Class of 2016-Mailbox Stalkers Club

USAFretired1996 said:
I don't disagree but since Insider is available, I certainly wouldn't mind hearing first hand the rationale for this playing out like it has with the Falcons and prepsters this year.
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I agree. Hopefully Insider will jump in and comment.
 
waitingwaiting said:
As others have noted, thank you so much Insider for being a valuable source of information on the admissions process.

As a parent of a current Falcon, I am frustrated and puzzled as to why their notifications are pushed back so far.

--Falcons are competitive candidates or they would not have received the scholarship.

--They have developed and matured further during the last year of training.

--They have further demonstrated their commitment to USAFA by adding an extra year to their education, in many cases turning down ROTC and other scholarships at civilian universities to do so.

--The acceptance rate of Falcons is quite high. Except for, as others have noted, unfortunate or immature incidents that disqualify a specific individual.

--They have been implicitly and in some cases explicitly told the admission slot is theirs to lose.

--It gets even tougher for them to have a decent plan B if you make them wait beyond the May 1 deadline for most civilian universities.

Why keep them waiting?
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USAFretired1996 said:
I don't disagree but since Insider is available, I certainly wouldn't mind hearing first hand the rationale for this playing out like it has with the Falcons and prepsters this year.
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Blackbird said:
I agree. Hopefully Insider will jump in and comment.
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Actually, there is very little political or even planned concerning the timing this year. The honest truth is workload and manpower. Most people have a very inaccurate conception of the complexity of the process and the amount of work required to "bring in a class." Most of USAFA Admissions is civilian, and labored under an extended hiring freeze even as employees retired or left for other jobs. Admissions had a number of individuals hired in temp positions that were supposed to convert to permanent... that didn't happen because of the freeze and USAFA lost those individuals.

Even the military personnel are short (unfilled positions and several individuals deployed).

The hiring freeze has been lifted but even so it takes months to fill vacancies. USAFA is doing the best it can and is trying hard accommodate everyone in time for alternate plans in case an appointment or Prep offer isn't forthcoming.

I hope this clarifies the issue... there is really nothing sinister going on.
 
Insider said:
Actually, there is very little political or even planned concerning the timing this year. The honest truth is workload and manpower.

I hope this clarifies the issue... there is really nothing sinister going on.
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Thanks for the response -- both for the information and the candor!
 
Insider said:
Most people have a very inaccurate conception of the complexity of the process and the amount of work required to "bring in a class."
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To me that is the most important statement in your post.

Many posters and lurkers do not understand how the AFA is building a jigsaw puzzle without ever looking at the picture on the box. Outside pieces like an LOA with nom., or principal nom, are easy, but once the AFA has a candidate with multiple noms, it starts to become difficult regarding who gets charged to which source and how that candidate impacts many more candidates.

JMPO, thanks for your invaluable info.
 
skydivingkittens said:
Wow, I can't believe this thread already has 200,000 views!
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It's crazy! Hope you all are doing well. Still holding out for those waiting to hear. :smile:

I'm getting prepared for the nasty weather that's supposed to hit tonight. 90% chance for tornadoes, yikes! :eek:
 
Falcon Appointments

As you said, the Falcon appoinment is theirs to loose. You have a conditional appoinment already, therefore they do not feel the need to notify you of that again. I know that we did not really believe it until we had that letter in our hands, but you need to trust the system. Even when you get the BFE it will say it is conditional upon recieving your final transcript from whatever educational institution you have been attending. If you have kept your nose clean and worked hard you have nothing to worry about.
 
How do I change my username?!?! DS is not a wannabee anymore, LOA came in the mailbox on Thursday!! Funny thing...it was more of a TWE than a BFE and we were sooooooooo nervous to open. Prayers answered!!
 
wannabee said:
How do I change my username?!?! DS is not a wannabee anymore, LOA came in the mailbox on Thursday!! Funny thing...it was more of a TWE than a BFE and we were sooooooooo nervous to open. Prayers answered!!
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LOA=letter of assurance. I was not aware AFA was issuing them at this late date. Would you please tell us what it says?

The BFE has this in bold letters on the outside:
OFFICIAL BUSINESS

OFFER OF APPOINTMENT ENCLOSED

So I am sure I am not the only one wondering what exactly it was that you received. I apologize for asking, but the waiting is just so excruciating that any detail is important.
 
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2bornot2b said:
LOA=letter of assurance. I was not aware AFA was issuing them at this late date. Would you please tell us what it says?
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It says; Congratulations, the Academy Board has approved you for admissions to the Air Force Academy Class of 2016. It then says contingent on anything outstanding such as medical waiver, final transcript. He is waiting on the final word on a med waiver but has been assured from coach and admissions counselor that it is granted. The remedial was negative and all looks fine.

Edit; the LOA also has bold letters Official Business.
 
wannabee said:
It says; Congratulations, the Academy Board has approved you for admissions to the Air Force Academy Class of 2016. It then says contingent on anything outstanding such as medical waiver, final transcript. He is waiting on the final word on a med waiver but has been assured from coach and admissions counselor that it is granted. The remedial was negative and all looks fine.

Edit; the LOA also has bold letters Official Business.
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Thank you so much. Yours is obviously a special situation. Thank you for clarifying. I am sure you will get the BFE as soon as the Waiver is finalized.

Congratulations!!!
 
wannabee said:
It says; Congratulations, the Academy Board has approved you for admissions to the Air Force Academy Class of 2016. It then says contingent on anything outstanding such as medical waiver, final transcript. He is waiting on the final word on a med waiver but has been assured from coach and admissions counselor that it is granted. The remedial was negative and all looks fine.

Edit; the LOA also has bold letters Official Business.
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Just to clarify, I believe that your DS has received a conditional appointment letter not a LOA. LOAs are only sent out before admissions begins sending out appointments. Their purpose is to provide assurance for top candidates. This year LOAs were only used for recruited athletes.

Actually all appointments are conditional on continued performance, final grades, and staying out of trouble. But in the case of your DS, there is also a medical waiver required which seems to be in process.

Congrats!!
 
Blackbird said:
Just to clarify, I believe that your DS has received a conditional appointment letter not a LOA. LOAs are only sent out before admissions begins sending out appointments. Their purpose is to provide assurance for top candidates. This year LOAs were only used for recruited athletes.

Actually all appointments are conditional on continued performance, final grades, and staying out of trouble. But in the case of your DS, there is also a medical waiver required which seems to be in process.

Congrats!!
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Thank you for the clarification! I'm new to this and not sure what everything is called. I do know this letter is waaaaaaaay better than the dreaded TWE! (even though that's what it was) ;)
 
wannabee said:
Thank you for the clarification! I'm new to this and not sure what everything is called. I do know this letter is waaaaaaaay better than the dreaded TWE! (even though that's what it was) ;)
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Not all TWEs are created equal........
 
Whole lotta Stalkin' goin' on.....

Wow, this thread has nearly 2,000 replies and over 200,000 views!:eek:
 
Checking in on the Mailbox Stalker Club

Hi, I'm a parent from last year's Mailbox Stalker Club for the class of 2015. My son received a QNV letter late spring of 2011 (similar to Non Select letters of this year). He was devastated, but did rebound. I waited this long to check in because I know fully the hope, the angst, the anxiety, the excitement, the waiting you are or have felt. He gave it his all, as I know all of you have.

I'm checking in to tell you it will all turn out all right for you. I promise you your path will be bright. So many roads to the same goal, or perhaps your destiny will lead you to a new path.

My son is extremely happy at his college and is exploring even changing his major into an area he had not considered before, but would also ultimately lead to possibly supporting the US govt in a different way, which I think is wonderful for him. It is his new life and I am just thankful he is healthy, able to go to school and expanding his horizons and dreaming of a great future.

Whatever your future holds and what decisions you make, with your exceptional talents and maturity, it will be the right decision in the end. Just wanted to send this post for the young ladies and men who were crushed receiving the TWE's to not feel defeated. God works in mysterious ways, have faith.

Best wishes :smile:
 
Tailwind Angel said:
Hi, I'm a parent from last year's Mailbox Stalker Club for the class of 2015. My son received a QNV letter late spring of 2011 (similar to Non Select letters of this year). He was devastated, but did rebound. I waited this long to check in because I know fully the hope, the angst, the anxiety, the excitement, the waiting you are or have felt. He gave it his all, as I know all of you have.

I'm checking in to tell you it will all turn out all right for you. I promise you your path will be bright. So many roads to the same goal, or perhaps your destiny will lead you to a new path.

My son is extremely happy at his college and is exploring even changing his major into an area he had not considered before, but would also ultimately lead to possibly supporting the US govt in a different way, which I think is wonderful for him. It is his new life and I am just thankful he is healthy, able to go to school and expanding his horizons and dreaming of a great future.

Whatever your future holds and what decisions you make, with your exceptional talents and maturity, it will be the right decision in the end. Just wanted to send this post for the young ladies and men who were crushed receiving the TWE's to not feel defeated. God works in mysterious ways, have faith.

Best wishes :smile:
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TWA! Great to hear from you! Glad that your son is doing well, that has been a message others and myself have tried to convey. This process of appointment is just one path, there are so many others and they too are rewarding.

Take Care!
 
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