Emotions of an applicant

armystrong2015

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2010
Messages
86
1) Find out about the Academy: Wow! Now THAT is something I'd like to be a part of
2) Look at the admissions steps on the website: Holy... that's a lot! But I'm up to the challenge!
3) Sophomore/Junior year: Ugh, why am I in all these sports/advanced classes/AP's/programs/SATs/needing to be responsible? Oh right, I want to be an officer in the United States Military. Good enough reason for me!
4) Apply for Summer Seminar: Oooh yeah! Just submitted my application! Now it's time to wait.... ugh (again)
5)Waiting to hear back: Sure hope I get accepted!
6) Getting TWE from Summer Seminar: .... Wow I feel like I've just been punched in the stomach...
7) Depressive mode after SS TWE: Maybe the Academy will never want me...
8) Letters after SS TWE: Dang... this letter says I'm not competitive for admission to the USNA/USMA/USAFA... That's even worse than the SS rejection... And I gotta do DoDMERB.
9) Senior year: Should I even bother applying? Um. YES. The Academy can't get rid of me that quickly!!!
10) Senior year continued: More sports/AP's/programs/SATs??? I thought senior year was supposed to be enjoyable! Oh well... the military is worth it.
11) More senior year: Applying for nominations... Yo, what up with all these essays/interviews/transcripts needed to be mailed in?
12) CFA: Did everything good except the flexed arm hang... And just got a letter from USMA saying I have to retake it :(
13) Retook CFA: YAY! Did better on that one!
14) Finished application: After essays, Academy information nights, SATs, APs, advanced classes, sports, programs, etc etc etc, I'm done!
15) Nomination Interview: Wow! I did pretty well on that!
16) Waiting: Depressive mood again... Maybe I won't get appointed this year. Well, if I get a TWE, I'll be ready to apply for the Class of 2016- I will end up at the Academy eventually
17) January 3rd: So... tired... no sleep... What's this? I'm needed down at the Main Office? Hmmm... my aunt has a big fat envelope in her hand from USNA... Oh my god... I've been appointed to the Class of 2015!!!!
18) (Repeat step 17 on January 18th for USMA appointment)


This is just what happened with me. There were so many steps because it was sooooo tedious... as it was with all of you. Copied it from: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=18233

Good luck you all of you!
 
Haha that sums it up perfect. I guess the only difference in mine is that I was lucky enough to go to SS, and my NAPS BFE came on the 17th.
Don't forget step 19: Senior year moves too fast and too slow at the same time
 
Same sort of deal for me. I was heading home in October after I dropped my friends off at a restaurant to let the dog out real quick before heading back for the food they were supposed to order and then off to a dodgeball tourney that we were going to play in. Grabbed mail in the mailbox and really wasn't paying attention as I flipped through and let dog out. Opened up the one that said USMA on it, was my LoA although I had nothing to complete (already had nomination, medical clearance, etc). No one was in the house for me to show so only dog saw my happy dance (neighbors may have heard some shouting in glee). My mates back at the restaurant couldn't stop cheering though when I raced back and showed them. Was such an awesome feeling. Totally negated my car window jumping off the track (which is still being held up by duct tape 5 months later).
 
Yeah! And my Daughter's roommates parents thought getting into Stanford was tough:shake: Until they saw the procedure for a Service Academy.:bang:
 
Yeah! And my Daughter's roommates parents thought getting into Stanford was tough:shake: Until they saw the procedure for a Service Academy.:bang:

How many pullups does Stanford require these days? :shake:
 
Though I do agree Stanford does not require pullups, I believe it's harder to get into Stanford than a Service Academy... please don't take my words as trash talking the academies haha
 
Here's a "what if" I'd wager, laying all my meager assets on USNA.

Picture this ...it's simple.

Take all the Stanford students and require them to apply to USNA.

Now do the reverse with USNA's to Stanford.

It's a no-brainer, armystrong. Stanford'd be full, and USNA'd not have enough Stanfordians to field a tennis team. Ok, those 15 would have a mean SAT of 2375 or so, and they'd achieve the USNA's #1 priority of 100% diversity. Let's get real.
 
Casey, you and your dog are my new Forum Faves.

Haha, thanks, my dog is a piece of work - a really smart dumb collie that has gotten into a lot of mischief and good times with me :) I'm still trying to figure out a way to sneak him into the barracks next year :shake:
 
Haha not too sure about that. There's no way I'd make it into Stanford. Same with a lot of other appointees. MY GPA was only 3.7 and my SATs weren't that good. They stood at only a 1220 (610 M 610 CR).
I think the SA appointees are more well rounded. Stanford and Harvard don't care if their students are obese, or aren't leaders, or are on drugs. As long as they're smart.:smile:
 
Yeah! And my Daughter's roommates parents thought getting into Stanford was tough:shake: Until they saw the procedure for a Service Academy.:bang:

APPLYING to Stanford may be easier - but getting in is probably as tough (i.e. unlikely) as any of the service academies.
 
Lemme put it more simply so Army can grasp it all ...

I'd bet the ranch ...there are way more Midshipmen who'd be admitted to Stanford, competitive as it is ...

Than there are Stanfordians who'd get appointed to USNA.

And that is for 2 reasons. Just think about it. It's no contest.
 
Lemme put it more simply so Army can grasp it all ...

I'd bet the ranch ...there are way more Midshipmen who'd be admitted to Stanford, competitive as it is ...

Than there are Stanfordians who'd get appointed to USNA.

And that is for 2 reasons. Just think about it. It's no contest.

Schools like Stanford, Harvard, Yale, etc - put a very high value on legacies and families with money.

Here is John F. Kennedy's essay for why he wanted to attend Harvard (verbatim):

The reasons that I have for wanting to go to Harvard are several. I feel that Harvard can give me a better background and a better liberal education than any other university. I have always wanted to go there, as I have felt that it is not just another college, but is a university with something definite to offer. Then too, I would like to go to the same college as my father. To be a “Harvard man” is an enviable distinction, and one that I sincerely hope I shall attain.

He came from a wealthy family with a well-connected father. I'm surprised he bothered writing so much. You should see his application - it looks like he scribbled it on the back of a napkin. He couldn't possibly have spent more than 5 minutes on it.

For many of these marquee colleges, it's much more about who you know than what you know. And pedigree plays a huge role. In that regard, the service academy admission process is much more fair. There are many bright, yet "unconnected", candidates who attend the service academies who many of these lofty institutions would never consider.
 
Schools like Stanford, Harvard, Yale, etc - put a very high value on legacies and families with money.

Here is John F. Kennedy's essay for why he wanted to attend Harvard (verbatim):

The reasons that I have for wanting to go to Harvard are several. I feel that Harvard can give me a better background and a better liberal education than any other university. I have always wanted to go there, as I have felt that it is not just another college, but is a university with something definite to offer. Then too, I would like to go to the same college as my father. To be a “Harvard man” is an enviable distinction, and one that I sincerely hope I shall attain.

He came from a wealthy family with a well-connected father. I'm surprised he bothered writing so much. You should see his application - it looks like he scribbled it on the back of a napkin. He couldn't possibly have spent more than 5 minutes on it.

For many of these marquee colleges, it's much more about who you know than what you know. And pedigree plays a huge role. In that regard, the service academy admission process is much more fair. There are many bright, yet "unconnected", candidates who attend the service academies who many of these lofty institutions would never consider.

Though it often can be about who you know sometimes, it's more about what you know, as far as I believe. My high school's valedictorian was just accepted to MIT. I come from a public, average, high school (West Irondequoit High). He was a middle class white boy, not rich (an Average Joe, if you will... not regarding his intelligence though haha). His parents didn't "know a guy"- he got in through his own credentials, and we're all very proud of him.
Granted, there are a few people who make it into Harvard, Yale, etc who don't deserve to be there. Either through Affirmative Action, legacy, cheating, etc. Then again, that's the same with all colleges. There are a few people who've made it into USNA through unfair means, not their merits. There are plenty of people who get rejected who deserve to be there (and of course, they reapply again). My family did not "know a guy". I was not a recruited athlete. I have no legacy at the USNA. Me and most of the other appointees made it in fair and square. And as I stated, there are some that did not.
 
Lemme put it more simply so Army can grasp it all ...

I'd bet the ranch ...there are way more Midshipmen who'd be admitted to Stanford, competitive as it is ...

Than there are Stanfordians who'd get appointed to USNA.

And that is for 2 reasons. Just think about it. It's no contest.

I actually am grasping it all, thanks for your concern. So now I'll say this so YOU can grasp it. Applying to the Service Academies is tough. So is getting in. But applying to and getting accepted to an Ivy League college, MIT, Stanford etc is also very difficult. In a lot of (ie most) ways, it's more difficult to get into the above mentioned than a Service Academy. In other ways, it's more difficult getting appointed to a Service Academy.
If someone wants to go to a SA, they will eventually get there (within reason). The SA's are made up of hard workers and LEADERS essentially. The Ivy League and MIT and Stanford are made up of hard workers and SCHOLARS. Some are better leaders than scholars. Some are better scholars than leaders.
 
Armystrong2015 - I have noticed that your appointed to both USNA & USMA. So which one are you choosing to attend?
 
I actually am grasping it all, thanks for your concern. So now I'll say this so YOU can grasp it. Applying to the Service Academies is tough. So is getting in. But applying to and getting accepted to an Ivy League college, MIT, Stanford etc is also very difficult. In a lot of (ie most) ways, it's more difficult to get into the above mentioned than a Service Academy. In other ways, it's more difficult getting appointed to a Service Academy.
If someone wants to go to a SA, they will eventually get there (within reason). The SA's are made up of hard workers and LEADERS essentially. The Ivy League and MIT and Stanford are made up of hard workers and SCHOLARS. Some are better leaders than scholars. Some are better scholars than leaders.

There's always those rags-to-riches stories with these schools. But the reason they make such great stories (and I'm not saying they are not true) is that they represent such a minority of the admissions. The vast majority have some kind of "in" that others do not have. Hell, for the most part, having perfect SAT scores will not even get you into Harvard. Plus, getting admission and having to pay their "sticker price" is hardly any bargain. Sure - they'll take your money. It's no accident that part of the admissions process is a full breakdown of the family income.
 
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If someone wants to go to a SA, they will eventually get there (within reason). The SA's are made up of hard workers and LEADERS essentially. The Ivy League and MIT and Stanford are made up of hard workers and SCHOLARS. Some are better leaders than scholars. Some are better scholars than leaders.

You've so much to learn. And you are about to find out just how much, I trust. To put it mildly, you are delusional in your perception of the intellectual differences between SAs and Ivies.

Your fascination and enamourment with Stanford and the elitist ivies may outreach your knowledge and wisdom ...:rolleyes: Experience should be a grand tutor for you. Best to get it out of your system here. :eek::shake:
 
You've so much to learn. And you are about to find out just how much, I trust. To put it mildly, you are delusional in your perception of the intellectual differences between SAs and Ivies.

Your fascination and enamourment with Stanford and the elitist ivies may outreach your knowledge and wisdom ...:rolleyes: Experience should be a grand tutor for you. Best to get it out of your system here. :eek::shake:

Congrats, you're the 100 trillionth person who's tried to use big words to confuse the other person, without any success. What did you do, go to thesaurus.com? What I find funny is that you have no clue who I am, yet you're talking to me as if you were an elder speaking to their grandchild. May I ask where your 'experience' comes from? Have you attended both a Service Academy AND an Ivy League Institution? Have you even attended either?

Actually, I have no fascination or enamorment with the Ivy League :rolleyes: I do admire the people that make it into them fairly and succeed there while still holding their integrity. I have no interest in spending four years of college with the most snobby and elitist teenagers from around the US, and even the world (teenagers are snobby enough already). I'd rather spend it with honorable midshipmen/cadets who bring their buddies up with them, and aren't so cut-throat competitive and pompous that they will screw their family and friends just to be 'the best'. Because you are right. The Ivy League is made up of elitists. And for that reason, among many many others, I would never go to Harvard, even if I made it in.

My whole point was that there are many ways in which it is harder to get into the Ivy League/MIT. I know quite a few people who made it into those schools based on THEIR OWN MERITS. And, as I have stated before, I have NO doubt that a lot of the other kids that go to those schools because their parents 'knew a guy'. I am by no means downplaying the competition of being appointed to a Service Academy. And when I said 'if someone wants to go to a Service Academy, they will get their eventually', I meant it. If there are no serious barriers (ie med quals, law violations, age, etc etc) and an individual wants to attend an academy and be an officer in the military that badly, they will get there. That's what's great about the service academies. They aren't made up of a bunch of elitist snobs (at least, the majority isn't). I was prepared to applied four more times to get into USMA/USNA if I had to.
Military officers have a different kind of intelligence. You don't have to be an overly 'scholarly intelligent' person (unlike in the Ivy League) to succeed in the military. You have to work hard, have integrity, care for your people, and be a good person, among many other important requirements. You don't have to care for people to be in the Ivy League. If you're really naturally talented and smart, you won't have to work hard there either. And you certainly don't have to be a leader to go Ivy League either.
 
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