West Point chances--on wait list

What are my son's chances......He has 2 nominations, has been sent a letter he is fully qualified and now is on the wait list. His dream has always been West Point. His Father and I have been very supportive but also try to be realistic with him that this dream my not happen. He has been in contact with admissions updating his file to hopefully rank him better. He went to SLS in June and fell in love. The good news is he has been offered a 4 year ROTC scholarship to some great schools. I love this path but he would really likes the path of West Point. Any insight or his chances or when West Point starts notifying people on the wait list. I think late sprng but not sure if I can handle. My son can but me ugghhhh! Thanks momOF3boys........

I remember how hard it is to wait. My son was on the NWL back in 2006.

It is really impossible for anyone outside of admissions to know what his chances of getting off the NWL are. It depends upon where your son is compared to others and how far down the list they get. If he can talk to his admissions officer he may get a better idea of his chances. While he is waiting he should update his file if he gets any new awards, leadership positions, or athletic letters. Every bit helps.

If your son would be open to the option of a civil prep scholarship from the West Point AOG he should tell his admissions officer. My son was open to this and ultimately was offered this option. In case you don't know what "civil prep" is I'll explain. It is usually offered to candidates who are fully qualified but may not get off the NWL that year. It is a partial scholarship for these candidates to attend a military junior college (New Mexico Military Institute, Marion Military Institute, or a few others) for a year and reapply to West Point. Not many of these are offered, back in 2006 the number was 65 but that can fluctuate. These candidates who do well at the junior college, stay out of trouble, and reapply have an excellent chance of being offered an appointment the next year. The quote I have heard is "it is their appointment to lose" which means an appointment is reserved for them the next year but if they screw up in civil prep then no appointment.

My son did his civil prep year at New Mexico Military Institute and was accepted into the class of 2011. Yes he complained, and still does, about that extra year but in the end it got him where he wanted to be. He could have taken the 4 year AROTC scholarship he was offered and ended up being an Army officer, but he was willing to do that extra year for the chance to go to West Point.

If you have any questions about civil prep just let me know. I almost forgot...even if a candidate accepts civil prep they stay on the NWL until R-day. So it is still possible to get an appointment even after accepting civil prep.

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain. I will run this by him. I believe he mentioned but if I remember I don't think he wants to take this path. But I will run it by him. I know it will all work out whatever path he decides. Again thank for the nice reply. momOF3boys

I believe we start to hear about acceptances from the NWL in early March. Before then, it's candidates with principle noms or LOA's. In the meantime, encourage him to keep up his grades and continually update his file. Best of luck.

PS: love the screen name.

love your name also. Thanks for your reply.

The waiting is very tough. My son is currently a Falcon Scholar at MMI. (This is the AF equivalent of the AOG for USMA). He has now commented that the extra year is really a blessing for him. He is so much more confident about not only his decision, but his academic preparation as well. Many of his fellow SAP (Service Academy Prep) cadets are West Point. He has developed many excellent friendships with kids that are going to every academy.

If this is offered to your son it may be helpful for him to talk to someone who has taken this path. I'm sure my son would be glad to let him know about his experience - just PM me if this is offered to your son.

Waiting too...

I can identify with you, Momof3boys. My son received a Letter of Assurance in October, but we had to wait on medical qualification because of a surgery he had when he was five. He received his nominations and we finally received word that he had been medically qualified, but we are still waiting for the appointment. The admissions file shows that his CFA (which was not completed until Dec. 21) scores were just been put on his file on January 11. I wonder if we will hear anything soon. This is definitely the hardest part.

So it's YOU two! I tried for screen name "momof3boys". Beaten to it. Although mom of 7 is just showing off!

Son has LOA, unofficial word of nom, has been waiting on medical waiver for 2 months plus now. Were you notified first on DODMERB or by mail?

mmb5 said:

Son has LOA, unofficial word of nom, has been waiting on medical waiver for 2 months plus now. Were you notified first on DODMERB or by mail?

Click to expand...

I was medically DQ'd in late Sept/early Oct, and received my waiver for WP in early December. I received a letter from West Point saying they were STARTING the waiver process, that it's a 90-day process, send in anything immediately, yadda yadda yadda.... However, I never received any information by mail when I did receive my waiver -- I found out Christmas Day when I checked the DoDMERB website. On the other hand, I received a letter from USAFA telling me that they granted me a waiver, but no letter saying they were starting the waiver process. Moral of the story: be safe and check DoDMERB at least weekly.

not sure why I got the name..... I just applied this week. sorry. But I love being a Mom of 3 boys!!

Just dropping in to this thread and saying hi as another mom of 3 boys! Didn't even try for that name since I've used this screenname since aol assigned it to me back I think before I even had all 3 boys! (And they're all in HS now!).

So where is everyone on the "boys"? Which one of your three is applying? Mine is the oldest of three and the only one I think is serious about an academy (well, I hope he's serious since he has 2 appointments ). However, the middle one has or will apply to the summer seminars this summer (and his hoping for Navy's) and the youngest will apply for the STEM program at Navy as well.

Good luck to everyone!

Don't give up ...it is still very early. My son didn't receive nominations until Jan, interviews here not held until Nov & Dec. He received letter placing him on wait list in Feb, and then got call from Senator telling him of appointment in March. Good luck!

My 3

Oldest has LOA to USMA, nom to USNA, both top of his list with civilian programs a far distant second.
Second is a kind and gentle soul who would make a wonderful doctor or minister but a terrible soldier.
Third (11) plans to go to a sports camp at USMA or USNA this summer mainly so he can stare across the dining room at his brother during Beast and make faces.

mmb5 said:

Oldest has LOA to USMA, nom to USNA, both top of his list with civilian programs a far distant second.
Second is a kind and gentle soul who would make a wonderful doctor or minister but a terrible soldier.
Third (11) plans to go to a sports camp at USMA or USNA this summer mainly so he can stare across the dining room at his brother during Beast and make faces.

Click to expand...

Your son will have a good time at the sports camp - my oldest did both AF and Army's soccer camps back when he was 11/12. And trying to get his big brother in trouble - that's what little brothers are for!!

My middle son sounds like yours but is interested in teaching (similar mindset). The other day my older son's WP RD called here and got middle son on the phone and did a whole "sell" of WP to him - told him all the reasons he wanted WP and asked him what he planned on doing and explained how he could do those things in the military and then “get leadership experience” and “someday have war stories to tell your kids!” Guess son #2 politely told him thanks but no thanks! Funny listening to him afterwards - he is quite "expressive" and was explaining all this saying "Why was he trying to convince ME I wanted to go to WP?" My husband told him "Because that's his job!"

Good luck to your son(s)!!

NWL

My son got a letter yesterday stating he's fully qualified and is on the NWL.

He has a Presidential nom and a MOC nom. His AFJROTC unit has turned him for a ROTC nom, still not on his profile though.

Question is, since he's on the NWL, does this mean he did not get appointed via the MOC slot? If so I'd guess his chances of admission just took a big hit...

West Point National Waiting List -

If this happens to you - do NOT panic!!! Lots and Lots of appointments are made from the NWL!!
It means you were not the #1 pick - however - if those above you reject their appointment or become unqualified - you move up on that list.
Additionally, many appointments are made to Qualifed Alternates! Every year hundreds (300-400) candidates are appointed from the NWL!
The National Waiting list is NOT the same as a college "wait-list". Many candidates receive appointments - they just may receive them later in the process.

What to do:
1. Don't panic
2. Contact your Regional commander and/or MALO. Convey that you are still very interested in an appointment and keep in contact these next few months. Show the "love".
3. Arrange and make a candidate visit, if you have not already done so.
4. Keep updating your file.
5. Consider an AOG scholarship if offered. This is much MORE than a consolation prize!
6. Keep the faith.

WookieSlayer16 said:

My son got a letter yesterday stating he's fully qualified and is on the NWL.

He has a Presidential nom and a MOC nom. His AFJROTC unit has turned him for a ROTC nom, still not on his profile though.

Question is, since he's on the NWL, does this mean he did not get appointed via the MOC slot? If so I'd guess his chances of admission just took a big hit...

Click to expand...

Yes, NOOOOOOO!!!!

Our son got an AOG scholarship, has great grades and has a nomination. How long and what are the chances. This is the second time around.

I have an LOA to West Point, and I am now just waiting on my medical waiver. I had my remedial appointments on December 22nd. On the DODMERB site it says that it is in process. I called DODMERB a few days ago, and they said that West Point had just recieved the results of my test. How long will it take to recieve a decision? I was disqualified for asthma, but after my remedial exams the doctors told me I actually did not have asthma. I am hoping for the best. This waiting is killing me!

djn7292 said:

I have an LOA to West Point, and I am now just waiting on my medical waiver. I had my remedial appointments on December 22nd. On the DODMERB site it says that it is in process. I called DODMERB a few days ago, and they said that West Point had just recieved the results of my test. How long will it take to recieve a decision? I was disqualified for asthma, but after my remedial exams the doctors told me I actually did not have asthma. I am hoping for the best. This waiting is killing me!

Click to expand...

I completely sypathize with you! Our son received his 3q letter in the beginning December, his LOA the a few days later and 2 primary nominations the 2nd week of December. As of today, those nominations are still not updated on his portal. Our son called his liaison today who told him no candidates from our area have had their nominations updated and that we may need to wait until the beginning of February. The good news is that the stress is grating on my nerves and I can't eat! I would love to say we just need to take a deep breath and be patient, but I am not so patient with this! One day at a time! Check your portal, check the DODMerb site, and wait until all the pieces come together! We'll be waiting to hear good news from you!