SLE No Affect on Application?

[DrMom]

Actually, I do know what I am talking about...I may have done this a time or two. The reality is that both academies wrote to me rising senior and told him what they needed to see before they would open the portal and accept him as a candidate...So indeed mediocre performance in January of the Junior Year--when applying for the summer programs can negatively impact the entry into candidacy. Of course, a killer semester, awesome SAT scores and finishing Eagle Scout--and a rigorous senior year schedule quickly reverse all of that. But the risk was real. I think if someone is borderline, he or she should not apply to SLE.

 

[DrMom]

Swag...they didn't send my son anything, the portal was suddenly open with those official test scores posted for one of the academies and the other academy sent him an email telling him he was now officially a candidate and he better get busy. It was like magic for both. Whereas with the third service academy for which he had not applied for a summer program, he was immediately accepted into candidacy by simply listing his SAT scores prior to the actual official receipt from the College Board. Wishing your rising senior only the best. Look at back ups that would make your child equally happy--and apply for ROTC. If your child is called to serve and lead, and wants to have a more immersive experience than I suggest that the over night visits to all of the senior military colleges are a good way to go if you have not done that already and are also a pathway to 3.5, 3, 2.5, and 2 year ROTC scholarships if the 4 year doesn't work out. Also, these are not the best SAT scores in the world, just around the 50% range. For this youngest of mine, these schools are his dream (he wants to fly and he wants to lead and then he wants to be a FAO) but definitely a reach.

 

[Swag]

Swag...they didn't send my son anything, the portal was suddenly open with those official test scores posted for one of the academies and the other academy sent him an email telling him he was now officially a candidate and he better get busy. It was like magic for both. Whereas with the third service academy for which he had not applied for a summer program, he was immediately accepted into candidacy by simply listing his SAT scores prior to the actual official receipt from the College Board. Wishing your rising senior only the best. Look at back ups that would make your child equally happy--and apply for ROTC. If your child is called to serve and lead, and wants to have a more immersive experience than I suggest that the over night visits to all of the senior military colleges are a good way to go if you have not done that already and are also a pathway to 3.5, 3, 2.5, and 2 year ROTC scholarships if the 4 year doesn't work out. Also, these are not the best SAT scores in the world, just around the 50% range. For this youngest of mine, these schools are his dream (he wants to fly and he wants to lead and then he wants to be a FAO) but definitely a reach.

Great advice, thank you! My DS would enlist tomorrow if we would sign the authorization. Fortunately (for me) he's a summer bday and won't be 18 until after graduation. By then, college decisions will be made wether it be plan A or Z! He's been to USNA twice (STEM and CVW) he loved it. He visited Citadel and all of our state schools. Frankly, I'm not sure he has the scores to get in. He is prepping and will be taking the SAT again. As I see all over this forum, nobody knows the secret to admissions. Right now he's taking a tough senior load, varsity lacrosse at an all boys competitive school, Eagle Scout, club president, etc. just like 1000's of others! He's been working out with our local recruiting office every day and they have been helping him with the ROTC scholarship....awesome people. I told him to apply everywhere he's interested. I will tell him to log on tomorrow to see if there is any change. Again, thanks for the advice.

 

[Army21]

Contrary to what many people on this forum say, I personally believe SLE can have a huge positive impact on the application as my LOA specifically mentions the fact that I attended SLE. Additionally if you are accepted to SLE, the offer letter specifically states "Your selection to SLE does more than invite you to attend the seminar. It also confirms you as one of our very top candidates for admission."