From NASS to TWE...

S

shortmom

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2009
Messages
58
The old adage "you are known by the company you keep" can certainly be applied here. As hard as the sting of the TWE is to take we take comfort in the fact that we are part of a fabulously talented group.

When our DD began this journey a soccer Dad called her, first to offer to write her a letter of recommendation, and secondly to share that he had been turned down by Navy years ago. He had just retired after a very successful career. He retired as an Admiral.

Another discussion we've had in our house was the opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the countries future leaders. That has happened as our sons and daughters stood together at NASS and CVW.

Several times in the past year I search for a thread outlining a candidate's journey. I thought I'd share my DD's and hope some of you will do the same for the candidates of the Class of 2015
FEB. 1, 2009 Applied to NASS
JUNE 2009 NASS
JULY 2009 Application started
AUG.2009 Medically Qualified Letter
SEPT. 2009 BGO interview. Application complete
OCT. 2009 Scholastically Qualified Letter. Phone interview from current Mid.
NOV 2009 Presidential Nomination Senator Nomination Alternate
DEC 2009 Congressional Nomination
JAN 2010 Another Scholastically Qualified Ltr. and invite to CVW. Second call from current Mid.
FEB 2010 CVW
APRIL 2010 TWE

Plan B...still waiting to hear from NROTC. U of MD Honors Program! Undecided about reapplying for Class of 2015.
 
shortmom,

thank you for your post...we've been there through most of that journey!! It's disheartening to think that the TWE can come after all that hard work, but we realize that with all the competition this year, it is a real fact!!

I wish only the best!!! NROTC is our back-up also!
 
Thank you for the timeline, Shortmom! I think it will be extremely helpful for future applicants to see how the process/journey plays out. It's certainly not a short or simple journey, and it's not like the typical college application process. In our opinion it's the typicall college application times 10! Those with Plan B ROTC scholarships have followed that journey in addition. And to top that off, the actual college applications each has completed -- 5+. These kids are not your typical high school kids. They truly are fabulously talented young adults and will make excellent future leaders.

Still stalking our mail-lady for thin white envelope or big blue folder. NROTC scholarship received Nov 2009. I'll outline son's journey very soon.
 
ROTC can always be a detour. You can reapply (what I'm doing) and see what happens. If you don't get it a second tinme, you still have a commission after college.
 
Definitely a sad day here in Maryland -- TWE received.

Plan B: Virginia Tech (engineering) on NROTC scholaship (received November).

For those who are just beginning the journey for next year, I've documented our son's timeline:

FEB 1, 2009 – Application for USNA Summer Seminar submitted
APRIL – USNA Summer Seminar rejection letter received
MAY – Met with Blue & Gold Officer to explain application process
JUNE – Began USNA application on line
JULY—Officer interview complete; DODMERB examinations (physical and eye examinations) complete; VP nomination application complete and sent
AUGUST – Candidate Fitness Assessment complete ; USNA application complete
SEPTEMBER— Began nomination applications for Congressman Hoyer and Senators Cardin and Mikulski; requested letters of recommendation from teachers, etc.
OCTOBER -- Nomination packets complete for MOCs; Scholastically qualified letter received
NOVEMBER -- Interview for Congressman Hoyer; Second Scholastically qualified letter received
DECEMBER – DODMERB Medically Qualified letter received; Congressional nomination received; NJROTC nomination received
FEBRUARY – Interview for Senator Cardin
MARCH - Senator Cardin nomination rejection letter received
APRIL – TWE received
 
I too thought I would leave some time line notes for next years applicants.

FEB 1, 2009 – Application for USNA Summer Seminar submitted
APRIL – USNA Summer Seminar acceptance received
MAY – Call from B&G Officer taken by husband while son was out and told to contact him after return from NASS
JUNE – Attended NASS completed CFA, began USNA application on line when returned
JULY—DODMERB examinations, completed on line app.
AUGUST – Started tracking down teachers for letters and preparing info for congressman
September- Nomination packet complete and hand delivered to MOC, Interview with B&G officer
OCTOBER- Dodmerb and scholastically qualified letter received
JANUARY- Interview with congressman and nomination received. Completed NROTC Marine option scholarship application
APRIL 8, 2010– TWE received

As I mentioned in the TWE thread I still believe in this process. My DS is one that wants the end product (commission as Marine Corp officer) but knows that there are many routes to achieve that. He did not apply to the other SA's. He put all of his "eggs in one basket" with his nomination because he felt he didn't have a chance to earn our Senators (we live in CA). Athleticism/conditioning is amazing, academics, leadership etc. is what you would expect at this level but SAT's were not as high as many at NASS. Regarding NASS, he had a blast, met some wonderful people who he remains in contact with on facebook. Only 1 of the 8 got into NAPS and 2 received NROTC scholarships but no direct appointments. I'm not trying to justify his TWE but I think NROTC is a better fit for him and I think that USNA knew that.

My advice to next year's group is to think hard about what you want to achieve and apply for any means that helps you achieve your goal. You are all so used to achieving and winning that you almost don't see the TWE as a possibility. The farther you get into the process the more you think you have the appointment in hand (especially when you receive the nomination). This is an extremely qualified pool of people and it is a lot harder to obtain an offer of appointment than you think. TWE or BFE I am proud to know that you will be serving along with our son and protecting our freedom. Good luck and God bless all of you.
 
Our timelines are almost identical.

I remember that very first item vividly -- applying to NASS. Son was told the application would be available on line at midnight on Sunday, Feb 1 and that acceptances were granted in order of application (which we now know is not the case). We stayed up with him, waiting to be among the first to complete it, only to go on line and see a message saying check back at 8:00 a.m. -- hahaha. Went to bed but set the alarm for 7:30 a.m. He was ready, got the information entered pretty quick, and hit send by 8:20. His hope was that being early would get him a slot, but it didn't.
 
similar time lines here too. I remember when he applied for NASS. I asked DS if he understood that by clicking the SEND button he was sighing up to join the Navy. He said he did understand that.

So he clicked the SEND button.

He got into NASS, that experience changed him for the better, even his teachers at school noticed it. He began to understand what "stepping up" really means, what "reaching further" looks like, and what moving past your personal limits feels like. Wife and I where as surprised as he was for receiving one of those awards they give out (5 in 750 kids received those wards that day). I knew then that the stakes were high and the competition was tough. I could see by the kids in the bleachers that day that this was no slouch group. :thumb:

He put together the best application that he could, represented himself well in his interviews (I like how the time lines makes this all sound so matter of fact). He applied for NROTC as plan B and local colleges for plan C.

DodMERB was exciting (3 round knock out, he passed) and included a food challenge for tree nut allergies (here eat this and we'll find out what happens :eek:). Then waiting, interviews, and waiting.

He got NAPS for Christmas. :beer1::jump1: Accepted after we all stopped crying. Now the tough part, stepping up to the challenge of attending the United States Naval Academy with some of the brightest, type A personalities in the nation.

But I know it could have gone the other way just as easily. No scholastically qualified letter, did okay on the CFA, rejections from MOC (that was tough).

You've got to be in it to win it. It's not about any single piece of data. And make no mistake, being one of the 7% accepted from the pool of applicants will not be easy.
 
Another timeline to provide info for those with hopes for the class of 2015 and beyond...

DS was encouraged from a young age by his AF Colonel, bomber-pilot grandfather to "fly", and my family is 5-generation Navy. When Grandpa died, the idea of going to the USNA to "follow in his footsteps" as a military pilot was cemented. That was when DS was in middle school, and he has never looked back.

When older brother joined the Navy in 2008, DS got even more excited and serious about his future as a military man. So our timeline will begin there. I've included lots of detail in the hopes of providing as much info as possible.

  • October 2008: older brother begins Navy SEAL program (Injury causes him to drop for 2 years. He is currently a Navy vocalist, but plans to return to spec ops when cleared to do so.) DS is excited for, and a little jealous of, brother!
  • January 2009: DS began dual-credit college courses to prepare for application process (College Algebra and Fundamentals of Chemistry)
  • February 2009: Apply for NASS
  • April 2009: NASS acceptance
  • June 2009: NASS - This had a wonderful effect. DS LOVED NASS, which spurred him into getting very serious about his education and physical training. He had always been a great student without trying too hard. Now he was not only working for good grades but to be the best he could be. Parents loving it!
  • July 2009: Began application process...MOUNDS of paperwork!
  • August 2009: Traveled to home in Alaska to interview with Senators, Congressman and BGO. (We are temporarily living in the lower 48 to be near ill grandparent.) DS spent his own money to make this trip possible.
  • August 2009: DoDMerb physical
  • September 2009: Dual-credit classes (Pre-Calc and Chem 2); Re-did CFA to improve scores (DS passed the first time but knew he could do better.)
  • September 2009: Re-took SAT and ACT
  • October 2009: DoDMerb qualification letter; Application completed
  • December 2009: 1st Senator nomination received
  • January 2010: Dual-credit classes (Calculus and Physics); Turned in 7th semester transcript; Congressman nom received, 2nd Senator nom received
  • February 2010: Scholasticly qualified letter received; turned in 8th semester mid-terms
  • March 6, 2010: Call from Senator congratulating DS on appointment:yay:
  • March 15, 2010: BFE received
  • April 13, 2010: Acceptance mailed:biggrin: (had been waiting to receive birth cert from passport office)
So that has been our journey so far. Hope it answers some questions, or is at least distracting reading, for those just beginning! Good luck to all!
 
I would like to add that I have been amazed and humbled by the quality of parents and kids on this forum. They are a bright light and give me amazing hope for the future of our country! Reading posts by and about these young men and women has underscored for us just how blest our DS is to have received one of the coveted spots at the academy for the class of 2014. I cannot thank each of you enough for your answers, encouragement and openness as we've walked through this process together. I know that wherever life leads you/your children, great things will accompany the future leaders on this forum! Thank you for letting us be a part of your journey!
 
One of the "morals" of these stories is to ensure that, no matter how qualified you are, you pursue Plan B.

Also, re putting all of your "eggs in one basked" (i.e., applying to only one SA), I've always said that, if you would truly be happy at more than one, apply to more than one and divide up your MOC applications. However, if you're not 100% committed to more than one SA and/or are always going to regret not putting 100% into a particular SA, then you should put 100% into one. It's an individual thing.
 
Received TWE

After months of waiting with hope, my very qualified daughter received the dreaded TWE. She got to it before I saw it in the mail and then didn't even tell me about it. She was crushed..... Good news is that she has so many other opportunities and scholarship offerings.

This group has been a great source of information and inspiration. Thanks to all and best wishes to the amazing young men and women who did receive an appointment. We need the best to run our country. Go Navy!
 
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