Summer Seminar Question

Ajax

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Messages
9
Hello. I know that the application process is open on December 1st, but is there a place to get the application early so I can submit it on December 1st? Or do they release it on December 1st. Thanks so much.
skylar
 
Hello. I know that the application process is open on December 1st, but is there a place to get the application early so I can submit it on December 1st? Or do they release it on December 1st. Thanks so much.
skylar

Sorry but you just have wait like everybody else. . .
 
ok thanks. I wasn't sure if the December 1st was when they started accepting applications or when they let you fill them out. Thank you for the clarification ;)
 
Does anyone know what time of the night it comes out, like midnight EST or midnight mountain time? (I live on the east coast...not too sure staying up really late is a good idea since I have an important swim meet the next day. :rolleyes:) I've been hearing a lot of people say that the one for NASS should be filled out ASAP. Is it the same deal for AFA? If so, I'll stay up to finish it. However, if not, I'll just wait. thanks!
 
Does anyone know what time of the night it comes out, like midnight EST or midnight mountain time? (I live on the east coast...not too sure staying up really late is a good idea since I have an important swim meet the next day. :rolleyes:) I've been hearing a lot of people say that the one for NASS should be filled out ASAP. Is it the same deal for AFA? If so, I'll stay up to finish it. However, if not, I'll just wait. thanks!

I can tell you are really eager but its just a summer seminar. I applied the first day it came out when I had time. Don't stay up late, do it when you have time on that day. After school is a good time to do it!
 
a couple of tips

you can get a head start on the application by writing down a list of experiences (work experience, clubs, sports etc) awards and accomplishments, including dates (I'd omit elementary school awards). Think of the categories: academics, sports, community, work, scouts and other. You can also gather your academic info, gpa and class rank, and testing scores.

Having this information available before december 1 will make completing the application quicker. My daughter was very busy with sports and school on Dec 1 last year. She completed her application the 1st weekend in December and she was offered a spot to summer seminar. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND completing your application early, but it does not have to be completed the very 1st day...just my 2 cents. Good luck!
 
Do it in this format:

1) Academic Achievements

2) Athletic Achievements

3) Civic Involvements

4) Work/Job Experience

5) Leadership Positions

6) Other Noteworthy Achievements(s)/Experience

Good headstart on the official application for appointment too.

Good Luck! :biggrin:
 
I can say with a fair amount of confidence that you don't get extra points for submitting it 10 minutes after it opens verses a day or two.
 
Just as a little encouragement... getting rejected from the SS is not the end of the world! Of course it's a great thing to be picked, but if you aren't, don't give up on the Academy. I was rejected from USNA's SS(I stupidly didn't apply to AFA's), but am now a sponsored Falcon Prep by USAFA. So getting rejected does not mean end of the road to your service academy goal!

But best wishes none of you have disappointing letters and have a great time at the SS! :thumb:
 
Remember; like appointments; the academy tries to disperse summer seminar acceptances proportionately throughout the country. Try to give even amounts.

FWIW: My son applied for the 2007 summer seminar. It opened in December(ish) and went through March 17th. I and he knew about summer seminar, but wasn't really up on it. His ALO told him about it in February. He filled out the summer seminar application about March 15th. (2 days before the end). He WAS SELECTED to go to summer seminar.

So as Raimius mentioned, you don't get extra points for doing it early. And the academy wouldn't have a cutoff day if they simply were going to give the slots on a first come, first served basis. The reason for having a cutoff date for submitting, is so they can look at all the applications and proportionately give out slots.

Yes, be excited. Yes, be proactive. Yes, apply for summer seminar. It will look good to those who are going to interview you. But don't freak out about being the first who got the application completed. I know an individual who was the very first applicant in the entire country who had their academy application 100% completed. Completed in July. 100%. You know what he was called at the academy? "Cadet". Nothing special. Completing the academy application early has benefits. Completing the Summer Seminar application early doesn't really have any benefits. Other than bragging rights to your friends or on a forum. There's a reason that you are allowed numerous weeks to apply.
 
It is good to see that you want to get things done early. However, the reality is most SS applicants don't even know how early SS application is open. If you get your's done wihtin the first week, you are at the head of the game. It is definately not necessary to try to guess what is on the app and do it before the app actually opens.
 
It is good to see that you want to get things done early. However, the reality is most SS applicants don't even know how early SS application is open. If you get your's done wihtin the first week, you are at the head of the game. It is definately not necessary to try to guess what is on the app and do it before the app actually opens.

Plus; if i recall correctly, if you know your PSAT scores and similar info, it literally only takes a few minutes to do the application. It's basically a bio. It's all self reported. Remember; you're 16 or 17 years old. It's not like you are trying to compile a 30 year resume. You're compiling 3-4 years of accomplishments at most.
 
Remember; like appointments; the academy tries to disperse summer seminar acceptances proportionately throughout the country. Try to give even amounts.

FWIW: My son applied for the 2007 summer seminar. It opened in December(ish) and went through March 17th. I and he knew about summer seminar, but wasn't really up on it. His ALO told him about it in February. He filled out the summer seminar application about March 15th. (2 days before the end). He WAS SELECTED to go to summer seminar.

So as Raimius mentioned, you don't get extra points for doing it early. And the academy wouldn't have a cutoff day if they simply were going to give the slots on a first come, first served basis. The reason for having a cutoff date for submitting, is so they can look at all the applications and proportionately give out slots.

Yes, be excited. Yes, be proactive. Yes, apply for summer seminar. It will look good to those who are going to interview you. But don't freak out about being the first who got the application completed. I know an individual who was the very first applicant in the entire country who had their academy application 100% completed. Completed in July. 100%. You know what he was called at the academy? "Cadet". Nothing special. Completing the academy application early has benefits. Completing the Summer Seminar application early doesn't really have any benefits. Other than bragging rights to your friends or on a forum. There's a reason that you are allowed numerous weeks to apply.

If I am not mistaken it is rolling admission. They state that a certain number of slots are held to the end but they start giving out slots well before then. That said I doubt it makes any difference if you get it submitted on the first day or the first week.
 
My son had his in by 20 Dec as I recall and he was offered a slot at the beginning of Feb if I remember. I recall someone posting that a bunch would go out at that time due to everyone finally getting back from holiday leave at the Academy. :rolleyes:

Best
 
If I am not mistaken it is rolling admission. They state that a certain number of slots are held to the end but they start giving out slots well before then. That said I doubt it makes any difference if you get it submitted on the first day or the first week.

Rolling or not, it's not an automatic. I.e. they only offer 950 slots. (350 per session). If the first 950 applicants are from California, they aren't going to let all 950 have a Summer Seminar slot. They are going to spread it out pretty evenly. They are also going to look at your application. If you have a self reported 2.75 gpa, there's a really good chance that you aren't going to get a slot.

Like I said, my son put his summer seminar app in 2-3 days prior to the cuttoff of March 17th, and he DID RECEIVE a summer seminar slot. So it all depends on how many people from your area put in for it, your stats, and how many slots they are going to give you. Not everyone puts in for summer seminar. Mainly because it costs like $300-$350, plus there's transportation costs to get there. Rolling or not, they aren't going to give out any slots the first few days/weeks. They need to see how you stack up compared to the others coming from your area. They want people who technically SHOULD be qualified for the academy the following season.
 
They want people who technically SHOULD be qualified for the academy the following season.
From what you have posted your son was well above the average applicant so may not be the best example.

I do not disagree with you but in a rolling admissions system your odds are better earlier rather than later. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received. Admissions told us it is to your advantage to apply early but if you don't get it in until later you will still be considered.

You are far more knowledgeable about the system than I but I do think these kids should be encouraged to get it done early if possible.
 
My son applied the day it wasavailable. He did not get in til after people rejected the offwer. His friend applied the last day, she got accepted three days later. My son had his LOA in the begining of October, she did not know until later. With USNA my son was accepted to summer seminar right away. Who knows what the logic that is used to determine decisions at any of the Academies. He is currrently in his 2nd year and doing very well at USAFA.
If you don't hear back from them by the time the deadline approaches, call them to ask if you have a chance to go. They will have people accepted that won't go for various reasons and they like to fill out the sessions.
Also, USAFA told me that Boys or Girls State is favorable to Summer Seminar if you have to choose.
Good Luck to all.
 
My son applied the day it wasavailable. He did not get in til after people rejected the offwer. His friend applied the last day, she got accepted three days later. My son had his LOA in the begining of October, she did not know until later. With USNA my son was accepted to summer seminar right away. Who knows what the logic that is used to determine decisions at any of the Academies. He is currrently in his 2nd year and doing very well at USAFA.
If you don't hear back from them by the time the deadline approaches, call them to ask if you have a chance to go. They will have people accepted that won't go for various reasons and they like to fill out the sessions.
Also, USAFA told me that Boys or Girls State is favorable to Summer Seminar if you have to choose.
Good Luck to all.

Devildog's analogy is exactly my point. Just because you put it in early, doesn't mean your chances are significantly better. Just like putting it in at the end of registration doesn't decrease your odds. Some may believe it's a "Rolling" acceptance, but that doesn't mean first in means first accepted. It simply means that if there are a lot from a certain area, and they plan on giving "X" slots for that area, they can/might/will give some slots to people early. "UNLIKE" this coming year's appointments where they plan on giving the overwhelming majority of appointments in March/April compared to past years where it was also more of a rolling put out.

Bottom line: Don't sweat over a week or so. If you want to put in your app on the first day, go for it. If you wait a few days, don't sweat it. It won't make a difference. Now, does that mean I'd wait until February: Or whenever the end of registration is? No, not at all. But it is very unlikely that a summer seminar slot is going to be given out on December 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc...
 
Timing for SS application

Agree with CC. Don't sweat it. Submit your SS application within a week or so. Those with super good GPA/SAT will get accepted immediately after submitting application. DS applied for AFSS on Dec 11 and was accepted on Feb 14 aftrer he updated something (maybe new SAT score or all league award he received in January? I don't remember). He applied for NASS, but was rejected. Don't worry even if you get rejected, DS received LOA from USNA.

You don't want to wait until last minute to apply if you want to get the session date you want.

For USAFA SS, you will get to select your session after you get accepted. If you live in CA and your school does not end until mid June, your option is only session C (third session) unless you want to take your final exam earlier. Therefore, if you get accepted late by applying late, the most popular session date might not be available.

For NASS, you need to select the session that you can attend when you apply (you can select more than one, I think). That would limit the possibility of getting accepted if you can only attend one session which happens to be the most popular session, I think.

Please note above is based on last year and might not be the same for this year.

You do want to apply to SS to let them know that you are serious, but it is OK not to be accepted to all the academies' summer sessions. You want to attend at least one to find out if you are a good fit.

Good luck
 
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