out of the game till next year?

 

[Runnerthirteen]

Hello All,

For some background:
- My first choice is USNA, and my second is USMA.
- I received a Senator Nom for USMA and my application was strong. My USNA application was basically the same, but I did not receive a nomination for USNA as my district is really competitive.

With all that being said, the main question:
You don’t need a nomination for NAPS, but is it common for someone without a nomination to get into NAPS who isn’t a recruited athlete, for example? I’ve heard you have to be less academically qualified to get into NAPS — my grades aren’t too bad but they aren’t all A’s either. I think I even had a C+ in something. Again, I’m not a recruited athlete, but I do have extracurricular and leadership experience. Is NAPS a likely option or am I pretty much out of the game till next year?

You may also want to look into Civil Prep Schools such as GMA or MMI. There are many self sponsored cadets at these schools. Some were very competitive but failed to get nominations in tough districts. A year of prep strengthened their applications.

 

[Academician]

All candidates who complete an application will be considered for the Prep School -- a nomination is not required. However, the Prep schools were created to help sailors and soldiers transition to the USNA and USMA, respectively. Athletes and well deserving students who need some additional academic help are typically invited to attend NAPS/MAPS to improve their academic preparations. I have two students at MAPS now and another who will attend MAPS next year.

You still have a chance for a USMA appointment. If you do not receive notice of an appointment by April 15, then you are unlikely to have one. Next cycle, however, will provide you with another opportunity to apply to USNA and USMA. I recommend that my students in this situation attend college as a freshman and select a school with an ROTC unit. Join the ROTC unit, and perform well as a student and as an ROTC cadet. Reapply to USNA/USMA as a college freshman demonstrating your ability to do college-level work and your commitment to this career path. Also, in ROTC, you are on a path that allows you to earn an 'on campus' ROTC scholarship and continue your path to becoming a Naval officer or an Army office.

I have had four students follow this recommendation. All four received appointments in their freshman year. I hope you the best with either path that you take!

 

[Inprogress]

Hello All,

For some background:
- My first choice is USNA, and my second is USMA.
- I received a Senator Nom for USMA and my application was strong. My USNA application was basically the same, but I did not receive a nomination for USNA as my district is really competitive.

With all that being said, the main question:
You don’t need a nomination for NAPS, but is it common for someone without a nomination to get into NAPS who isn’t a recruited athlete, for example? I’ve heard you have to be less academically qualified to get into NAPS — my grades aren’t too bad but they aren’t all A’s either. I think I even had a C+ in something. Again, I’m not a recruited athlete, but I do have extracurricular and leadership experience. Is NAPS a likely option or am I pretty much out of the game till next year?

Tons of friends at my prep school right now who are all USNA foundation preps! Around 7 of them total here. They got foundation scholarships to around 14 schools across the nation, all varying in cost. But if not offered naps, you can be offered a sponsored prep option.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Tons of friends at my prep school right now who are all USNA foundation preps! Around 7 of them total here. They got foundation scholarships to around 14 schools across the nation, all varying in cost. But if not offered naps, you can be offered a sponsored prep option.

Foundation scholarships are similar to NAPS, but run through Naval Academy Alumni Association. The Admissions Board makes the recommendation/referral to Foundation in a manner similar to NAPS. However, neither programs are intended to be alternative means of entry when you don't have a nomination. I'm not saying it has never happened, but it would be a special case.

 

[Crusader99]

Foundation scholarships are similar to NAPS, but run through Naval Academy Alumni Association. The Admissions Board makes the recommendation/referral to Foundation in a manner similar to NAPS. However, neither programs are intended to be alternative means of entry when you don't have a nomination. I'm not saying it has never happened, but it would be a special case.

So how does USNA notify you that you will be sponsored? And how many students are typically sponsored?

 

[Capt MJ]

So how does USNA notify you that you will be sponsored? And how many students are typically sponsored?

You can find info on class composition for classes going back years:

Class Portrait

Class Portrait page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Sun Apr 21 04:34:10 EDT 2024.

www.usna.edu

 

[USMC Crayons]

Foundation scholarships are similar to NAPS, but run through Naval Academy Alumni Association. The Admissions Board makes the recommendation/referral to Foundation in a manner similar to NAPS. However, neither programs are intended to be alternative means of entry when you don't have a nomination. I'm not saying it has never happened, but it would be a special case.

You are very fond of repeating this information. If NAPS and Foundation are so rare if you don’t have a nom then what is the purpose of keeping your application open past 2/1 if you didn’t get one? Just to sit there like a schmuck and endure the pain of rejection?

 

[Edmund]

You are very fond of repeating this information. If NAPS and Foundation are so rare if you don’t have a nom then what is the purpose of keeping your application open past 2/1 if you didn’t get one? Just to sit there like a schmuck and endure the pain of rejection?

Lots of NAPSters in Newport right now who did not receive a nomination.

They have one now (SEC NAV), but a lot did not have one when they got their NAPS appointment.

 

[Edmund]

So how does USNA notify you that you will be sponsored? And how many students are typically sponsored?

Here is a link to the USNA Alimni Association’s annual newsletter. There is a lot of information on the Foundation students, along with bios on each one matriculated to the Academy for the class of 2027.

Support Academy - Athletic and Scholarship Newsletters - www.usna.com