Official Candidate Notice???

[Padre101]

I tried to find previous threads on this issue, but the answers were mixed and confusing.

Yesterday, my DS received this email:
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The United States Military Academy at West Point invites you to apply. Only a few outstanding students are invited to apply to the United States Military Academy at West Point each year.

You are one. Begin your USMA Application now.

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It was a link to his candidate portal which he already had opened when he applied to SLE.

On the USMA Admissions website states:

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West Point will start your candidate file upon receiving a completed Candidate Questionnaire online located here, in the middle of your junior year in high school or as soon after that as possible. You must have a Social Security Number to start a file. Your file will be reviewed, and you will be notified if you have the qualifications to compete for admissions.

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So, my question is whether this email confirms that my DS is now an official candidate and has the "qualifications to compete for admissions."

Thank you for your assistance.

 

[EOD/SEALmom]

I can't vouch for USMA, but it reads very similar to what USNA sent my daughter her junior year. After she started the application they sent an official snail mail letter saying she was an Official Candidate.

Sounds like you're about to embark on this wild roller coaster ride - good luck!

 

[BlackKnight89]

My son got that last year. I think it's a just a recruiting notice. To become a candidate, you have to fill out the pre-candidate questionnaire to be evaluated. A decision is made then to send you a candidate kit. I'd suggest applying for SLE now as I believe this also serves as the pre-candidate application. I'm assuming your DS is a rising senior.

 

[Padre101]

My son got that last year. I think it's a just a recruiting notice. To become a candidate, you have to fill out the pre-candidate questionnaire to be evaluated. A decision is made then to send you a candidate kit. I'd suggest applying for SLE now as I believe this also serves as the pre-candidate application. I'm assuming your DS is a rising senior.

That's what is confusing. He had already filled out the pre-candidate application and the SLE application. Yes, DS is a current junior. When and how then are candidates notified that they can move onto the next level?

 

[BlackKnight89]

My DS was declined for SLE on 4/17/15, but was still assessed as a viable candidate and given access to the SSK (Second Step Kit). He got a 3Q Letter and LOE in October 2015. The timeline is shown really well in the sticky on this site at

http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/a-lot-of-admissions-information.26838/

West Point will send a lot of mailers and emails that will make your DS feel special, but many are just recruiting material. Odds are it will be another couple of months before SLE results come out. Then the SSK will not open until probably June/July. This allows him to get the application done over the summer. Definitely check out the sticky on the USMA forum though. It's really useful and accurate based on my DS' experience.

 

[Padre101]

My DS was declined for SLE on 4/17/15, but was still assessed as a viable candidate and given access to the SSK (Second Step Kit). He got a 3Q Letter and LOE in October 2015. The timeline is shown really well in the sticky on this site at

http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/a-lot-of-admissions-information.26838/

West Point will send a lot of mailers and emails that will make your DS feel special, but many are just recruiting material. Odds are it will be another couple of months before SLE results come out. Then the SSK will not open until probably June/July. This allows him to get the application done over the summer. Definitely check out the sticky on the USMA forum though. It's really useful and accurate based on my DS' experience.

Appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[Sam2018]

My DS received that email yesterday too and today his acceptance to SLE. Exciting times.