Early Action Program Opportunity

spolac28

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Today I recieved a letter from the Air Force Academy saying I was eligable for the Early Action Program. It says that I have to turn in my entire application by November 1st and would therefore recieve an answer by January 15th . Does this include SAT scores or can I continue to take them until later?
 
Today I recieved a letter from the Air Force Academy saying I was eligable for the Early Action Program. It says that I have to turn in my entire application by November 1st and would therefore recieve an answer by January 15th . Does this include SAT scores or can I continue to take them until later?

YES! I knew it! Did the letter come in the mail? Or was it on your portal? And also do you know what it takes to be eligible? Thanks so much! Good luck with your application!

And p.s. you won't be able to update your application after November first. That is unless on Jan 15 they tell you that you are neither accepted or denied. In that case you should be able to update you app until the final day. Once again, good luck!
 
Ok just kidding. I saw on my portal that I am eligible for Early Action. Hope to see you in a few months.
 
1st of all, you're always able to update your application. Next; to be eligible for the EA, you have to have your entire application completed. This doesn't include nominations. But it does include cfa, dodmrb physical, ALO interview, etc... And pretty much, everyone is eligible for EA.

EA is a variance to the LOA/Early Appointment process that was offered in the past. To be honest, there isn't a whole lot of difference between the EA and what was done in the past. The academy simply realizes that most individuals who apply to the academy are individuals who have other options. They simply want to give those that normally would have received an LOA in the past, an answer sooner, to give you the ability to know if you have an appointment instead of waiting until May and possibly accepting other scholarships/acceptances from other schools.

But like Pima mentioned in another thread, there are many MOC's who don't do their nominations until after November. (That's why the academy can't give you an answer until January). So again; this isn't really much different than the way things have always been. The only difference is: If your application is done prior to November 1st; (100% complete); they will consider you basically in the "1st Batch" of appointments. Last year, there were individuals who were told of Appointments in the Jan/Feb time frame too. This year the academy is simply giving it an official name.

But again; to the last question by the 1st poster; you can always add to your application. New SAT scores will be considered, as will 1st semester grades. You won't be able to add personal achievements or anything, but that's pretty much always been the case. But when SAT/ACT send new test scores or your 1st semester grades are sent, those are automatically added into your application.

Please don't think this is some "New Program". It isn't really anything new. It's just a way to give an incentive to those highly motivated applicants, who are usually applying to other very competitive schools, to get their applications done early so the academy can look at them earlier and give you an idea early. Anyone is eligible who finishes their application early.

For what it's worth, when my son applied to the academy, he graduated the academy in 2012, he was offered an appointment (Not LOA, but appointment), at the end of October. (Received it the first week of November). He had a presidential nomination so they didn't even have to wait for the nomination. Many others also received appointments that early. Many others received LOA's (Same boat, just waiting for a nomination). Once they got their nomination in November/December, they too received an appointment. The academy doesn't do many early appointments and LOA's are rare. The EA is simply giving a name to what they have been doing anyway; but it gives applicants some incentive to "Officially" complete their applications early.
 
Christcorp, as always, thank you!!

Think you might have capitalize and boldface this one though! :wink:
 
so in general my DD who got excited about this shouldn't, its nothing special, it wasnt the fact she attended a camp(s) or her resume and scores/ grades looked good. Everyone gets this.

But since we are already done with the Medical and CFT/A, all grades and scores are in, and apps are finished for the Naval Academy and both ROTC programs, it isnt very hard to complete this one, the only thing outstanding is the essay and she been hammering that out since noon today. She wants everything finished before school starts so she can focus on her sports, mens football, and school work. Plus she plans on applying to seven other schools.

I agree the motivated ones this helps them. I know she should know about ROTC and her other schools she is in early action programs mode. We have a dozen binders and a huge white board with due dates and status. When this is all done I will be very happy our family entire summer has been traveling between Colorado and the East coast to camps and college visits. Meeting with coaches.
 
I am EA as well, so is this good news? Or take it with a grain of salt?

It's good news if you get your application completed 100% prior to November 1st. Even though the last couple years, many have said that there isn't any advantage to completing your application early. I've always disagreed. But with the reduction of LOA's and almost no early appointments, I didn't argue the point. But it's always more advantageous to get your academy application done as early as possible.

1. Just like last year, there were individuals who received an actual appointment in Jan-Feb. Can't do that if you wait until January to finish your application.
2. As Toms663 mentioned about his daughter; by getting the application completed PRIOR to school starting, you free up your time to apply to other schools; concentrate on your school work; concentrate on sports, friends, social life, etc...
3. Perception is 99% truth. If you go up for your MOC nomination the first part of November, and your application is 100% complete, your MOC will look favorably on that. They will recognize you are motivated. As compared to the individual being interviewed who hasn't completed their application yet. This could get you a nomination you might not have gotten.
4. In other words, there is no disadvantage to doing your application early. Only positives.

CAVEAT: I will concede, that for the individual who truly recognizes the fact that no matter how hard they try, chances are that they will simply be an "Average" applicant; it could be beneficial to hold off the final stage of the application until you have some stronger items to put into it. E.g. Maybe you are hoping to be team captain in basketball, but you won't know that until November. Maybe a class officer that isn't elected until later. Maybe a club you are starting and you're building leadership credit in there. Maybe you hold off doing your CFA until you feel you can do better on the test. If you honestly believe you're just the average candidate and you're wanting to maximize your application; it makes sense to hold off. But if you're the type who has the outstanding GPA; very high class ranking; kick butt SAT/ACT scores; hardcore athlete; lots of leadership; and a resume that is going out to multiple schools that are competitive; then it makes 100% sense to complete your application 100% by November 1st. Best of luck. Mike...
 
Great points, Christcorp. Your wisdom is always welcomed. I been hanging around this forum for a while and value your comments.

Few more adds to your comments..... DD is a Starting Varsity Football player, if she gets sidelined and we havent completed the Medical or CFT/A it could cause lots of problems. So getting things done was her focus because a year hasnt gone by that she didnt have a little sideline time, nothing ever major but enough to effect things.

The biggest question she had tonight for my wife and I was does she talk to our MOC she works for about having an early interview and nomination? Does it sound greedy? She worked in the MOC office all Summer and will in the Fall also. I told her its up to her gut and her feeling about the relationship she has. I know they like her and have made many positive comments about her and her future at AFA and such, but, I told her I dont know if she should ask them. It is a fine line working there, she has learn a lot for her future career and has gained real office time. I guess my thoughts are dont push it, but if the MOC does give her a nod early on will that be of value? She took this role after working on the MOC campaign and as it looks like it was done to influence them, it really could be bad as its like a several month interview, a rather large risk for her it seems. But, she made it happen and has kept it very business like. I hope I am giving her good advice, but part of me wants to tell her, it never hurts to ask.

On the EAP, I did have a slightly different thought on it. The Air Force is really behind in what the Navy has done. Everything is submitted already for them. Plus, the ROTC programs she is the first candidate at the August Board. The point, everything is done. Only the Coast Guard is going to be later than the AFA. Not that anyone thinks about this when you get nearly 20K of applications.
 
Does everyone receive the EA notification?

I believe that those who are at the "Candidate" stage, do. There are basically 3 stages; Prospect, Applicant, and Candidate. Prospect basically has requested an application and precandidate questionnaire. An applicant is one who has filled out and returned the precandidate questionnaire. A candidate is one who has either a) received a nomination; or b) been advanced by the academy because of certain information obtained so far. E.g. really good ACT/SAT scores sent in. Most individuals become candidates during their application process. Enough information is obtained that is impressive enough that the academy upgrades them from applicant to candidate. Some get to candidate faster because of submitted ACT/SAT scores, nominations, etc...

So the answer is no. Not everyone gets the early action eligibility. But generally speaking; if you become a candidate and the academy sees some good info in your stats like gpa or ACT/SAT scores, and it's still early in the process; then yes, you should get the early action eligibility.

But remember. Even if you don't get an official EA comment, the moment your application is 100% complete, it will be submitted to the next scheduled review board. And all those people who may have received a statement that they are "Early Action Eligible"......... it means nothing if they don't have their application completed by 1 November. And none of this is a guarantee that you'll receive an appointment. All it means is if you are a candidate, eligible for early action consideration, and you complete your application 100% prior to 1 November; then the academy basically promises you that if you DO receive an appointment, that they won't make you wait until April to find out about it. You'll find out in January. Best of luck.
 
toms663 said:
The biggest question she had tonight for my wife and I was does she talk to our MOC she works for about having an early interview and nomination?

MOCs traditionally do not give out noms on a rolling basis. They have a deadline date and the day after it passes they start their process. In my 5 yrs+ here, I have heard of only a few MOC's that actually do the interview. Typically it is held by a committee of several people that do the actual interview and than submit the results to the MOC, where they sign off.

Now because your DD works for him she may have an edge.

If this was my child, I wouldn't come straight out asking for preferential treatment, but instead ask if this yr due to the new system, with the Nov 1st/Jan 15th dates, are they working their noms differently?

They may say yes, this yr. they are going to submit their slate earlier than last yr. They may say no, because they would than have to change it for the other 3 SAs that require noms. I.E. when our DS went through the interviews, they pulled everyone in for every SA on one Sat in Jan. (5th). He received 4 days later the nom via snail mail. It was as if at the end of the day on Sat. the list was made. and Monday a.m. the letters were sent.

Interestingly enough, one MOC that did not do interviews was the last one to submit their list. Literally the last day noms were due.

It is going to be interesting how they will do this since traditionally only about 10% got LOAs. Will they now use the system like colleges where the EAs can be deferred to the RD boards? IOTW, is it going to be a straight up, yes/no?

If so how do they do that if a candidate does not complete their paperwork by Nov 1st...i.e. they play FB, in Oct they get a bad sprain, and decide not to do the CFA until after Nov 1st to get better scores, but meanwhile the MOC gives them a principal in Dec. That candidate if they are 3Q will be the one charged to the MOC, so now if they gave an EA on only that MOC slate, it changes how they can be charged.

Same question if the MOC does prin with alt. Although unranked is the common process for noms, @30% do prin. I am just curious. Maybe they are going to do it like AFROTC. Their 1st board is Dec. and if boarded you can get 1 of 3 answers. Congrats. Sorry, and Re-boarded. It is not always a thumbs up or down.
 
My question is: your DAUGHTER is a varsity football player??? Holy Cow!
 
So if I can turn in SAT scores after November 1st, then what is the deadline? Also, say I join the early action program and then find out that I cant do my DODMERB medical exam in time. Can I resign from the program or will my application not be looked at because it missed the deadline?
 
Another question: if you are offered an appontment in January, would they have an earlier acceptance deadline then the previous one (have I read, in the previous years you must accept or decline by May 1st?)
 
So if I can turn in SAT scores after November 1st, then what is the deadline? Also, say I join the early action program and then find out that I cant do my DODMERB medical exam in time. Can I resign from the program or will my application not be looked at because it missed the deadline?

You don't need to have the medical exam finished to be considered for early action, but everything else needs to be completed.
 
Let me clarify a couple things. This is coming from my Chain, so unless steve (Flieger) corrects me, (He receives the same info as me), I am sticking by this.

You don't need to have the medical exam finished to be considered for early action, but everything else needs to be completed.
You must have your application 100% complete prior to 1 November. That includes having taken your DODMRB physical. The DODMRB may not have sent in all the results, but you must have taken it. Remember: You must be 100% QUALIFIED to get an appointment. That means medically too.

Another question: if you are offered an appontment in January, would they have an earlier acceptance deadline then the previous one (have I read, in the previous years you must accept or decline by May 1st?)
I don't have a definitive date on an acceptance deadline, but there will be a deadline. They aren't going to let you hold out until may. Even last year, where they DID offer appointments as early as Jan-Feb, (They didn't call it EA), those individuals had an acceptance date they had to meet. So yes, there will be a date you must accept by.

So if I can turn in SAT scores after November 1st, then what is the deadline? Also, say I join the early action program and then find out that I cant do my DODMERB medical exam in time. Can I resign from the program or will my application not be looked at because it missed the deadline?
You can continue to submit SAT/ACT scores any time. There is no deadline. Your scores are "Super-Scored". If the academy uses the existing scores and offers you an appointment or you simply stay in the national pool and the new scores are added, is not important. The academy will take any new scores up to the NORMAL cutoff date. (Which I think is Jan 15 - Don't hold me to that). As for being IN the EA program and RESIGNING, there is no such thing. Matter of fact, there's NO enrollment or disenrollment.

Which brings me to an earlier question asked about WHO is eligible. According to admissions, (The people I report to), ANYONE who is put into the "CANDIDATE" status, PRIOR to October 1st 2013, is are automatically eligible.

Just so everyone knows, there's 2 parts of the CANDIDATE phase. Phase one is how I mentioned earlier. You get a nomination, OR the academy deems you qualified because of your stats such as GPA, ACT/SAT, etc... THEIR CALL!!!!

Part 2 is when you've completed AT LEAST 3 PARTS of the application. THEN, and ONLY THEN, will you enter the 2nd part. At that time, your name and info will be sent to DODMRB for scheduling. You will also be given to your ALO so they can do their evaluation/interview of you. The academy gets too many people who seem interested, and we spend a lot of time and money getting your physical done and doing interviews, only for the applicant to change their mind.

So, in summary: If you are a candidate prior to 1 October, you are EA eligible. If you complete your application 100% (That doesn't include nominations), you are EA eligible. IF you get your nomination, and the academy wants you, you'll be offered the appointment early. If not, you'll either go to the national pool, OR, you'll be told THANKS BUT NO THANKS.

One last thing to remember. The reason for waiting until January for notification; like Pima said, is because all the nomination have to be completed. And something most new people DON'T KNOW, and many older people FORGET, is that the MOC Senator/Representative has the power. MOST ALLOW the academy to choose the appointee. But if the MOC says: "This person is my #1 choice, and they are qualified", then the academy has ABSOLUTELY NO CHOICE!!! They MUST give that person an appointment. So, the academy has to wait until january to see how many appointment they DON'T HAVE A CHOICE ABOUT. Then they can start giving out appointment.

Sorry for writing a book. Hopefully this answers all questions and this topic can go to sleep. Best of luck. Mike...
 
As usual, CC is 100% dead-on accurate here!

And he saved me the pain of having to type all that! :biggrin:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Another question: if you are offered an appontment in January, would they have an earlier acceptance deadline then the previous one (have I read, in the previous years you must accept or decline by May 1st?)

The Early Action PDF file stated on the bottom that there would be a May 1st deadline, so yes.
 
Wow, Christcorp, you are a life saver. Thank you so much for your knowledge. I know who to go to with all of the questions.
 
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