For Those Denied Admissions

Like yourself, I did not make it into West Point. My entire life, I knew I wanted to become an officer. For the past five years, when I had an epiphany of what I wanted to do with my life, I prayed every single night. Let me really stress this: every. single. night. I am a devout Catholic, and I knew that God would provide.

That changed when I held in my hands a rejection letter.

Why did this happen to me? I'm a top-notch athlete, scholar, and leader. I've had strangers on the street offer their support in my quest for West Point; they knew I could make it. But why didn't I?

I thought long hard about rejection. I always needed to think about the possibility. How would I react? What I envisioned was me breaking down into tears and questioning everything I've done up to that point.

What I did was completely different.

You know what the words "rejection" and "denied" are? Just that: words. A composition of lines and curves to symbolize an action, place, or thing. You are more than just the words. You are more than that paper which is holding back your future.

You are a leader, the best of the best. Do not see this as a rejection or a defeat. Do not see this as a reflection of your character. That paper, that "rejection" is nothing but a challenge. Hone your skills, your character, and prove to the world, to yourself, that you're still in the fight; you're just a year behind. Catch up. Work. Do not give up. It is nothing but a hurdle in your life, and frankly you're in the final stretch.

I'm working for it next year. You think I'm going to let some suited-stranger decide my fate? No. I'm getting in next year. If not that, then the next.

Let's get movin'!

Thats a great outlook. Can I ask you if your portal changed and showed their decision or does it still just have that "no official correspondence" message?

USMACATHOLIC---great outlook! Nothing can stop you from your dream to become an Officer in the finest Army ever in the History of the world. YOU WILL DO IT!! God sometimes has a different path for us. Just keep the faith. You sound like a fine young person.

Make sure you talk to your RC and determine why you did not make it this year. There is clearly some area that you need to improve.

There will be rejections in life - it is how you respond that is important.
With your attitude and determination, I predict that you will make it next year.

USMACatholic

What you really have I'm your hand is not a rejection letter, it states "QNS", qualified not selected. You qualified! They just did not have enough seats for everyone. Out of the 16,000 who started a file that boiled down to 1900 to 2000 on the NWL is quite a feat. Re evaluate your resume and attack the re application. There are many who wish they could have as far as you are.

Push Hard, Press Forward

USMA Catholic -We all are faced with disappointment but the true mark of character is how we respond. Cliche I know but absolutely the truth. Although my deepest sympathies are with you - please re-read Tug Boats post - QNS means you are among the best students this country has to offer - that you are truly in an elite field. Take stock of your strengths, looks for areas to improve and approach next year with firm resolve and I am certain you will acheive your goals. Take care and God Bless....

As Tugboat says ... Push Hard, Press Forward

USMA Catholic, Sorry to see your status update. My best wishes to you as you pursue your dream of becoming an officer. As stated, QNS means you are a top notch person and have a bright future ahead.

Based on what I just read, you will be successful whether you go to WP or not! Life is full of "rejections" and disappointments but your character is truly shown by the way you respond to these. Everyone that sticks their necks out for something tough to get will one day face what you are now. Believe me, I have faced it before. The truly sad person is the one that never even gives it a shot. You are a winner just for getting in the fight!

How 'bout a little Theodore Roosevelt:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
― Theodore Roosevelt

tug_boat said:

What you really have I'm your hand is not a rejection letter, it states "QNS", qualified not selected. You qualified! They just did not have enough seats for everyone. Out of the 16,000 who started a file that boiled down to 1900 to 2000 on the NWL is quite a feat. Re evaluate your resume and attack the re application. There are many who wish they could have as far as you are.

Push Hard, Press Forward

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Hear, hear!

Hang in there!

What is your Plan B? Would it help to walk onto AROTC as a programmer at the Plan B school before reappplying? Don't know. Just curious.

USMA Catholic,

My DS was in your situation a year ago - actually worse, as he was medically DQ'd. Despite that he got the BFE this time around. I don't know exactly how much weight USMA puts on it but I do know for a fact that they listen to the MOC. In the case of DS, the MOC nomination committee was very impressed by his second attempt. Apparently they don't see it that often. RC told DS he was highly recommended (even though nomination was not a principle or ranked). Besides having an extra year to mature and improve WCS, I’m convinced giving it a second go was the little extra that got him over the top.

My gut says you'll achieve whatever you set your sites on. Good luck!!!

Re-Post

USMACatholic
Here is a repost from several months ago. I just want you to know you're not alone with this solitude.

______________
In a few short days, there will be triumph for those who are lucky enough to win a BFE. But there will many more who will not. When my DS received his TWE in the mail, it was the darkest days of his young life. I just want the parents to be prepared for that moment. My DS had his pity party, I gave him space, and I too felt sorrow and stained the floor with a tear knowing he alone had to suffer. I watched him break a few things that were dear and knew he would regret that emotional pothole. When he could manage to lift his head again he spent time with me. I would watch the ocean spray come over the bow and clean his sweet face on tug. His beautiful sweet face, with his mother’s eyes slowly came back and again the fire returned inside those eyes. A smile finally broke, like the sun over the morning horizon beginning to warm the day.

I know, so many of these kids work almost their whole lives preparing and waiting as my DS . I had some of the deepest conversation about life goals and setting sail for them with him. If he had not received the prep school opportunity he would have gone on with Plan B and C. But he took a deep breath and would try again. I know if he doesn’t get accepted for Class of 2017 this will be the end of it. I hope he doesn’t seek that dark place again. I feel his growing maturity will push him forward to big adventures again.

Setting new goals and looking forward will help the recovery. As many of you know, your DS/DD are the most exceptional of souls to chase this dream. Its stunning to me how bright their future and the opportunities that await them. Never miss a moment to let them know how important, how beautiful they are and how much you love them.

Before I hit send, I’ll let you know something, I’m a little afraid.

Thank you, good luck!

_______________________

Push Hard, Press Forward

It's people like these that keep a man going. Thanks everyone.

And for those asking: I plan on going to UK's ROTC program to earn experience and to get a little less green. That, or The Citadel in South Carolina. Money is an issue obviously.

Thule3 said:

Thats a great outlook. Can I ask you if your portal changed and showed their decision or does it still just have that "no official correspondence" message?

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Sorry for the double post. No, my portal did not change at the moment. I'm assuming it is because I always have the option for next year.

USMACatholic said:

It's people like these that keep a man going. Thanks everyone.

And for those asking: I plan on going to UK's ROTC program to earn experience and to get a little less green. That, or The Citadel in South Carolina. Money is an issue obviously.

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I totally agree my man. I got denied just like you as well and am going for it again. In my case I now have a full on understanding of what I need to do to get accepted

USMACatholic said:

Sorry for the double post. No, my portal did not change at the moment. I'm assuming it is because I always have the option for next year.

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Mine too

I am very sorry to hear your news. I am still waiting to hear back from USMA. I haven't received any news regarding my acceptance or denial. I also have The Citadel as one of my backup plans.

I am a devout Catholic as well and want to share this prayer with you. This is what is keeping my sane throughout this application/waiting process.


Stay strong and know that God has a glorious journey ahead for you.

USMAcatholic,
First off, great outlook. If you want to get in next year, you will have to keep it positive. I wasn't medically qualified last year for USMA, so I know how it feels. ROTC is not the end of the world, in fact, it's actually pretty good. My advice is to try out for everything you can. If there are any ROTC honor societies at your school, become a member of them. Don't give up.

I can tell you from experience that the extra year of waiting makes getting that appointment all the more exciting. I'm almost kind of glad that I had to wait an extra year. You'll learn a lot in ROTC that will be useful at USMA.

Good luck with ROTC, and good luck next year.

Any update on how many are left on the NWL?

I received my QNS letter on Monday afternoon, which was followed by some of the most miserable hours of my life. I had decided that I was going to West Point when I was six, and had worked my hardest every day of my life to make that happen. Why, then, didn't I make it?

It's been a tough few days, trying to figure out where I'm going in the next year, if I have a shot at it for the class of 2018 and if what I've been working towards my entire life is worth what I think it is. And I've reached a conclusion, which gives me both solace and motivation.

I have worked my ass off to get a chance at succeed at the United States Military Academy. Someone who has never met me has decided that I don't get that chance, because I'm not qualified enough. I am going to prove him wrong, if it takes the rest of my life. I think I deserved that chance, but I will never know. I'll try again for it next year, but if that doesn't work out, it'll only push me harder.

I'll be right along side you, reapplying for the Class of 2018. We've been happily awarded another year to improve ourselves, until we approach being worthy of the Long Gray Line. There's nothing we can do but make the damn best of it.