Congratulations to your DD
USNA Class of 2028 Waiting and Speculating
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ARMARINE03
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Congrats! Excited for all
Congratulations
Where are you from?
gniyji
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Points well taken.
DS handled the TD much better in part it was expected deja vu of his NASS application, in part he had already secured his appointment to West Point.
Right after he got TD, his first reaction was to text to his weekend visit hosts at USNA. Very touching exchange! I am proud all of them -- they are all the best of the best. Interestingly all of his three hosts were not directly appointed from high school and length part of TD email was about reapplying. Not sure if West Point did the same on TD.
The weekend visit to USNA had huge impact on his college application. He decided to choose SA over any civilian college because he wanted to be part of them.
It is his fate that he ends up attending West Point which was the first college ever reaching out to him when he was a sophomore right after his PSAT. He was among the first to receive SLE then LOA and eventually an appointment from West Point.
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Big congrats to your son, that's amazing!
MaryKatherine
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oh good. I am sure he would have been great at usna - it's usna's loss.
The shock, sadness, and disappointment are all valid and I think itās perfectly normal to vent.
I think the frustration comes from the seemingly randomness of appointments offered. When you look at the stats of those getting TDs, itās hard to imagine that those receiving appointments had better or more stats. In fact I know lots of kids who got appointments with subpar stats. While we donāt see what admissions sees, I think this is where a lot of the disappointment comes from. I know itās not random, but from this side, it often can appear so.
I think the frustration comes from the seemingly randomness of appointments offered. When you look at the stats of those getting TDs, itās hard to imagine that those receiving appointments had better or more stats. In fact I know lots of kids who got appointments with subpar stats. While we donāt see what admissions sees, I think this is where a lot of the disappointment comes from. I know itās not random, but from this side, it often can appear so.
Does anyone think yield ever comes into play? I know it does at regular college admissions. DS was asked to move one of his RD applications to ED. He said he couldn't do that and was asked why and where else had he been accepted. He was later waitlisted at that school. We were actually surprised he wasn't rejected. No idea if that's ever discussed at any phase of the SA process, but DS was asked in every interview along the way everywhere he was applying and what were his top choices. Maybe with some really high stats kids that's considered? Admissions everywhere is a mystery. Sounds like most everyone here, turned down or not, have some really great options. I doubt GrilledCheese94's son will ever regret he'll soon be a commissioned Naval officer (or Marine!) and a Harvard grad.
IronmanDaremo
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Regular college are businesses. They are in the world to make money and earn prestige. Yes, they do let our kids earn degrees, but in the end, the colleges/universities are there to make their boards rich. That's why they make the decisions they do, whether it is tuition cost or sports priorities and endorsements.
Example: Almost all of the Ivys have endowments each year that would fully cover tuition for the entire student body. And yet, they still charge an average of $60k/year for tuition and not everyone is on a full ride.
Our neighbor's kid is graduating this year (along with our 3rd kid) and he got into Penn State and Virginia Tech, but couldn't get into University of MD (UMCP) - and he's someone who even fits into a specific minority group. The admissions people even apologized to him and flat out told him it is a money decision and they could only admit a certain quantity of in-state applicants. My current Academy kid was given Spring select Freshman entrance to UMCP, not Fall, when he applied. I graduated Cum Laude from there as an undergrad, and didn't get in to the same program for their Masters track for the same reason - more money available from out-of-state peeps.
The Service Academies have no such motivation. Their motivation is to provide the United States military with the highest quality whole person candidate that they can find that cycle for each nomination slate. Each academy is looking for something different and some just fit better in one than the other. In the end, all will be serving their country in the same capacity - as a commissioned officer - regardless of branch.
Example: Almost all of the Ivys have endowments each year that would fully cover tuition for the entire student body. And yet, they still charge an average of $60k/year for tuition and not everyone is on a full ride.
Our neighbor's kid is graduating this year (along with our 3rd kid) and he got into Penn State and Virginia Tech, but couldn't get into University of MD (UMCP) - and he's someone who even fits into a specific minority group. The admissions people even apologized to him and flat out told him it is a money decision and they could only admit a certain quantity of in-state applicants. My current Academy kid was given Spring select Freshman entrance to UMCP, not Fall, when he applied. I graduated Cum Laude from there as an undergrad, and didn't get in to the same program for their Masters track for the same reason - more money available from out-of-state peeps.
The Service Academies have no such motivation. Their motivation is to provide the United States military with the highest quality whole person candidate that they can find that cycle for each nomination slate. Each academy is looking for something different and some just fit better in one than the other. In the end, all will be serving their country in the same capacity - as a commissioned officer - regardless of branch.
CaCongratulations
Iriswhite23
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I 100% agree. It is very hard to come to terms with. Especially because of the 11 in the state, my DS got TD, the other 10 are pending and they havenāt started our state slate and there are 4 appointments to give. When you talk to the AO you want an informed answer as to what the other ten had you didnāt so you can make that improvement before next year. Not an answer from just looking at his application and comparing it to applications at large. What specifically caused him to get TD and the other ten havenāt even been evaluated for the state slate.
That is where the disappointment stems from because he is going to reapply but whatās to know exactly what he needs to work on that causes his rejection. He reached out to his BGO and he is beyond amazing!!! He wrote him while on vacation over the weekend and again last night with a HUGE email and was disappointed in his rejection and they have a phone call scheduled tonight to help him with his reapplication.
Thank you all BGO, your support of these kids and helping them process the rejections and helping them become better humans is beyond words!!!
ARMARINE03
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Oh the things I've learned from this process and folks like you. I've discovered GPA ACT/SAT scores will get you in the arena, but are not the be all end all. There's so much more that goes into the decision. One critical thing I picked up on are the essays and the interview process. I'd also like to add, how you present yourself. Are you approaching this with bearing? How do you carry yourself? Leadership ability/capability a sense of internal strength ready to take on the challenges, represented by the challenges you've already faced and overcome. The variables, the intangibles. Fortitude, resilience, determination, accountability and a DON'T QUIT mindset. Good stuff
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WaitingGame24
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Itās very abrupt end to many. Years of work with a minimal response that as much as one prepares, still seems to come out of nowhere. Such is life & the punch to the gut feeling remains for a bit. My heart sank when my DS got waitlisted this week. A flood of emotions for parents who I think take it harder than applicants for sheer fact weāve been alongside them for years as their biggest cheerleader, hopefully realists as well.
Heās moving ahead, anxious to see if by any slim chance he gets picked up from the waitlist but ready to reapply if not. Waitlist stung but it also showed him there was enough to be considered but someone had just a but more (again, huge life lesson for an 18yr old).
I really suggest to go to an admissions panel briefing as well as student panel. The one at CVW was about as spot on as they get. It was honest & raw with a wide variety of midshipmen. At the CVW we went to, a midshipman on panel said itās not been a great 4 yrs & will not miss the Naval Academy. That has continually stood out to me & has kept me grounded these past few k months. If there is one thing USNA does well is let candidates know grades are not end all, be all. Huge part - yes. But far more plays into it.
ARMARINE03
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We all feel it. Especially those of us who are second timers. DON'T QUIT! If he sticks with it, this time next year, (it goes by fast) he'll be looking at a different outcome. Good luck!
That's crazy. That is one thing I like about NC. They limit by law the number of out-of-state students, so they cannot do that to residents.
IronmanDaremo
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Just imagine how it used to be in the paper days. I was stationed in Germany with my Army unit when I finished my second application (first was a long shot in high school). I did the medical stuff through the base medical staff. Sent everything in, probably around the November timeframe (of 1990). Then in December we got deployed to Saudi.
When was the next time I heard anything? May of '91, when I was offered a NAPS appointment. That was the only communication I had from the Academy up to that point. And that was the norm, and what you expected. Now, kids (and parents) want everything in real time on the immediate. Expectations of communication and transparency are a bit lofty, in my opinion.
Now, get off my lawn!!
When was the next time I heard anything? May of '91, when I was offered a NAPS appointment. That was the only communication I had from the Academy up to that point. And that was the norm, and what you expected. Now, kids (and parents) want everything in real time on the immediate. Expectations of communication and transparency are a bit lofty, in my opinion.
Now, get off my lawn!!
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Iāll offer a little about how our son approached the college, SA, & ROTC process. The framework was constructed based on our experience as parents who had a non-traditional path to earning our college degrees. For context, both my wife & I are first generation college graduates from blue collar families.
Regarding the SA & ROTC paths, our son was fortunate in that he was able to draw upon my experience as an enlisted Sailor turned Marine Officer who entered USNA via NAPS.
Service in uniform has always been his goal. We encouraged to apply to all SA (he did) & all ROTC (he did, but not NROTC-MO or AFROTC-USSF). He had all 3 branches of ROTC scholarships to choose from in the end. In the end, he was nominated for USNA & USMMA. (offered appointment to USMMA, TD by USNA). Early Action deferred to Regular Decision by USCGA (currently Wait Listed).
The goal was having options. Like Gretzky said, you miss 100% of the shots you donāt take. Better to be in the position to say āNo thank you.ā instead of grumbling that āI couldāve done that!ā when thereās a missed opportunity.
He spread his college applications among a mix of schools - public, private, SMC, & state - based on their engineering programs & ROTC offerings, including on campus vs crosstown (heās a city kid who doesnāt drive - yet!).
Heās not heartbroken about getting the TD from USNA as itās always been a family favorite since Iām a grad. Iām bummed out for sure, but thatās my emotional reaction, not his.
He had a hard decision to make regarding school, academic major, and commissioning program. The ultimate decision was HIS - itās HIS path to walk!
Heās excited about his choice, which is what matters the most.
Regarding the SA & ROTC paths, our son was fortunate in that he was able to draw upon my experience as an enlisted Sailor turned Marine Officer who entered USNA via NAPS.
Service in uniform has always been his goal. We encouraged to apply to all SA (he did) & all ROTC (he did, but not NROTC-MO or AFROTC-USSF). He had all 3 branches of ROTC scholarships to choose from in the end. In the end, he was nominated for USNA & USMMA. (offered appointment to USMMA, TD by USNA). Early Action deferred to Regular Decision by USCGA (currently Wait Listed).
The goal was having options. Like Gretzky said, you miss 100% of the shots you donāt take. Better to be in the position to say āNo thank you.ā instead of grumbling that āI couldāve done that!ā when thereās a missed opportunity.
He spread his college applications among a mix of schools - public, private, SMC, & state - based on their engineering programs & ROTC offerings, including on campus vs crosstown (heās a city kid who doesnāt drive - yet!).
Heās not heartbroken about getting the TD from USNA as itās always been a family favorite since Iām a grad. Iām bummed out for sure, but thatās my emotional reaction, not his.
He had a hard decision to make regarding school, academic major, and commissioning program. The ultimate decision was HIS - itās HIS path to walk!
Heās excited about his choice, which is what matters the most.
This is so incredibly exciting. I find myself as excited for others gaining acceptance as I would for my own DS. CONGRATULATIONS
centay
VTCC '28 NROTC Battalion
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I know this ain't the USAFA page but I just got my Turn down from them. Kinda funny actually since Air Force was my branch of choice until a couple months ago after much thought and talking to people that the Navy is where I want to be. Here's to still waiting for USNA.
Well said! Thank you for sharing.