Important Updates for Class of 2017 Applicants

scoutpilot

scoutpilot

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Dont know how many other FFRs have received this, but this just came over the transom from Admissions. These are BIG changes.

Update on Class of 2017

• Target size for the class of 2017 is 1200 new cadets.

• We are eliminating rolling admissions. The majority of the class will receive their offers of admission on or about 26 February. Each offered candidate will have 45 days to accept or decline their offer.

• USMAPS cadet candidates will not receive their offers until after 1 May upon receipt of their April SAT scores and 3rd quarter grades. Bottom 10% of USMAPS class will be reviewed for an offer of admission no earlier than 10 May to ensure 4th quarter grades are included in the admissions file.

• The Letter of Assurance (LOA) was developed as a tool to encourage candidates to complete their files early. Most cohorts are completing their files early – and the LOA has no longer been an effective tool for managing the class. Due to the competitiveness of recent classes and the high acceptance rates, we are sending LOAs to only a small cohort of candidates – those in the areas where we struggle to achieve our Class Composition Goals.

• We will institute a Letter of Encouragement for highly competitive candidates so they can schedule an overnight visit if they wish to do so. The Letter of Encouragement (LOE) is not a conditional offer of admission, but conveys our interest to the candidates.
 
i guess this means that receiving an appointment is going to get even more competitive...sigh
 
Does anyone have previous class statistics? Is 1200 a good number, it seems pretty high to me?
 
I got the exact same information from West Point as ScoutPilot. That information is "official".
1. The class size of 1200 for 2017 is about what has been predicted. That is not a super major change from the past few years (Class of 2015 was about 1250). I think 2016 was a few less.
2. These changes will not make it harder or easier to get in WP. The changes do mean that the most outstanding candidates will not get an early offer (before 26 Feb).
3. People in the "difficult" areas to recruite (minorities and women) will probably get more special consideration than in the past.
4. Completing your file early will not be the the advantage it has been in the past. However, I would still advise that you complete your file by November 1.This will make a good impression on the WP Admissions people and probably help you get a nomination.

In general this is no big change for candidates - just keep completing and improving your file.
 
Maybe I thought it was high because I have been reading some posts in the air force forum about a class size of 1050 or so. Well it is what it is. Thank you for this information.
 
dlee96 said:
i guess this means that receiving an appointment is going to get even more competitive...sigh
Click to expand...

for most, not really. The population that's impacted most by a smaller class size is the applicants on the national waiting list or candidates that did not win their appointment category. There are odd years, but at least for MD, competitiveness within a MOC has been consistent. So unless you have an odd year and your Congressional district is supercompetitive, your competition shouldn't change too much. Remember, it's not the best 1200, rather 1200 out whatever # end up being fully qualified.
 
To any FFRs:
After reading some threads I have come to the conclusion that East-asians (Chinese,Koreans) are NOT MINORITIES/URMs. However, according to recent race percentages, Asians are the lowest ethnic group. Why is this?

Thanks MemberLG and BigNick for the clearup +1
 
According to our Parent breifing on R-Day the Class of 2016 had approx 1180 report that day. Good Luck to all 2017 Applicants
 
Interesting pass a long

I feel the rolling admissions was out dated. When you look at the many qualified application received, selecting the best class comp is important for the military to reflect todays diverse demographics to represent our values and country. If one is serious about wanting to attend a service academy, they must show their dedication. I feel it is important to diverse ones resume as much as possible. Don't rely on getting an appointment out of high school, it is a small percentage of the class comp. Look at private or public prep academies. Seek an AOG scholarship or other scholarship to attend this important path to prepare. You can attend these prep academies either sponsored or as an independent. Be careful attended a four year school, there are many distraction and much more difficult to retain a high GPA. Had a motivated applicate once and his grades dropped and did not qualify.

USAFA class size is close to 950 after BCT.
 
scoutpilot,

Thanks for this. We attended an event hosted by our FFR just this weekend and he clearly did not have this information.
 
Are there any changes regarding final deadlines? The Portal states Feb 28 quite frequently, which seems well past when the appointments will be sent out. I plan to finish as soon as I can get my college transcripts, of course, but it would be good to know the final date.
 
dlee96 said:
To any FFRs:
After reading some threads I have come to the conclusion that East-asians (Chinese,Koreans) are NOT MINORITIES/URMs. However, according to recent race percentages, Asians are the lowest ethnic group. Why is this?
Click to expand...

The percentage is relative to the national percentage and East-Asians are a subset of Asians.

According to Wiki for 2008, 4.4% of U.S population is Asians. Lazy to look up but I am pretty sure the precentage of "Asian" cadets at West Point is higher than 4.4%.
 
Thanks so much for this post. I'll stop hoping for a LoA and start worrying about the end of February XD

Any idea on the timeline for the LoE's, though? I only ask because I'd like to be able to coordinate with the practices of my sport, and visit while they are in season.
 
dlee96 said:
To any FFRs:
After reading some threads I have come to the conclusion that East-asians (Chinese,Koreans) are NOT MINORITIES/URMs. However, according to recent race percentages, Asians are the lowest ethnic group. Why is this?

Thanks MemberLG and BigNick for the clearup +1
Click to expand...

Not sure if you were answered or not.

I believe West Point establishes it under-represented minorities composition goals based on the minority population percentages of the US Army; not the nation.

I am pretty sure West Point is not saying that Asians are not a minority, just not an "under-represented" minority.

I am not stating this for a debate about the merits of this policy, just providing information to inform. I am pretty sure moderators would prefer any debate about this be taking to other portions of the forum.

Good luck candidates!
 
To reply to a couple of questions in this thread...East Asians are not considered a "minority" in the Army's eyes as the percentage of East Asians in the Army (Officers, NCOs and Enlisted) are in line with the general population of America - thus there is no motivation to "bring up the numbers".

The rolling admissions process was used in the past to urge candidates to commit early - but - that was in an environment where all the Academies Admissions teams were struggling to get qualified candidates to commit to a service academy against a strong economy, lots of options after graduation, lots of scholarship $$ available to qualified candidates and graduating high school seniors being courted by top end colleges. Things have changed. Scholarship $$ have dried up, state funded $$ for college have taken a major hit, and as we all have observed, the economy isn't in the best of health - which has driven a lot of students who would have not considered a Service Academy as an option to now compete.

Additionally, the other major Academies - AF and Navy in particular moved to the model of making "all" offers in Feb / March....

A lot of the candidates for USMA admission consider multiple Academies... and usually get multiple nominations -which means that even though an offer may have been extended from USMA to a qualified candidate, that candidate was sitting on the offer to see whether or not they would get an offer from another Academy which was possibly their actual first choice. Thus - this in essence "tied up" that slot until Feb / March anyway.
 
Ken2012 said:
Are there any changes regarding final deadlines? The Portal states Feb 28 quite frequently, which seems well past when the appointments will be sent out. I plan to finish as soon as I can get my college transcripts, of course, but it would be good to know the final date.
Click to expand...

USMA does state Feb 28 as the deadline, but they really look at the dedication of the candidate. Getting your file completed as early as possible shows your determination to join the Corps. As you have seen, the decision making will occur MUCH earlier than the deadline. A line has to be drawn - and that has historically been the cut off - but simply making the deadline does NOT show determination and commitment.
 
Second Time

My DS is applying for the second time. After being QNS last year, he received a sponsorship directly from admissions to attend a prep school to polish him up. His program or second semester will not finish by the dead line. Given the fact WP invested in him, they will wait. He understands this is the exception and not the norm but WP does show heart for those who work hard for their goals and want to dedicate themselves.
 
jrangitsch said:
USMA does state Feb 28 as the deadline, but they really look at the dedication of the candidate. Getting your file completed as early as possible shows your determination to join the Corps. As you have seen, the decision making will occur MUCH earlier than the deadline. A line has to be drawn - and that has historically been the cut off - but simply making the deadline does NOT show determination and commitment.
Click to expand...

Of course sir, I do intend to finish well ahead of that, I just wanted to be sure in case it was significantly pushed back.
 
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