Early Action
- Thread starter 17Lives
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Zandercott
USAFA
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2016
- Messages
- 152
I wonder how long it would take for a candidate to be notified after their application has been reviewed by the board (assuming the applicant was selected for an early action appointment w/Presidential nom)? Are emails/notifications sent out on a weekly basis once the board reviews have begun?
Christcorp
15-Year Member
- Joined
- May 21, 2008
- Messages
- 5,380
In the past, meaning 4+ years ago, it was not uncommon as soon as a candidate's application was scored by the board, that they "May" receive information about an appointment, (If they already had a nomination like a presidential), or an LOA. But that was at a time when approximately 1700 appointments would be offered, with the academy knowing that 500+ would turn them down.
But with the military cutting back, more diligence fiscally, high unemployment, (The 5% is very misleading), etc. the academies have to be more accurate in the number of appointments they offer. They can't initially offer 1300-1400, because there's a good possibility they might all accept the appointments. And by federal law, the academies are only allowed so many to be at the academy at one time and so many to become commissioned officers.
So the academy pretty much has to wait until most/all apps are completed; all nominations are received. There will be a few appointments given out early, using a presidential nomination, but these will be rare. Just like LOA's are rare. It's usually for the "No-Brainer" club. The applicants who's application, based on years of experience by the academy, are SO GOOD, that the individual would receive an appointment no matter who their competition is. This aren't even the top 10% type. These are the top individuals. The top 1%. Even with a presidential, it's not uncommon to get 500, 600, or more nominees. And they ALL receive the nomination. But the academy can only off 100 of them an appointment using that nomination. So they need to most times wait until ALL 500, 600, or whatever have their applications completed; so they can appoint the best 100. But the academy also has to look at all other nominations. If #101 of the presidential nominees has a stellar application, but they are #101, they need to see if one of the other 100 who are getting an appointment also has a nomination from a MOC. Then, they can re-allocate the appointment for that person FROM a presidential TO using the MOC, thus freeing up a presidential slot for the person who was #101 but had a stellar application. Same in reverse. A person could be getting an appointment with a MOC nomination, and the academy really wants the #2 person too. Maybe the #1 person also has a nomination from a presidential, ROTC, or other source and they can shift it around.
Again; it was easier to give out appointments and LOA's earlier in the past. Based on the economy, funding, and historical data, many appointments would be turned down. "Most people fail to realize, NOT EVERY PERSON applying to the academies, have it as their #1 choice. Many have traditional universities/colleges as their #1. The academy is their PLAN B school. So, times being as they are, unless you're in the top 1%, meaning you are the #1 class ranked; with the 4.0gpa unweighted, ALL AP classes or the IB Diploma Program, and you're also a class officer, play 2-3 varsity sports, are captain of some of those sports, have a 32+ACT, member of 2-3 clubs and officer of some of them, have 200-300 hours volunteering, and a few other things to make you part of the "No-Brainer" club........ Unless that's you, chances are that you are not going to hear anything until at least mid/end of January, and most likely not until March/April/May.
But with the military cutting back, more diligence fiscally, high unemployment, (The 5% is very misleading), etc. the academies have to be more accurate in the number of appointments they offer. They can't initially offer 1300-1400, because there's a good possibility they might all accept the appointments. And by federal law, the academies are only allowed so many to be at the academy at one time and so many to become commissioned officers.
So the academy pretty much has to wait until most/all apps are completed; all nominations are received. There will be a few appointments given out early, using a presidential nomination, but these will be rare. Just like LOA's are rare. It's usually for the "No-Brainer" club. The applicants who's application, based on years of experience by the academy, are SO GOOD, that the individual would receive an appointment no matter who their competition is. This aren't even the top 10% type. These are the top individuals. The top 1%. Even with a presidential, it's not uncommon to get 500, 600, or more nominees. And they ALL receive the nomination. But the academy can only off 100 of them an appointment using that nomination. So they need to most times wait until ALL 500, 600, or whatever have their applications completed; so they can appoint the best 100. But the academy also has to look at all other nominations. If #101 of the presidential nominees has a stellar application, but they are #101, they need to see if one of the other 100 who are getting an appointment also has a nomination from a MOC. Then, they can re-allocate the appointment for that person FROM a presidential TO using the MOC, thus freeing up a presidential slot for the person who was #101 but had a stellar application. Same in reverse. A person could be getting an appointment with a MOC nomination, and the academy really wants the #2 person too. Maybe the #1 person also has a nomination from a presidential, ROTC, or other source and they can shift it around.
Again; it was easier to give out appointments and LOA's earlier in the past. Based on the economy, funding, and historical data, many appointments would be turned down. "Most people fail to realize, NOT EVERY PERSON applying to the academies, have it as their #1 choice. Many have traditional universities/colleges as their #1. The academy is their PLAN B school. So, times being as they are, unless you're in the top 1%, meaning you are the #1 class ranked; with the 4.0gpa unweighted, ALL AP classes or the IB Diploma Program, and you're also a class officer, play 2-3 varsity sports, are captain of some of those sports, have a 32+ACT, member of 2-3 clubs and officer of some of them, have 200-300 hours volunteering, and a few other things to make you part of the "No-Brainer" club........ Unless that's you, chances are that you are not going to hear anything until at least mid/end of January, and most likely not until March/April/May.