I have seen type 1s given out from the March board while the candidate was reboarded prior. The reason why is they only offer 5% of all scholarships Type1 and the candidate is on the cusp. Instead of offering a 2 early on, they wait for more stats/applicants and offer them the 1.
In the end, I did not try to offend you with my remark since your DS is appointed to the AFA. I was only pointing out that the system for ROTC is national, and while those candidates licking their wounds because they didn't get their plan A or B, that this is the selection system. AFROTC is nationalfirst, middle and last. end of subject, period, dot. AFA is first geo-centric starting with congressional, than state and ending national.
If you look at the AFROTC website and their avg stats SAT, it is pretty impressive when you realize that their scores are not super scored. Type 7s are in the same parameters as the median of AFA cadets. The last time I looked the avg best sitting between a type 1,2 and 7 have about a 100 point score range. I think it is 1280-1380.
Our DS got and AFROTC scholarship as a non-tech and his ACT was 33 or 34. His best sitting for math was a 720. The website might say you need to have xyz to be competitive, but that doesn't mean you are really competitive. AFA says 490 V or 24 E, but good luck getting appointed with those scores.
Thanks for all the feedback, and I did learn something along the way.
I didn't take anything personally. What I realized is that I did not communicate my point effectively.
First off, I do understand that not all High Schools are the same. This isn't my first rodeo so to speak. My eldest did not apply to a military academy nor ROTC. Instead he is attending a private university. I know the ACT and SAT will continue to matter because not all high schools are equal. I would chat with the college admissions officers after my kids interviewed, and they would fill me in and answer my questions. I also know and understand that the requirements/expectations/grading between an academy and ROTC differ. This is true of all colleges as well. Some super score while others don't, etc.. I comprehend the whole national versus regional competition. I also understand that many people have had to navigate through this process without help. Having to navigate any unknown without guidance can be frustrating and confusing whether it happens in 1983 or 2013.
So here are the points that leave people confused in general:
1) Seeing that their or their child's SAT and ACT are above or at the national ROTC statistical averages reported for the previous years. I am not talking the basic minimum, but the reported statistical average for that year.
2) Being informed their child is being presented for a particular scholarship and then not even being offered a lower tier. So the natural question is how could he be considered strong enough for a level 1 and then not even receive a level 7? It's a question that naturally comes to mind. (Doubt that will ever be definitively answered)
3) At some point the college being attended does matter due to the cost. A level 1 at an instate college will be significantly cheaper to finance than at a private university. My son was asked about the colleges he was applying to, and was told it does play a role. I am sure others have had this discussion as well.
4) (They have redone the website. I hate when that happens, as I can't find what I'm looking for anymore, and then things get changed and emphasized differently). Both on-line and at the in person interview, the majors considered/weighted were strategic majors, which consisted of technical majors as well as certain languages. I am sure others were under that impression as well.
5) Sharing of appointments or scholarships in terms of SAT/ACT etc. When "anyone" sees someone else with a non-technical degree who lists SAT/ACT scores that are lower, then that "anyone" is going to wonder "huh?" I do realize that there are folks who may report false information. However, overall, one can get a general sense of things.
6) On-line access/sharing. Sometimes there is too much information or even what looks like conflicting information out there. Then information can be updated and changed. Thus some people remember and go by the "old information" instead of the "new information." All this at your finger tip technology can and does lead to communication issues and confusion.
So all this can and does cause people confusion, and it leads to questioning: "Why him and not me?" It is a natural human reaction.
"Why him and not me?" seems to be more "important" for those who are serious about the military. Most tend to want to reapply, and thus they really would like the answer so they can improve the weaker areas. Thus some sort of feedback on the rejection would be helpful. Wouldn't it be nice if there was some sort of official detailed report for those who didn't receive it, but who are driven to reapply again? I'm sure this system will be put in place right after they train pigs to fly reconnaissance for the military
Personally, my son doesn't need answers as his course is set. I am just curious enough about the why to ask on these boards and participate in a discussion. Sharing information/experiences with others who are in the same boat may help answer the why. It's nice not to be alone.
Realistically speaking, I don't expect any i's dotted or t's crossed. But sometimes it would be nice if life worked that way.
Thank you again for the time and effort you put into your response. It was appreciated.