Need some assistance

NamD

Candidate
5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2010
Messages
249
Hello!
Well, here I am again freaking out over the application process and this place seemed like the appropriate place to get ideas, tips and advice...and to vent :rolleyes:

So here is what I am freaking out over:
1) some of my teachers have submitted SOEs for USNA but not for USMA. I emailed them but since its the summer, getting responses from them will take awhile. Will not getting SOEs by August affect my chances of getting an LOA or slow me down for the application process significantly?

2) I received my AP scores today (4 and 5) and I contacted my AP teachers because my APUSH teacher told me that he would do his best to submit my grade bump in by August. My other AP teacher has not responded yet. Unless they submit my grade bumps, my cumulative GPA (3.2) will not go up.

3) I received my DoDMERB a few days ago (as mentioned in my previous post). I filled everything out and now have to sign up for appointments. Is there a due date to sign up for appointments? I am just worried because I have a few swim meets this week and I am currently sort of sick.

4) I am writing my statements for USNA/USMA but fear that my statements are not "unique" or "good enough". What do the Academy's look at when reading the statements?

basically, I am afraid that I am "behind" in the application process. Please bare with me and my immature behavior of overreacting.

Sincerely,
distraught-over-thinking-candidate
:redface:
 
What MAJ Belmont told us on SLS (paraphrased, since I don't remember word by word, but that's the idea):

"On your candidate statements... We don't care how you have always wanted to be in the Army since you got out of your mother's womb. We want a mature, knowledgeable answer."

Not sure if it helps, but I thought I would throw this here, might help somebody.



Is there a problem with doing the DoDMERB exam kinda sick???



Nam, how about you ask your RC or AO about a LOA? I have talked to my AO about it and he has a definite answer already (actually, he had one about a couple of weeks ago).
 
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thanks for the tip!
I have not really asked my FFR or B&G officer about getting an LOA as I know my GPA/SAT score is not that extraordinary. For me, I just want to get everything done so that I may *compete* for an LOA- not receive one. the LOA is merely just a "deadline" goal for me (the whole 45 days plan, etc).

I do not know if being sick while getting my DoDMERB exam will affect anything, I just dont think that it'll look good if its the first impression that the inspector will get of me. Have you made an appointment for the DoDMERB medical test yet?

Thanks! :thumb:
 
Not yet - I am yet to receive the mail. Is everything done by mail? Is there an online form I must fill in? How do I access it?
 
the DoDMERB is sent to you via mail but it is mostly done online. It is very straight forward online and everything is laid out for you. in the mail, you'll get the locations that you need to get your DoDMERB checked out at and everything. hope this helps! :smile:
 
The online files, though, how do I access them?
 
the papers in the envelope with provide you with the information. your "username" will be your social security number and you will create your own password. you cannot do much without the initial envelope though.
please PM me with any more questions regarding the DoDMERB as ill be happy to help :)
 
sorry for such are dumb question but i really havent had much time this summer to start my app or research about it.

But are the letters of rec online.
 
But are the letters of rec online.

Yes - the teacher's letter of recommendation, also known as SOEs (School Official's Evaluation), will be done online in the following fashion:

-You provide, on your candidate portal, your teacher's full name, prefix (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Doctor...) and e-mail address (phone is optional).

-The teachers will receive an e-mail in the next minutes/hours with a link to fill in a online form. That form is about the candidate, and is consisted of 12ish qustions in which the teacher can "Strongly Agree" (mark "1") to "Strongly Disagree" (mark "5"). The teachers will have to explain any "Disagree" (mark "4") or "Strongly Disagree" (mark "5") statements.

-The SOE concerns "leadership in class" and "work ethics".

-There is an extra box if the teacher wishes to add more information/comments, however I believe is optional.


I suggest you read through this (Admissions: The Acronyms) and this (Acronyms: And The Rest). Not doing so might lead you to confusion.


Good luck!
 
sorry for such are dumb question but i really havent had much time this summer to start my app or research about it.

But are the letters of rec online.

Your senators and congressman will probably require letters of recommendation of the paper variety. What teachers fill out is online, but my cadet had at least 3 letters of recommendation (from people who knew him well) that he had to enclose in his packet of information for the members of Congress' nomination process. However, each one could have different requirements, so get their specific instructions and follow them to the letter.

Letters of recommendation can take a long time to write so do not take it down to the wire. Ask in plenty of time and write a thank-you note expressing appreciation when they finish. Tucking in a small gift, such as a Starbucks gift card, is also a nice touch.
 
Hello!
Well, here I am again freaking out over the application process

Several thoughts:

  1. Don't freak, it won't help. And actually hurts a bit!
  2. Last year there were LOA"s sent without candidate statements / essays. So I'd not defer too long, but they did not appear to be as important in the early LOA process.
  3. In the situation around AP & GPA, it never hurts to ask the teacher if they could get it done early. Explain your need, and why the deadline is important.
  4. If the teachers cannot make the AP grade change, see if they will email or write admissions explaining what will change once they get access to the systems.
  5. The DODMERB process runs at it's own pace... just don't delay once they tell you to make an appointment. From last year's observation, getting medical clearance did not seem to help or hurt in the early phases. But you need to take it seriously, it can keep you out if you encounter a problem!

If you are applying to multiple academies it helps to make a list of the key dates & deliverables. And add your nom process. And then your backup schools.

We ended up with a spreadsheet, which really helped. And saved the day as we almost forgot a key item in one of his nom packages. The checklist helped us catch that before we mailed his package.
 
I don't know about doing the DoDMERB exam if you are sick. I would think if you mean you have the sniffles, you'll be fine. If its something more, maybe wait. But definitely don't participate in a swim meet and then go have your exam in the next day or two! In your instructions from DoDMERB, it will tell you to curtail physical activity and drink plenty of water for a few days before your exam. If you participate in something strenuous, like a swim meet, chances are good that your blood will have an elevated protein level which will trigger more bloodwork. Just rest for a few days, drink plenty of water, and then you'll be fine. Bloodwork has to come out OK to pass the DoDMERB. Schedule your exam as soon as you can work it into your schedule. You want to get going on it in case there is something in your medical history that triggers a follow-up. It can take awhile to clear up any issues that arise.
 
sorry for such are dumb question but i really havent had much time this summer to start my app or research about it.

But are the letters of rec online.

It would probably be a good idea to try and find the time to get started on the process--at minimum get timelines/deadlines not only for the academies you'll be applying to, but the congressional nominations you'll need and backup schools. Once school starts back in the fall, time pressures will only increase. And since you say you haven't researched it much yet, just know that applying to a SA is truly a marathon, not a sprint, meaning its a long process and something you just have to keep plugging away at. Hawk mentioned a spreadsheet checklist with all the pertinent info--great idea as its a lot to keep track of. Also, you'll be depending on a lot of other people to write letters of recommendation, send in transcripts (HS counselor probably) etc. so you have to build time into your schedule for them to get their parts done. Don't assume that they'll drop everything to meet your deadlines.
 
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