Form Letters for TWE

GoAF8385

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Messages
15
IS FORM LETTER SAME FOR ALL THOSE TURNED DOWN? DS just got his rejection letter but it really makes us wonder???? :confused: We knew competition was going to be TOUGH but what bothers us are the "suggestions" in the letter. We were expecting a form letter if not the BFE but this one makes it look like he wasn't even really looked at.

Here's the basics of his app.: Congressional nominee (MOC letter gave NO ranking indications), Presidential nominee, 5 AP science and math classes with scores of "4" done and 5 more AP classes being taken this year with A's, AP scholar with Distinction at end of Jr. year (only student in school at presentation with this level of AP recognition), Captain of crew team for 2 yrs., Commander of AFJROTC unit, Commander and founder of two of the unit's competition teams and on just about every competition team and honor guard unit has, LOTS of volunteer hours, ACT Comp: 32, Math 32, Science 36 and Crit. Reading 36, etc.... He indicated major of Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.

The letter suggested things to do to improve packet if re-applying, ok.... but,...
Here is what has us stymied: They mention he should be sure to take Chem 1, Calculus 1, Physics, and persue a tech major his freshman year. He has already taken AP Chem, AP Calculus A/B, AP Physics plus humanities AP's in Comp. Govt, US History, Euro History, Statistics, Psychology & English. Didn't they see the science and math APs in his application???? Are they saying that if he uses his AP scores to place out of the lower level calculus, chemistry and physics classes that would hurt his application next year????

There was a snafu on the Academy side of processing where his application was mis-coded and not presented to the boards until we called to check why still being "received" being "processed" was on admissions page after the deadline when his app. had been turned in back in Sept. 2011. His packet sat there the whole time not being looked at until the last group being sent to the board.

That and now this odd, obviously not addressing his actual deficiencies letter makes us wonder, was he really looked at or pushed off to side because "late" (even if not his fault)?

He's accepted to Embry-Riddle Aeronautics U. in Daytona, Fl and is planning on still joining AFROTC and on re-applying to Academy (still waiting to hear on AF Scholarship too). So let's hope for next year. But we really wonder if he got a fair shake this go round?
 
IS FORM LETTER SAME FOR ALL THOSE TURNED DOWN? DS just got his rejection letter but it really makes us wonder???? :confused: We knew competition was going to be TOUGH but what bothers us are the "suggestions" in the letter. We were expecting a form letter if not the BFE but this one makes it look like he wasn't even really looked at.

Here's the basics of his app.: Congressional nominee (MOC letter gave NO ranking indications), Presidential nominee, 5 AP science and math classes with scores of "4" done and 5 more AP classes being taken this year with A's, AP scholar with Distinction at end of Jr. year (only student in school at presentation with this level of AP recognition), Captain of crew team for 2 yrs., Commander of AFJROTC unit, Commander and founder of two of the unit's competition teams and on just about every competition team and honor guard unit has, LOTS of volunteer hours, ACT Comp: 32, Math 32, Science 36 and Crit. Reading 36, etc.... He indicated major of Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.

The letter suggested things to do to improve packet if re-applying, ok.... but,...
Here is what has us stymied: They mention he should be sure to take Chem 1, Calculus 1, Physics, and persue a tech major his freshman year. He has already taken AP Chem, AP Calculus A/B, AP Physics plus humanities AP's in Comp. Govt, US History, Euro History, Statistics, Psychology & English. Didn't they see the science and math APs in his application???? Are they saying that if he uses his AP scores to place out of the lower level calculus, chemistry and physics classes that would hurt his application next year????

There was a snafu on the Academy side of processing where his application was mis-coded and not presented to the boards until we called to check why still being "received" being "processed" was on admissions page after the deadline when his app. had been turned in back in Sept. 2011. His packet sat there the whole time not being looked at until the last group being sent to the board.

That and now this odd, obviously not addressing his actual deficiencies letter makes us wonder, was he really looked at or pushed off to side because "late" (even if not his fault)?

He's accepted to Embry-Riddle Aeronautics U. in Daytona, Fl and is planning on still joining AFROTC and on re-applying to Academy (still waiting to hear on AF Scholarship too). So let's hope for next year. But we really wonder if he got a fair shake this go round?

Everyone got the same letter. It wasn't personalized. :frown: Sorry to hear he didn't make it in! Your DS looks like an extremely qualified candidate. USAFA has said that they had to turn down a lot of awesome candidates this year... :frown:
 
Not much to say except that your son seems to be an exceptional person and you have done a great job raising him. As for USAFA not appointing him, if you read some of the achievements of the other people who have not been appointed this year (and in past years for that matter), it is amazing to think that any of them would not have been appointed. ERU is a great school and your son could not have a better plan B.

IS FORM LETTER SAME FOR ALL THOSE TURNED DOWN? DS just got his rejection letter but it really makes us wonder???? :confused: We knew competition was going to be TOUGH but what bothers us are the "suggestions" in the letter. We were expecting a form letter if not the BFE but this one makes it look like he wasn't even really looked at.

Here's the basics of his app.: Congressional nominee (MOC letter gave NO ranking indications), Presidential nominee, 5 AP science and math classes with scores of "4" done and 5 more AP classes being taken this year with A's, AP scholar with Distinction at end of Jr. year (only student in school at presentation with this level of AP recognition), Captain of crew team for 2 yrs., Commander of AFJROTC unit, Commander and founder of two of the unit's competition teams and on just about every competition team and honor guard unit has, LOTS of volunteer hours, ACT Comp: 32, Math 32, Science 36 and Crit. Reading 36, etc.... He indicated major of Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.

The letter suggested things to do to improve packet if re-applying, ok.... but,...
Here is what has us stymied: They mention he should be sure to take Chem 1, Calculus 1, Physics, and persue a tech major his freshman year. He has already taken AP Chem, AP Calculus A/B, AP Physics plus humanities AP's in Comp. Govt, US History, Euro History, Statistics, Psychology & English. Didn't they see the science and math APs in his application???? Are they saying that if he uses his AP scores to place out of the lower level calculus, chemistry and physics classes that would hurt his application next year????

There was a snafu on the Academy side of processing where his application was mis-coded and not presented to the boards until we called to check why still being "received" being "processed" was on admissions page after the deadline when his app. had been turned in back in Sept. 2011. His packet sat there the whole time not being looked at until the last group being sent to the board.

That and now this odd, obviously not addressing his actual deficiencies letter makes us wonder, was he really looked at or pushed off to side because "late" (even if not his fault)?

He's accepted to Embry-Riddle Aeronautics U. in Daytona, Fl and is planning on still joining AFROTC and on re-applying to Academy (still waiting to hear on AF Scholarship too). So let's hope for next year. But we really wonder if he got a fair shake this go round?
 
LFry, I will be looking for you on the re-applying thread. :smile: Sorry to hear you didn't make it either but sort of glad to hear that letter was truly form. If had said: sorry, competition really tough this year, you looked good but we just couldn't get everyone in..... we wouldn't have given it a second thought. Just odd how they suggested classes he's already taken.

Good luck to you in the up coming year. What's your plan B? DS is on plan C because of problem in applying where he'd originally planned to go. Flexibility is key to air power! :biggrin: Look into Embry-Riddle (still taking apps and still offering scholarships). When first plan B fell thru DS looked broader and found ERAU, we went and visited over spring break and it's awesome. Has very large AFROTC too that encourages cadets to apply to Academy and is very supportive.

Great attitude on prospective for 2017, hopefully you and DS will be on this forum next year with the "we got in" crowd! Best wishes!
 
Your son may have a chance at the Falcon Foundation Scholarship. Every year they give 50 or so kids around 5 grand to go to a local prep school and then reapply. With your son's strong scores, he just may be in the running for a scholarship. Giving a call to your ALO or counselor wouldnt hurt either:rolleyes:
 
LFry, I will be looking for you on the re-applying thread. :smile: Sorry to hear you didn't make it either but sort of glad to hear that letter was truly form. If had said: sorry, competition really tough this year, you looked good but we just couldn't get everyone in..... we wouldn't have given it a second thought. Just odd how they suggested classes he's already taken.

Good luck to you in the up coming year. What's your plan B? DS is on plan C because of problem in applying where he'd originally planned to go. Flexibility is key to air power! :biggrin: Look into Embry-Riddle (still taking apps and still offering scholarships). When first plan B fell thru DS looked broader and found ERAU, we went and visited over spring break and it's awesome. Has very large AFROTC too that encourages cadets to apply to Academy and is very supportive.

Great attitude on prospective for 2017, hopefully you and DS will be on this forum next year with the "we got in" crowd! Best wishes!

Plan B was AFROTC scholarship. I still haven't heard back on it though so moving forward with plan C which is a full ride to a local college. I am, of course, hoping for a prep school offer, but we'll see how it all plays out. I hope to see your DS make it next year as well!

Your son may have a chance at the Falcon Foundation Scholarship. Every year they give 50 or so kids around 5 grand to go to a local prep school and then reapply. With your son's strong scores, he just may be in the running for a scholarship. Giving a call to your ALO or counselor wouldnt hurt either:rolleyes:

Falcon scholarships are usually for those that are lacking academically. OP's DS may be overqualified! It's worth a shot though!
 
Your son may have a chance at the Falcon Foundation Scholarship. Every year they give 50 or so kids around 5 grand to go to a local prep school and then reapply. With your son's strong scores, he just may be in the running for a scholarship. Giving a call to your ALO or counselor wouldnt hurt either:rolleyes:

Thanks for the idea, but a quick look at the Falcon Foundation website suggests that the program is NOT for candiates like DS. It's for kids needing to go to the prep-school to better prepare for following year app. DS is probably over qualified, he's already accepted to full university (we also got invite to honors program there in the mail today :shake: ). But THANK YOU for thinking of the scholarship for him. ERAU is private and quite pricey so we're looking for ways to pay for it if AF scholarship also falls through (as those are very tough to get this year as well).

Great suggestion to others who may need the prep school or community college prep. and need to find ways to pay for it.
 
Thanks for the idea, but a quick look at the Falcon Foundation website suggests that the program is NOT for candiates like DS. It's for kids needing to go to the prep-school to better prepare for following year app. DS is probably over qualified, he's already accepted to full university (we also got invite to honors program there in the mail today :shake: ). But THANK YOU for thinking of the scholarship for him. ERAU is private and quite pricey so we're looking for ways to pay for it if AF scholarship also falls through (as those are very tough to get this year as well).

Great suggestion to others who may need the prep school or community college prep. and need to find ways to pay for it.

Wouldn't rule it out! There's something, some reason why they didn't appoint him... for the life of me, I can't figure out why. But it's kids like that who get the Falcon spots (sometimes... I was the kid who clearly had lacking stats! :rolleyes:). One of my Falcon buddies here had a superb package, similar to your son. If offered it, I'd highly recommened seriously considering it! It's a great opportunity and gives you another (and statistically better) shot at the Academy!

Best wishes!
USAFA: 2016!
 
Plan B was AFROTC scholarship. I still haven't heard back on it though so moving forward with plan C which is a full ride to a local college. I am, of course, hoping for a prep school offer, but we'll see how it all plays out.
LFry94,
Have you checked your AFROTC portal? They will post there that you've been offered a scholarship, and sometimes the snail mail letter takes a few days to catch up with their portal. The last board was 26-30 Mar, with an expected release date of 13 April. This date (along with 3 other previous board and release dates) was on the letter DS got from AFROTC which said, "We processed your AFROTC application . . ." So this a reliable source - right from Maxwell AFB!
Good luck!
 
Just checked AFROTC portal. Nothing new on there. When we were at ERAU over spring break, the ROTC commander (active duty) said there is one more AFROTC scholarship board meeting after this one that just occurred. I thought late March one was last, but apparently not. We'll just keep fingers crossed. If Prep school is offered, sure would look into it but boy that would be thinking out of the box, as we figured that was for strong candidates in everything BUT academics. Graduating with 9 AP classes is not what we'd consider needing more academic help, but who knows.

There was the snafu with the application processing at the academy which we caught and had to point out to them, thus submitting his package truly at the last minute to the board, that and good but not outstanding CFA probably is what did it. Competition this year, of course the year {all} our kids were applying, was fierce, so it's anyone outside of the admission's board's guess as to what was lacking for all these bright dedicated kids. I know there's WAAAYY too many candidates to do this for, but it would be nice if they could actually tell in more direct than form letter what areas were lacking. It really doesn't help when the letter suggests things that he's already done while still in HS.

BTW: Yorkiemom: just noticed that your cadet made it! CONGRATS! And thanks for the encouragement to all us who's kids didn't quite make it this go round. Good luck to your son at the AFA!!!!
 
LFry94,
Have you checked your AFROTC portal? They will post there that you've been offered a scholarship, and sometimes the snail mail letter takes a few days to catch up with their portal. The last board was 26-30 Mar, with an expected release date of 13 April. This date (along with 3 other previous board and release dates) was on the letter DS got from AFROTC which said, "We processed your AFROTC application . . ." So this a reliable source - right from Maxwell AFB!
Good luck!

Yes, I have. I've been checking it every day for the past month. :bang: The last update on it reads: (Received around the first week of March?)
Your application met the board and you were not selected for a scholarship. However, based on your rank on the board, your application will be meeting the next board. You will be receiving written confirmation via mail within the next few weeks.

That's about all I know at this point. :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
Ok, reading back through Falcon Foundations suggestion posts and its website, I'm a bit confused. Also, now other questions coming to mind.

Do Prep school offers go out to those students who GOT the TFE's? Is that a separate board?

Another thought, would the ALO's know more specifics on what was the problem with the application that resulted in the rejection? ((Actual problem as opposed to just super competitive this year.))

Is there a waiting list group? ie... students told qualified, no vacancy but you're on a waiting list for any AFA openings... His (DS) ALO at a reception mentioned a student who had been turned down, then in late July got an appointment. She didn't mention if that student had gotten the actual rejection letter or had been told they were on a waiting list.
 
Ok, reading back through Falcon Foundations suggestion posts and its website, I'm a bit confused. Also, now other questions coming to mind.

Do Prep school offers go out to those students who GOT the TFE's? Is that a separate board?

Another thought, would the ALO's know more specifics on what was the problem with the application that resulted in the rejection? ((Actual problem as opposed to just super competitive this year.))

Is there a waiting list group? ie... students told qualified, no vacancy but you're on a waiting list for any AFA openings... His (DS) ALO at a reception mentioned a student who had been turned down, then in late July got an appointment. She didn't mention if that student had gotten the actual rejection letter or had been told they were on a waiting list.

Last year people got TWE's and then some were offered some form of Prep. One person got the TWE and then was offered an appointment.
 
Yes, I have. I've been checking it every day for the past month. :bang: The last update on it reads: (Received around the first week of March?)


That's about all I know at this point. :rolleyes:

DS's gives no indication of previous status. However, this was our year for application problems. Had one with AFROTC scholarship application as well. ALO didn't know she was supposed to submit some sort of form to ROTC for the interview she had done with DS in the fall. Actually came to the high school to have DS sign it. So as with AFA his scholarship app. went to board at last possible minute. LESSON HERE FOR ALL!!!!! ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK PERSONALLY BY CALLING IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE SEEING ON THE ONLINE STATUS PAGES. We had gotten letter about interviews being set up but no one called to do it, when we checked we discovered the ALO issue and Maxwell had to expedite his paperwork.

Anyway, this is current heading on DS's portal page:

You have submitted all forms for review.
Your Air Force ROTC Scholarship interview has been received and processed. Your record will meet the next available selection board. You can check back here to find the results of the board. We will mail you a letter notifying whether or not you have been offered a scholarship.


So I guess no news is still hopeful news.....

OK< Another interesting note/thought: I haven't checked it since this afternoon, but at about 3pm, DS's AFA portal page still had him listed as a candidate even though he'd gotten the rejection letter. This may have just not been updated, but has any of you noticed your status changed on the AFA portal as well?
 
Ok, now that I've mis-quoted it and someone corrected, I gotta ask. What does TWE stand for anyway???? No smilies on quick reply. @_@
 
DS's gives no indication of previous status. However, this was our year for application problems. Had one with AFROTC scholarship application as well. ALO didn't know she was supposed to submit some sort of form to ROTC for the interview she had done with DS in the fall. Actually came to the high school to have DS sign it. So as with AFA his scholarship app. went to board at last possible minute. LESSON HERE FOR ALL!!!!! ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK PERSONALLY BY CALLING IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE SEEING ON THE ONLINE STATUS PAGES. We had gotten letter about interviews being set up but no one called to do it, when we checked we discovered the ALO issue and Maxwell had to expedite his paperwork.

Anyway, this is current heading on DS's portal page:

You have submitted all forms for review.
Your Air Force ROTC Scholarship interview has been received and processed. Your record will meet the next available selection board. You can check back here to find the results of the board. We will mail you a letter notifying whether or not you have been offered a scholarship.


So I guess no news is still hopeful news.....

OK< Another interesting note/thought: I haven't checked it since this afternoon, but at about 3pm, DS's AFA portal page still had him listed as a candidate even though he'd gotten the rejection letter. This may have just not been updated, but has any of you noticed your status changed on the AFA portal as well?


It doesn't change at all when you receive a TWE. (Thin White Envelope/Rejection letter) It will read "Candidate" "Complete" until the application opens back up in July.

The message that your DS's portal shows is the message I had before the one I got above. I never had an interview with my ROTC commander though. I was actually meeting with my ALO one day and he told me that he called the ROTC commander and just handed him the results of my interview to him so I wouldn't have a need to schedule an interview.
 
Plan B was AFROTC scholarship. I still haven't heard back on it though so moving forward with plan C which is a full ride to a local college. I am, of course, hoping for a prep school offer, but we'll see how it all plays out. I hope to see your DS make it next year as well!



Falcon scholarships are usually for those that are lacking academically. OP's DS may be overqualified! It's worth a shot though!

Not necessarily. Falcon scholarships are usually given to candidates whom they didn't have a spot for. Prep school is for those who need an extra year to stabilize their academics.
 
Not necessarily. Falcon scholarships are usually given to candidates whom they didn't have a spot for. Prep school is for those who need an extra year to stabilize their academics.

Your right. I always get prep school and FF scholarships confused. (It doesn't help that they're both technically preparatory schools.)

Here's the requirements for a Falcon scholarship. (For those who want to know.) See: http://falconfoundation.org/

Must be at least 17 years of age and not have passed their 22nd birthday on 1 July of the year they are admitted to a prep school.

Must be a citizen of the United States.

Must be unmarried and have no dependent children.

Must, as a minimum, meet the established medical standards for a commission in the United States Air Force.

Must have completed the USAFA Pre-candidate Questionnaire (PCQ), have been entered into the candidate phase, and have completed all parts of the candidate kit if entered into the candidate phase.

Be qualified for entry to USAFA by the USAFA Admissions Office.

The USAFA Admissions Office will consider each application, school records and references. Based on all available information, the USAFA Admissions Office will compare each applicant's qualifications to the following criteria:

Motivation to enter and graduate from USAFA and, thereafter, to follow a lifetime career as an officer in the United States Air Force.

Scholastic achievements.

Qualities of maturity, truthfulness, courage, unselfishness, fellowship, and devotion to duty.

Exhibition of moral force of character and leadership and an interest in others.

Physical vigor as shown by a fondness for, and participation and success in, sports.

Hope things are going well for you howacupcake. Excited for USNA?
 
Thanks LFry! Yes I'm excited, just prepping now. I wish you the best for the application this year!! :smile:
 
Back
Top