Class of 2016-Mailbox Stalkers Club

Oops! Missed a new one: 66. Gancos, MA-07, Congressional, Edward Markey, 3/29/12. Congratulations!!
 
Rally Caps On!

Please cease being so fatalistic. Most posters here have told you that, yes, a lot of appointments have gone out...
BUT...
Until your portal says you are no longer a candidate, or you get a TWE in the mail, like everyone else you are just going to have to wait it out. It doesn't mean you are a failure, you can make yourself feel like one by assuming that the lack of an appointment means you are a failure. I assume, since you are a candidate that you have great academic scores, leadership qualities, offer assistance to your community and so forth.

Those are things that not only do the SA's want, other colleges and universities do as well. If you are wanting so badly to go to USAFA, is it because you want to be a career military officer, or merely to be accepted to USAFA by "winning" an appointment? I ask because if your life goal is to be a military officer there are other ways to attain that goal, and you are capable of doing so whether you go to USAFA or your State University. Not getting an appointment is a bump in the road, but the road is still there and you can choose to drive down it, or take the exit, your choice.

Nobody who has come this far in the process is a "failure." NOBODY! Don't hang your head for anybody, or anything. You are all very remarkable people. Don't let a TWE stop you on your road of life!

From the candidate portal:

IMPORTANT NOTE – Due to recent Secretary of the Air Force mandates, the number of appointments for the Class of 2016 will be the smallest in recent history. As a result, respective candidate appointment information will not be provided until the later part of March and final notifications will not be completed until the first week of April. Admissions appreciates your understanding and patience.

Rally on two, rally on two...Rally on two like we always do!!!!:biggrin:
 
getting in touch

I haven't seen any other Missouri appointees. What's the best way to get in touch with them? Is there a Facebook group or anything?
 
I haven't seen any other Missouri appointees. What's the best way to get in touch with them? Is there a Facebook group or anything?
Just a guess, something you might try. I noticed that on the "Nominations" thread on the main Forum page, there are people on it from different states, you might try it and see what you get. Since they're fairly inactive, you might try some PMs.
 
I was in your same shoes, so I know what it's like, but you just can't give up. It's sound a little weird, but go w/your plan B, but tell them that you're waiting on a response from USAFA and that you will notify you the moment anything changes.

nocibanza...as stated above by juliusc16 get going with plan B. Even though my DS has been offered an appointment we are still going to Auburn in June to register for fall classes. We are doing this in the event of something happening at BCT that would end DSs USAFA dream and also to not risk losing the full tuition scholarship. We plan on officially withdrawing from Auburn on A-Day.
 
Just something to help folks understand what is happening with the slow pace of nominations:

The largest class in recent years is the class of 2013 with 1368 cadets. There was a minor adjustment with the class of 2014 which had 1294 cadets (a reduction of 74 cadets from 2013). The class of 2015 is the first class that was faced with a sizable reduction in appointees, allotted 1120 appointees, the total class size was 1137 with international students and turn backs added. Thus the Class of 2015 is 231 cadets smaller that the class of 2013. Considering the historic percentage of attrition till graduation, the class of 2015 will likely only graduate about 900 or so cadets. The Class of 2016 is supposed to be smaller by about 70 cadets than the class of 2015 (1050 allotted appointments). This means that the Academy needs to be very careful with making appointments and as slow as it was last year, there is even less spots available this year.

So while I know that it is very trying to wait and stalk, just keep in mind that last year (the largest single reduction in the number of appointees), the appointments came out slowly and changes were made well into April. So keep this in perspective as you stalk.

Cheers!
 
Just something to help folks understand what is happening with the slow pace of nominations:

The largest class in recent years is the class of 2013 with 1368 cadets. There was a minor adjustment with the class of 2014 which had 1294 cadets (a reduction of 74 cadets from 2013). The class of 2015 is the first class that was faced with a sizable reduction in appointees, allotted 1120 appointees, the total class size was 1137 with international students and turn backs added. Thus the Class of 2015 is 231 cadets smaller that the class of 2013. Considering the historic percentage of attrition till graduation, the class of 2015 will likely only graduate about 900 or so cadets. The Class of 2016 is supposed to be smaller by about 70 cadets than the class of 2015 (1050 allotted appointments). This means that the Academy needs to be very careful with making appointments and as slow as it was last year, there is even less spots available this year.

So while I know that it is very trying to wait and stalk, just keep in mind that last year (the largest single reduction in the number of appointees), the appointments came out slowly and changes were made well into April. So keep this in perspective as you stalk.

Cheers!


Thank you FalconFamily -

A few questions:
1. Do all MOC's have a least one nominee appointed? (ie. If they aren't up to USAFA standards are they required to take at least one from their MOC slate regardless/ can the USAFA opt to take no one?)

2. How fair is the system for some states that have few applicants (ie why people get more than one nomination from various MOC's) - to states like CA, TX, VA, FL, CO, NY (etc) where the MOC's all talk and make sure that they don't duplicate noms? (My DS was competing with 700+ for his one of 10 nominations). Do the CA, TX, VA, FL, CO, NY (etc) highly competitive state for nom's get a second look? If they "really want" an applicant - do they "find a way" regardless of how many vacancies the MOC has?

3. Do Appointee's from the National Pool get charged to the MOC?
 
This is not the end!

As everyone else on here that is still awaiting news, we are also very anxious and excited to hear from the USAFA. I do think that there are many appointments left to be had. However, I want to remind all of you that if you are not accepted this is not the end.

My son said it perfectly last week when we were discussing what he would do if he does not receive an appointment to the Academy… “I will become an officer in the United States Air Force, it may not be through the Air Force Academy this year, maybe not even next year by reapplying… but, if that is not my path, Plan B is not too shabby. I’ll join the Air Force ROTC Detachment at the University where I have already been accepted, and I’ll get my bachelors degree in Engineering (as I always planned to). I WILL graduate and attend an Air Force Officer’s training program, and when it’s all said and done- I WILL BE an Officer in the United States Air Force. I’ve dreamed of being in the Air Force for as long as I can remember, the Academy may be the most coveted, the most elite, and a very honorable and prestigious way to get there, but it is only one way to get there. There is more than one way to skin a cat!” LOL I liked his ending comment.

You see my point, or rather his point is that even though everyone on here wants an appointment, and I do realize that all of you (including my DS) are hoping and praying that it comes- it is not the end unless you want it to be. Hold your heads high and move on to plan B if need be. With that said, I don’t think the Fat Lady has even scheduled the show yet! Many others will be posting of appointment offers in the next 2 weeks. Be patient, and be proud- Each and every one of you are worthy of the utmost admiration and praise for your mere desire to serve your country. Congrats to all of you who have received an appointment and if it is not ours to behold this year… My DS assures me he will still see you on the other side!!! God Bless!!!
 
Thank you FalconFamily -

A few questions:
1. Do all MOC's have a least one nominee appointed? (ie. If they aren't up to USAFA standards are they required to take at least one from their MOC slate regardless/ can the USAFA opt to take no one?)

2. How fair is the system for some states that have few applicants (ie why people get more than one nomination from various MOC's) - to states like CA, TX, VA, FL, CO, NY (etc) where the MOC's all talk and make sure that they don't duplicate noms? (My DS was competing with 700+ for his one of 10 nominations). Do the CA, TX, VA, FL, CO, NY (etc) highly competitive state for nom's get a second look? If they "really want" an applicant - do they "find a way" regardless of how many vacancies the MOC has?

3. Do Appointee's from the National Pool get charged to the MOC?

I don't have any specific insight on your questions, I think others might have some of this information. But:

1. All MOC's have at 5 slots at each Service Academy. In most years there is one slot available but in some years there may be more (Cadets graduating or leaving early). As to the quality of the nominees, they must meet the requirements of the academy in order to get appointed. That said, if the MOC somehow has a slate of unqualified nominees (not very likely since the minimum standards are quite achievable) I do not believe the Academy has any obligation to accept them.

2. I cannot really comment as to the fairness of a competitive slate. It is what it is. Some states are more "competitive" than others. That said you need to qualify what it means to be competitive, i.e. you might come from a state that has alot of applicants for a nomination, but how good were the schools that they came from? What are their other characteristics relative to the rest of the nominees from other parts of the country. Just because you come from a state with many applicants, it does not mean that your state has applicants with the highest SAT/ACT scores or the best combination of high level academics, sports, etc.

3. My understanding as to how nominees from the national pool are charged to a MOC is limited. My understanding is that the academy can use other nominating sources in order to fill the class. That said - there were not many appointments made from this pool last year and there will be less this year. If you tally up all of the appointments from MOC's (approx 600), Presidential (100), Vice Presidential, Sports blue chips, ROTC, etc. There is not much room for any people to be appointed from the national pool (I was told last year when we were going through this that in past years i.e. 2014, 2013 there were hundreds of appointments made from the National pool). But last year and this year there are hundreds of less slots available.

Not sure this makes you feel any better. 2015, 2016, and 2017 are/will be very competitive years to gain admission to any service academy. The selection process is as orderly as I think people are capable of making it. I think the USAFA admissions staff was helpful and sympathetic throughout and tried to make the best decisions they could.

No matter what happens, your commissioning source is not going to limit your options. It is just a turn in the road, and it is still early for people to worry too much about when their turn will come.

Best,
 
Anyone else notice that no new notifications from MOC's were posted today? Only surprise BFE's and Portal Changes (that surely were decided last week)?
 
“I will become an officer in the United States Air Force, it may not be through the Air Force Academy this year, maybe not even next year by reapplying… but, if that is not my path, Plan B is not too shabby. I’ll join the Air Force ROTC Detachment at the University where I have already been accepted, and I’ll get my bachelors degree in Engineering (as I always planned to)!

Amen. This is exactly how I feel. I do really want to attend USAFA, and I believe that it would be an excellent way for me to begin my Air Force career. But I know plenty of outstanding Air Force officers who went the AFROTC route, and I'm confident that I'll be able to obtain a great education and some awesome leadership experiences no matter where I am next year. At this point, I'm more excited to begin serving than I am scared about admissions (which is saying something, because I'm incredibly anxious.)
 
Earlier today someone asked "when the Qualified No Vacancy letters will go out" on the USAFA Admissions Facebook page . USAFA's answer: those letters should go out in the next two weeks.
 
Got waitlisted from Yale today. I have tons of great options besides the academy, but I don't want to go anywhere else. I wish I could find out!!
 
Wow! I was away from the computer for two days.... so many appointments! Congratulations to you all! :biggrin:
Still happily waiting and stalking. :wink:
 
I've been a forum stalker for about a month now and just received the news yesterday that DS received an appointment for the Class of 2016. The support you all have shown through these difficult days of waiting has been an incredible blessing to each other, along with all of us who were quietly watching. For all of those who are still waiting and hoping, my prayers are with you that you will end up in the RIGHT place for you to grow and flourish. For some it will be one of the SA's, but there are many paths to a well-lived and productive life! Enjoy the ride!
 
I've been a forum stalker for about a month now and just received the news yesterday that DS received an appointment for the Class of 2016. The support you all have shown through these difficult days of waiting has been an incredible blessing to each other, along with all of us who were quietly watching. For all of those who are still waiting and hoping, my prayers are with you that you will end up in the RIGHT place for you to grow and flourish. For some it will be one of the SA's, but there are many paths to a well-lived and productive life! Enjoy the ride!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Be sure to add your info to the appointment thread...:beer1:
 
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