Submit Application

Theyellowfellow

5-Year Member
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Feb 14, 2015
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Has anyone ever heard that if you submit your application ASAP, it brings you better chance. My friend was waitlisted and they told him he could have been accepted but he submitted his application 2 days before the deadline. What is the earliest and latest times you can submit your application? and what things can you update after it has already been submitted?
 
I mean, I have almost everything done except my end of year transcripts (because the year hasn't finished yet). I would say the earlier you submit the application the better. It shows hard work and your ability to get things done in an organized fashion. At least that's what I'm hoping, haha. And plus, the earlier you get your application in the earlier you can get your appointment hopefully and accept if you feel like USMA is the place for you. Good luck!
 
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I went to this admissions meeting for the USNA, and one of the admissions officers basically said that if you submit your application early, and the admissions office has 10 applications and 1200 slots to fill everyone looks good. He then said that if you submit your application on the last day, and the admissions office has 1000 applications and 10 slots to fill, no one looks good. You might interpret what he was trying to say differently, but I interpreted it as submitting your application right before the deadline could hurt you, but I don't think he was trying to say that submitting in July compared to in August would make a difference. I'm guessing the same concept applies to WP.

You also become eligible to receive an LOA if you complete a certain amount of the application. Not sure what that amount is, but I don't think they need your entire application to be completed for you to receive an LOA.
 
I went to this admissions meeting for the USNA, and one of the admissions officers basically said that if you submit your application early, and the admissions office has 10 applications and 1200 slots to fill everyone looks good. He then said that if you submit your application on the last day, and the admissions office has 1000 applications and 10 slots to fill, no one looks good. You might interpret what he was trying to say differently, but I interpreted it as submitting your application right before the deadline could hurt you, but I don't think he was trying to say that submitting in July compared to in August would make a difference. I'm guessing the same concept applies to WP.

The reason why a candidate should complete their application as soon as possible (right now, June 11, 2015, most USMA candidates cannot work on their application as the second step kit has not been authorized. I have had candidates mistakenly thinking that the initial portion of the application was the whole application) is West Point is not looking for top 1400 candidates to appoint, rather 1400 out of about 3000 candidates that are fully qualified with nominations. Depends on the RC, the DODMERB exam will not authorized for candidates without complete application. If medical wavier is required, takes 6 to 8 weeks minimum and takes a lot longer. I believe completed application usually included medical clearance. For National waiting list, it's something like top 100 or 150 candidates, than discretion of the admissions office. So if a candidate completes her application just before the deadline, is not a Congressional vacancy winner, and not top 100 or 150 on the NWL she has to hope there is vacancy in the NWL. The admissions could offer a candidate with lower WCS score LOA or appointment based on thier admissions goals to fill the NWL vacancy without waiting for everyone to complete the application. The Congressional vacancy can be adjusted also as if a candidate has a senatorial and congressional nomination, the specific nomination being used will impact on #2 candidates.
 
I went to this admissions meeting for the USNA, and one of the admissions officers basically said that if you submit your application early, and the admissions office has 10 applications and 1200 slots to fill everyone looks good. He then said that if you submit your application on the last day, and the admissions office has 1000 applications and 10 slots to fill, no one looks good. You might interpret what he was trying to say differently, but I interpreted it as submitting your application right before the deadline could hurt you, but I don't think he was trying to say that submitting in July compared to in August would make a difference. I'm guessing the same concept applies to WP.

The reason why a candidate should complete their application as soon as possible (right now, June 11, 2015, most USMA candidates cannot work on their application as the second step kit has not been authorized. I have had candidates mistakenly thinking that the initial portion of the application was the whole application) is West Point is not looking for top 1400 candidates to appoint, rather 1400 out of about 3000 candidates that are fully qualified with nominations. Depends on the RC, the DODMERB exam will not authorized for candidates without complete application. If medical wavier is required, takes 6 to 8 weeks minimum and takes a lot longer. I believe completed application usually included medical clearance. For National waiting list, it's something like top 100 or 150 candidates, than discretion of the admissions office. So if a candidate completes her application just before the deadline, is not a Congressional vacancy winner, and not top 100 or 150 on the NWL she has to hope there is vacancy in the NWL. The admissions could offer a candidate with lower WCS score LOA or appointment based on thier admissions goals to fill the NWL vacancy without waiting for everyone to complete the application. The Congressional vacancy can be adjusted also as if a candidate has a senatorial and congressional nomination, the specific nomination being used will impact on #2 candidates.
So is there a benefit to completing service academy applications in July compared to September or October? I kind of want to hold off on doing some of the parts of my USNA application because it requires me to contact school officials, and I don't want to bug then 3 times(ie, I don't want to send an email to my English teacher asking for an LOR now for USNA and then have to email them again asking for an LOR for WP and the AFA when their applications opens up). But if there is a benefit to doing that, I'll do it.

Also, generally speaking, how competitive is it to be in the top 150 of the NWL?
 
I think you are a little too wrapped around the axel regarding timing. As far as USNA goes, yes, there is an advantage to getting in an application early as the workload of the admissions board is a lot lighter in September (when the USNA board starts meeting). A candidate cannot help but get a bit more attention in Sept than January when the board is dealing with an ocean of candidates and a deadline to meet. Note, I said that a candidate would get a bit more attention----not an easier look----but you do want the decision makers to give you lots of attention as opposed to a quick look and a quick decision. However, an early look is only going to help a candidate IF HE HAS THE BEST ACT|SAT SCORES he can get. Once the board has looked at a candidate they do not do a re-look farther on down the line except for extreme reasons so you want them to see your best of everything especially your testing scores. Navy allows you postpone your admissions board look (you must request it or keep something undone until the magic moment) until you do have those scores and, as you know, will "superscore" the subsequent tests. So a rough rule of thumb would be if your ACTs are in the mid 20s, keep working on them. If they are over 30+, go for it. Test scores are far, far more important than an early look.

The second question doesn't make much sense but I would say it is better to be in the top 150 as opposed to the bottom 150.
 
So is there a benefit to completing service academy applications in July compared to September or October? I kind of want to hold off on doing some of the parts of my USNA application because it requires me to contact school officials, and I don't want to bug then 3 times(ie, I don't want to send an email to my English teacher asking for an LOR now for USNA and then have to email them again asking for an LOR for WP and the AFA when their applications opens up). But if there is a benefit to doing that, I'll do it.

Also, generally speaking, how competitive is it to be in the top 150 of the NWL?

I can't speak for USNA, but for USMA unless you are the exception you won't get access to your second step kit in July. When or if you are allowed to complete your USMA application, there are many things you can complete without your school official evaluations.. For example, the candidate statement, sending in your transcript, 6th semester transcript is the minimum requirement, officially sending your SAT/ACT score. So when the school starts, school official evaluation, your school official verifying you activities, and CFA.

I have seen candidates with 2100 + SAT, high class rank, good leadership not getting in - an indicator (not the indicator) of how competitive NWL could be.
 
So is there a benefit to completing service academy applications in July compared to September or October? I kind of want to hold off on doing some of the parts of my USNA application because it requires me to contact school officials, and I don't want to bug then 3 times(ie, I don't want to send an email to my English teacher asking for an LOR now for USNA and then have to email them again asking for an LOR for WP and the AFA when their applications opens up). But if there is a benefit to doing that, I'll do it.

Also, generally speaking, how competitive is it to be in the top 150 of the NWL?

I can't speak for USNA, but for USMA unless you are the exception you won't get access to your second step kit in July. When or if you are allowed to complete your USMA application, there are many things you can complete without your school official evaluations.. For example, the candidate statement, sending in your transcript, 6th semester transcript is the minimum requirement, officially sending your SAT/ACT score. So when the school starts, school official evaluation, your school official verifying you activities, and CFA.

I have seen candidates with 2100 + SAT, high class rank, good leadership not getting in - an indicator (not the indicator) of how competitive NWL could be.


Thank you for the info, it's actually very helpful! :)
 
I have my evaluations done, my statements, my SAT scores have been sent in, and my CPDR is done!

nikkip, you seem to be extremely off cycle, especially when you are talking about end of year transcripts above. Is your second step kit for 2019 or 2020?

ALL CANDIDATES need to keep this in mind, your application is not complete until your fall semester transcripts are in, even if admissions qualifies your application based off of 6 semesters of HS transcripts.

You can push to get your application done early (good, especially the point about medical), and West Point expects you to keep updating it until file completion deadline (higher test scores, new accomplishments, etc).

For those worried about bugging their teachers more than once, you are going to have to do it anyway - whether it is spaced out or concentrated. The teacher just can't write a LOR for you and then change out the school name between print jobs. West Point has a specific web-based evaluation form that they must use.
 
nikkip, you seem to be extremely off cycle, especially when you are talking about end of year transcripts above. Is your second step kit for 2019 or 2020?

ALL CANDIDATES need to keep this in mind, your application is not complete until your fall semester transcripts are in, even if admissions qualifies your application based off of 6 semesters of HS transcripts.

You can push to get your application done early (good, especially the point about medical), and West Point expects you to keep updating it until file completion deadline (higher test scores, new accomplishments, etc).

For those worried about bugging their teachers more than once, you are going to have to do it anyway - whether it is spaced out or concentrated. The teacher just can't write a LOR for you and then change out the school name between print jobs. West Point has a specific web-based evaluation form that they must use.


Sorry, when I say almost done I mean I have almost done what I'm able to complete. Like the things that are are up to me to complete on my own. I apologize for any confusion I may have caused! And I'm applying for the Class of 2020.
 
A couple of reasons to get your file completed in a timely manner:

- WP will not authorize the scheduling of the DoDMERB exam until certain parts of the file are completed. Candidates will want plenty of time on their side to resolve any DoDMERB issues.

- Another reason to complete your file early is so that you can have your file qualified by the time the MOCs start filling their slates. MOCs may prefer knowing who is already qualifed when they are selecting their nominees.

To avoid confusion, let's stick to talking about USMA admissions and not throw USNA into the mix as they could have different emphases and processes than USMA.
 
My son has done the initial applications for USNA, USMA And USAFA. He has already been named a "official candidate by USNA and they have opened up the portal to submit the mountain of paperwork they want from him, the school... USAFA sent him a letter saying they had evaluated his initial application and he was "competitive". They said they would be in touch in July. USMA sent a letter saying that the evaluation of all applicants would begin in July. We are getting the stuff in for Navy (almost done) right away and plan to try and get the others in if and when they request it. Navy uses "rolling admissions" so early should be an advantage. I don't think West Point does rolling admissions and I am not sure about Air Force. Each one is its own ball game. Play it well!
 
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