My daughter's ALO is not responding

My daughter has sent her ALO two emails (one per month) but has yet to receive a response. She just had some basic questions and wanted to let her ALO know she would like to attend USAFA. She is an rising Junior and has time but just find it odd that the ALO is not responding at all. Should we be worried that he never responded to her? What action should she take? We obviously don't want to upset him as he will be an important part of the admission process.

As a junior, don't be too concerned. Most ALO's, do this voluntarily. Most have "Real Jobs". It's also summer, which means the beginning of the application season. Her ALO is probably getting real busy with the new applicants applying for the class of 2020.

I suggest that your daughter, come on the forum and introduce herself, and ask some of her questions here. There are quite a few ALO's , as well as a lot of experienced cadets, parents, and applicants on this forum. I'd bet a dollar to a box a donuts, that your daughter will probably get a lot of her questions answered here. PLUS, she'll get more involved and learn a lot more, which will make the application process so much easier for her. She'll be ready to apply for summer seminar and for the academy next spring/summer.

Ok. I will let her know. Thank you. It is kind of water under the bridge as of right now because one of her questions was related to what class would be better to finish with AP Chem vs AP Physics but she had to chose which track she would take and decided Chem. And regarding her electives. She has been in band but the band is only on a 4.0 scale whereas all her other classes (because of AP) are on 5.0 scale. But she has already been in band camp for a month and her schedule came out yesterday. Many kids have dropped band because of the 4.0 scale hurting their weighted GPA and it may hurt her ranking a little too. However it would show consistency and leadership. Right now she is 5th/621 but if others take electives that are AP and she has band it might set her back a little. She first contacted the ALO in March and again in April with these questions but doesn't want to harass him either so she just made the decision to stay in band as she loves it and has received a leadership position. So it is not as much about the questions anymore as it is about my concern that the ALO is not responding and how that might affect any part of her application process. Should she continue to try and contact him or would he get annoyed with her? That is if he receiving the emails at all. Is there ever a incidence where the email contact of the ALO on USAFA website or even the assigned ALO is incorrect? Of course like I said as far as current questions it is a done deal but for future reference it would be nice to know. Thank you for your quick response. I will let her know that she can ask her questions here and get a lot of great info (I kind of forgot until tonight about the great info on here ).

Her ALO not responding, will have no affect on her application. As a Junior, she doesn't even have an application. For all you know, she may not even have the same ALO next year. As I said, most are volunteers. They sometimes change out schools that they cover.

Whatever, don't read into it too much. She'll be fine in the application process. My advice as for classes and such, the most important thing she should be doing and taking in high school, are the things she likes. The classes she'll enjoy most and have fun with. I always ask applicants with similar questions; "If you weren't applying to the academy, would you still be in JrROTC, or CAP, or Scouts, or Band, or whatever the question is referring to. If the answer is YES, then she should be taking that class or doing that activity. If the answer is no, then she shouldn't be doing that activity.

Don't try to 2nd guess applying to the academy or ANY university. An individual who is passionate about band and music, will have more success, more leadership opportunities, and a better resume/application for the academy or any university, if they stick with that; than to change to an activity they think is a "Better" move to look good on the application. I've seen a lot of Uber smart 4.0 type students not receive an appointment, because that's all they had. They had no activities. They didn't have sports. They didn't have leadership. They didn't have volunteer time. They didn't have team activities. But by God, they had their 4.0gpa, 35ACT. They thought they should get a full ride to any school in the country they wanted. Well, even Harvard, Georgetown, Purdue, and any other decent university wants to see a diverse student with community involvement, leadership, sports, clubs, and other extra curricular activities.

So definitely take the hardest classes that you can succeed in. But make sure she is enjoying her life. Nothing, not even the academy, is worth it if you're not happy at what you're doing and who you are. Get her to come to the forum and ask questions. She'll do fine. Take care. Mike.

hunterjumper, chillax!!!!! DD has a whole line up of rising seniors ahead of her. Many of her and your questions can be answered here with just a little bit of research.

On Saturday morning, go grab a donut and a HUGE cup of coffee, and settle in here. LOTS of info in the stickies, and in both new and old threads.

Welcome aboard and prepare for the roller coaster.

Hi HunterJumper. I seem to jump on this forum when an applicant or their parents have questions that involve band My DS, now a C1C was in band all four HS years. He also participated in the orchestra and jazz programs and now enjoys participating in the AFA Drum and Bugle Corp. Our school also used the 4.0 GPA scale. We learned to use tricks to lessen the effect of his band classes, such as taking the class for 'credit, no grade' or even taking the class as a 'student aide'. His ALO did advise him to mention in his application an explanation why he took these classes for no grade, but I'm sure the Academy has seen this type of situation before. The local directors were also very willing to work with our kids, some going as far as being given the music, and coming in after school for practice sessions. They also allowed our kids to take their music class as their lunch period. If your guidance counselor has worked with a SA application, they may also have 'work-arounds', just ask them. So you know, our DS never graded below an A, took every AP class available, but only finished in the top 25/450 because of the band participation. But he did what he enjoyed, and is still enjoying, which in the end, is important too. Good luck with your DD's application! It's quite a ride!

hunter,

Just some advice and with 2.07 you can get a small starbucks coffee, but nobody is exaggerating when they say this is a roller coaster ride of your life. Most people won't really start investing this path until spring of their junior year. Even than when they get off of the ride after a year they are emotionally drained and cannot wait to move on to whatever their fate will be... an SA or university.

There are going to be days that you are happy...got a nom. Than days that you are in fear...got a DoDMERB DQ... back to happy weeks later because you got a waiver. Low again because you didn't get another nom. Happy because you got an AFROTC type 1, or 2 scholarship. Low again because you find out that USAFA and HQ AFROTC don't talk.

Starting to get the picture? It is just a year of constant whiplash, and you just get to the point of March can't get here fast enough. Now that is how people feel when they only start with the PCQ in Mar. You are looking at @20 months of this being on your mind if you start worrying about an ALO that has yet to respond.

You're assuming March will be the appointment month again next year...asssuming....

'Just saying...." ;-)

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

hunterjumper67 said:

Ok. I will let her know. Thank you. It is kind of water under the bridge as of right now because one of her questions was related to what class would be better to finish with AP Chem vs AP Physics but she had to chose which track she would take and decided Chem. And regarding her electives. She has been in band but the band is only on a 4.0 scale whereas all her other classes (because of AP) are on 5.0 scale. But she has already been in band camp for a month and her schedule came out yesterday. Many kids have dropped band because of the 4.0 scale hurting their weighted GPA and it may hurt her ranking a little too. However it would show consistency and leadership. Right now she is 5th/621 but if others take electives that are AP and she has band it might set her back a little. She first contacted the ALO in March and again in April with these questions but doesn't want to harass him either so she just made the decision to stay in band as she loves it and has received a leadership position. So it is not as much about the questions anymore as it is about my concern that the ALO is not responding and how that might affect any part of her application process. Should she continue to try and contact him or would he get annoyed with her? That is if he receiving the emails at all. Is there ever a incidence where the email contact of the ALO on USAFA website or even the assigned ALO is incorrect? Of course like I said as far as current questions it is a done deal but for future reference it would be nice to know. Thank you for your quick response. I will let her know that she can ask her questions here and get a lot of great info (I kind of forgot until tonight about the great info on here ).

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You need to be careful. Sounds like you are fixated upon the academy. Life happens fast. She will never get back this precious high school time. In the top 1% already, she is obviously is a great student.

Give advice, yes. But be care not to "helicopter". Total focus on this and you are setting both of you up for disappointment. Sometimes kids with amazing transcripts and phenomenal resumes do not get appointed.