Info about STA 21

[rainbowooseo]

Im a DEPer shipping in one month. nuclear field, male, age 20. im interested in the ECP program so ill be applying for sta21.

This is what http://www.sta-21.navy.mil/education.asp says:

Selection and Placement

Each STA-21 applicant selects up to three school choices during the application process, and NSTC conducts actual student placement to the schools after selection into the program. This placement is based on several factors including available NROTC Unit openings, program option*, etc.

So why are some people saying that they had to apply to the colleges for sta 21? It sounds like the navy gets you one out of the three colleges you select. if thats true im picking yale, cornell, or stanford.hehe

Also some other questions I have about ECP:

1. has anyone heard of a nuke getting accepted to the core sta-21?/do all nukes have to do the nuke option?

2. Could it be that only for core program aceptees don't have to apply to colleges on their own? or that nuke option aceptees don't? in other words why are ppl griping that they had to apply to colleges by themselves and hoped that they got in? As a white male the odds are against me for those schools i named.

3. In a lot of colleges like my old one they gave you one bill for tuition plus room and board. so is there a possibility that the 10,000 per year of ecp money could cover room and board? 

4. tell me about your experience applying! whats one thing i and a million hopefuls probably don't know.

5. if you've done ECP how was it? how did you get the most bang for the buck.

[MMM]

ECP is gone (except MECP, I think). It was rolled into STA-21 years ago. You have to apply to three colleges, the navy will decide which you go to (assuming you're accepted to all three).

[Ahmahzahn]

Im a DEPer shipping in one month. nuclear field, male, age 20. im interested in the ECP program so ill be applying for sta21.

This is what http://www.sta-21.navy.mil/education.asp says:

So why are some people saying that they had to apply to the colleges for sta 21? It sounds like the navy gets you one out of the three colleges you select. if thats true im picking yale, cornell, or stanford.hehe

Also some other questions I have about ECP:

1. has anyone heard of a nuke getting accepted to the core sta-21?/do all nukes have to do the nuke option?

2. Could it be that only for core program aceptees don't have to apply to colleges on their own? or that nuke option aceptees don't? in other words why are ppl griping that they had to apply to colleges by themselves and hoped that they got in? As a white male the odds are against me for those schools i named.

3. In a lot of colleges like my old one they gave you one bill for tuition plus room and board. so is there a possibility that the 10,000 per year of ecp money could cover room and board? 

4. tell me about your experience applying! whats one thing i and a million hopefuls probably don't know.

5. if you've done ECP how was it? how did you get the most bang for the buck.

1. This year there are roughly 70 spots for sta21 navy wide. 25-30 of those are reserved for the nuke option. So chances are very low to get core.

2. You will have to apply to the schools, for the nuke option there are only 18 schools available as options. Check sta21 website for the list.

3. You will receive your current base pay when accepted, the $10,000 will go to the university directly, you don't keep the extra. You will also receive bah.

4. The Command Career Counselors at NNPTC are great.  A school grades are hugely important, as are the officer interviews. Most important though is your record. Make sure it is immaculate. That means never being late, never mouthing off to your superiors and getting in trouble for it. ACT/SAT scores have to be within 3 years of application deadline. For you that will be July 1, 2013.

5. Don't know what that is.

Good luck!
Sources: Personal experience (in power school now) and the sta21 brief we had last week.

[rainbowooseo]

Thanks Ahmahzahn. Your expertise is just what i was looking for. Good luck with the remainder of NPS. Hey I wonder if A school is harder than nuclear school. Im more academically oriented. worried about A school more than nuc school bcuz I am less inclined in the hands on technical side. Do you think A school is easier or harder or same?

I hated applying to colleges in high school. It sux that ill have to do it again.

I found some encouraging articles for those who dream big.
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-15/princeton-trails-columbia-in-attracting-iraq-vets-to-ivy-league.html

I think I will mention how strongly I am inclined to the core program during my interview.

[Starkist]

Points to ponder :

1) A school is MUCH easier then power school. If you can't do A school, you have no business in power school.

2) If you can't excel at the enlisted side, you have no business being on the officer side.

3) If you speak professionally, you will be treated professionally. "Sux", general whining, and taking things out of stride will set you back; especially when you claim to be "academically oriented".

4) A "brief" doesn't account for "Expertise" nor "Experience". His numbers may be correct, but there's enough STA-21 information here for your searching.


Bottom line, every question you can have has probably been answered before. Do a search.

[rainbowooseo]

I thought I found the curriculum to Nuclear power school online. But Everything is in lbs, ft, etc.

Is it like that in the school, or do we use mostly SI units??

[Starkist]

I thought I found the curriculum to Nuclear power school online. But Everything is in lbs, ft, etc.

Is it like that in the school, or do we use mostly SI units??

No.

[rainbowooseo]

Yes to SI units right? I need to pose questions better....

[Starkist]

Yes to SI units right? I need to pose questions better....

You will be using ALL units, converting back and forth between them.

[Ahmahzahn]

Points to ponder :

1) A school is MUCH easier then power school. If you can't do A school, you have no business in power school.

2) If you can't excel at the enlisted side, you have no business being on the officer side.

3) If you speak professionally, you will be treated professionally. "Sux", general whining, and taking things out of stride will set you back; especially when you claim to be "academically oriented".

4) A "brief" doesn't account for "Expertise" nor "Experience". His numbers may be correct, but there's enough STA-21 information here for your searching.


Bottom line, every question you can have has probably been answered before. Do a search.

Agree with doing a search before asking questions, but I don't mind replying to something like this.  When I joined in March 2011 I had a lot of very similar questions.  No one's situation is the exact same, so getting some direct input on what to expect is invaluable.  If broadzilla(I think that's his handle, at any rate the avatar of the girl playing guitar) and people like you weren't so stern about grammar, pronouns, and only using the search function of this forum, there would probably be a lot more knowledgable nukes shipping out.  Not everything can be gleaned from that precious search bar.  But, if no one used it this forum would be rife with unanswered, and I dare say, stupid questions.  

As for the difficulties of the schools I would have to agree with you.  However, there are many more academic fail outs in 'A' school than in power school.  The power school GPA is also anywhere from .1 to .2 higher.  If the op manages to make it through 'A' school (most do) he should be well set for power school.  I sure use my time a lot more efficiently, as do most of my friends.  I averaged about 8 hours a week in 'A' school, and graduated with a 3.64 and the personal excellence award.  In power school my GPA is much higher (3.9+) and my weekly hours are down to about 6.

Again, we were all "fetus nukes" at one point in our careers, and we all had questions.  I would sure hate for someone to be too scared to ask for fear of backlash on this board.  And to say that if you're too afraid to post you don't exhibit officer qualities, you'd be wrong.  There are plenty of things I would rather do with my time than get berated on a (supposed to be helpful) forum.

If anybody has questions about what to expect at NNPTC, STA21, RTC, BAH/BAS, or any other subject I will help to answer as much as I can.  Before signing up to nukeworker I spent hours upon hours searching for answers to my very specific questions and would love to save others the hassle.

Oh, and as for units, you will learn at least 4 systems worth of all the basic units.  And while general curriculum can be found online, it won't be the same as what you learn.  You will be expected to do it their way for the most part, use their phrasing, and their methods.  Good luck.

Ahmahzahn

[Starkist]

edit: You may want to change your email address mr haines.

[Ahmahzahn]

"hush" and "save us the lecture"... why bother responding to posts that you clearly have no desire to help in.  Does it hurt that I want to answer his questions?  What does it cost you? /rant

On topic: Another piece of advice, come as close to the line as you dare between friend and subordinate with your SLPO's and instructors.  They will be the ones writing the recommendation letters for you when it's time to submit your package.  The interviewing officers will read those LOR before your interviews as well to get a little idea of what type of sailor you are.

[HydroDave63]

"hush" and "save us the lecture"... why bother responding to posts that you clearly have no desire to help in.  Does it hurt that I want to answer his questions?  What does it cost you? /rant

On topic: Another piece of advice, come as close to the line as you dare between friend and subordinate with your SLPO's and instructors.  They will be the ones writing the recommendation letters for you when it's time to submit your package.  The interviewing officers will read those LOR before your interviews as well to get a little idea of what type of sailor you are.

A much better post from a former recruit that actually provides useful links instead of your self-stimulation seen above, is here:

It's been a while since the last time I have contributed anything to the forums (not that asking questions that most of the time had been asked before ever contributed much). So I decided to take some time and gather some of the topics that were most helpful to me as someone getting into the Navy Nuke world and the ones that are asked the most. Hopefully it will help some new members find what they need (not that it was ever that hard) and keep some of you site veterans from having to answer the same questions for a while. I insist that those of you who are new to the site do not limit your searching to what I have listed here. This site has much more to offer. You just have to put in some effort and look for what you need.

Some general discussions about if the Navy Nuke life is something you would want to get into and how to go about getting into it:
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,11078.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,3604.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,5431.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,6077.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,12969.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,12994.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,13214.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,16077.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,15518.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,22615.0.html

Some discussions about the ASVAB and the NFQT
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,6442.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,14706.MSG84374.HTML#msg84374
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,2350.msg20357.HTML#msg20357
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,11064.0.HTML

Some discussions about the Navy Nuke life on carriers, on subs, in training, with a family and some experiences of some Navy Nukes:
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,6180.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,13419.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,13876.30.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,14444.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,14064.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,11858.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,3483.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,15606.0.HTML

Some discussions about the accommodations during the Pipeline (A-School, Power School and Prototype), subject related questions and what your scores eventually mean in the Navy:
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,11065.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,14236.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,5193.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,8149.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,13493.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/board,44.0.HTML

Some discussions about the different Nuke rates and how to "choose" which one is right for you. "Needs of the Navy" is a phrase that will repeat in each of these topics:
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,12184.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,14609.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,1890.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,16109.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,16466.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,10692.0.html
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,3821.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,3676.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,4089.25.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,1737.0.HTML

Some discussions relating to Officer programs including STA-21, USNA, OCS, and NUPOC. There are many other discussion on these posted so you can do your own search depending on which program you are interested in. You can find at least a brief overview of each here:
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,17499.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,7388.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,13741.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,11017.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,16171.0.HTML

Some discussions pertaining to waivers including but not limited to home schooling, high school g.p.a. issues, and incidents with the law:
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,15537.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,16333.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,4904.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,3706.0.HTML

Some tips for people going into the Pipeline that are married, engaged or in a relationship. There are many people on this board who can go into more detail if you need help related to these questions. I am not one of them:
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,7271.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,16817.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,16229.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,16178.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,13730.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,10694.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,8165.0.HTML

Some tips on how to prepare for the Pipeline (and the futility of preparing by studying):
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,9932.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,13014.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,1421.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,5866.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,10551.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,6407.0.HTML
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,14899.0.HTML


Hope this helps.

-DEP Recruit, imthehoopa

[Starkist]

(Edited as promised),

You clearly don't take direction very well. You need to understand that "Im unique and special" doesn't apply to 99.99% of you/us. STA-21 is not a unique situation. It's quite literally the same for everyone, and doesn't need its own topics. It has been discussed a myriad of times on this site, by those who have actually gone through it (not just "Sat in a brief").  

It's not backlash, its guidance. If you don't understand that, you should attempt to find your own answers first, you will get called out on it. It's called "accountability".  


Edit: to be fair, its a tough lesson to learn.

[Ahmahzahn]

,

You clearly don't take direction very well. You need to understand that "Im unique and special" doesn't apply to 99.99% of you/us. STA-21 is not a unique situation. It's quite literally the same for everyone, and doesn't need its own topics. It has been discussed a myriad of times on this site, by those who have actually gone through it (not just "Sat in a brief").  

It's not backlash, its guidance. If you don't understand that, you should attempt to find your own answers first, you will get called out on it. It's called "accountability".  

Removed...

My post wasn't meant to be disrespectful to anyone.  The main point of it was to encourage the OP to ask his questions, and I would do my best to answer them.  Instead of reading time and time again 'use the search function' it could be nice to have a fresh answer, instead of a quote of links that are ancient.  I bookmarked that page a year ago, not all of it is relevant.  The point of a forum is to discuss and help one another.  That's all I'm trying to do, help out a shipmate.  And I have gone through it, or at least am going through it, so I feel that I'm qualified to give my opinion/advice on the matter. Who else is more up to date then someone currently going through it.  

I don't think I've posted a question on here, though perhaps I should review my posts before stating that as fact.  Answering a question for someone, regardless if the answer is one click of a search button away, isn't hurting anyone.  All I was trying to do was help him out, where is the fault in that.  I fail to see the negative connotation you two obviously are bothered by.  Sorry if you took offense to my posts, but I've seen this for over a year now, and have never said anything about it.  And despite the over usage of the 'search' suggestions you all have a wealth of knowledge that is spread across these boards.  All of your stories and experiences that you've shared have been a world of help to me, but it took a VERY long time reading all those posts to get my answers before shipping out.  I'll stop posting on this persons post about this, but please feel free to PM me to 'upgrade' me further.  No hard feelings at all, I wish that was easier to convey in text.

To the OP: also feel free to PM me with your Navy questions.  More than happy to help.

[drayer54]

Not everyone is operating from a secret lair with Dick Cheney and hiding every piece of identifying information. I keep my name anonymous for security sake.

Derek
Former Machinist Mate
Class 0504

[Starkist]

Not everyone is operating from a secret lair with Dick Cheney and hiding every piece of identifying information. I keep my name anonymous for security sake.

Derek
Former Machinist Mate
Class 0504

Yes, but having your full name, class your in, rank/rate etc is a bit too much. "Derek" :p

[HydroDave63]

Yes, but having your full name, class your in, rank/rate etc is a bit too much. "Derek" :p

"Derek's" gold tooth is the dead giveaway. Definitely not BUMED approved for subs 

[OldHP]

My post wasn't meant to be disrespectful to anyone.  The main point of it was to encourage the OP to ask his questions, and I would do my best to answer them.  Instead of reading time and time again 'use the search function' it could be nice to have a fresh answer, instead of a quote of links that are ancient.  I bookmarked that page a year ago, not all of it is relevant.  The point of a forum is to discuss and help one another.  That's all I'm trying to do, help out a shipmate.  And I have gone through it, or at least am going through it, so I feel that I'm qualified to give my opinion/advice on the matter. Who else is more up to date then someone currently going through it.  
To the OP: also feel free to PM me with your Navy questions.  More than happy to help.  

What you have to understand is that there are some folks here that feel as is they have to respond to every post they read.  If they can't be instructive or don't feel like helping, they show their butt!

There are times when 'search, it has been answered' is a valid answer; however, it is used all too frequently by some folks!  There are others that just throw in other stuff (generaly ) just because they can't resist throwing in their , some because they have nothing better to do and like to laugh about what they posted.

Bottom line - Thank you for your service and willingness to help others!

[Higgs]

edit: You may want to change your email address mr haines.

One thing is for sure..., a lot fewer people visit this site..., or at least participate, then when I first joined many years ago. There aren't many active GM's left either.

I think I know why. (I'm not saying YOU personally..., just the general tone of the board.)

Just saying.

Justin

[Estis]

As for the difficulties of the schools I would have to agree with you.  However, there are many more academic fail outs in 'A' school than in power school.  The power school GPA is also anywhere from .1 to .2 higher.  If the op manages to make it through 'A' school (most do) he should be well set for power school.  I sure use my time a lot more efficiently, as do most of my friends.  I averaged about 8 hours a week in 'A' school, and graduated with a 3.64 and the personal excellence award.  In power school my GPA is much higher (3.9+) and my weekly hours are down to about 6.

While I agree with both the above posters that power school is significantly harder than 'A' school, I will have to disagree with Ahmahzahn about GPA's increasing overall.

From a recent power school class-
Tenth Percentile: ~3.6
25th Percentile: ~3.4
50th Percentile: ~3.2
75th Percentile: ~2.9

In aggregate, grades stay about the same as in 'A' school. However, like in Ahmahzahn's case, grades for individuals can go in either direction. Some do significantly better, most stay about the same, and some do significantly worse than in 'A' School.

To the OP, my advice is to worry about your more immediate future first. A lot can happen between now and power school. I also sat in the recent STA-21 brief and was told by the presenter that people with a GPA < ~3.1 need not apply. As you can see, that makes nearly half of the students ineligible for the program. I am sure that some of the people in the bottom half also had high hopes when they joined. So, make sure you stay oriented on what you can accomplish now rather than further on. Good luck. 

note: I am also currently in power school.

[Gamecock]

I also sat in the recent STA-21 brief and was told by the presenter that people with a GPA < ~3.1 need not apply.

That is BS.  Nobody can tell you not to apply for an officer program.  There is inherent value in going through the process (i.e being exposed to the types of questions asked my an interviewer, learning the nuts and bolts of how to put a package together, etc), even if you know that your likelihood of acceptance is low.   You just might learn something that will help you if/when you apply again in the future. 

Regardless of your GPA, if you want to apply....then apply.  If the Career Counselor won't route your package, I'd like to know about it.

Cheers,

GC

[Ahmahzahn]

That is BS.  Nobody can tell you not to apply for an officer program.  There is inherent value in going through the process (i.e being exposed to the types of questions asked my an interviewer, learning the nuts and bolts of how to put a package together, etc), even if you know that your likelihood of acceptance is low.   You just might learn something that will help you if/when you apply again in the future.  

Regardless of your GPA, if you want to apply....then apply.  If the Career Counselor won't route your package, I'd like to know about it.

Cheers,

GC

GC,

It wasn't the CCC that stated < 3.1 need not apply, it was the LT who opened the presentation.  He did make it clear that anyone can apply in the end though.  I believe he was just trying to get anyone who was on the fence about submitting a package to either commit, or quit so as to not waste anyones time.  There were 250 students in the first of three briefs, all applying for (at the most) 30 spots, so this method won't really harm anyone.  The people who really desire that have less than a 3.1 won't be turned away by his gruffness, but the people sitting there to get out of afternoon PT may not waste anyone's time now.  The CCC made it very clear immediately after his departure that if you want to submit a package you should.

Ahmahzahn

Edited to remove some heart thing that < 3 apparently makes.

[Estis]

Indeed, what Ahmahzahn says is correct. I apologize for confusing everyone. I was paraphrasing from the presentation in order to make a point about my advice in the previous post.

[GLW]

.......There are others that just throw in other stuff (generaly ) just because they can't resist throwing in their , some because they have nothing better to do and like to laugh about what they posted......

Damn, I was in the garage and heard this one before I could read it!   

Do you really like that corner?   

Why yes,....yes they do,...