Application Questions

1. What other parts are their specifically for the USMA application other than the Questionnaire? Kind of confused. Completed it and have been messing around in the portal and confused on the other parts. Obviously there's the nomination stuff and I comprehend that. Where are all the stuff for essays, etc?
2. Am I supposed to upload letters into a file format and attach them to an online application? What exactly do I mail in?
3. Follow up confused on submitting CFA, transcript, and teacher/guidance forms (sorry simply not very knowledgeable about this kind of stuff and my school knows nothing about USMA nor looks into it)
4. How does the board work? Best timeline for submitting for best chances, like when to submit for Early Decision? Also can you submit early missing parts to have application above others then update with other portions later to have a better placement in the pile or how all does that work?
5. DoDMERB is something you do if/after accepted/appointed or is that done beforehand?

pinkroyals32 said:

Confirmed with my liaison officer yesterday. You have done everything you can in the portal until August 15th

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CTX34 said:

You will get directions/answers for all of those questions when the rest of the application opens up on August 15th, unless you are a recruited athlete. Check under the Overview tab of the portal.

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1. What other parts are their specifically for the USMA application other than the Questionnaire? Kind of confused. Completed it and have been messing around in the portal and confused on the other parts. Obviously there's the nomination stuff and I comprehend that. Where are all the stuff for essays, etc?As others have said, this info will appear on the portal, but the USMA website will list items, as well as these forums, which will describe what will need to be done. When the portal gives you the list of items to be done, get right on them, but don't rush things too much. Review and edit everything several times. Work on the essays for a few days, and have others who are great writers review and offer suggestions. Polish before presenting. They read this stuff.
2. Am I supposed to upload letters into a file format and attach them to an online application? What exactly do I mail in? There are regular letters of recommendation that you can send in, but the teacher evaluations are emailed to the teachers from information you provide through the portal. Once you provide the teacher info, USMA sends the teacher an email with a link that teacher goes to, and then essentially does something like an online survey, then the teacher gives an assessment. Essentially, they score you on a variety of questions.
3. Follow up confused on submitting CFA, transcript, and teacher/guidance forms (sorry simply not very knowledgeable about this kind of stuff and my school knows nothing about USMA nor looks into it) Both the CFA (if done by a gym teacher), and the teacher evaluations are submitted electronically. You input on your portal who the teachers are, and USMA sends the email/link to the teacher. You should discuss this with each teacher in advance so they know its coming. Summer vacation can be difficult to track down teachers and get them to respond timely. This is one of the many obstacles which the best candidates find ways to overcome.
4. How does the board work? Best timeline for submitting for best chances, like when to submit for Early Decision? Also can you submit early missing parts to have application above others then update with other portions later to have a better placement in the pile or how all does that work? You complete your application, and USMA decides if and when it will offer an appointment. I believe USMA reviews applications weekly to make determinations; however, if you are competing for an MOC slot, as the vast majority of candidates are, the decision will not likely be considered until the deadline for all MOC's to submit nominations. USMA needs to know who is in the pool of candidates for each MOC before any decision is made. If you are a particularly desirable candidate, either because your application numbers and resume puts you in the "walk on water" category, or you are a great athlete, or for some other reason, you may receive a LOA, which guarantees you a spot if you become minimally qualified in all areas (medically, academically, fitness). Otherwise you wait. There isn't an early admit deadline like some colleges have.
5. DoDMERB is something you do if/after accepted/appointed or is that done beforehand? Once you reach a certain level of application completeness, and have become competitive enough, USMA will send you for DODMERB exams.