Is it difficult to get into the Naval Academy Prep School?

I'm curious about the prep school as a potential stepping stone to the Naval Academy. How competitive is the admissions process, and what are some ways to strengthen my application?

Admission to the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) can indeed be quite competitive. The school is primarily dedicated to preparing students for the rigorous academic, physical, and disciplinary expectations of the Naval Academy, so the admissions process closely mirrors that of the Naval Academy itself.

One crucial consideration is that you cannot directly apply to NAPS. Instead, if the Naval Academy Admissions Board believes that an applicant shows potential but needs extra preparation, they may offer a place at NAPS. Given this indirect process, the competitiveness does revolve around the candidates the Academy deems would benefit from attending NAPS.

Some key aspects of a strong application include:

1. Academic Performance: Good grades in challenging courses like APs and honors, specifically in math and science, can demonstrate your academic potential. Rigorous coursework reveals your readiness to handle the tough academic requirements at NAPS and eventually the Naval Academy.

2. Extracurricular Involvement: High-quality, dedicated involvement in extracurriculars is very important. These could be Tier 1 and Tier 2 activities showing significant achievement or leadership. Participating in relevant activities, such as JROTC or Sea Cadets, could be particularly beneficial.

3. Physical Fitness: Both the Naval Academy and NAPS place a heavy emphasis on physical fitness. Start conditioning yourself and aim to excel at the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA), which includes basketball throw, pull-ups/flexed-arm hang, shuttle run, sit-ups, push-ups, and a one-mile run.

4. Recommendations: While the Naval Academy and NAPS do not require traditional recommendation letters, they do mandate an assessment from a math or science teacher. Making a good impression on your teachers and demonstrating your dedication to these subjects can secure a favorable evaluation.

Remember, your objective should not explicitly be to gain admission to NAPS but rather the Naval Academy. You may be assigned to NAPS if your Naval Academy application displays potential but lacks some of the academic readiness they're looking for. Hence, focusing on preparing for the Naval Academy application will indirectly strengthen your chance for NAPS if that's where the Admissions Board sees fit.