Second Time on the Roller Coaster

Thank you all who have provided such wonderful support along this crazy ride. And for those of you still on the coaster, I pray your ride will soon end with a happy "Yay!" When we found out that DS had been selected and it was confirmed by actually looking at the BFE, we were so very happy for him. Strangely I only got emotional about it when I read the congratulatory remarks on this forum. It has been a blessing to me, though I must admit it has also been a bit of a curse as I watched others celebrate and wondered why DS had not been selected. It was strange to feel happy for those I had come to know and root for (anonymously) on this thread (especially you, Spelly!) but at the same time selfishly sad for DS -- truly bittersweet until the past few days. My4USMC, Ex.BT and md18, you are expecially in my thoughts and prayers as you continue to wait. Hoping for the best for all those still waiting!

Echoing what jsmom said a few posts ago on this thread. DH and I had a similar conversation with DS about how things worked out for him, not making it the first time -- he is definitely better for it. He has learned so much from this process, and I have learned a lot about my quiet one as he has moved through disappointment. He wore his "patient pants" much better than I did. He told me a while back that if he didn't make it this year, he would try again -- that would give him another year to become a better candidate. I hope those who meet with disappointment this year have great Plan Bs and can embrace the optimism to try again, if USNA is truly their dream.

Go Navy!
 
I just want to say how great it is to see so many second timers having their deligence and hard work pay off. So glad USNA recognizes your commitment to follow your dream even after disappointment. Congratulations to everyone on their second round. Hoping the rest of you waiting to hear are blessed with good news!
 
Yesterday the long-awaited letter arrived for my DD! After the TWE last April, she pulled herself together and is doing a great job in Navy ROTC at her 2nd choice school. As others have said, persistence pays off. Best of luck to all the other "2nd timers" on the roller coaster.
 
Great news everyone and congratulations!

We're still waiting here in TX...however...DS called us this weekend with some news that really surprised us. He said he was going to call his Admissions Counselor this week and let him know that he has decided to stay where he is and keep going the NROTC route. He just found out he made PLC (Platoon Leadership Class), which is the first step towards OCS and is really excited about it. As long as he's happy, we're happy. :)
 
Question: If my DS does not get a USNA appiontment and accepts an Army ROTC scholarship, can he re-apply to the USNA? Or just West Point?
 
I just read thru this thread - so happy for MiddyB, Spelly, Kayaker and the others from our "Still in the Game" thread from last year. I am truly thrilled for your children that their dream has been realized. Best of luck on I-Day and throughout Plebe year. No mailbox stalking for me this year, but I'm not sure DS has completely ruled it out as he still on occasion talks about USNA. GO NAVY.
 
Congratulations to all those who reapplied and got appointed :) I can't begin to imagine how wonderful that feels!! I, and everyone else, knows how hard you all worked for this!
Well, considering it's March 5th and I have yet to hear anything, I'm starting to think about reapplying (pessimistic, I know, but I believe it's better to be prepared for the worst than to assume everything will go swimmingly). So what have you second-time applicants learned from reapplying? Any advice for those of us who will/might end up reapplying for co 2020?
 
Congratulations to all those who reapplied and got appointed :) I can't begin to imagine how wonderful that feels!! I, and everyone else, knows how hard you all worked for this!
Well, considering it's March 5th and I have yet to hear anything, I'm starting to think about reapplying (pessimistic, I know, but I believe it's better to be prepared for the worst than to assume everything will go swimmingly). So what have you second-time applicants learned from reapplying? Any advice for those of us who will/might end up reapplying for co 2020?

I am a 2nd-time, college applicant. While I have not heard back yet (and this makes me think I might be getting the TWE :rolleyes:), I will say that reapplying has made me realize how much I've grown since HS. I'm a MechE major at an outstanding school in PA and I've been exposed to academic, physical and mental challenges that I never had before. Chemistry w/ lab, computer coding, physics w/ lab (my HS teacher was awful), Calc 2, etc. I've moved into a new realm of academic standards, and it feels good. I joined the varsity swim team (D3) and water polo team and at many points I didn't know if I'd be able to get through the season, but I did and I'm so glad that I stuck with it. I also learned to deal with being away from home for a long time. I mention all of this because it can all be looked at as a precursor or introduction to being at the Academy --- new standards of all types.

I've learned that part of reapplying is trying to figure out what your path is -- or at least what you might think it is. The application process is long and stressful but so far I'd say that anyone who reapplies has to be given credit for being determined.

So, advice: keep your head up, take advantage of whatever school you're at and even if you are declined a 2nd time, don't be too discouraged.
 
Congratulations to all those who reapplied and got appointed :) I can't begin to imagine how wonderful that feels!! I, and everyone else, knows how hard you all worked for this!
Well, considering it's March 5th and I have yet to hear anything, I'm starting to think about reapplying (pessimistic, I know, but I believe it's better to be prepared for the worst than to assume everything will go swimmingly). So what have you second-time applicants learned from reapplying? Any advice for those of us who will/might end up reapplying for co 2020?

I suppose I could chime in here. I've seen many candidates embrace ROTC or other plans (and diverge from their academy dream) when they go to college for a year, which is excellent. I think that when you go to college and live on your own, you get to figure out who you are and what you want. Living away from home and making your own rules for the first time is an adventure like no other, which I am blessed to have experienced.

As for advice for the wait--worry about the things you can control, and forget the things you can't. Don't stress too much over the mail or bug your MOC's office every day; an envelope will come with your name on it! The wait is only part of the ride. When I was applying last year, I hated the waiting game, but I now realize I wouldn't have it any other way. Stay healthy and don't take any unnecessary risks. If you don't get in and you may want to reapply, start the application process early and make your decision later.

If you don't get in, embrace college; it's an amazing place! Get out of your comfort zone--I went to a couple of Toastmasters meetings, played "Humans vs. Zombies", and attended a student government function in my state's capitol. Seriously, even if you don't like something new, it helps you grow as a person in novel ways. See what college life is like, stay on top of academics, and don't get caught up in partying. Some fun is okay, but keep your priorities straight! With no rules, I can see how so many people slack off in school.

Personally, I'm glad I've gotten to spend a year at college. It's helped me realize that I'm not as smart or invincible as I thought I was. I've realized that this is not the place for me and I need something different from where I am. Sure, I'll miss the 1 AM trips to Steak n' Shake and leisurely naps after morning class, but what I want to trade it for is worth so much more to me.
 
Long time stalker, first time poster in this thread. DD was on the second time roller coaster ride but had to get off earlier as she was not given a nomination for USNA. She did expand her horizon and applied for USAFA as well this year, and this is where she got her LOA, nomination and eventual appointment (and I have since been a stalker in the USAFA threads). Having gone through the rejection once, she values this appointment and really thankful that she will be given a chance to serve the country. This has also given her a chance to be independent, managing her time between academics and athletics (she is a swimmer) while away at school and a year older going into the academy.

This thread is so close to my heart as this has felt like "home" as we all went through the same emotions together, getting the TWE last year. No BFE here! The USAFA does everything online, got a TWE a few days after the online notification of her appointment (the same letter as the one online in a nice parchment paper). Congratulations to sprintmom, kayaker, spelly, and to all the other "second timers" who are still waiting for word, GOOD LUCK!
 
Well, the TWE arrived today. Saw a white envelope through my mailbox door and I was fairly sure I knew what it was. I can't say that I was surprised, my 1st semester grades for Chem and Physics 1 weren't that great. Other than that, I though I had a pretty good record -- nearly everything from last cycle was improved. The good news is that I'm doing really great academically this 2nd semester.

So, at this point, I'm on the fence about applying for a 3rd time. I know others have done it, but if I were to arrive at I-Day for c/o 2020, I'd be 21 years old and have completed 2 years of a Mechanical Engineering major. I don't know if I'd want to start over as a Plebe, even if I did manage to validate some classes. Wouldn't it be kind of weird being put with 17 and 18-year-olds? Even at this point, I already feel as if I've distanced myself/grown so much since high school, physically, mentally and academically. Not trying to sound like an elitist, but he majority of Plebes are straight out of high school.

I am definitely going to miss, and be thinking about, I-Day induction this summer. I so wish I could be there and it seems like going through this process for another year would take an eternity. My Congressman must think I'm an idiot if I ask to be nominated for a 3rd time (I was nominated by him for c/o 2018 and 2019). I'll still be hanging around on the forums though. Good luck to everyone entering the Academy this summer.
 
This breaks my heart. I'm so very sorry. However, you strike me as a mature young adult who will excel in spite of this disappointment.
 
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