service academies Service Academies and ROTC - Class of 2020

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Summer program applications are in from my oldest.  He was accepted at two (Air Force and West Point) and is still waiting to hear from two (Navy and Coast Guard).

 

He is planning to attend the West Point Summer Leaders Experience.  The summer program applications count as preliminary applications for each academy.

 

 

[maize]

I have a question for you about the academies: what are the admission rates I see on college websites based off of? Is that everyone who starts and application? I'm wondering what the admission rate for those who get nominations is.

[In The Great White North]

 

 

I have a question for you about the academies: what are the admission rates I see on college websites based off of? Is that everyone who starts and application? I'm wondering what the admission rate for those who get nominations is.

 

Here, it starts with everyone who "opened a file"     http://www.usma.edu/admissions/SitePages/Class%20Profiles.aspx

 

 

The admission rate for those who get a nomination varies by area.  If you do the math, after every Senator and Representative gets 5 slots to each academy, spread over the four years, there are about two thousand leftover.  Each Rep/Sen gets to nominate 10 candidates for each slot. The other 9 nominations compete for these leftover slots.  Some areas have high stats and low demand (and they get lots of these) while other areas are lower stats (and they get few of these).

 

When I grew up in MI, almost everyone who got a nomination also got an appointment (high stat area); where I live now, I have heard of several people who got a nomination but didn't get an appointment (really, only one "competitive" high school in the area).  

 

A nomination by itself is not a guarantee of an appointment - you still have to meet all the minimum standards  (medical, physical and academic).

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Here's how I look at some of the numbers.

 

Each academy takes in about 1000 students per class.  Around 6000 students have nominations and complete the application process.  

 

When we lived in Northern VA, the local Congressional Rep said that his nominations were very competitive to receive, but because of the quality of candidates in his district, about 30% of his nominees were offered appointments.  But this will vary greatly by region.  The competition pool in a rural district might be very different, and students from that area might be less competitive when competing against other students outside that region.  

 

The process of selecting which student is "charged" against which member of Congress is complicated.  Some students who are not charged to a specific member will still be offered an appointment - if they have a nomination.   So every student should apply to every nomination source that they are eligible to apply to.  (IE, don't not apply to your Rep just because you think you can get a Presidential nom.)  The details of how students get counted really don't matter to the candidate, because that is outside the student's control.  What matters most is having a nomination, because without one, there will not be an full offer of appointment.

 

 

200-250 students come from the prep school or a similar military prep situation, not directly from high school.  Around 50-75 come with a semester or more of college (post high school).  So keep in mind that there are really fewer than 800 slots for students coming directly out of high school.  Even when you look at the 6000 completed apps (rather than the 18k-19k who start an application but don't bring it to completion), that is stiff competition.  Positive spin, acceptance rate is around 13%, not the 5% you get when considering everyone who applies, but doesn't complete the process.  Less positive spin, they could fill the class multiple times with qualified students.  That does mean that many talented, sincere and quality students will be turned down.  I've known several (homeschooled and traditionally schooled) who did not get a yes.  (On the other hand, those students have also gone on to be successful where they did end up.  One of them will be commissioned in a few short weeks.)

 

This is a pretty good summary of USNA appointments.  https://www.facebook.com/notes/naval-academy-admissions/a-note-on-nominations/396824107047402

All of the Steps to Admission, including Nominations are explained here: http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Steps-for-Admission/index.php

 

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I wanted to add that in my experience, nominations are a competitive process that do not reflect some kind of political hook up for well connected families.  Many of my peers never met their nominator before receiving a nomination.  Many offices have a nominations review board comprised of former military officers who do the interviews and make recommendations.  What I've seen is a competitive and neutral process.

 

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Summer program applications are in from my oldest.  He was accepted at two (Air Force and West Point) and is still waiting to hear from two (Navy and Coast Guard).

 

He is planning to attend the West Point Summer Leaders Experience.  The summer program applications count as preliminary applications for each academy.

 

A couple lessons learned.  It was good to have some test scores to put in with the application.  They tend to ask for scores, grades in specific courses (some asked if certain courses were honors/IB/AP), gpa and class rank.  Since class rank doesn't apply and grades could be questioned, I was happy that he had solid test scores available to turn in.  Because the first summer app opened in Dec, this means that taking the PSAT/SAT/ACT by Nov is a good idea.  

 

Several applications wanted one or more essay or personal statement.  Typically there was a question about what the student hoped to get out of summer seminar.  Coast Guard also asked for an essay on Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty.  Some of the summer program apps had a place for remarks after the academic or activities section.  He used this to explain things like involvement in competitive swimming that isn't a varsity sport, or attending a community college for math.

 

Coast Guard wanted at least one letter of recommendation and a transcript for the summer program application.  He didn't realize this until the last weekend before the deadline, so it wasn't as complete as it could have been.  So note to parents that it would be good to have a fully fleshed out transcript by Feb of junior year.  They would have taken one with amplifying info.  I wish that I'd had the one I'm planning with a school profile and course descriptions ready to turn in last week.  

 

Also, the Merchant Marine Academy does require nominations, but then appointments are competitive within the state or region.  (IE, there are fewer students than there are members of Congress.)  Here is the USMMA class profile from the last few years.  http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/class-profile I like the breakdown of where candidates were not qualified and inquiries vs completed applications.

 

The Coast Guard Academy does not require nominations at all.  But again it is a small school with keen competition.

[PinkTulip]

My DS will be attending NASS, SLE, and Air Force Summer Seminar. It's going to be a crazy few weeks! Good luck to your son on Navy and Coast Guard - I think all of them will be an incredible experience. DS isn't 100% sure if a service academy is the route he wants to pursue, so going to these seminars will be helpful to see if they are a good fit for him.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Navy ROTC has some scholarships that apply to specific institutions that are traditionally minority serving. The student does not have to be a minority.

http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/MSI.aspx

 

This is the similar scholarship for students who are Marine Corps option midshipmen.

http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/fcb.aspx

[Sebastian (a lady)]

This is an older thread with a discussion of sports and physical prep for candidates.  http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/454994-ahhh-dilemmas-question-about-the-service-academies-rop/

 

In particular, I think the links on the candidate fitness assessment are helpful.

 

 

[Sebastian (a lady)]

It looks like the Navy ROTC application for the 2016 scholarship cycle is   (might be) available now.  It requires creating an online account.  (Note that the password must be changed every 60 days.)  [ETA:  Without actually creating an account, I can't tell if this is the 2015 app that is still active, or the new 2016 app.)

 

There is a checklist of steps and information that will be needed for the application available here: http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/pdfs/NROTC%20Scholarship%20Application%20Instructions%20-%20Application%20Year%202015-2016.pdf

 

I also found a page within NROTC's site that gives info on physical requirements for the application as well as training recommendations.  https://www.nrotc.navy.mil/physical_requirements.aspx The NROTC Fitness Assessment differs slightly from the USNA Candidate Fitness Assessment (the NROTC assessment has fewer events).

 

Thanks to folks who suggested the Service Academy Forums site.  There is a lot of good info there.  http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php

[TechWife]

Since you mentioned ROTC, I thought it appropriate to let everyone know that the University of North Georgia (a Senior Military College) has opened registration for it's National Leadership Challenge Weekend in November. There will be another one scheduled for the Spring Semester. 

 

In addition, the deadline for applying for the summer program of the Federal Student Language Academy is May 1. There are two three week sessions and students can apply for scholarships. This is not a program that is exclusive to ROTC students, but is of great benefit to those considering careers in the armed forces as well as other federal agencies. 

 

 

[Luckymama]

In addition, the deadline for applying for the summer program of the Federal Student Language Academy is May 1. There are two three week sessions and students can apply for scholarships. This is not a program that is exclusive to ROTC students, but is of great benefit to those considering careers in the armed forces as well as other federal agencies.

Thank you!!!!! I have saved this idea for next summer :)

[Sebastian (a lady)]

So my son will be doing one of the summer programs this summer at West Point.  He was not accepted for Navy and Coast Guard and couldn't make the timing for Air Force work.

 

A couple lessons learned.  I thought that he would be accepted into a specific week with only the option to say yes or no.  At least for AFA he had a general acceptance to the summer program and needed to go in and select the week he would attend.  By the time he did this, (partly because he was waiting to hear from Navy), the session he had time to attend was already full.  

 

He did not have a response from Navy until mid May.  

 

Coast Guard works on a totally different schedule.  Their application was later and they committed to giving a response by June 1 (which was about one month after the application deadline).  The way that the CGA rep explained it to us, they know they will have far more students apply than they can take for the summer program.  They pick the students they absolutely must have, eliminate those who seem like really poor matches and still have a large group in the middle.  So for the middle group they simply use a lottery to assign who will get slots.  (Which strikes me as being as fair as anything and at least didn't leave ds feeling rejected so much as just not selected.  Minor difference, but still a difference.)

 

[Caroline]

 

 

In addition, the deadline for applying for the summer program of the Federal Student Language Academy is May 1. There are two three week sessions and students can apply for scholarships. This is not a program that is exclusive to ROTC students, but is of great benefit to those considering careers in the armed forces as well as other federal agencies. 

 

I have a friend whose daughter did this. It is an amazing program. 

[bugs]

Sebastian, I wanted to thank you for reminding us each year about service academies.  

 

My son is considering the USCGA and maybe USNA (both have row teams :thumbup1: ). He will be a senior next year, but is considering taking a gap year. Do you think this will hurt his chances of getting into either of these academies? I believe he plans to just work during that year off (and row).

 

Thanks!

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Sebastian, I wanted to thank you for reminding us each year about service academies.

 

My son is considering the USCGA and maybe USNA (both have row teams :thumbup1: ). He will be a senior next year, but is considering taking a gap year. Do you think this will hurt his chances of getting into either of these academies? I believe he plans to just work during that year off (and row).

 

Thanks!

To be honest it could be problematic depending on what he's doing. I can't speak to the sports side. He can find contact info for the crew coaches at Navysports.com

 

The issue I see is with academics. Usually the suggestion for high school grads is to take courses at college that are similar to plebe classes like calculus and college chem. I don't really know how a gap year would be taken. A lot might depend on what level rowing he'd be working at during the gap year.

[bugs]

I think after finals I will have him talk to their admissions folk.  It might make it more "real" for him.

 

Do you if seasonal allergies prevents a student from eligibility? 

 

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Could someone with a recent admit to a Service Academy give a description of what level of detail you provided for the Transcript and what you gave for Candidate Academic Information?

 

Did you provide course descriptions?  In how much depth did you go?

[AFwife Claire]

Could someone with a recent admit to a Service Academy give a description of what level of detail you provided for the Transcript and what you gave for Candidate Academic Information?

 

Did you provide course descriptions?  In how much depth did you go?

When I talked to the West Point regional admissions officer at an admissions briefing here in NoVA last fall, he said he didn't want course descriptions because it was mainly just him, and he didn't have time to go through a ton of papers.  So I sent the transcript (Kareni's wonderful format!) and nothing else, and DS got an (early)appointment there. 

 

For USAFA, at summer seminar last summer during the admissions briefing, someone asked about what homeschoolers should send, and the answer was pretty much "whatever you have that makes us understand the quality of coursework you have done in high school".  So for them I sent in course descriptions, school profile, and transcript--and ds did not get an appointment even though he was triple-nominated.  Clearly the Lord shut the door for him, but I had to try not to take it personally that I failed in getting him in there, LOL.  Hopefully it was not my course descriptions that kept him out!  :tongue_smilie:

[Sebastian (a lady)]

When I talked to the West Point regional admissions officer at an admissions briefing here in NoVA last fall, he said he didn't want course descriptions because it was mainly just him, and he didn't have time to go through a ton of papers.  So I sent the transcript (Kareni's wonderful format!) and nothing else, and DS got an (early)appointment there. 

 

For USAFA, at summer seminar last summer during the admissions briefing, someone asked about what homeschoolers should send, and the answer was pretty much "whatever you have that makes us understand the quality of coursework you have done in high school".  So for them I sent in course descriptions, school profile, and transcript--and ds did not get an appointment even though he was triple-nominated.  Clearly the Lord shut the door for him, but I had to try not to take it personally that I failed in getting him in there, LOL.  Hopefully it was not my course descriptions that kept him out!  :tongue_smilie:

 

Thanks.  I did find this guidance on the USNA website, which matches what is in the USAFA booklet for homeschoolers:

 

 

Be sure to let us know if your school is recognized by your local school board or the State Board of Education. Homeschooled students must provide a transcript and, as a minimum, the transcript must include the following academic information:

• Course/Class title
• Length of course and date completed
• Grade and Grading scale
• Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Curriculum/Course description
• Text/materials used

I'm thinking the best way to provide this is to give my one page transcript plus my course descriptions.  Right now they are running 2-3 pages per subject, so I think I'll be around a dozen pages all together.

 

BTW, AFwifeClair, I doubt that your ds not being accepted at USAFA had anything to do with your course descriptions.  Sometimes the answer is just no.  

[Sebastian (a lady)]

For those who like to read all the instructions, the Navy Regulations for Officer Development seems to be the instruction that governs most NROTC programming.  

 

http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/NSTC_Directives/manuals.asp

 

Chapters 3-5 seem most relevant.

 

For those not familiar with military instructions, an instruction will be issued, then will have revisions every couple of years that change particular sections.  Rather than re-issue the whole instruction, they will send out revision details that tell each command to update particular pages.  So you may have different dates on different pages.  This is normal.

 

 

 

 

[Sebastian (a lady)]

He had a great time and came back very impressed with West Point. So he's planning to apply to USNA, Coast Guard and West Point. Also Navy ROTC. But he's also looking at schools he could attend and join ROTC without a scholarship.

 

Lots of paperwork between here and there.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Good luck to him! Dd just headed off to LDAC!

I don't recognize the acronym. Something for aircraft commanders?

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Leadership Assessment and Development Course--Army stuff. Unfortunately, she is coming home tomorrow. She thought she could gut out the fact that she needs two more hip surgeries. She can't. So, she is basically out of the Army. She can apply for a waiver in a year, but the chances of that going through are slim. So, no way to pay for school here on out. Her colonel here is threatening to make her payback 3 years of school. If she drops out this semester, she loses her WUE, which will double her tuition. Sure wish she'd taken her WP Appointment. She's spent two days being screamed at by an officer, limping to another room to be screamed out by another. Has to drive to WY to be screamed at again. Not the best week in her life. Interesting that 2/3 of her battalion have had or are looking at similar surgery. Gee, do ya' think there might be a problem with some training???

I'm sorry to hear this. I was hoping she had healed.

[bugs]

Leadership Assessment and Development Course--Army stuff. Unfortunately, she is coming home tomorrow. She thought she could gut out the fact that she needs two more hip surgeries. She can't. So, she is basically out of the Army. She can apply for a waiver in a year, but the chances of that going through are slim. So, no way to pay for school here on out. Her colonel here is threatening to make her payback 3 years of school. If she drops out this semester, she loses her WUE, which will double her tuition. Sure wish she'd taken her WP Appointment. She's spent two days being screamed at by an officer, limping to another room to be screamed out by another. Has to drive to WY to be screamed at again. Not the best week in her life. Interesting that 2/3 of her battalion have had or are looking at similar surgery. Gee, do ya' think there might be a problem with some training??? 

 

Gosh Margaret, I am so sorry for your daughter! 

 

I don't get how the Army can make her pay back schooling for a medical issue that obviously was caused by their training.

[Kareni]

...Unfortunately, she is coming home tomorrow. She thought she could gut out the fact that she needs two more hip surgeries.  ...

 

Wishing your daughter successful surgeries and all the best.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I did a little searching and came up with very little info about what feeds into a decision to tell a student they have to payback the scholarship.

 

The Naval Academy was somewhat different in my day because we were all active duty. If she is not allowed to continue, I would emphasize the involuntary nature of the separation, ie that she would have continued if she'd been uninjured. Also the injury as a result of ROTC training. Not trying to place blame, but emphasizing that it wasn't something foolish on her part.

 

I would also have her try to get a copy of the instruction that governs separations and medical sep. the Cadet Command stuff I found makes me think there must be something else I'm not seeing. It was just too general.

[Annie G]

Leadership Assessment and Development Course--Army stuff. Unfortunately, she is coming home tomorrow. She thought she could gut out the fact that she needs two more hip surgeries. She can't. So, she is basically out of the Army. She can apply for a waiver in a year, but the chances of that going through are slim. So, no way to pay for school here on out. Her colonel here is threatening to make her payback 3 years of school. If she drops out this semester, she loses her WUE, which will double her tuition. Sure wish she'd taken her WP Appointment. She's spent two days being screamed at by an officer, limping to another room to be screamed out by another. Has to drive to WY to be screamed at again. Not the best week in her life. Interesting that 2/3 of her battalion have had or are looking at similar surgery. Gee, do ya' think there might be a problem with some training??? 

 

So sorry to hear this.  Yeah, sure sounds like they need to take a look at the training practices and see what's going on!

[In The Great White North]

 

 

I would also have her try to get a copy of the instruction that governs separations and medical sep.

 

 

Does she have a copy of her contract?

[Teachin'Mine]

After what they're putting her through, honestly I can't imagine wanting to return, but I don't come from a military background.  I hope she's able to return to good health and channel all her energy and persistence into pursuing her dreams, whatever they may be.   The good she's gotten from her military training will be highly valued in the private sector as well.  I hope she's able to get some much needed TLC while she's home. 

[bugs]

Thank you. It will be a long process to finally have her gone. She can apply for a waiver, and she will. I don't think they can make her pay it back, but we'll see. The col at Ft. Knox told her that since she did NOT hide a previous injury, she should be okay. 

 

Goodness. I doubt that there is anyway of "hiding" a previous injury. Way back in the days of the barbarians, when I went through my physical, it was quite thorough. It must be even more so now.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

A couple updates.  

 

West Point requires three letters of recommendation.  One is expected to be from a physics or chemistry teacher.  

 

While the Candidate Fitness Assessment is the same for West Point, Navy and Air Force, the Naval Academy will accept retests.  In fact they encourage a student to retake the test if they can improve their scores.  West Point and Air Force seem to only accept one submission (Tests taken at summer programs don't seem to count against the one CFA submission).

 

Get your recommendations lined up early.  We found that each of the nomination sources wanted letters of recommendation submitted in a different manner.  

 

If something doesn't make sense, ask a question.  If you don't get a response, ask again.  DS has had to send multiple emails to some offices.  They are obviously busy and can miss a single email.  One recent exchange informed him that a deadline was 2-3 weeks later than what appeared on the website, but that this office also required test scores to be sent directly from the testing service.  (Good thing the date was extended, because we couldn't have gotten them delivered at this point if the date was still "mid-October".)

 

 

And a bit of commentary with my alumna/BGO hat on.  If you are applying to a service academy or ROTC program, take the time to learn something about the service that you are proposing to join.  I don't know if this is a result of our marketing, the tendency to base applications on things like name recognition (often resulting from sports prowess), the fact that students are applying to more colleges, or some other factor.  In the past few years, I've been encountering more students who don't have any thought about what they would like to do in the Navy or Marine Corps while they are serving 5-8 years after graduation.  (It perplexes me.)

[Sebastian (a lady)]

A couple things that I've learned from this year's application cycle.

 

Be really kind to recommenders.  I don't think there were any overlaps in systems to submit recommendations except for the Common App.  Each service academy had their own system.  Navy ROTC and the Naval Academy had their own system.  The three members of Congress had separate and dissimilar systems.  This meant that ds's stalwart recommenders had to submit their recs over and over again.  This was performance above and beyond and deserves a huge thank you.

 

The fitness test is the same for the three big academies.  West Point and Air Force seem to only accept one attempt (plus one if you attend summer seminar).  Coast Guard and Navy Rotc have slightly different fitness tests.  Read the requirements for who can administer the test.  (The big academies are backing away from allowing coaches to test unless they are also PE teachers.)  The test as a whole is more challenging that the individual elements alone are.  It is one thing to do pull ups.  It is something else to do pull ups with a time limit and just a few minutes after doing a sprint.  And then to do a mile run after several other events.

 

West Point requires a recommendation from a Chemistry instructor and now from a PE teacher.  This is in addition to the math and English recommendations.  The academies will accept recommendations from a parent if that was the instructor, but it does help to have outside voices who can make observations.  DS did dual enrollment for math in part to have an outsider for a recommendation.

 

The ROTC scholarships are quite different.  They have different requirements, different board schedules and different ways of awarding the scholarship.  Navy, for example, requires the student to list up to five colleges with NROTC units that they would like to attend.  If they are awarded a scholarship, it is designated to a specific school (it's not just a tuition voucher usable at any NROTC college).  That means that the student needs to have thought through potential schools and have a decent short list (one they can live with) by the time they submit their application.  Since the first board meets in August for NROTC, that moves the thinking and choosing far earlier than it might otherwise be.

 

This is a long process.  DS had applications done in early fall.  Nominations were submitted in September.  He heard from NROTC before Christmas, but is still waiting for USNA and nominations.  Having the application done early is good, but doesn't mean that you will get news earlier.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Summer program applications for Air Force and Navy are open.  Air Force closes tomorrow.  

West Point should open their summer app in January.

 

Coast Guard will probably be later than the other schools.

[bugs]

When I saw the NROTC requirement and that they would basically choose the applicant's school, I crossed it off my son's list.  He really only wants to attend an in-state school and there are not 5 colleges in WA that have NROTC and his intended major.  In the end he chose not to apply to any ROTC program because he feared it getting in the way of rowing.  I did suggest, that he take the time to look at the programs once enrolled, and if he was still inclined, to try for their 3 or 2 year scholarships.

 

BTW, thank you for taking time to document your lessons learned.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

When I saw the NROTC requirement and that they would basically choose the applicant's school, I crossed it off my son's list. He really only wants to attend an in-state school and there are not 5 colleges in WA that have NROTC and his intended major. In the end he chose not to apply to any ROTC program because he feared it getting in the way of rowing. I did suggest, that he take the time to look at the programs once enrolled, and if he was still inclined, to try for their 3 or 2 year scholarships.

 

BTW, thank you for taking time to document your lessons learned.

I think it is tough to do ROTC and a varsity sport.

 

You can list up to 5 schools/units. There is also a question tha asks if the candidate will accept a scholarship only to the first ranked school, to the five schools listed, or to any ROTC school.

 

There is a process to ask to reassign a scholarship from one school to another. The response depends on cost, acceptance at the target school and relative unit strength and popularity (ie it's harder to shift to a unit that is full). The Navy isn't picking the student's school, but they are designating where the scholarship is applicable. Applying doesn't create a commitment. Actually getting and receiving a scholarship still doesn't create a commitment. A student can resind the scholarship before going to school.

[AFwife Claire]

Dd's AFA SS app is in--on to Navy's!

DS2's is in for USAFA, and now I think he'll work on West Point's.  He really hasn't been interested in a service academy, but we'll see what happens.  It's a good thing to do in the summer, especially since the summer seminars are earlier than other activities that he has going on.  Might as well fill the whole summer!

[Sebastian (a lady)]

DS got word today that he was given a nomination by the local representative.  Nice news to start the weekend out with.

[JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst]

DS got word today that he was given a nomination by the local representative.  Nice news to start the weekend out with.

Woohoo--that must qualify as better than just nice!   :hurray:

[Alessandra]

Leadership Assessment and Development Course--Army stuff. Unfortunately, she is coming home tomorrow. She thought she could gut out the fact that she needs two more hip surgeries. She can't. So, she is basically out of the Army. She can apply for a waiver in a year, but the chances of that going through are slim. So, no way to pay for school here on out. Her colonel here is threatening to make her payback 3 years of school. If she drops out this semester, she loses her WUE, which will double her tuition. Sure wish she'd taken her WP Appointment. She's spent two days being screamed at by an officer, limping to another room to be screamed out by another. Has to drive to WY to be screamed at again. Not the best week in her life. Interesting that 2/3 of her battalion have had or are looking at similar surgery. Gee, do ya' think there might be a problem with some training???

Margaret, I am so sorry to hear this. Best wishes to dd.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Good news--dd is into AFA's Summer Seminar! She was told on Wednesday that she was on the waitlist, but then acceptance today. Funny phone call from AFA saying she needed to pick sessions. Um, if you'd given her 30 more seconds, she would have!

 

Nice that they called.  Last year, ds took too long trying to pick the ideal session.  By the time he went back in, the one session he could attend was full.  

 

DS2 has the attitude that he'll accept any of the summer programs on a first across the transom basis.  It's too hard to try to coordinate multiple sessions flying to the mainland upping the level of difficulty.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

And dd got into USNA's Summer Seminar! We'll pick her up at AFA, drive to Denver, spend the night and put her on the plane! It's going to be a very busy summer...

Awesome news about NASS. Ds2 is still waiting to hear.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

We did all the AFA paperwork tomorrow, other than sending a MO tomorrow. On to Navy!

 

What NASS did he put in for?

 

Chuckling at NASS instructions. If you arrive early, you have the opportunity to play intramural sports, however, in the past, students have mentioned that they have not enjoyed playing intramural sports from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Ya' think?

I think he indicated he could to any or that he'd like session I. I don't remember how each school asked the question.

 

The intramural thing is funny. They may be trying to make sure it's not something people don't want to miss. Otherwise you'll have people arrive early for the early arrival activity.

[FaithManor]

Those poor kids--trying to look all excited to play intramural sports for SIX hours in the Annapolis heat and humidity, without lunch. 

OH JUST UGH!

 

Been in that Maryland humidity. If you aren't from the region or somewhere else equally as humid, it attacks you and zaps you of all energy and strength.

 

No thanks. Six hours???? :svengo:

[Heather in WI]

Can I derail your thread for a second? Please?  :laugh:

 

Ds is a sophomore and I'm currently planning next year.  At this point, he plans to apply for USAFA, USNA, and USMA, and  AFROTC. How did you handle the recommendations? 

 

Here's our dilemma: Ds will be taking Calc 1 and Chem 1 dual enrollment for the fall, so he would have those 'outside' recommendations, but we'll be doing English at home next year. Would they rather see a recommendation from me, from an 'outside' 10th grade English teacher, or possibly from his 11th grade Russian teacher?

 

Also, for WP, we don't have a PE teacher, so do you think they'd take a recommendation from his baseball coach? 

 

I'm so nervous about all of this as he's our oldest and it's our first time through all of this!

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Can I derail your thread for a second? Please? :laugh:

 

Ds is a sophomore and I'm currently planning next year. At this point, he plans to apply for USAFA, USNA, and USMA, and AFROTC. How did you handle the recommendations?

 

Here's our dilemma: Ds will be taking Calc 1 and Chem 1 dual enrollment for the fall, so he would have those 'outside' recommendations, but we'll be doing English at home next year. Would they rather see a recommendation from me, from an 'outside' 10th grade English teacher, or possibly from his 11th grade Russian teacher?

 

Also, for WP, we don't have a PE teacher, so do you think they'd take a recommendation from his baseball coach?

 

I'm so nervous about all of this as he's our oldest and it's our first time through all of this!

I think this is best addressed to an admissions liaison, BGO, or academy admissions directly.

 

I have seen homeschoers candidates be accepted. There is a real question about how a homeschool applicant will thrive in an academically demanding, stride filled, time constrained environment. The more info you can provide, the easier it is for them to make a positive assessment based on evidence not a guess.

 

Ds had two semesters of DE PreCalc at a CC. He used his second semester instructor for a math req. I wrote his rec if it specified English. If it asked just for two teachers, then he used his Latin online instructor. I did all of the counselor paperwork.

 

The PE teacher rec was new mid cycle this year. They did not accept coaches unless they were also teachers. For homeschoolers and students not taking PE they had the person administering the CFA also do the PE rec. I don't know if that will hold for the next cycle.

 

Ds earned a NROTC scholarship. He is still waiting to hear from USNA.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Sebastian, have you heard on NASS yet?

 

Dd got her USCGA app in just barely under the wire. The website had said due by April 6th, but then moved it to April 1st! Ack! NARHS' lady had tried to get the guidance counselor letter in but had a computer glitch. That was fixed. And then dd's last writer messed around and was up to the deadline. Um, I got YOUR kid's letter in two days after I was asked--I'd appreciate you doing the same... Never did hear from the SAF if the deadline was March 31st at midnight or April 1st, as the portal said closing on April 1st. Anyway, it's in! Dd is getting a BIG honking award from Scouts in a week (that she doesn't know about), so that will be another thing on ye olde resume!

 

No word from NASS.  Did get a yes from USMA, which he's accepted.

 

Working on the AIM app tonight.  Hopefully they are still accepting paperwork on 1 April, because it's already past midnight on the east coast.

[FaithManor]

You service academy moms ROCK! That seems like such a daunting process to the rest of us.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

You service academy moms ROCK! That seems like such a daunting process to the rest of us.

 

Well it's forced me to get my stuff all in one sock a lot earlier than I might have otherwise.  I have a 6 semester transcript and course description document ready to go out the door today.  That is miles ahead of where I was this time last year.

 

The Coast Guard AIM application asks for a transcript, so I figured that I should give them the best one possible.  Last year, I got caught by surprise and didn't have course descriptions to go with the one page transcript.

 

I just wish the starting early translated to knowing earlier.  It's April 1 and ds still hasn't heard from USNA on his application to attend.  At this point, I'm assuming it will be a turn down letter received at the last minute.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Were you able to put the AIM in on the 1st? 

 

It went in.  Who knows if he'll get picked.  That is a small program.

 

This kid has an uphill road ahead of him.  He has great test scores and grades, but he wants to be a Tier 3 major, which is severely restricted.