Anxiety?

D.Joesph.A.V

That guy at WP
Joined
Jul 5, 2015
Messages
39
Hello, I have read a lot on this forum and only posting something now so please bear with me. I am a candidate for the class of 2020. I imagine that I'm not the only one going crazy about this admission process. I congratulate you guys who have received their appointments already.

So far, I have gone to summer seminar. Passed the CFA. I finished my application in early September. Medically qualified. Went on a CVW in November. Nomination from my Senator in Hawaii was in CIS on Dec 14 (although I learned I am not the principal). Am I just becoming too anxious and starting to freak out or is this common for everyone. For USMA, I got an LOA after a CVW there. Just wanted to hear others thoughts about this process. Can I expect anything anytime soon?

Happy Holidays everyone!
 
D.Joseph
It is a wild and unpredictable ride for sure. My son was in your shoes at this time last year and yes the ups and downs do get tough to take. As your friends all get their colleges figured out and you are still unsure if you will receive an appointment it is so hard.

I just prayed every day that my son would end up where he is supposed to be. Funny thing is, he really did not end up where we expected. During TEE's this semester he texted me that although West Point had not originally been his first choice, he felt that he is exactly where he is supposed to be, and he is actually thankful that his first choice ended up not even being an option.

You need to find some stress outlet for me it was reading Jeremiah 29-11 and believing that there was a plan for him even if I didn't understand it at the time. My son would go run. The stress doesn't magically go away after you have your appointment so finding ways to deal with it will be important.

It sounds like you have a good start and have done what you can do. Work on great plan B's just in case, but take a deep breath and enjoy your senior year.
 
To be honest, every day that you don't hear something, the class adds more members. That doesn't mean you're out, just that there are fewer slots available. That may not affect you, if none of the appointees are from your nominating source. If your MOC's spots are full, you still have a chance, but a much smaller one. Once you go to the long wait list, it is quite competitive.

Best of luck, I hope you make it.
 
The vast majority of appointments have not been awarded yet. Nominations aren't even due until the end of January! Those who have already received an appointment/ loa are mainly recruited athletes and very amazing candidates. The reality is that the majority of appointments do not go out until February and March. There is no need to panic that all the spots are going away this early in the game. At this point, with a nomination you are sitting pretty. Many people are still waiting to hear if they even got the nomination. To deal with the stress I would suggest exercising and keeping yourself busy with school. Work on your plans b and c (and d haha). You are still very much in the game at this point and no news is good news.
 
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The vast majority of appointments have not been awarded yet. Nominations aren't even due until the end of January! Those who have already received an appointment/ loa are mainly recruited athletes and very amazing candidates. The reality is that the majority of appointments do not go out until February and March. There is no need to panic that all the spots are going away this early in the game. At this point, with a nomination you are sitting pretty. Many people are still waiting to hear if they even got the nomination. To deal with the stress I would suggest exercising and keeping yourself busy with school. Work on your plans b and c (and d haha). You are still very much in the game at this point and no news is good news.
D.Joseph
It is a wild and unpredictable ride for sure. My son was in your shoes at this time last year and yes the ups and downs do get tough to take. As your friends all get their colleges figured out and you are still unsure if you will receive an appointment it is so hard.

I just prayed every day that my son would end up where he is supposed to be. Funny thing is, he really did not end up where we expected. During TEE's this semester he texted me that although West Point had not originally been his first choice, he felt that he is exactly where he is supposed to be, and he is actually thankful that his first choice ended up not even being an option.

You need to find some stress outlet for me it was reading Jeremiah 29-11 and believing that there was a plan for him even if I didn't understand it at the time. My son would go run. The stress doesn't magically go away after you have your appointment so finding ways to deal with it will be important.

It sounds like you have a good start and have done what you can do. Work on great plan B's just in case, but take a deep breath and enjoy your senior year.
Thanks for that. That actually helped :). Also thanks for the info from the others. I like this forum a lot more! I actually reread my nomination letter again and it said that it is competitive method however I know someone who was on the same list with a LOA. Just gonna try to relax and go with the flow.
 
I am not an expert in the process, but you said you do have a LOA and a nomination just not a primary nom? I think I have heard sometimes the senators (and each one is different) give the primary nom to another highly competitive candidate and not the one that has the LOA because that helps maximize the number of cadets they can get in from their state. The primary one gets in that way and the one with the LOA gets in from the pool. Just hang on tight and do not despair. It is never over until R day. I have heard of some getting an appointment just prior to R day.
 
I am not an expert in the process, but you said you do have a LOA and a nomination just not a primary nom? I think I have heard sometimes the senators (and each one is different) give the primary nom to another highly competitive candidate and not the one that has the LOA because that helps maximize the number of cadets they can get in from their state. The primary one gets in that way and the one with the LOA gets in from the pool. Just hang on tight and do not despair. It is never over until R day. I have heard of some getting an appointment just prior to R day.
Well actually I have the nomination for USNA, I haven't received one for USMA which is where I have the LOA. I really wish I had an LOA for USNA. But like you said, I'm gonna try to enjoy my senior year :)
 
Relax and enjoy senior year. Most people won't find out until March or April, it's just how it is. Frustrating, yes, but it's how the process works.

Seriously, force yourself to think about something else, read, spend time with friends. I regret spending so much time worrying.
 
DJAV,

I am not trying to add to your stress by asking this, but did you have your LOA to USMA prior to your MOC/ Senate interviews? Just wondering if this came up, or why you might not have asked for at least one nom to be sent to USMA? Your nom does not need to be primary to utilize the LOA in most/ all cases.
 
DJAV,

I am not trying to add to your stress by asking this, but did you have your LOA to USMA prior to your MOC/ Senate interviews? Just wondering if this came up, or why you might not have asked for at least one nom to be sent to USMA? Your nom does not need to be primary to utilize the LOA in most/ all cases.
Yes I did get my LOA prior to my MOC interviews. I did however ask for at least one nomination for USMA and I am doing the JROTC one (probably late). I just haven't heard back from the other offices about the other nominations. I should be hearing back from them within a week though
 
Nomination from my Senator in Hawaii was in CIS on Dec 14

I would not expect to hear anything at all for at least 2 more weeks. If I am reading this correctly your nom. probably came in after the last board before winter break. I have always been told that the boards do not meet when USNA is on break. Thus, that means you would have to wait until the week after they return back to school for the next release of appointments.

Additionally, the fact is they don't call it Mass Mailing March for nothing. It is when the bulk of appointments go out. Long ago, I believe there was someone on the "inside" that stated it was @70% that learn of their appointments in March.

My old standby analogy when it comes to the appointment/charging process. Think of it like a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, but you can't look at the picture on the box for reference of what it will look like in the end. The outer pieces are your LOAs and principals, easy to fit. From there you have to start finding the other pieces that can match up/fit.
~ How many times have you placed in 1 piece thinking it works there only to pull back? That is where they are with candidates with multiple noms.
~ It might be that the candidate with only 1 nom, fits perfectly, and the one with 3 still needs to find its place.

It takes time for them to start to see what the finished picture will look like.

We all get that you are anxious, and you are not the only one feeling this way. However, you will find out that it is not a cliche, but reality when people say for the military it is a life of Hurry Up and Wait.
 
I have to say the wait is hard but what I tell my DS who has had his applications complete, was on a CV and SS at the Naval Academy, nominations secured for the USAFA (2) and USNA (1) and is qualified in the CFA, had BGO interviews, passed DODMERBS, solid academic, leadership, varsity sports etc that with a solid plan B of being accepted to his choice college Purdue and receiving the 4yr NROTC at Purdue majoring in AE as of last Friday is, God has a plan. As much as I want to scream into a pillow from the stress at times I am also relieved when there is no TWE for him in the mail and his plan B is pretty damn sweet! Just believe God has a plan for you and secure a plan B! We have to believe and it will all work out. Try not to stress over something you cannot control if you gave it your best shot! Good luck to you!
 
I would not expect to hear anything at all for at least 2 more weeks. If I am reading this correctly your nom. probably came in after the last board before winter break. I have always been told that the boards do not meet when USNA is on break. Thus, that means you would have to wait until the week after they return back to school for the next release of appointments.

Additionally, the fact is they don't call it Mass Mailing March for nothing. It is when the bulk of appointments go out. Long ago, I believe there was someone on the "inside" that stated it was @70% that learn of their appointments in March.

My old standby analogy when it comes to the appointment/charging process. Think of it like a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, but you can't look at the picture on the box for reference of what it will look like in the end. The outer pieces are your LOAs and principals, easy to fit. From there you have to start finding the other pieces that can match up/fit.
~ How many times have you placed in 1 piece thinking it works there only to pull back? That is where they are with candidates with multiple noms.
~ It might be that the candidate with only 1 nom, fits perfectly, and the one with 3 still needs to find its place.

It takes time for them to start to see what the finished picture will look like.

We all get that you are anxious, and you are not the only one feeling this way. However, you will find out that it is not a cliche, but reality when people say for the military it is a life of Hurry Up and Wait.
The puzzle analogy is a great one! Hang in there and, as other posters have said, enjoy your senior year!
 
I have to say the wait is hard but what I tell my DS who has had his applications complete, was on a CV and SS at the Naval Academy, nominations secured for the USAFA (2) and USNA (1) and is qualified in the CFA, had BGO interviews, passed DODMERBS, solid academic, leadership, varsity sports etc that with a solid plan B of being accepted to his choice college Purdue and receiving the 4yr NROTC at Purdue majoring in AE as of last Friday is, God has a plan. As much as I want to scream into a pillow from the stress at times I am also relieved when there is no TWE for him in the mail and his plan B is pretty damn sweet! Just believe God has a plan for you and secure a plan B! We have to believe and it will all work out. Try not to stress over something you cannot control if you gave it your best shot! Good luck to you!
Great post!
 
I have to say the wait is hard but what I tell my DS who has had his applications complete, was on a CV and SS at the Naval Academy, nominations secured for the USAFA (2) and USNA (1) and is qualified in the CFA, had BGO interviews, passed DODMERBS, solid academic, leadership, varsity sports etc that with a solid plan B of being accepted to his choice college Purdue and receiving the 4yr NROTC at Purdue majoring in AE as of last Friday is, God has a plan. As much as I want to scream into a pillow from the stress at times I am also relieved when there is no TWE for him in the mail and his plan B is pretty damn sweet! Just believe God has a plan for you and secure a plan B! We have to believe and it will all work out. Try not to stress over something you cannot control if you gave it your best shot! Good luck to you!

You found out about NROTC scholarships already?
 
From someone who is going through the process for a third time- don't think about it too much. Obviously make sure you have everything in, but after that just kick it back and enjoy yourself. In a few months you'll know where you're gonna end up, and trust me, things will end up working out in the end if you work at it. I remember thinking that my plan B was gonna suck and not be that great, but I ended up loving it.
 
Congratulations on reapplying for a third time! I hope it works out well for you. Would you mind sharing your plan b and what you did in those two years you were not in high school? I am planning to reapply next year if I don't make it in this time around and have some options I'm considering but am curious to hear from a person who has been through it before.
 
You found out about NROTC scholarships already?
I think they are awarded in waves. My DS received his NROTC scholarship about a month ago, yet he's still waiting for the AROTC decision and he completed both of them at the same time. It is frustrating that most aspects of this entire process, including plans B, C, and D are all about waiting! Waiting is the name of the game, for sure!! Good luck and I hope everyone starts hearing GREAT news sooner than later! Happy New Year! :)
 
Yes I did get my LOA prior to my MOC interviews. I did however ask for at least one nomination for USMA and I am doing the JROTC one (probably late). I just haven't heard back from the other offices about the other nominations. I should be hearing back from them within a week though
Hang tight. You will hear something when the time comes.
 
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