U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Chad Runge. Students receive marching and drill instruction during the first block of the 2010 Summer Seminar. The program introduces students to the opportunities at the Naval Academy where academics, athletics and professional training play equally important roles in developing future officers in the Navy and Marine Corps.

Organized into three 6-day sessions, beginning June 5 and concluding June 24, NASS offers a preview of the life on Yard as a Naval Academy midshipman to high school juniors who may be interested in pursuing an appointment to one of the nation’s service academies and serving as a military officer upon graduation.

‘‘Our goal in the admissions process is to target the best and brightest; the one’s that have what it takes to be a Naval Academy midshipman,” said Lt. Matthew Bernhardt, NASS Officer in Charge. ‘‘This year, we received over 7,000 applications, so it’s a very competitive process. We look at each individual’s grades, athletics and extra-curricular activities and their test scores. We’re looking for well rounded candidates.”

Summer Seminar introduces students to the opportunities at the Naval Academy where academics, athletics and professional training play equally important roles in developing future Navy and Marine Corps officers. During their stay on the Yard, students sleep in the dorm rooms in Bancroft Hall, eat in the King Hall dining facility, and participate in academic and leadership workshops.

Each student attends eight 90-minute workshops focusing on different learning opportunities available at the academy. Topics include: information technology, naval architecture, mechanical engineering, ocean engineering, aerospace flight testing, systems engineering, microcomputer design, seamanship and navigation, oceanography, math, chemistry and political science.

‘‘All of the students will also attend a career opportunity brief,” said Bernhardt. ‘‘Individuals from several career fields come to speak to them about their jobs in the military, whether they are aviation, surface or sub-surface warfare officers or Marines.”

Academics is only one facet of the program, however.

‘‘We actually have a Navy SEAL, an academy alumnus, that comes in once during the week to lead the students in SEAL-style PT (physical training),” said Bernhardt. ‘‘He teaches them how to prepare for the midshipman fitness testing and fitness education programs.”

Late in the week, students also participate in a drill competition, testing not only their marching abilities and attention to detail, but the importance of working as a team.

‘‘Each of them will take part in Summer Seminar’s own Sea Trials,” added Bernhardt. ‘‘It’s a very close version of what plebes will participate in each spring. Stressing teamwork along the way, they’ll complete the ‘wet and sandy’ portion of the event, difficult PT sessions and leadership building events.”

‘‘We set out to give these students the opportunity to experience life at the Naval Academy,” added Bernhardt. ‘‘We try to make their lives reflect as closely as possible to that of a Midshipman, so they’re able to make an educated decision whether attending the academy is right for them or not.”

On the final day, parents who are able to join their students in Annapolis are also privileged to some learning of their own.

‘‘Our parents forum is held at the end of each session,” said Bernhardt. ‘‘Parents will get to learn a bit about what their students have accomplished in the past week, but also get a glimpse into the possible future. Parents of current midshipmen come in to share their perspective of what it’s like to be an Academy parent. They’ll also receive an admissions brief so they’ll also have a better understanding of the admissions process.”

More than 2,250 students from around the country are scheduled to attend this year’s NASS program. By simply applying to this year’s program, students are also applying for admission the Naval Academy class of 2015.