Contingency plans?

paulycowgirl

ProudMomPaulycowgirl
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As we've been reading all the different threads on this forum, here and there we see people mention making deposits on their kid's 2nd option school "just in case" something happens (i.e. Injured in Beast, opt out, etc.). Is this a done a lot? We never considered that something we should do, but y'all are making me wonder.


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It just depends what your approach is to the whole ordeal. I had an acceptance to UT Austin lined up, and I spoke to my admissions coordinator about exactly this.

He said that if I really wanted to be a cadet, and succeed, that I needed to adopt a "burn the boats" kind of attitude. If I had an acceptance to some other school waiting for me, then I would be less motivated to succeed during the summer. Therefore, I did not having anything waiting for me when I showed up on R-day.

Either it worked, or I got lucky. You just need to ask yourself how prepared you are. Oh, and in terms of injuries, if you are injured to the point that you need to be sent home, they will give you an LOA for the next class. :thumb:
 
I wish I had that kind of money to throw around :rolleyes:

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I wish I had that kind of money to throw around :rolleyes:

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We certainly don't, that's why we are asking.... Its our faith-driven inclination to go "all in" and trust God for all things, including whatever might happen. He's been faithful so far!!!


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Plan B....

In the past, waiting for an appointment, over lapped the registration period for Plan B; ie tuition for another college, ROTC application deadlines. USMA Admin is very cognizant of the time frame and has sped up the process to allow time for Plan B preparations and applications.

If you are serious about attending WP and you are not selected this year, it is very fool hearty to not have a Plan B. The worse thing to do is go from one year to another without demonstrating improvement. You should at the very least attend a two school enrolled in classes that are similar to those of Plebe course work. Or investigate a prep school as a free agent.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
I wouldn't say it's a terrible idea to have a contingency plan - coming from someone who didn't have one and needed one. After I was DQ'd just before R-Day I had to scramble to get an application in to a different college, and finding one that was still offering, still had classes available, still had scholarships, etc. was a pain. Yes, West Point did give me an LOA for next year's class, but I still had to go to school somewhere in the meantime (or at least I was strongly recommended to go to school in the meantime).

I wouldn't say it's the norm, but it certainly happens. I don't know that I would recommend dropping loads of money on deposits, but having some kind of back-up (preferably one that's refundable!) isn't unreasonable.
 
Lone Star... Your perspective brought up more uncertainty... DS was also offered 4yr AROTC scholarship to Texas A&M (his Plan B). So he could accept at TAMU, but what happens with the AROTC scholarship? They know USMA is his first choice.

He's also applied for and been a prospective winner for many local scholarships. But when the committees hear USMA is his first choice, they award the money to others (understandably). Those would certainly be necessary to attend TAMU.

You mentioned being strongly encourage to attend college somewhere with your LOA for the following year...how do they feel about a full time job instead? Like a hot shots fire crew?

So much to consider....


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TAMU....

Its late in the game for anymore offers. WP Class of 2018 is probably close to full. Even though it is still possible for an offer the chances are slim. I would move forward with TAMU. TAMU is an excellent school with a solid program. You can still apply to WP next year and seek another nom. However, chances are your DS may settle in and will want to stay and continue. Which isn't a bad thing.

That is my opinion. But you're in a great position.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Hot Shots...

Even though that would be a fun summer experience with Cal Fire, I feel it would be to risky. There is a high chance of injury.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
DS is MOC Primary Nominee and now fully qualified with the medical waiver. We've been told that pretty much guarantees him a spot. No?


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As we've been reading all the different threads on this forum, here and there we see people mention making deposits on their kid's 2nd option school "just in case" something happens (i.e. Injured in Beast, opt out, etc.). Is this a done a lot? We never considered that something we should do, but y'all are making me wonder.


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Technically what is being discussed is a contingency plan, but I don't that's what we are really discussing. Service academies are special in many ways but at regular colleges "something [also] happens" - a serious accident that requires extended hospital stay, getting home sick, failure to adjust, bad roommate, financial hardship, and etc.

Attending a SA can be like a marriage. Do we make contingency plans when we get married?
 
If your child is injured and cannot continue beast, will he/she really be set to go off to college in August? Probably not. The local community college will likely be a better fit in that situation before they re-start USMA the next year (or elsewhere in the event of a permanent medical DQ). Are you looking for a back up in case he/she isn't happy and quits? Perhaps in that situation you should be considering if USMA is the right place to start.
 
You mentioned being strongly encourage to attend college somewhere with your LOA for the following year...how do they feel about a full time job instead? Like a hot shots fire crew?
I believe the FFRs who are members of the forum strongly suggest that the candidate who intends to reapply go on to college and try to replicate the typical plebe academic schedule. JMO, I believe West Point would not be impressed that the candidate took a year off academically to work---especially if the candidate had already had to get a medical waiver and the job had a high risk of injury.
 
Thanks everyone... to clarify, I was asking mainly in case of injury during Beast. Separation is not something we are not too worried about with DS, even though we recognize the possibility is always there. That said, it seems obvious now that if he's injured but given an LOA to return in a year, then community college is certainly a viable and wise option. Not sure why we didn't get to that option ourselves already.


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. . . JMO, I believe West Point would not be impressed that the candidate took a year off academically to work---

Depends on

If the reapplicant has weak academic credential, regardless of personal situation, no school will not help unless it was about SAT/ACT scores.

We often forget some candidates families are in real bad financial situation and candidates have to work to support their family.

A candidate I worked with didn't get in first year (bad luck). While reapplying took some community college courses to complete his associate and worked part time. Although he wasn't a full time student, it didn't hurt him at all as his high school academic credential was stellar.
 
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