The Back-Up Plan

harmi said:
We are not here to question ANYONE'S intergrity...Who are we to judge??? This is a forum for advice, support and information...don't judge anyone until you walk in their shoes, and even then...think twice....PLEASE!!! :frown:
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1) The original post very clearly said the candidate didn't want to attend CVW and felt it would be "deceptive" not to be honest at the interview. Perhaps my view is in the minority and was considered judgmental, I'm not infallible. Is there no room for criticism? OTOH, this young mans' high moral character must have been learned at home.
2) I must really be confused about "back-up plans", I understood it to be used in the event you weren't selected for your primary choice, not juggling around multiple offers up to the point of starting whatever program.

If I've misunderstood this post and the "plan", I apologize.

S4S
 
I'm going to be away from these boards all day so please keep it civil in my absence.

As to Plan B . . . I think they've morphed over the years. Back in my day, I don't think folks thought too much about what would happen if you were injured. However, I also know of colleges that would "hold a place" for you for a year if you accepted a SA (in case you quit). I had that backup and never used it.

I can't speak for NROTC scholarships b/c I'm not all that familiar with the specific terms. However, most civilian schools are more than happy to accept your deposit for a spot and then not have you show up. They keep your $$ and give your spot to someone on their wait list . . . who is also thrilled. So, it's a win-win.

However, such situations typically don't involve any interviews, promises, etc. . . . to the best of my knowledge. Whether to do that (put down a deposit at a civilian school) is up to the individual based on his/her circumstances and finances.

Realize that it is VERY rare for someone to be injured before I-Day to the extent that he/she can't start. Yes, it happens. But it's not something you have to lose sleep over. Stay away from hi-risk activities (e.g., skateboarding) and you greatly decrease your risk of injury.

Also, worst case is that you do a year at community college and reapply to USNA or for the ROTC scholarship. While maybe not ideal, it really isn't the end of the world.
 
To those of you who are keeping a back up plan of sorts in place until I-Day or I-Day + 1: Read through the materials to learn what is necessary to decline that back up plan. In our case, Texas A&M wanted it in writing. Until I read through all that, I would have just given them a call! So, we generated the appropriate letters (housing, honors college, engineering college, admissions) signed and sealed them before departing for I-Day. Mailed them when we returned home. Once your S/D is immersed in plebe summer, they won't be able to even call State U and tell them they aren't coming. Just warning you to read the fine print!:thumb:
 
agreed!
Our daughter has the decision to make between three academy appointments and a 3 yr AROTC scholarship to her #1 school choice. She will be putting serious thought into future goals until the end of April and then choosing prior to May 1st deadline. All of the PMS's that we spoke to regarding scholarships knew that she had academy appointments when she accepted ROTC scholarship and would be making a decision between the two. ALL indicated even those she only spoke to casually told her that ethically she should "release" the ROTC scholarship prior to the May 1st deadline. For a variety of reasons, but mainly failure to do so would result in scholarships being lost for the year, particularly in a reduced budget-high application year.

Also, as many have been reading, there are scholarship awardees who received 4 year scholarships with no scholarships available at any of their choices. That is a rough position to be in.

Our daughter turned back 4 year "full ride" ROTC scholarships to accept a 3 year at her top choice. If in the end, she opts for a service academy, that decision will make three other students VERY HAPPY. We have even discussed with her the possibility of attending a service academy and the "hype" not meeting "reality" and her being extremely unhappy. What then?
For us, the decision has to rest on what environment best meets daughter's academic goals and desire to serve in the military and provides a good experience for her. Sometimes, I think we might all get a little lost in the process, not taking time to remember the end result. A quality education with the opportunity to serve in the military. A great combination of two life goals.

For everyone, who has more than one decision to make, its not easy. However I am not sure that one can plan for every " maybe" or "what if". I do think the student can make the best decision for them at that moment and move forward dealing with whatever possibility "might" or "might not" present itself.

My daughter will be turning back three opportunities in May, which in turn will present opportunites for others who also want to serve their country. I hope that others in the same situation, will feel motivated to do the same.
 
jennyp said:
To those of you who are keeping a back up plan of sorts in place until I-Day or I-Day + 1: Read through the materials to learn what is necessary to decline that back up plan. In our case, Texas A&M wanted it in writing. Until I read through all that, I would have just given them a call! So, we generated the appropriate letters (housing, honors college, engineering college, admissions) signed and sealed them before departing for I-Day. Mailed them when we returned home. Once your S/D is immersed in plebe summer, they won't be able to even call State U and tell them they aren't coming. Just warning you to read the fine print!:thumb:
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What an excellent idea! I'll definitely keep that in mind if my son gets an appointment and we need to contact Auburn to turn everything down.
 
House06 said:
Our daughter turned back 4 year "full ride" ROTC scholarships to accept a 3 year at her top choice. If in the end, she opts for a service academy, that decision will make three other students VERY HAPPY.
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Of course if she could make a decision NOW, so those people could find out before May - ie. not wait until the very last minute - she'd probably make those people even more happy. :rolleyes: It's great that she has all these opportunities, but I find it hard to believe that she doesn't have at least a vague idea of which ones she's truly deciding on. I think it would be a lot more considerate to release a couple of them - her obvious third/fourth choices now. How would you feel if she didn't know anything until May because someone else was sitting on 4 offers? By May (when she's going to decline finally?), most other people will have gone on and accepted another school and made plans. Sure would be nice for a couple of them to know in advance. Sounds harsh, but we felt bad about our son holding two appointments from late Dec to late Jan while he waited for CVW to make his final decision. Why can't she decide? What will suddenly happen in April to give her this inspiration?
 
Agreed - and it's real money (as well as the emotional roller coaster) for someone on the waitlist at that point, as civilian schools want their deposits by then. Two is understandable; holding onto 3 appointments plus scholarship sounds as if her goals are unclear.
 
of course, I knew that when I posted that information that some would have lots to say. My daughter is holding onto three appointments because when she started the process she knew she only wanted to serve in the military. One SA her dad attended and is probably her first choice (for SA) the second service academy is probably a better fit for her academically, but has not appealed to her (so far) The third SA appt is very recent (as in last week)and offers her the opportunity to continue to play sports at the college level. The ROTC scholarship is to her #1 school choice.

Two of the service academies she has not visited, and will make a determination after visiting. It is a very important decision and should not be taken lightly, made spontaneously or without much thought. My daughter as many others are, is playing sports, doing community service, taking AP courses trying to finish up senior year and still fit in college visits as well.

The main point of my post which some people seemed to overlook is that once she makes her decision; in advance of the service academy and Cadet Command deadlines: then she will move forward in that direction allowing three other students opportunities that would be lost if she holds onto appointments or ROTC scholarships until the very last minute. She will not and we will not allow her to do so.

Yes, she is a little confused and struggling with making a good decision. She has just turned 18 and has been offered the equivalent of 2M in scholarships ( including merit scholarships) with possible opportunities to continue to play sports. Even now, soccer programs are calling wanting her to try out for their teams and commit to their programs.

It is a major decision for all students to make. Regardless of what position they are in. SA appts, ROTC scholarships, no scholarships. It can be a lot of stress and pressure for 17-18 years old and their families.

Unless I missed something I thought the topic originally being discussed was holding onto ROTC scholarships past report days for the service academies. Not whether or not a student should have more than one SA appt or what the motivation might be for doing so or how long the student should keep options open prior to May 1st?
 
House...I agree with you- it is a TREMENDOUS amount of stress for a "just barley 18 year old" to make the decision of what he/she wants to do with the REST of their lives...I hope for the best for your child, (young adult) She will make the BEST decision according to her desires and lifestyle and all will be well! Good luck to her and you...this time next year this will all be a disatant stressor/memory!! Hang in there!!:wink:
 
post script

In regards to the ROTC scholarship, it is a 3 year and we know exactly how it feels to wait as there are students ahead of her who are fighting through Dodmerb waivers and waiting for SA appts and will most likely not know or decide on service academy decisions until end of April timeframe.

She had to make an ROTC decision based on the 3yr scholarship opportunity not what "might" happen if one of the 4yr scholarships declined or was turned back because of medical ineligibility.

The bottom line is that for service academies, as I understand it, most students do not find out about appointment until April. To receive one before then seems like a gift.

I know the waiting is hard for everyone. I hesitated at posting our situation and now can see that it probably wasn't a very good idea. I wish everyone the best of luck as the students and their families navigate through waiting and decision process.
 
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House 06 - I appreciated your post. I think it highlighted the fact that having to choose from many excellent options is a great position to be in, but it's also very stressful and should be approached with lots of thought and care. I'm so glad your child is taking the time to visit the campuses of the SA's she's considering before making a decision. With your support, I'm sure she'll choose the school that's the best fit. Best of luck to her and congratulations! :thumb:
 
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