qualified vs candidate

hunterjumper67

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2011
Messages
88
I am a little confused. I have seen that the options for status appear to be qualified, wait list, appointed, rejected. However, my daughter's status says "candidate". Does this mean she did not qualify? It is possible because of her SATscores, everything else in her application looks great. She had a good Physical Test, she is in the top 10% of her class, her GPA unweighted I believe is 3.75, she has a nomination for the House of Rep., wonderfull recommendations, 6 years in band with leadership position, rose to 1st Lt and commander within months because of her outstanding leadership skills and her hard work, tons of ECA, etc. However, her SAT scores were not great. I believe 560 and 520. If I am saying I believe a lot it is because she did it all by herself. She didn't want me involved at all. It wasn't until we became Mailbox stalkers I was allowed to get on this website. So I am only a beginner in the USAFA terms. My questions are:

1. If it says candidate does that mean she did not qualify?
2. If she didn't qualify does she still get a TWE?
3. If she didn't qualify because of her SAT scores will she be a candidate for prep school?

She is determined to go to the USAFA so I trying to weigh her options.

Anybody have any answers for me?

Thank you so much.
Maud:confused::eek:
 
I am a little confused. I have seen that the options for status appear to be qualified, wait list, appointed, rejected. However, my daughter's status says "candidate". Does this mean she did not qualify? It is possible because of her SATscores, everything else in her application looks great. She had a good Physical Test, she is in the top 10% of her class, her GPA unweighted I believe is 3.75, she has a nomination for the House of Rep., wonderfull recommendations, 6 years in band with leadership position, rose to 1st Lt and commander within months because of her outstanding leadership skills and her hard work, tons of ECA, etc. However, her SAT scores were not great. I believe 560 and 520. If I am saying I believe a lot it is because she did it all by herself. She didn't want me involved at all. It wasn't until we became Mailbox stalkers I was allowed to get on this website. So I am only a beginner in the USAFA terms. My questions are:

1. If it says candidate does that mean she did not qualify?
2. If she didn't qualify does she still get a TWE?
3. If she didn't qualify because of her SAT scores will she be a candidate for prep school?

She is determined to go to the USAFA so I trying to weigh her options.

Anybody have any answers for me?

Thank you so much.
Maud:confused::eek:
Hi!

Since you ask "straight up" I'll answer, IMHO, "straight up."

1. Most likely, yes.
2. Yes, she should.
3. Yes. All candidates that do not make the "selection" are considered for the USAFA Prep School and their names/stats are open for review by the "Falcon Foundation" for consideration there as well.

You're absolutely correct; her SAT scores are VERY low for consideration. To be honest, the 520 is below minimums allowed. She needs both scores to be above 600, with a great package, to be considered competitive.

Not the news you wanted to hear but if she's to continue her quest, she needs to know this so she can "adjust" and plan ahead.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
1. Most likely, yes.

So if our status still reads "candidate*" we are most likely not deemed competitive? Even if our SAT's are high and we can see no reason why we wouldn't be competitive? Or did you arrive at your conclusion based on the information given in this particular case? I apologize for playing twenty questions here and chiming in on someone elses question but I'm a bit curios to say the least...
 
I thought that the status was "applicant" until they became qualified. At that point the status became "candidate". So I was interpreting it wrong? I thought there were other posters who had their MOC appointment calls that said their status was still listed as "candidate".
 
I thought that the status was "applicant" until they became qualified. At that point the status became "candidate". So I was interpreting it wrong? I thought there were other posters who had their MOC appointment calls that said their status was still listed as "candidate".

Yes, that was my interpretation of it as well. Maybe I misunderstood what was being said above?
 
Yes, that was my interpretation of it as well. Maybe I misunderstood what was being said above?
I think that the terms are a bit confusing.

Flieger83 is pretty good with his information. But I think there is a bit of confusion here. There is a differentiation between someone who is a candidate and someone who is a qualified candidate. If you look at the detailed class profile for 2014 it should make it clearer.

Applicants : 11,627
Candidate Pool : 7543 (Everyone with "Candidate" for their statuses)
Qualified Candidates : 2445 (This might be what Flieger83 was responding to when asked about qualified)


Please note, of the 2445 Qualified Candidates (of which we have no idea about Preppies, Falcon Scholars and such), they offered 1566 appointments.

So there is a difference between being a Candidate and a Qualified Candidate, though I'm not sure how anyone except the admissions board knows who these people are.
 
So there is a difference between being a Candidate and a Qualified Candidate

So under the status section of the USAFA online application site, is 'Qualified Candidate' specifically stated for those who fit under the category?

Mine just reads: Your Status: Candidate*

Hmm.... :confused:
 
Here is the information taken from an applicant's online status page:

*When you submit your application you become a "Prospect." When USAFA processes your application you become an "Applicant." Should USAFA deem you competitive and/or you receive a nomination, you will become a "Candidate." Note that you may receive a nomination and still not be deemed competitive by USAFA.

I don't think the status page ever says Qualified (or not). It just says Candidate according to the guidelines above. So someone could get a MOC nomination, but the AFA doesn't deem them qualified in some area--it will still say Candidate. I'm guessing Flieger was talking about this specific candidate and her SAT scores when he said she probably didn't qualify. My son's still says Candidate (no mention of qualified) and he has an appt. It hasn't changed to Appointee, and may not for weeks from what I've read on other threads.
 
My DS says "candidate" as well. From what everyone is saying that's not a good sign, SAT scores are above 600 for both, MOC nomination, and DODMERB qualified "potential pilot".......3.85 GPA, Eagle scout and much much more......so it's not looking good is it? Anyone else status says something different?
 
hopefulmom is correct. Candidate means the academy thinks you are competitive; OR........ You received a nomination. Realize, that the MOC's giving you a nomination have no idea really if you're "Competitive". Some applicant's applications are pretty obvious, but the MOC doesn't know for sure. So saying "Candidate" could simply be because you received a nomination.

And the only place I believe the word "Qualified" is used is under the DODMRB section. But that doesn't mean you are qualified in the academics or physical fitness sections.

To the OP, I know you gave a brief description of your daughter's credentials, but you didn't mention sports. There's a lot of things that could make an applicant not "Qualified". But I agree with Flieger that SAT's in the 500's won't usually get you an appointment. But it does make you desirable for the prep-school. Not that you will get it, but it's a chance. Then again; not seeing the entire application, makes it difficult to really tell. Either way, you'll know something in time. Best of luck to your daughter.
 
I don't think the status page ever says Qualified (or not). It just says Candidate according to the guidelines above.
I believe this is correct. My son has a nom, a LOA and an appointment (accepted) and his current status is still candidate.
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Application Status[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Your Status: Candidate*
Appointment Status: Appointment Offered[/FONT]
 
I have never in 3 yrs here ever read someone's portal state "qualified".

The thing is you can read the writing on the wall easily for many by viewing what the prior class yr's stats were.

A 1070 on an SAT is considered low when the avg is usually over 1300 combined. A 3.75 is a strong gpa, but the question that the candidate needs to address from a brutal honesty POV is did they take the most rigorous course load? If that 3.75 is their w and uw gpa, than unless the school does not weight AP/IB or honors, they would not be seen by the board as taking the most rigorous course load. Most candidates with a uwgpa of 3.75 who took APs and Honors would have a wgpa of 4.something +. Their weighted and unweighted would not be equal.

Your PAR is not only SAT, gpa and rank, but also the rigor of your course load and the profile of the school.

A lot goes into the equation for each segment. As CC mentioned no sports and a low score on the CFA can hurt too.

No ECs and a great PAR will also hurt.

It is called the Whole Candidate Score for a reason. They are looking at not the best in one area, but the candidate who is the best in all areas.

People also need to understand the prep school does not exist for the 1400 SAT with 9 APs and Capt of LAX. It exists for the candidate that needs one more yr of academic foundation to be successful at the SA. 1070 on SAT is an example of this.

For people who have never really looked at the AFA site in detail. They are the only SA that clearly states a 490 on V would be deemed non-competitive in their view. Now if you look at the avg V is 650+, you can see that on any slate of 10, or the NWL list it would hurt them from a WCS position, thus, as Flieger stated, most likely they are not qualified.

Getting a nom is needed to get an apptmt, but it is only 1 part of the equation for that BFE. It does not guarantee the word "qualified".
 
I'm still a little confused on this subject. I guess I'm a little slow.

I know low ACT/SAT scores below a certain threshold are deemed "non-competivie" and the application cannot proceed until this situation is rectified.

However, do ACT/SAT scores that are above that minimum threshold (ie - "competitive") = "qualified", at least on this count?

I understand low scores, relstive to the AFA means, hurt the WCS even if they are above the minimum "competitive" threshold. But those scores cannot DQ a candidate by themselves, correct?

My understanding: A candidate can still get an appointment with test scores that are relatively low, but above the minimum threshold, but the rest of the application has to be eye-popping sensational to overcome this relatively low score handicap.
 
Your Status: Candidate*

*When you submit your application you become a "Prospect." When USAFA processes your application you become an "Applicant." Should USAFA deem you competitive and/or you receive a nomination, you will become a "Candidate." Note that you may receive a nomination and still not be deemed competitive by USAFA.



Mine says Candidate...I received my appointment last week.
 
DQ, is being floated about too easily. DQ stands for "dis-qualified".

A qualified academic candidate can also be DQ; medical or CFA.

I may be incorrect, but I never heard of a DQ academically. Academically I have heard that they are non-competitive. 2 different things. May be wrong, and I will leave that to Flieger to address.

PAR is 60% of the WCS, thus the other scores better be really eye popping.

It is really hard to get over that 60% even with eye popping. This is my opinion, and only an opinion.

Look at the academics required at the AFA. They are not easy even for a student that hit the 1200 SAT marker. Math and Science are classes built on a foundation of previous knowledge. If Calc was a tooth and nail class which you pulled a C, understand that next yr it will be 10 times harder.

You need to have that foundation from an academic position to be successful at the AFA. You need to be honest with yourself of what academic life is like at the AFA.

Eye popping in the ECs, is not going to get you through Organic Chemistry.

I think IMPO the reason cadets do leave is not due only to this is not the life for me, but because academically they didn't take the time to realize that the AFA is known as the "Little Engineering School in the Rockies". That they didn't realize as a Military History Major you will still take a lot of math and science. HYSPM allow History majors to take the mins in Math and Science, most were allow you to take 2 of each in 4 yrs. That is not the AFA.
 
My DS says "candidate" as well. From what everyone is saying that's not a good sign, SAT scores are above 600 for both, MOC nomination, and DODMERB qualified "potential pilot".......3.85 GPA, Eagle scout and much much more......so it's not looking good is it? Anyone else status says something different?
Not at all, my DS has an appointment and his online status is currently "Candidate". My understanding of what it means to be a qualified candidate is that the candidate meets ALL requirements to be offered an appointment (however this does not mean that they would be offered one). i.e. Nominated, meets criteria for academics, is medically qualified, has a competitive WCS, etc. Some refer to this as 3Q'ed but the USAFA does not reveal this information to the candidate.

At this point, I agree with Christcorp, everyone should be getting notified very soon. Best of luck to everyone.
 
The AFA portal lags behind for many, so don't take "candidate" as a negative. Traditionally the people with appointee now have already received the BFE a while ago. They are not in the mass March mailing.

This occurs every yr at this time, people start reading into things that really don't exist.

Candidate even for the 400-500 that went out this past week will still say candidate for a while.

Also they will see someone from their MOC district add their name to the appointment list, and not realize that the candidate may have had a Presidential or both Sens and not be charged to the MOC district.

In the end look back a few months ago re:broad based questions, i.e. how many cadets are from X state? Or posters like fencer, who have twin boys at the AFA. Think about it, they both went to the same school, and had the same nom AND both are there now. Imagine being her waiting for 2 kids!:eek:

There are a myriad of ways to get in and you have to now just BELIEVE. Stinks I know, but that is just what it is. The one thing I know, and I am sure everyone who walked this path before you will say is this:

1. The results are out of your hands now.
2. Your child be it AFA or college in a few short months will be gone from home.
3. They are exceptional...@ 10K+ open files, and out of that they are down to the top 1/3rd. That is nationally. That is something to shout from the rooftops.
4. It will never be over until they decide it is over. The % of appointees are IMPO higher for the 2nd go around (in college) than the % of appointees for hs. In other words college 2nd go maybe 85% appointed out of those that apply, whereas hs appointed is 50%; throwing numbers...not factual, just examples.

Most importantly, and this is MOM speaking, you can spend 24/7 waiting and miss the important silly things.

Come August you are going to miss the laughter from their bedroom when they play X box with their buds. You won't miss the mess!:wink:

You will miss just talking about nothing important. The hardest thing during BCT for every parent is the SILENCE. Cell phones are taken away and all you have to live for is the 10-15 minute phone call when they are finally allowed to call.

That may read as a depressing thought, but that will be reality. So now the question is do you really want to take time away from being with them now to get vague answers and worry, or do you want to get off this site and say let's go out for Pizza as a family?

Again, either way you choose will not have an impact on whether they get the BFE. Just saying from a Mom and an ADAF wife of 20 yrs, I spent way too much time trying to find answers that I could never obtain.
 
The AFA portal lags behind for many, so don't take "candidate" as a negative. Traditionally the people with appointee now have already received the BFE a while ago. They are not in the mass March mailing.

This occurs every yr at this time, people start reading into things that really don't exist.

Candidate even for the 400-500 that went out this past week will still say candidate for a while.

Also they will see someone from their MOC district add their name to the appointment list, and not realize that the candidate may have had a Presidential or both Sens and not be charged to the MOC district.

In the end look back a few months ago re:broad based questions, i.e. how many cadets are from X state? Or posters like fencer, who have twin boys at the AFA. Think about it, they both went to the same school, and had the same nom AND both are there now. Imagine being her waiting for 2 kids!:eek:

There are a myriad of ways to get in and you have to now just BELIEVE. Stinks I know, but that is just what it is. The one thing I know, and I am sure everyone who walked this path before you will say is this:

1. The results are out of your hands now.
2. Your child be it AFA or college in a few short months will be gone from home.
3. They are exceptional...@ 10K+ open files, and out of that they are down to the top 1/3rd. That is nationally. That is something to shout from the rooftops.
4. It will never be over until they decide it is over. The % of appointees are IMPO higher for the 2nd go around (in college) than the % of appointees for hs. In other words college 2nd go maybe 85% appointed out of those that apply, whereas hs appointed is 50%; throwing numbers...not factual, just examples.

Most importantly, and this is MOM speaking, you can spend 24/7 waiting and miss the important silly things.

Come August you are going to miss the laughter from their bedroom when they play X box with their buds. You won't miss the mess!:wink:

You will miss just talking about nothing important. The hardest thing during BCT for every parent is the SILENCE. Cell phones are taken away and all you have to live for is the 10-15 minute phone call when they are finally allowed to call.

That may read as a depressing thought, but that will be reality. So now the question is do you really want to take time away from being with them now to get vague answers and worry, or do you want to get off this site and say let's go out for Pizza as a family?

Again, either way you choose will not have an impact on whether they get the BFE. Just saying from a Mom and an ADAF wife of 20 yrs, I spent way too much time trying to find answers that I could never obtain.
Well said Pima, my sentiments exactly.
 
I'm not quite sure what everyone is talking about. This is still confusing for m. I am the mother of a hopeful 2016 graduate. He just started filling out his online applaication and it says "competitive", is this a good thing? Thanks for any information you can give me. :wink:
 
I'm not quite sure what everyone is talking about. This is still confusing for m. I am the mother of a hopeful 2016 graduate. He just started filling out his online applaication and it says "competitive", is this a good thing? Thanks for any information you can give me. :wink:

If you mean an academy class of 2016; then that means he's a junior in High School. Which means he hasn't started the actual academy application yet. (The applications don't open up until late june / early july). Are you talking about the pre-candidate questionnaire? We are talking about the REAL academy application. Currently; the class of 2015.

On the status, it will most likely say applicant or candidate. (There are other options, but this is what we're discussing right now). Once the application is on hand, filled out, you become an applicant. (It doesn't have to be completed to be an applicant). Then; when the academy determines that you are competitive; OR you receive a nomination; the status will change to "Candidate".

Now; just because it says CANDIDATE doesn't mean you're 100% qualified. You could have gotten the "Candidate" status because you received a nomination. That doesn't mean you are 100% qualified. Just like an applicant can be "Competitive", but that doesn't mean they are 100% qualified. Qualification will be determined AFTER the application has been completed. Remember; the board that reviews an application, will not even look at it, until the application is 100% complete.

So; if you're looking at a preliminary status that was provided based on the Pre-candidate questionnaire, then realize that the status there, is not the same as the status on the REAL APPLICATION. And that application isn't started until the class of 2015 has been completed. And that won't happen until the end of June.

Now; it's been a rough weekend. If I am misunderstanding what you are asking, then I apologize. Please restate. But the class of 2016 application hasn't started yet. Only possibly the pre-candidate questionnaire.
 
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