Bad News?

Cait

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May 25, 2015
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I went on an overnight and had the opportunity to talk with an admissions counselor. When she looked at my file, which is complete, she said that I am from a competitive district and that if I didn't get in this year I would look very good as a re-applicant. If I was not going to get in would she be able to see that, should I be expecting the worst?
 
I am also from a very competitive district (CO-5). Basically, you are a top-notch candidate that would definitely thrive at USMA, however, due to living in such a competitive district, your admission status is "unknown." What I mean by this is that at a less competitive district, you would probably be a shoo-in. Things happen, and the fact of the matter that we both have to realize is we may not get in due to our district, but with a strong first year of college and showing persistence by reapplying, the admissions counselor is saying you would be at an extremely high likelihood of receiving an Offer of Admission.
 
So we just have to wait and see if there are enough spots open?
 
So we just have to wait and see if there are enough spots open?
Yep... It's the worst part, waiting on pins and needles. You've done all that you can do to polish off your file, now it's time to sit back and wait. As they say in the Army, "hurry up and wait" :)
 
I think the RC's try to be very candid. However, I can tell you that we were told just a few weeks ago during my sons overnight that USMA offers overnights to those who they believe have a very good chance at being admitted. My son made two visits, including the one overnight, where he spoke to a RC, and we were shocked how free and candid they were when sharing information about his chances as compared to others in our district. Literally telling my son where he ranked, and what he needed to get over one person who was tied or above him. That occured last summer, and my son was told to shoot for an ACT super score average of 31, and a very solid CFA. It really inspired my son, and he worked on both, ending with a super score average over 32, and a very competitive CFA. When we came for the overnight, after he was done his RC met with us and told us to look for the big envelope in the mail in the next few day, which he did receive.

During our summer visit though my son was also told that if he didn't win an MOC slot, or get a NWL spot, that he should reapply next year, and given some info on courses. Even then I think they knew my son was pretty competitive for a spot this year, so I don't think being told about the re-app process is dispositive of a lost cause this year. Don't lose hope at all. I think some of that is part of the party line. I would never hesitate to flat out ask the RC what she thinks about your chances. My son sent his RC a few emails after bumping his test scores, asking for an assessment. He got one, essentially saying he was very competitive, and to just be patient. Then he invited my son for an overnight, even though he never recieved even a LOE.
 
To OP; did your RC tell you what areas could be improved? CFA is one that you could redo quickly, if that was a weak spot on your app.
 
To OP; did your RC tell you what areas could be improved? CFA is one that you could redo quickly, if that was a weak spot on your app.
I didn't get to meet with my RC it was one for a different region but she looked at my file and said it was strong. She didn't really give me any pointers besides reapplying next year with good grades. Do you think it would be beneficial to email my RC and ask about redoing my CFA, I don't think my scores were too bad though?
 
I didn't get to meet with my RC it was one for a different region but she looked at my file and said it was strong. She didn't really give me any pointers besides reapplying next year with good grades. Do you think it would be beneficial to email my RC and ask about redoing my CFA, I don't think my scores were too bad though?
I am no expert. I can only tell you what my son did, which seemed to work. At this stage in the game I really don't think it would hurt to contact your RC. I would suggest an email like this:

Dear____,

Thank you for offering me an overnight visit. I enjoyed the experience tremendously, and it reaffirmed my passion for West Point. I am sorry I was unable to meet with you during my visit, but Captain/Maj so and so met with me and went over my file, so I was able to address many of the questions I had. While she advised that my application was quite competitive, she also suggested that if I am not offered an appointment this year that I could reapply next year. Although I certainly would reapply next year if unsuccessful this time, I of course continue to push toward my dream now, and don't want to leave any stone unturned.

Would it be possible for you to assess my application, particularly as it compares to others in my district? Are there areas that, even this late in the process, I could do to improve my position, and thus my chances for admission? Any analysis as to my prospects for an appointment would be valued tremendously.

Thank you for your consideration.

That is just an idea. My son wrote something like that, but different as his circumstances were a little different, but he solicited an assessment. It shows that you are on the edge of your seat because this means so much to you. It also gets your name in front of the RC. I'm sure there are some who will suggest that you shouldn't badger the RC, and just to be patient. That may be good advise; just not what I would do.

Good luck. Go get-em tiger. Lol
 
I am no expert. I can only tell you what my son did, which seemed to work. At this stage in the game I really don't think it would hurt to contact your RC. I would suggest an email like this:

Dear____,

Thank you for offering me an overnight visit. I enjoyed the experience tremendously, and it reaffirmed my passion for West Point. I am sorry I was unable to meet with you during my visit, but Captain/Maj so and so met with me and went over my file, so I was able to address many of the questions I had. While she advised that my application was quite competitive, she also suggested that if I am not offered an appointment this year that I could reapply next year. Although I certainly would reapply next year if unsuccessful this time, I of course continue to push toward my dream now, and don't want to leave any stone unturned.

Would it be possible for you to assess my application, particularly as it compares to others in my district? Are there areas that, even this late in the process, I could do to improve my position, and thus my chances for admission? Any analysis as to my prospects for an appointment would be valued tremendously.

Thank you for your consideration.

That is just an idea. My son wrote something like that, but different as his circumstances were a little different, but he solicited an assessment. It shows that you are on the edge of your seat because this means so much to you. It also gets your name in front of the RC. I'm sure there are some who will suggest that you shouldn't badger the RC, and just to be patient. That may be good advise; just not what I would do.

Good luck. Go get-em tiger. Lol
Thank you so much for your advice it means a lot to me that you take time to help me out and I will definitely email him!
 
Thank you so much for your advice it means a lot to me that you take time to help me out and I will definitely email him!
My kid just got in, so it feels great to try to help. My son is still waiting to hear on USNA and USAFA, but think he has kind of ruled out USAFA, and really is leaning towards USMA. But we have all become somewhat experts on the processes, as I am sure you are becoming as well. I do think that the RC's at WP are, by far, the best and most attentive and accomodating, as compared to their counterparts at the other academies.
 
In my experience, Army people try not raise expectations especially when there are so many variables and factors that are in play.

However, do not read too much into what the Admissions Officer stated. You did the best that you could. Just hope for the best.
 
I went on an overnight and had the opportunity to talk with an admissions counselor. When she looked at my file, which is complete, she said that I am from a competitive district and that if I didn't get in this year I would look very good as a re-applicant. If I was not going to get in would she be able to see that, should I be expecting the worst?

FW.I.Worth...Quit thinking negative; start to **Think Realistically** instead, based on what you learned from the overnight and adapt your end goal!

Focus on what you can do RIGHT now to affect your chances. If you can improve a CFA, do it.

Even though Applications are closed, (I Think, but I am not sure), you need to ask if you can send in your 7th Semester Grades of your Senior Year. But do it only if you have improved your Class ranking over your Junior year class rank. Remember only ask if the rank improved, then Find out if you can send it in. If it stayed the same, make sure you finish this year with an improved final class rank. You can control THAT!

Contemplate if you are ready to do this again.

You already were told that you " would look very good as a re-applicant"! That would make it a no brainer for me. It will be easier, mentally to do it again, IMHO.

A pain in the rear? Oh yeah, but going after something you really want and getting it, is ALWAYS better than walking away from it. I bet if you didn't get in, you would know in LESS than a year from now if you made the Class of 2021.

IMHO, You **will** get in this year or next, **if you want** to.

What is the **real downside** if it takes you a bit longer than you first anticipated at this point in your life?? For any kid, there is not much downside to try again if next year you also make sure you do a ROTC Plan B if you get passed on this year. I bet you would get the NROTC equivalent of an Army ISR by mid-summer 2016 if you open one up on 04-01-2016.

What will you do anway from graduation till December 2016? You getting any better Job offers that might be more worth-while than going for West Point, one more time? (this bit sarcasim is to really push you to think about this: "Why not go for West Point one more time?" if you get passed on?).

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BTW, your district appears more competitive on USNA and USAFA noms than USMA based on the previous Congressman before Perry. Perry doesn't appear to publish his noms; IMHO, that lack of transperancy means somthing is different in the way he nominates. Just look some of the other MOC's nominations around Pennsylvania in the "Amazing Military Academy MOC Nomination Data " thread and you will see what I mean. This last paragraph is to be taken way more as my opinion, then for advice ;>
 
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IMO, you need to consider how bad you want USMA. If this admissions cycle doesn't go your way, do you want West Point bad enough to reapply? I'm always kind of surprised at students who say they want it with all of their heart--but not enough to take another go at it if they are not admitted. When my son was told he'd be a strong reapplicant (long before the TWE), that was a tough pill to swallow. However, college generally takes 5 years for STEM majors, so what difference did it make if he did the first year elsewhere? I hope you get in this year...you sound like a great candidate, but if you don't, you go in as an older, more seasoned college student, which is a win-win situation. I see great success from the kids that are just a bit older and more mature than many of the others. Definitely consider reapplication as part of plans C, D, and E.
 
Do you think it would be beneficial to email my RC and ask about redoing my CFA, I don't think my scores were too bad though?

In a competitive district or on the NWL 1 point can make the difference in getting a appointment.

You may not get a read from the RC on where you should improve.

But you should be looking hard at where you *could* improve. Test scores are the biggest thing in your control along with grades. CFA has less weight, but it's scored and will contribute points. Unless you maxed all but a couple and even those above average, then you could potentially improve your CFA.

This is not a situation to ask "would it be worth doing?". That tells the RC something about you. Improve your capability to score on the CFA via practice tests with a friend, then have the discussion that you *know* you can now do better and ask if you can resubmit.
 
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