Give some advice to a college freshman trying to get into NUPOC!

[jds425]

Im gonna go to Rutgers University next year (2011-2012) as a freshman. I plan on majoring in either ChemE or MechE. I plan to apply for NUPOC in my sophomore year, so that means i have to do really well freshman year. Im already done with calc 2 and ill be taking physics during my first year there.

I know that i should keep my GPA above 3.5 (preferably around 3.7 or higher). BUT what else should I do to land the spot. Im gonna be doing a work study program there, but what sort of organizations should I join and should I join an intermural sports team and is it ok for me to join a frat?

Just let me know what extracurriculars would help me get into NUPOC! Thanks guys!

[DLGN25]

Others will offer opinion on course of studies, but here is a bit of advice from an old man. 

The most important thing for you to do now is to gain command of the English language.  It matters not if you post on a forum or are in verbal conversation, how you present yourself is how you will be judged. 

The wardroom is not the mess decks, nor is it the goat locker.  What happens in the wardroom is as important to your career as what you do in the engine rooms.  If you have mastery of the language, you will have an edge on those who do not.  You should also consider a minor that will broaden your knowledge of the non-technical world.  The broader your education, the better prepared you will be for the conversation that will consume your off duty time and the relationships made.

The other thing to remember is that college should be a good experience.  It is not just good grades in the sciences or the arts, it is also about maturing and learning to interact and deal with others, and it is also about having fun. 

Your success will be determined by the choices you make and how you manage your time and energies.

Good luck to you on this adventure.

[greenbean]

I'm currently in the NUPOC program. Here is my simple advice.

A's in EVERY class your freshman year. It will be nice to be well rounded and have come extracurricular activities on the chart, but as a Freshman, its all about grades. Your entire academic career will be set by the friends you make and the group of students you associate with. Go ahead and join a club or sport, however make sure that your focus is on your studies as a priority.

You will find that when you focus on your studies, the other sharp students will be your friends. You will study together, work together and grow up together. These guys and girls will likely not all join the navy, however learning to be among the sharp pack is vital to long term success. Not to mention, many of those college friends will go on to hold important positions in the future and become good contacts.

(Yes, I know there are some B/C students who end up as CEOs, but the majority of successes in the world come to those with the knowledge and the work ethic to succeed).

Most importantly, for your goal of joining NUPOC, you'll need the grades.

Feel free to search the boards, you can literally read my story and several others as we went through the NUPOC process. You will also get a chance to read about some who tried to get in and could not for one reason or another. Also check out http://www.nukewarriors.com

Work hard.

[Tyler2786]

I was in NUPOC for 31 months at the University of Florida, just got off my first ship and am about 5 weeks into Nuclear Power School right now. But I have to agree with greenbean for the most part. Applying for the program, all they see are your grades.  Extracurricular activities are nice, but they're looking for a technically competent and confident individual. 

I still remember I took thermo the first semester of my freshmen year and had to drop it about half way through because I just wasn't ready for it, and sure enough, they asked me why.  I told them I didn't have the background then, then showed the improvement second time around.

In my opinion, confidence will get you real far in the military as well.  When you're in for the interviews, don't say "I think" or "maybe", show what you know and if you don't show some problem solving skills and work what you know. 

Good luck to you!