Pmooney, I agree. The process is always loaded with emotions for parents and the DDs and DSs. There is a lot of time invested in their dreams. When the dream doesn't come true, it seems unreal at first, then disappointing. Well having gone through this process of applying with two kids now for 3 times. You're right, it's not easier, but you learn these amazing kids process the loss and then rebound and move forward to other plans or to try again. We'll soon be beginning this road again as DD will be reapppling to USNA for the class of 2019.
Still in the game
- Thread starter Prepswimmom
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Pmooney, I agree. The process is always loaded with emotions for parents and the DDs and DSs. There is a lot of time invested in their dreams. When the dream doesn't come true, it seems unreal at first, then disappointing. Well having gone through this process of applying with two kids now for 3 times. You're right, it's not easier, but you learn these amazing kids process the loss and then rebound and move forward to other plans or to try again. We'll soon be beginning this road again as DD will be reapppling to USNA for the class of 2019.
CAmom2015
You are so right, my DS will bounce back without a doubt and I think I actually took the TWE harder. I think he prepared himself after last years let down.
a quote from my DS when I told him the TWE arrived; "Mom, it's all good, I did the best I could, there is nothing more you or I can do" He was consoling me as I had tear filled eyes and could barely swallow the lump in my throat..I am so proud of him and of course all the other DS/DD's who go thru this journey.. It is a tough road for everyone and tougher for those who get the TWE.
You are so right, my DS will bounce back without a doubt and I think I actually took the TWE harder. I think he prepared himself after last years let down.
a quote from my DS when I told him the TWE arrived; "Mom, it's all good, I did the best I could, there is nothing more you or I can do" He was consoling me as I had tear filled eyes and could barely swallow the lump in my throat..I am so proud of him and of course all the other DS/DD's who go thru this journey.. It is a tough road for everyone and tougher for those who get the TWE.
navymomwannabe
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I agree too CAMom. While DS is excited about his plan A2, he took some time today to go down to the river for a walk by himself. I think he just needed to get his head wrapped around the events of this weekend. He is rather stoic about all of this but I know he's still hurting from the TWE. At the moment, he will not reapply (he hates the standardized tests and does not want to take a 7th one) but we will let the dust settle and talk about it again later. The big advantage for him of the academy is the degree that he really wants (Cyber Operations) which he cannot get outside of the academy. So we'll see where we go from here. I am grateful for the experience and how much he has grown and learned going through it. He is better because of it.
Hopefully I'm a little better having gone through it too.
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That's the kind of kid a parent wants to call their own. Congratulations on raising such a fine son.
AnxiousinAR,It has certainly been a journey... Although I can't classify it as fun, I can say it has been an exciting, intense, and at times very challenging experience for us as a family, and especially for DS.
Thursday I broke down and called MOC's office. Assistant was so accommodating and took 20 minutes to explain exactly where we were for our state... appointments had been made, most accepted and the chances for DS were slim. After not knowing anything for so long I greatly appreciated her candor and started preparing myself and DH
Friday morning we got the call from our BGO. I can't tell you what a blessing that was! DS was playing in out of town baseball tournament that night and Saturday. We couldn't attend because DD had interview with Math and Science boarding school several hours away in opposite direction. This gave DH and myself the much needed time to process the news and wrap our heads around it. Wish I could say (like TN dad) "we had a moment". For us it was more like a few hours! Guess we're not quite as resilient.
Saturday we went through the duties of interviews, etc. Interesting side note - it was almost humorous to see how uptight the parents were...when would decisions be made, how would they be notified, etc... I whispered to DH after the roller coaster ride we've been on with DS, this would be a kiddie ride
That evening we were all driving home and we touch base with DS. He's played well. He's happy. He asks us if we had checked the mail. I knew from this thread the TWE was there. He didn't have a key to PO box so I told him we would pick it up on our way into town. I had DH carry the mail inside. I just couldn't.
The disappointment was obvious to say the least. We talked. He needed time to process. He told me to keep the letter.
Plan B - NROTC MO scholarship to Vanderbilt. I fully believe plan b is His chosen path but the day after we found out he was awarded the scholarship Vanderbilt informed us he is wait listed. The journey continues...
I'm confident he will embrace Plan B as Plan A. He is a very thoughtful kid who has never "jumped" at anything but thinks everything through. Plan B2 will be transfer scholarship to University of Oklahoma and study aviation.
We've had the opportunity to watch him grow and mature throughout this process and I'm confident he will be a better person for having experienced it all.
Best wishes to everyone, whichever way God's path leads. These are all amazing kids. I feel more hopeful for our nation that there are so many willing to serve. God bless!
Lessons learned...
Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
So, so sorry.
On the waitlist thing, if your DS really loves Vanderbilt, he & you should contact both the NROTC cadre & Admissions to let them know of the situation (tell cadre he is waitlisted, Admissions he has a schol) - it seems to be that sometimes the scholarship will influence.
Poster Casnmas' DS was waitlisted at both WPI and RPI, got an AROTC scholarship, contacted cadre & Admissions at both schools and within a week came off the waitlist at both schools. This does not always happen - it depends on the school. But very much worth a try.
best of luck. He'll be great wherever he ends up.
Tennessee Dad,
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us here, and for bringing Bob along to add smiles.
I, too, got teary while reading your post.
God bless you & your wife, and your boy, who will obviously "succeed" (in the best sense of the word) no matter where he goes.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us here, and for bringing Bob along to add smiles.
I, too, got teary while reading your post.
God bless you & your wife, and your boy, who will obviously "succeed" (in the best sense of the word) no matter where he goes.
Dial the gate
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- Jan 29, 2013
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Good morning everyone! New day for all.
Good luck to those principal/primary noms today, I hope you get good results!
Good luck to those still on the island!
Good luck to those principal/primary noms today, I hope you get good results!
Good luck to those still on the island!
Good Morning to All! The sun is shining in Florida, it's a new week. I want to say thank you to each and every one on this thread. I have laughed, cried, and grown with each of you during this amazing journey. I could not have found a more supportive group of people. You all have amazing children. To those left on the island, good hunting this week. We could use some good news posts.
Prepswimmom
5-Year Member
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- Dec 26, 2013
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- 375
PMooney I am at a loss for words....I am truly heartbroken for your DS. He sounds like he should have been a shoe-in. What is the Academy looking for? Who are they accepting? That is the million dollar question! Is it a numbers game? Are there too many recruited athletes (that is not a dig, just a question)? Perhaps the SA's should not be in Div 1 NCAA athletics. Because it seems to me an awful lot of super qualified stellar candidates got the TWE that should probably have gotten in. So what is the answer? What is the magic combination that gets a candidate a Golden Ticket? Is it academics, or yards rushing?
Prepswimmom
5-Year Member
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- Dec 26, 2013
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- 375
It has certainly been a journey... Although I can't classify it as fun, I can say it has been an exciting, intense, and at times very challenging experience for us as a family, and especially for DS.
Thursday I broke down and called MOC's office. Assistant was so accommodating and took 20 minutes to explain exactly where we were for our state... appointments had been made, most accepted and the chances for DS were slim. After not knowing anything for so long I greatly appreciated her candor and started preparing myself and DH
Friday morning we got the call from our BGO. I can't tell you what a blessing that was! DS was playing in out of town baseball tournament that night and Saturday. We couldn't attend because DD had interview with Math and Science boarding school several hours away in opposite direction. This gave DH and myself the much needed time to process the news and wrap our heads around it. Wish I could say (like TN dad) "we had a moment". For us it was more like a few hours! Guess we're not quite as resilient.
Saturday we went through the duties of interviews, etc. Interesting side note - it was almost humorous to see how uptight the parents were...when would decisions be made, how would they be notified, etc... I whispered to DH after the roller coaster ride we've been on with DS, this would be a kiddie ride
That evening we were all driving home and we touch base with DS. He's played well. He's happy. He asks us if we had checked the mail. I knew from this thread the TWE was there. He didn't have a key to PO box so I told him we would pick it up on our way into town. I had DH carry the mail inside. I just couldn't.
The disappointment was obvious to say the least. We talked. He needed time to process. He told me to keep the letter.
Plan B - NROTC MO scholarship to Vanderbilt. I fully believe plan b is His chosen path but the day after we found out he was awarded the scholarship Vanderbilt informed us he is wait listed. The journey continues...
I'm confident he will embrace Plan B as Plan A. He is a very thoughtful kid who has never "jumped" at anything but thinks everything through. Plan B2 will be transfer scholarship to University of Oklahoma and study aviation.
We've had the opportunity to watch him grow and mature throughout this process and I'm confident he will be a better person for having experienced it all.
Best wishes to everyone, whichever way God's path leads. These are all amazing kids. I feel more hopeful for our nation that there are so many willing to serve. God bless!
Lessons learned...
Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
Have DS "Campaign" to Vanderbilt admissions to get off wait list. It works - if they know a student really wants to got there he will get preference. Have him call admissions at least weekly, or more - register his desire to go there and keep at it. Best of luck and I am so sorry he got the TWE. It has been a long wait for all - I am only sorry it ended as it did for so many.
Maybe it is a combination of things -- sport, academics, extracurricular and a hook! DS speaks fluently three languages, maybe in our case it was the key factor, because other stats absolutely the same as every bodies else, 2100 SAT, all A's, honors and AP classes, sports, and so on.
AnxiousinAR
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Prepswimmom and Roseville
Thank you for the advice. The "campaign" has begun. I called admissions advising them of scholarship. DS sent an email to add to his file. DH called NROTC at Vanderbilt and got "someone" who kind of laughed and said sometimes that happens. DS should put in for a transfer. When that got back to the XO of the District he was hot. According to DS some choice expletives were used that DS said he wouldn't repeat in front of me. Recruiter made the 45 drive to see DS at school last week. He reiterated what a big deal this scholarship is-the district had 500 applicants only 9 were awarded scholarships. Going forward they want DS to contact MOI at Vanderbilt to see if he can make any progress. My impression is if that doesn't work ranking officers will intervene.
Curious as to whether anyone reading this has had experience with Vanderbilt. Advice appreciated.
Sorry for the hijack!
To all still on the island I pray it's a week of good news and happy stalking!
Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
Thank you for the advice. The "campaign" has begun. I called admissions advising them of scholarship. DS sent an email to add to his file. DH called NROTC at Vanderbilt and got "someone" who kind of laughed and said sometimes that happens. DS should put in for a transfer. When that got back to the XO of the District he was hot. According to DS some choice expletives were used that DS said he wouldn't repeat in front of me. Recruiter made the 45 drive to see DS at school last week. He reiterated what a big deal this scholarship is-the district had 500 applicants only 9 were awarded scholarships. Going forward they want DS to contact MOI at Vanderbilt to see if he can make any progress. My impression is if that doesn't work ranking officers will intervene.
Curious as to whether anyone reading this has had experience with Vanderbilt. Advice appreciated.
Sorry for the hijack!
To all still on the island I pray it's a week of good news and happy stalking!
Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
pipingplover
5-Year Member
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AnxiousinAR, I sent you a message.
JShawshank
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- Nov 2, 2013
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Haz - FYI, your understanding isn't quite right. Check out the nomination info via the link below which was copied from the Nominations sticky-
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL33213.pdf
Relavent text is:
"Nominees may be submitted in three categories: without ranking, with a principal candidate and nine ranked alternates, or with a principal candidate and nine unranked alternates. When the Member specifies a principal candidate, that individual will be appointed to a DOD academy as long as he or she meets all other admission criteria. If the principal candidate is disqualified, the service academies will appoint the first fully qualified, ranked alternate, if specified by the Member. In circumstances where Members do not specify a principal candidate or ranked alternates, one individual from among the Member’s nominees who is found to be fully qualified will be appointed by the academies to serve as a cadet."
As many have said, "Principal" should get an appointment with the only caveat being "...as long he or she meets all other admissions criteria". Seems to me that those indicating principal nominations on this site were above the mean so still confused on how they got TWE / wait listed....
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL33213.pdf
Relavent text is:
"Nominees may be submitted in three categories: without ranking, with a principal candidate and nine ranked alternates, or with a principal candidate and nine unranked alternates. When the Member specifies a principal candidate, that individual will be appointed to a DOD academy as long as he or she meets all other admission criteria. If the principal candidate is disqualified, the service academies will appoint the first fully qualified, ranked alternate, if specified by the Member. In circumstances where Members do not specify a principal candidate or ranked alternates, one individual from among the Member’s nominees who is found to be fully qualified will be appointed by the academies to serve as a cadet."
As many have said, "Principal" should get an appointment with the only caveat being "...as long he or she meets all other admissions criteria". Seems to me that those indicating principal nominations on this site were above the mean so still confused on how they got TWE / wait listed....
I think the people in this situation are "primary" nominees and not "principal" nominees. That is the confusion. What is the real difference between the 2? Seems like the MOC should have been a lot more clear, but "primary" probably means something different than "principal." Unfortunate confusion for all involved. Maybe USNA will feel bad about the confusion and give them all appointments?
Good luck to each of the candidates in this situation, but while we are on the subject i had a question. Why are the MOC's allowed so many different nominating options? Regardless of which of the 3 options everyone prefers it should be consistent throughout the country. In a lot of cases it is even difficult to find out which system your MOC uses. When I inquired they told me that their office annually identifies a principal nominee but would not tell me if the remainder of the slate was ranked or unranked.
IMHO I would prefer an unranked slate and let USNA determine the Appointments. Curious what others think.