Question about plan B What would you do?

Brawny77

Brawny77

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Ok my wise virtual friends. I solicit your input.

DS has nominations to USNA, USAFA and USMA. According to West Point he is 3Q. He has no appointment to date. He is also on the short list for a couple of full ride scholarships at plan B schools. Here is my question:
On his resume (required by the scholarship committees) does he state that he has nominations to the academies? I mean you all know that it is an item that will set him apart from most of the other scholarship applicants. Or,,,would it hurt his chances because they will know they are plan B?

What would you do?
 
Brawny77 said:
Ok my wise virtual friends. I solicit your input.

DS has nominations to USNA, USAFA and USMA. According to West Point he is 3Q. He has no appointment to date. He is also on the short list for a couple of full ride scholarships at plan B schools. Here is my question:
On his resume (required by the scholarship committees) does he state that he has nominations to the academies? I mean you all know that it is an item that will set him apart from most of the other scholarship applicants. Or,,,would it hurt his chances because they will know they are plan B?

What would you do?
Click to expand...
I would list it because it is an honor to be nominated. Also, how would the actual Plan B school know they are, in fact, the Plan B school unless he posted it somewhere on his resume? If they ask him directly, he can honestly answer that he's waiting to hear from all of his options before ranking those options or committing to anyone. That will show maturity and responsibility. And that is a reasonable, honest answer that will also allow him to feel comfortable listing the nomination honor on his resume. PLUS...and this is the most important part...if he doesn't have an offer of appointment yet, he certainly doesn't want to burn any bridges that may include full scholarship offers. GOOD LUCK!!! :)
 
You can legitimately argue this either way but I would not put the nomination down on Plan B school. Every organization likes to think they are the best and if you think they are second best, then they react very emotionally (even if they are a big corporate body) and think YOU are second best too. The only time I have seen the I-have-another-offer ploy to work is if you have something very, very valuable that the school wants such as a phenomenal passing arm and eye-watering track times. I base this on a career of selling expensive toys from motor homes to aircraft for whatever it is worth.
 
I am also in the do NOT put it on the resume. Yes it is an honor, but not an award. The activities and achievements that got the noms are what should be highlighted and lead to getting the scholarships.
 
After reading Spud's response (who always has GREAT advice) and 5Day---I can really see their angle now. I would trust Spud's word, and 5Day makes an excellent point with highlighting what achievements were received to earn the nomination, rather than listing the nomination as I had originally suggested. I think I was most concerned that your DS doesn't have an offer of appointment yet, and I was trying to put myself in your shoes and imagine how it would feel to lose the full scholarship offer (to Plan B) and then not receive an appointment as well. I was trying to think of a way he could keep all of his options "safe and equal", but not listing the nomination will also keep everything in tact. :) Side note: Congrats to your DS on receiving so many nominations---that is a great honor. I continue to wish your DS the BEST!!! :)
 
It is an Honor to be nominated. Top schools know they are competing for top talent and they want to win

In the end there are solid arguments for listing or not listing, but it has impressed in a very positive light other schools my DD has applied as well as coaches that continue to recruit her knowing they are Plan B.

I would go so far as to say I believe the plan B schools have sweetened their offers because they know who/what they are competing for/against

If you have a nomination or at least still competing for one, you are an incredible individual (at least on paper) I would include it.

But it's not my application/ interview
 
Personally, I don't think nominations belong on a resume. It would be like listing your colleges acceptances. The nominations are the reward for what you have accomplished on your resume. You don't participate in your nomination like you do for the National Honor Society with community service.
 
What Spud said 100% !

Plan "B" is done by your son for YOUR son's benefit and backup should the SA Plan "A"'s fail.

A Plan "B" is NOT done for the Plan B' Schools benefit, ever, IMHO.

The Plan "B" School will take your money any way you give it, and the Plan "B" School will always think it was your Plan "A" School as you write them out the Tuition Check.
 
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Whoever evaluates scholarship apps for a university is likely closely connected to that school, if not a very proud alumni of that school. They likely don't want to feel as if they are a back up, that the applicant is advertising that he/she is hoping to get into an accademy. I would not list it at all, or reference the fact that your son if applying to any other school for that matter, even though they know he is.

If your son was trying to get a date for prom, and asked the homecoming queen, but she was considering whether to accept, so he decided to ask another girl, should he tell that girl that he is still in the running to go with the homecoming queen, so she better act fast with her answer? OK, maybe not a perfect analogy, but you get the point.
 
We talked about all of this. I left it up to him. He decided to put it in but not too prominently. His reasoning was he wants to be absolutely forthcoming and transparent. He stated that he did not wish to hide anything and he was proud of the nominations even if he didn't get the appointment or the scholarship. I don't know if his strategy is right but his heart is pure. I guess we will see. Thanks to all who chimed in.
 
You should be proud that he listened to various opinions, weighed the advantages and disadvantages and made his own decision. There is not a right or wrong answer, but there is his answer.
Best of luck to your DS, in his quest for an appointment and scholarships.
 
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