Admissions Board Process

grevar

CGA Admissions Partner
5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2013
Messages
536
We know that soon, the Admissions Board will begin meeting on a regular basis. Can someone please explain the process for the review applications that have been 100% completed, and are deemed 3Q?

For example, if an application is among the first group reviewed, I understand they are given a WPS, and "racked and stacked" in a numerical order. What happens to candidates who take the ACT or SAT again and score higher, and those scores submitted after he/she has been reviewed and stacked? Is the applicant re-evaluated when the new scores are received? We were told that candidates can continue to take the ACT/SAT up until Jan 31, so safe to say the application may get additional looks if the scores improve or other things happen that increase the WPS?

I understand for USCGA, the process is different. Once the Board reviews the Application under EA1, EA2, OR RA, it is not reviewed again. Any test scores should be in before the EA1, EA2, or RA deadline to submit or it will not count with USCGA
 
I don't see why they wouldn't reevaluate candidates when new test scores come in, it will immediately change their WPS. With completed apps that are 3Q, I think they either decide to give an LOA or wait until the nomination is in. They've already started giving non-recruit/minority LOAs so the board must be meeting with some regularity (although they probably aren't meeting much).
 
How is WPS determined...Does the Board really apply a score to this?
 
WPS is determined by assigning point values for certain things. Items for which you get points include (but are not limited to): SAT/ACT scores; class rank; h.s. schedule; being captain of a team, class or club officer; Eagle Scout; teacher recs; school activities, etc. At that time, candidates are deemed qualified, not qualified or deferred scholastically.

USNA does re-review packets when there are new submissions, such as new SAT/ACT scores (higher ones), a significant new award or recognition, etc. Based on that new information, the candidates status can change for the better.

Don't know what USCGA does.
 
WPS is determined by assigning point values for certain things. Items for which you get points include (but are not limited to): SAT/ACT scores; class rank; h.s. schedule; being captain of a team, class or club officer; Eagle Scout; teacher recs; school activities, etc. At that time, candidates are deemed qualified, not qualified or deferred scholastically.

USNA does re-review packets when there are new submissions, such as new SAT/ACT scores (higher ones), a significant new award or recognition, etc. Based on that new information, the candidates status can change for the better.

Don't know what USCGA does.

Thanks USNA95,

Are you saying that when new scores are received (and are better), they WPS would change and thereby increase the candidates chances? That is something that is automatic, and not a Board Decision? Guess I am confused. Is it the Board that places value on the items to come up with a WPS? Reads the personal statements, etc? If the application is not re-reviewed, I would guess that the value for things is a fixed number?

Thanks again
 
Thanks USNA95,

Are you saying that when new scores are received (and are better), they WPS would change and thereby increase the candidates chances? That is something that is automatic, and not a Board Decision? Guess I am confused. Is it the Board that places value on the items to come up with a WPS? Reads the personal statements, etc? If the application is not re-reviewed, I would guess that the value for things is a fixed number?

Thanks again

It is essentially a fixed formula. There are points awarded by the board when they review it, but once that board review is done, it's done. After that it's a simple formula and the board should not need to re-review unless it's something very very significant that changed. If you've done something that won you a Nobel prize or something along those lines, the the board might take another look.
 
I was probably not clear when I stated the packet would be re-reviewed. The RD will incorporate the new information into the file and that triggers another look by hin/her. It's my understanding that, if the new information would make a difference -- in most cases that would be higher board scores or some significant other activity, that could lead to another look by the Board. However, the above poster is correct that every new item submitted will not cause a new review by the Board -- if it did, things would quickly get out of hand.

For example, better scores can make a difference. Of course, the improvement would have to be significant (i.e., a 620 to a 630 won't change anything) but a large jump definitely could help if a candidate previously had weak scores. New items could also help a candidate who was initially deferred by the Board and who will definitely get a second look.
 
An example of a late submission that probably triggered a re-examination and increase in WPS was my son’s ACT taken in late October or early November. He had previously submitted his SAT scores that while good were not top quartile. He decided to try the ACT and ended up with much higher scores (34/34) and received an LOA in early December. I would recommend that everyone try both the SAT and ACT - at least take some practice tests to see if you might be better suited for one or the other.
 
Was just selected as team Captain for my Cross Country/Track Teams...Documentation was sent in from Guidance Counselor. Is this something that would "up" the WPS...It was not sent in with my original USNA App.
 
Yes. I would send this in. By contrast, if you had simply joined the XC team, I would not have sent that it.
 
As usna1985 mentioned earlier, when a record is brought to the Admissions Board, the candidate is either qualified, deferred, or turned down. Normally, if the Admissions Board feels that the candidate isn't currently competitive to be qualified, they are deferred. If a candidate becomes qualified, they are not re-reviewed (unless something bad happens, i.e. conduct, honor issue, etc.) but rather any change in the record could increase the WPM (Whole Person Multiple) which COULD be influential when selecting candidates from a MOC slate.

However, the bottom line is that I wouldn't worry about the WPM too much....if you strive to do well and continue to pursue excellence, it will only help. Getting caught up in the WPM and how it exactly works is time not well spent.
 
When does the reveiw process actually begin and how early will they begin to send out LOA's?
 
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