Got Nom, request a weekend visit to increase appt chances?

Coach62

Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2015
Messages
221
DS has an LOA and a MOC Nom for Navy, expecting an appt any day.

Has a Senatorial Nom for AF so he's well qualified.

We were going to go back and visit both again (he's been to Navy twice incl summer experience and AF once during summer experience) if he got appt offers to both, but I'm thinking of asking AF for a visit before they send out appointments just to show how interested he is. He'd be happy with either, hasn't made up his mind for sure which one he'd accept if he was offered both.

So the question is - do you think it might increase chances of getting an appt offer if we ask for a visit now, before the appt offers go out, or is it just a potential waste of money flying out there?

I know it wouldn't hurt for sure, just would it increase chances enough to make the trip worthwhile?

Tough question I know, but thoughts appreciated.
 
I speak from no experience or authority - just a 2019 cadet parent that entertained a similar thought process last spring. I assume admissions knows all applicants are serious and interested and that shades or degrees of exactly how serious / interested a candidate is....would be totally irrelevant to their decision process. Further, I think it is unlikely that a visit would stir or alter an applicant's file to even have a chance to be noticed and considered by admissions. Just my two cents worth from the peanut gallery. Good luck / Godspeed.
 
Coach, I agree with the above that it won't help him get an appointment. However, in another post, you said your son could not decide on which academy. If another trip to USAFA would help solidify a decision either way, and if you can afford it, it would not hurt to visit again. This decision will affect the rest of his life, so he should be sure. It seems like he spent more time at USNA and perhaps one more look at USAFA will help. Good luck to your son.
 
My son is waiting to hear from USNA and USAFA and has nominations for both and everything completed, passed and high academics and leadership. He spent time at the USNA for SS and CV but we have yet to go out to the USAFA. If he gets chosen we will go visit so he can make a decision. Is there a better way to get a more in depth tour our a name of a tour I should request at USAFA?
 
As a grad, I know people in admissions that provided an incredible tour for my DD which included the athletic department, getting picked up in a solar powered vehicle built by cadets, getting a tour of the academic area and labs, and then a meeting directly with the head of admissions.

Now, I grant you it was the summer and I knew many of those tour guides personally. But I would say that it wouldn't hurt to ask either your LO to try and help coordinate or call admissions directly. You could even contact the local USAFA parents club to see if a local cadet would do the tour.

If you don't ask - the answer is always 'no'

There is a friendly rivalry, so if USAFA knows USNA is interested - you might find USAFA will go the extra mile.

BTW - with all USAFA did, she still chose USNA.

For most of us on the forum - the questions are about how to get appointed. For the SAs, one concern is minimizing attrition and helping a candidate (no matter how qualified) make an informed decision is as important to them as it is to the candidate.

Just my 2 cents
 
Definitely won't make an impact on admissions. I would talk to your ALO and/or call admissions about tour options. Also, maybe the local parent's group as they can get your DS in contact with a local Cadet who may meet with your DS while there.

Honestly if he has seen both schools, he knows what they offer. The bottom line is what Service does he want to be in? The SAs are a reflection of each Service and their personalities.
 
Please listen to ChristCorp. He gave you the definitive answer: No.

This isn't some LAC where you need to show your interest especially to the nice financial aid people. You've shown your interest by completing the application process.
 
Christcorp and fencersmom have said it already, but I thought I'd add my own 2 cents, speaking from a former candidate's perspective.

Last year, I applied to USNA and USAFA (with the latter being my first choice), and was kind of surprised to receive a USNA appointment in late January. Needless to say, I was somewhat anxious during the next two months as I waited hopefully for a USAFA appointment. I even asked my ALO if there was any way notifying the AFA of my USNA appt might "speed up" their selection process. Basically, he told me very politely that the selection board meets on a specific schedule when deciding on appointees, and that there wasn't really anything I could do to change the timing of their decision. Not quite the answer I was looking for, but I am guessing it probably still applies to your situation as well. (And it ultimately didn't matter in the long run. :))

Of course, there are many great reasons to visit USAFA if your son is interested. Just don't go expecting to "earn" an appointment--his file will hopefully take care of that instead. :thumb: Good luck!
 
Christcorp and fencersmom have said it already, but I thought I'd add my own 2 cents, speaking from a former candidate's perspective.

Last year, I applied to USNA and USAFA (with the latter being my first choice), and was kind of surprised to receive a USNA appointment in late January. Needless to say, I was somewhat anxious during the next two months as I waited hopefully for a USAFA appointment. I even asked my ALO if there was any way notifying the AFA of my USNA appt might "speed up" their selection process. Basically, he told me very politely that the selection board meets on a specific schedule when deciding on appointees, and that there wasn't really anything I could do to change the timing of their decision. Not quite the answer I was looking for, but I am guessing it probably still applies to your situation as well. (And it ultimately didn't matter in the long run. :))

Of course, there are many great reasons to visit USAFA if your son is interested. Just don't go expecting to "earn" an appointment--his file will hopefully take care of that instead. :thumb: Good luck!
Wildblueyonder Sir: When did you finally hear from USAFA in late March? I am in a similar situation. Thanks
 
^^^^^

It wasn't quite two months between appointments. I got a generic email from my Senator's office on March 13th asking me to call back (which I didn't get until after business hours since I was working that day). I had to wait the whole weekend before calling early on the 16th. I was pretty sure I knew why they had emailed me, but I was awfully happy once I found out for sure. :D

A word of advice: A lot of (most?) candidates hear from their MOC's offices before their portals update. Check your email and keep your phone with you on 3/11 and 3/18. If this year works like last year, those will be big weeks. Of course, they may have changed their process since I applied, in which case it's a whole new waiting game...:rolleyes2:. Good luck! :cool:
 
Wildblueyonder Sir: When did you finally hear from USAFA in late March? I am in a similar situation. Thanks

Year2020: WBYonder is right on. Although a few appointments trickle out in January and February from USAFA, usually a big "wave" of appointments happens around mid-March. My DS, a C3C, received news of his appointment on March 14 back in 2014. If you search past appointment threads you will see that same pattern over the last couple of years. That's about the best info anybody can give you on here. Its probably best to just prepare for the long haul and if news comes sooner, then celebrate. Until then, hang in there and enjoy the journey!
 
Year2020: WBYonder is right on. Although a few appointments trickle out in January and February from USAFA, usually a big "wave" of appointments happens around mid-March. My DS, a C3C, received news of his appointment on March 14 back in 2014. If you search past appointment threads you will see that same pattern over the last couple of years. That's about the best info anybody can give you on here. Its probably best to just prepare for the long haul and if news comes sooner, then celebrate. Until then, hang in there and enjoy the journey!
Thanks WildBlueYonder & Badge250 I appreciate you taken the time to answer! Have a Happy New Year to you and your family.
 
Definitely won't make an impact on admissions. I would talk to your ALO and/or call admissions about tour options. Also, maybe the local parent's group as they can get your DS in contact with a local Cadet who may meet with your DS while there.

Honestly if he has seen both schools, he knows what they offer. The bottom line is what Service does he want to be in? The SAs are a reflection of each Service and their personalities.
Actually as usual good idea hoops. If you remember one of the kids I coached for years is in his second year there, his first was prep. If allowed I'm positive he'd show us around

Sorry for the late reply, for some reason I do not get email notifications.
 
A question for BGO's...if you knew your candidate was in this situation, could you do another interview on him/her stating they got an appointment letter at another Academy? Might that help?
 
A question for BGO's...if you knew your candidate was in this situation, could you do another interview on him/her stating they got an appointment letter at another Academy? Might that help?
Wildblueyonder and some others above have pretty well answered that. Just look up a few posts where he asked his ALO that question.
 
Back
Top