Curious as to what makes an application complete "enough"

Basketcase

Proud mom of 2019 hopeful
5-Year Member
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Mar 2, 2014
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On DS's portal it states that the DODMERB is still "NO ACTION". Does anyone have any idea how much of the application needs to be complete for someone at admissions to change it to the "request scheduling" status? He completed all except his candidate statements several weeks ago. Teacher rec's, grades, everything is in there.

After he completes his statements (any day now, as he keeps tweaking them until he feels they are where they need to be) should he contact his state coordinator? (Is that also his FFR?) He did email him back in the early summer, but got no response. We figured it was because it was before R-Day and that he was busy with class of '18 things.

DS was in SLE, so we were fortunate that his SSK opened earlier than some and he was able to get things taken care of so quickly. We were hoping that and the fact that he already has a Pres. nom might give him a leg up since we are in a competitive area.

I know this is the beginning of a long line of "hurry up and wait", and being a military spouse, I am used to that. But with a DS that is crazy busy in school with a sport every season, that stresses if he misses a day, I am anxious to get the DODMERB physical scheduled and over with. That way if any complications arise, we can get them taken care of so he can hopefully be 3Q going into his MOC boards.

So since there is lots of discussion on the Navy boards about these things since their portals open up earlier, just wondering who out there in the land of USMA applicants have started working through DODMERB physicals?
 
More than likely candidate statements is what's holding up your DS' DODMERB.

The simple rational is that there is no secondary party involved with candidate statements. Candidate statements are only thing in the application that the candidate controls fully (i.e. don't have to ask someone else to do something).

DODMBERB scheduling differs from region to region. In my state, there are candidates that are already authorized DODMERB exams, without completed application.

Lastly, your DS can't do everything, unless he is really good, so he needs to prioritize and if he has to missing something to get his DoDERB exam done, he should if applying to SA is important to him.
 
We are in a very similar situation. My son is so close to submitting his candidate statements, but also wants them perfect, so he is reading them over time and time again. And I was telling my husband today scheduling his appointments around fb practice will be tricky.
 
It is so good to hear from someone else in the same situation. Something about misery loves company?

MemberLG, he does prioritize each and every day as a very busy kid with a heavy course load, a sport every season, and other extracurricular commitments like scouting. The USMA app comes first, and he knows he may have to take an entire day (gasp!) off of school for not only his exam but for any MOC interviews. But I figure that anything I can do to help him not stress out unnecessarily is my job. I am his assistant and cheerleader in this process, much like I was when he got his Eagle.

I am sure you are right about his statements holding everything up. He is aware and has put them at the top of his list to complete.

That is one great thing about this forum, in that we, as parents, can post here when we are stressed without stressing the candidate out any more than they already are. I remember lots of postings about beverages to calm parental nerves, and I think I foresee a few in my future before all is said and done!
 
My son was QNS last year. He's a reapplicant. This is what RC said about candidate statements: Tweak them a little, but don't spend too much time on them, as they were good enough last year to get you qualified. Maybe your DSs are over thinking things.
 
But I figure that anything I can do to help him not stress out unnecessarily is my job.

Unfortunately, there's a lot of stress and time management waiting for him at West Point. He needs to submit his candidate statements and move on.

My USMA grad had one interview on a weeknight and 2 on Saturday mornings. His DODMERB exam and eye exam were scheduled when it was convenient for him and he did not have to miss school, practice, extracurricular, etc., etc. However, he had a sense of urgency for any request/order from West Point and DODMERB and acted on them ASAP.
 
DS finished three essays Sunday evening (8/24). By Monday morning (8/25), Medical Status had changed from "NO ACTION" to "SCHEDULER FORWARDED TO DODMERB".

Now waiting for package from Concordia (coordinates DODMERB medicals) to arrive in US Mail.
 
MemberLG, he does prioritize each and every day as a very busy kid with a heavy course load, a sport every season, and other extracurricular commitments like scouting.

If so he is not prioritizing.

Prioritizing should include not doing something or missing something.

What does your DS do for fun?

When was the last time your DS just "hanged" with his friends?
 
Member LG, for heaven's sakes! I came here for support and now I get someone who is second-guessing my kid's activities when they have no idea what the details are. I am sorry that I replied directly to you and I would like to end this discussion here, because I don't see it going down the right road.

Thanks
 
Member LG, for heaven's sakes! I came here for support and now I get someone who is second-guessing my kid's activities when they have no idea what the details are. I am sorry that I replied directly to you and I would like to end this discussion here, because I don't see it going down the right road.

Thanks

I am not second guessing what you DS is doing. I am just sharing my observations of being a SA liaison officer for almost 10 years.

If you are looking for cheerleaders or someone that will just agree with you,
this might not be the forum.

If you think your DS is doing everything right, why bother post to this forum?
 
I am not second guessing what you DS is doing. I am just sharing my observations of being a SA liaison officer for almost 10 years.

..........And a very helpful member of the SA forum who is always willing to answer questions and offer guidance. :thumb:

Plebe year is full of difficult academics, required company athletics, duty, and other extremely time-consuming events yet deadlines must still be met with no excuses.
 
I guess I need to get tougher skin, huh?

To answer your earlier comment, DS does "hang with his friends", but does have a very full plate. We have had to force him to sit down and make choices before so he is not overwhelmed. Time management is not one of his stronger traits, and he (and we) realize it is a necessity at USMA. But he is not doing anything more than I read that most candidates are involved in. His quest for perfection is what trips him up the most.

I have read posts here in the past that are in the spirit of commiseration, and thought I would post the same during this time of just starting out in the process. Being a mom, I feel my son is the "perfect candidate" but I know that anything can happen at any point along the process. Only time will tell and patience is not one of my virtues.

I will try to limit my posts to direct questions in the future. I lurk here frequently and have learned much in the process.
 
Basketcase, it really is okay to share here. MemberLG and others really do want to help. We are all in this crazy process together and as a parent, I know we want to help give guidance to our children. This is a very stressful time for the students and engaged parents who know their children have so much potential. DD went through the ROTC scholarship process last year and now our DS is applying to his "Plan A" Service Academies, as well "Plan B" ROTC scholarships along with the schools (10) he intends to apply to that will be tied to the ROTC scholarships, in addition to his "Plan C" financial safety schools. Between all of the requirements for all of these, along with his fall sports, scouts, leadership position at school, his Senior Thesis requirement, taking ACT tests again, etc. it's a VERY tough time for these kids. It is HIS process, but we have had to step in and help him prioritize all of this, based upon deadlines, as this is also not his strong suit. I have already told him that this will, by far, be his hardest semester of high school, but he will just have to suck it up if he has these goals. This is a great forum to share with each other and we all learn in the process. I will add that he probably won't have much time to just hang with his friends until after all of this gets done! If he chooses not to continue on with these goals that he has set for himself, then that will be his choice, but I will encourage him even when it is tough, if it is really what HE wants to do.
 
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But he is not doing anything more than I read that most candidates are involved in.

If I may, successful candidates I have seen are either real good or prioritize. I don't know how good your DS is.

Just had a candidate that took CFA with me. This candidate missed a part of first week of school to do it. Several years ago I had a candidate that took CFA a day before the application closed. Unfortunately, he failed and he couldn't retake it. Accordingly, no chance of appointment.

Had a candidate that refused an interview in September because he didn't want to miss football practice so wanted to reschedule it to be December.

Had a candidate that missed his nomination interview because of a sports tournament. Didn't even do a phone interview.

Had several candidates with SAT/ACT scores that could be better did not take the test because they had to do something.

Ultimately, what I advise candidates are that there are no extra credits in candidate evaluation. The candidate evaluation is 60% academics, 30% leadership, and 10% physical. So at certain doing extra stuff won't get a candidate any more extra points. If a given a choice between playing another sport or time to study to get better grade, I usually recommend time for better grade.
 
I am the WP Field Force officer for two Congressional Districts. We go through this every year. It is important that you get your Physical Exam as early as possible in case there is a delay, request for more information, need to appeal a "no go" etc.

To get the authorization for a physical YOU MUST HAVE SUBMITTED YOUR CANDIDATE STATEMENTS-PERIOD.

I tell all of my candidates to get these done immediately. I have seen many candidates work endlessly on these. They want a variety of people to review them, make endless suggestions, re-write many times etc.

My strong advice - write them-have at most one or two other people read them and SEND THEM IN!!! Just write what you sincerely think and make sure that your spelling and punctuation is correct. This is not a long process. As the comedian says "get er done" and quit trying to create a perfect document.

In this case a good document submitted early is better than a perfect document submitted late.

Another point - I know seniors are busy (my son is a Firsty at WP so I have been through this as a parent) but if they want to go to WP THEY NEED TO MAKE TIME TO TAKE THE SAT TEST OVER AND OVER IF NECESSARY AND COMPLETE ALL PARTS OF THE APPLICATION IN A VERY TIMELY MANNER. I might sound harsh but now is the time for NO EXCUSES.
 
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I had to post a quick update. DS FINALLY finished his candidate statements and hit "send" on Labor Day. The next day his portal had advanced to Scheduler Forwarded to DODMERB. Can't log in yet, as they have not updated yet, so we were told to wait until Monday and if we still can't log in to schedule his appointments, then contact them. Today DS's portal updated to show an LOE! So, even though it is no guarantee, it is certainly encouraging!
 
I had to post a quick update. DS FINALLY finished his candidate statements and hit "send" on Labor Day. The next day his portal had advanced to Scheduler Forwarded to DODMERB. Can't log in yet, as they have not updated yet, so we were told to wait until Monday and if we still can't log in to schedule his appointments, then contact them. Today DS's portal updated to show an LOE! So, even though it is no guarantee, it is certainly encouraging!

This is good news! Glad things are moving forward.

I would definitely let him take the lead the rest of the way. Tell him that you will cheer him on from the sidelines, but he needs to take charge from here on out. Stress and multi-tasking are great preparation for West Point. :smile:
 
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