Appealing a TWE decision?

activedutymom

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Has any one on this forum heard that you can appeal a TWE decision? Or know of a successful appeal? This was new to me, but thought it was food for thought on this forum for those experiencing the heartbreak of receiving a TWE. One of the NAPS parents just posted a comment on a Facebook thread that if you receive a TWE you can appeal a decision one time. The recommendation was to fight for a spot and show you earned it. Their experience was that the DD immediately sent an appeal letter asking USNA to reconsider the decision. DD listed every thing she had done and showed constant improvement from her application completion all the way up to her request for reconsideration. She stated her case in her letter and showed why she deserved to be in the academy. The TWE decision was reversed and DD was offered a spot. USNA recommended NAPS and DD accepted. I'm not trying to encourage everyone to try this process, but really wanted to see if anyone else had heard of a success story and educate. If this is true, there could be a few turn downs that really had some exceptional updates since they completed their application and it just might make a difference.
 
I'm acquainted with the parent through NAPS. We've socialized during parent weekend there. Seems to be a very reliable source.
 
Never heard of this either. BGOs? If that was published somewhere I am sure admissions would be inundated and I have never heard a BGO on this forum mention an appeal. My guess is this was more coincidence as they rounded out positions at the very end and possibly had a few folks decline NAPS appointments and they were impressed with her persistence and reasons. Just my guess, but I don't think we are going to see admissions or BGOs say there is an appeal process.
 
I've never heard of it. They tell BGOs that a turndown letter is a final determination. Given the number of TWEs each year, if everyone appealed, even only once, it would be overwhelming to Admissions. I can't explain what happened in the case cited by the OP.
 
Agree with USNA1985. Furthermore, why would a candidate's "appeal" letter work over someone who is waitlisted for either USNA/NAPS? I can't explain the case cited by the OP either, but it could have been when there was no NAPS waitlist (I am pretty sure there is a NAPS/Foundation waitlist now). It would be worth more effort to contact your Admissions Counselor when things calm down over the summer and see how you can improve the record for the next cycle.
 
Did this happen last year? The admissions scene seemed like such a mess maybe something "weird" happened? It's definitely not the norm but then again principal nominees aren't usually wait listed and appointments revoked for NAPS.

I would not bet on this working and may smack of desparation. Reapplying is a better option.
 
Yes, this happened last year for the class of 2018 application. The DD referred to in my OP is currently at NAPS and will be class of 2019. I agree that it probably an extreme exception and related to last year's mess. I didn't think to ask if she was a primary nom.
 
Just asked for more details. The DD was not a primary nom. She received a very early denial as she had submitted very early. The parent thinks because it was so early in the process that admissions might have given her DS's perseverance a harder look. Said they basically had her reapply (admissions was still open at that time). I didn't know they allowed reapplying. Anyone else heard of this?
 
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USNA doesn't send out TWEs until relatively late in the process b/c candidates do have the opportunity to improve. In my 15+ years as a BGO, I've never seen a true TWE sent out prior to the last day to submit your application (now, Jan. 31). Candidates may be rejected by the Board early on but they can get another look if circumstances change -- typically improved grades or SATs. That doesn't require a reapplication -- it merely requires the Board to review the file again.

Whatever happened in this case, it's either a one-off, has convoluted facts or is o/w not the norm.
 
Trying to appeal a TWE decision would really be stretching. It would be better to inquire as to areas of weakness in the original application and improve upon those areas in reapplying for next year. Sending a desperate appeal to admissions may get the candidate placed on a ‘special’ list. It smacks of entitlement and would essentially be telling the admissions committee, “No, you are wrong.” I don’t think that is a message you want to send to the admissions office if the candidate still wants to try again next year. You tell admissions, “No, you are wrong about me” by keeping your chin up, improving, and re-applying. That is the standard path here.


This is an incredibly difficult time of year for many applicants. But jump on over to the current or past mailbox stalkers threads and it will really give you hope of the possibilities for next year.
 
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USNA doesn't send out TWEs until relatively late in the process b/c candidates do have the opportunity to improve. In my 15+ years as a BGO, I've never seen a true TWE sent out prior to the last day to submit your application (now, Jan. 31). Candidates may be rejected by the Board early on but they can get another look if circumstances change -- typically improved grades or SATs. That doesn't require a reapplication -- it merely requires the Board to review the file again.

Whatever happened in this case, it's either a one-off, has convoluted facts or is o/w not the norm.

I think this sounds much more on the money of what happened. And don't get me wrong, I don't think anyone is trying to discount the family involved here, but there is more to the story and an appeal is probably not what happened. To me it sounds like the candidate didn't hit the mark to have an open application, so it was closed. Once they had updated info and scores, this triggered the application to be re-opened and looked at. I think I have seen this happen a few times on the West Point forum. Again, none of really know what happened, except probably admissions. Sounds like things worked out perfectly for this future Midshipmen and wish them the best of luck!
 
To f/u on what Hoops said, the person might have received notification that she didn't meet the requirements to become an "offical candidate." That determination can be "appealed" in that you or the BGO can make the case that, despite (usually) low standardized test scores, you o/w meet the requirements to become a candidate. Again, just guessing. But, as noted, have never heard of a true TWE being sent prior to Feb. 1 b/c USNA wants to give candidates every chance to improve their package prior to the closing date for applications.
 
NavyHoops and USNA1985, this makes a lot more sense.

In the USNA process, when you fill out the preliminary application, you are either designated an official candidate or sent a letter telling you to improve your academic record (normally a function of low SAT/ACT scores) and this normally is done relatively quickly starting in the May/June time period and beyond. I guess this could be considered a "TWE," too. Then, if you are an official candidate and not fully qualified OR fully qualified but not selected for an appointment, you will receive a "TWE" (the one more commonly talked about on the forum). So, as stated above, this seems to be the case of not being designated an official candidate and some of the facts make sense now -- especially if the academic record might have been lacking, which is why they might have been offered NAPS.

Maybe we need a TWE 1 and TWE 2
 
PoppapH – Too funny! Exactly.

You may not have caught the brass ring on this pass, but you might catch it the next time around.
 
Whatever happened in this case, it's either a one-off, has convoluted facts or is o/w not the norm.
Thanks for all the great responses. This one is what I'm going with. I was skeptical when I read this parent encouraging a TWE recipient to appeal. I was hoping to find a few comments from those of you with much more knowledge and experience to help provide me with some cordial replies to indicate it was out of the norm. Sure didn't want to see everyone getting their hopes up unrealistically. This forum has been so helpful. I'm grateful it's available.
 
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