And so the journey ends....

azncreazion

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Dec 1, 2008
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I called in this morning to the admissions office to check in on my application status and was told that I was to receive that white thin envelope. My Regional Officer mentioned the record amount of applications for this year and some people who were refereed to NAPS having a 800 SAT in any particular subject.

I was 3Qed, Nominated, Minority Candidate, and invited to a CVW. I will still be attending the CVW, because that is still the school I want to go to.. it'll just take an extra year.

Unless some miracle takes place... my journey to be in the Class of 2013 has ended.
 
Blessings in your pursuit

This is not what you wanted but you seem to have the determination to press forward to achieve whatever it is you do want. Blessings to you in your pursuit. :smile:
 
I'm sorry it didn't work out for you this year and am happy to hear you're planning to reapply. What is critical for you to be successful is to find out what part(s) of your package can be improved.

I suggest you first contact your BGO. He/she doesn't know what kept you from getting an appointment but often will have some good ideas based on experience.

Then, in May or June, contact CGO again. I suggest waiting b/c right now they're swamped and won't have as much time to review your file/speak with you. Ask direct (but respectful) questions regarding what caused them not to offer you an appointment and what specific things you can do in the next 9-12 months to change that.

USNA looks favorably on those who reapply, and well over 1/3 of each entering class has at least six months of post-h.s. education. I had a candidate a few years ago who entered USNA with 3 years of civilian college -- she has done extremely well at USNA.

So, if it's still your dream, go for it. But make sure you find out what more you can do so you can use the next year productively and get the "thick" letter this time next year.
 
and so this STAGE of the journey ends...

azncreazion, breathe deep, take stock and press on if USNA is what you really want. There were some recent posts in another thread by another recipient of the TWE (thin white envelope), lots of good advice how to add lustre to your already excellent credentials. Setbacks like this and how you handle them prepare you for the challenges ahead.

There is a scrap of paper in my wallet which I have carried for over 30 years. It comes out when I need to get perspective, and I've used it countless times to counsel others who've reached roadblocks. It's what I remember of something Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, and I scribbled it down a long time ago. One day I will actually find the reference and see how closely I remembered it. Hope it helps you.

"Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities
no doubt have crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.

Tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely
and with too high a spirit
to be cumbered with
your old nonsense.

This day is all that is
good and fair.
It is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on yesterdays."
 
Great Attitude.....that is right, it is just a little bit longer, but remember, there is a large percentage of next years class coming after spending a freshman year in college. Sounds like you are great officer material, being positive and already thinking about your future.
 
azncreacion: I can understand your disappointment but fundamentally you have to look at this in a different light. Your Journey isn't ending it hasn't even started yet. The Service academy is not the end destination- it's just a mode of conveyance, and there are other options for getting you to your destination. You can reapply for sure and work on the things that maybe kept you from getting an appointment. Additionally- I assume that the reason you wanted to go to USNA was that your goal is to be a Navy or Marine Officer. That is still a completely realizable goal in the position you are currently in. I hope that you applied for an ROTC scholarship - and if you were competitive for USNA you should certainly be very competitive for an ROTC scholarship. If not- enroll in the ROTC program at the school you wind up attending and once there apply for a 3 year scholarship. Or with the USMC- the PLC program is an excellent and very respected way to earn your commission upon graduation.
The point is USNA was not really your end destination- it was a route to get to your destination. So keep the faith and keep plugging. Things will work out!
 
Thank You

I am grateful for the words of encouragement. The part of it that caught me by absolute surprise was the fact that I was not offered NAPS or even Foundation.

I also do feel somewhat selfish for still attending CVW.. and did feel some hesitation coming from my Regional Officer that I will still be attending. Do you think I should decline the invitation due to knowing my faith for the upcoming year?

To add, this forum has been a excellent resource/guide to the admissions process. I will still be active on this forum in order to relay the information I have learned to the upcoming classes. I truly do appreciate your help.

bruno, I did not know about Marine PLC until you just told me. I just did a quick search on it, and it seems like a course I would like to take. Is it possible for me to go this summer (before my first year of college?) Is it possible to obtain an appointment after going through PLC?
 
I am grateful for the words of encouragement. The part of it that caught me by absolute surprise was the fact that I was not offered NAPS or even Foundation.

I also do feel somewhat selfish for still attending CVW.. and did feel some hesitation coming from my Regional Officer that I will still be attending. Do you think I should decline the invitation due to knowing my faith for the upcoming year?

To add, this forum has been a excellent resource/guide to the admissions process. I will still be active on this forum in order to relay the information I have learned to the upcoming classes. I truly do appreciate your help.

bruno, I did not know about Marine PLC until you just told me. I just did a quick search on it, and it seems like a course I would like to take. Is it possible for me to go this summer (before my first year of college?) Is it possible to obtain an appointment after going through PLC?

I don't know the answer to either question- I don't think so since I believe that you go the summer after you are accepted for the program- but I think that a Marine Officer recruiter could answer this for you.I know a couple of folks who went thru PLC- it's a very challenging 6 weeks. As far as still getting an appointment- again I think so at least if you have not gone to your second 6 week session yet but again you probably should do a little more research with a marine officer recruiter to verify. "TPQ" might also know the answer to your questions about PLC.
Here's a link that might help:
http://www.marineofficerprograms.com/pages/platoon-leaders-class-plc.php

Good luck!:thumb:
 
BTW- My pointing you to the Marine Officer web site in no way constitutes an endorsement of their claim on the ground officer page: "There simply is no better fighting force in the world". Ranger's lead the Way!!! HOOOAH! (I just didn't want tpq to get the wrong idea!)
All kidding aside- What I've learned in 5 + decades is that there are always ways to achieve your goal- maybe not the path you originally started on but you can get there by all kinds of different means as long as you keep the real objective in mind. Soldier on and good luck.
 
Hey!

I know exactly how you feel.

In 1982 I received the "thin white letters" from USNA, USMA, USMMA, USCGA, and my first choice: USAFA.

So...I went to Northwestern Preparatory School on the advice of the USAFA. In my class of 57, about half were USNA candidates.

The next year...54 of us were accepted to our respective academies. I have in my memento box:

The "BIG" packages from USAFA, USNA, USMMA, USMA and my 'alternate' from USCGA (they were TOUGH!)

So...if you are set on attending the USNA, then do what you've been advised here: seek out your BGO and find out what you need to do to update/improve your package, and then hit it hard and furious.

It can be done, I'm living proof and I'm by NO means "special!!!"

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA/USNA/USMA/USMMA/USCGA non-select for the class of 1982
USAFA/USNA/USMA/USMMA SELECT for the class of 1983
USAFA '83
 
Fleiger83

Tell me how were you notified about Northwestern prep? Does the Academy recommend you or did you apply on your own? After receiving the thin white envelope does the academy notify you later about prep school, falcon foundation or other options? Thanks for any info you may have.
 
flieger83 will give you solid info -- I'll just add my son's experience: he was notified by the USNA Foundation that he had been recommended for civil prep and the list included Northwestern Prep. In his discussions with the director he was told that while most of their students are "sponsored" by either the USMA AOG, USNA Foundation, or Falcon Foundation, there were many "free agents" that went on their own and were equally successful in getting appointments the following year. The different service academies and their foundations all have different ways they run their civil prep program - but there's nothing wrong with you checking things out on your own.

From what I recall in the last few days on either this or the CC forums, apparently USNA Foundation has made all their civil prep selections and people were looking at options on their own. I hope this info helps -- I'm sure others will chime in as well. Remember, both perserverance and making your own luck are ways you can get to your goals. Good luck!
 
RaptorDad is correct.

In my case, I received notification from the Falcon Foundation (FF) a bit prior to receiving the "thin envelope."

As I've told a few folks, there were 57 of us there (Northwestern Prep: NWPS) then. Most were sponsored by the FF however, there were more than a few that were "free agents." The end results were: 54 academy appointments.

The pro of a place like Northwestern Prep is that they are completely and totally focused upon increasing your SAT/ACT score, as well as giving you a MUCH better grasp on time management, studying habits, etc. (They want to get EVERY ONE of their students accepted.) They also will increase your vocabulary and memory skills by the most painful method: the "words of the day" list. Think of trying to memorize 20 words EVERY night out of a dictionary. Memorize so perfectly that the definition, to include punctuation, is graded!

Example: ECHELON: A step like formation of troops or planes; a subdivision of an organization. That's from 1978! And if that semicolon was missing: you failed the test.

First year memory work at the academy was a JOKE compared to this...VERY easy!

So...in my case it was TOTALLY worth it. I turned down both Navy and AF ROTC scholarships to go to NWPS. I was told I was out of my mind!

But...I graduated from USAFA in 1983...and was accepted to ALL the other academies EXCEPT USCGA.

That place is TOUGH! :smile:
 
Hey!

I know exactly how you feel.

In 1982 I received the "thin white letters" from USNA, USMA, USMMA, USCGA, and my first choice: USAFA.

So...I went to Northwestern Preparatory School on the advice of the USAFA. In my class of 57, about half were USNA candidates.

The next year...54 of us were accepted to our respective academies. I have in my memento box:

The "BIG" packages from USAFA, USNA, USMMA, USMA and my 'alternate' from USCGA (they were TOUGH!)

So...if you are set on attending the USNA, then do what you've been advised here: seek out your BGO and find out what you need to do to update/improve your package, and then hit it hard and furious.

It can be done, I'm living proof and I'm by NO means "special!!!"

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA/USNA/USMA/USMMA/USCGA non-select for the class of 1982
USAFA/USNA/USMA/USMMA SELECT for the class of 1983
USAFA '83


I am seriously considering this route. If only I could convince Foundation to give me a sponsorship or something of that sort. Is it possible or must I be offered it?
 
I have never heard of a prep school like this, i come from NJ where there is not a huge military influence, nor were either of my parents in the military so besides NROTC and USNA, i know nothing. I have not gotten a rejection from USNA, but i have not been appointed yet either. I have received a 4 year NROTC scholarship, but would a prep school like Northwestern look better on the USNA application next year than a year at George Washington U in DC with NROTC and classes mimicking plebe year? Is Northwestern Prep difficult to get into? Do you have to have a nomination to go? If i have a nomination to USNA, could it be transfered to Northwestern Prep? Sorry for all my questions, but if you could answer all or one of them, i would greatly appreciate it.


...and sorry to thread hijack, i just got really excited about another way into the academy!
 
I have never heard of a prep school like this, i come from NJ where there is not a huge military influence, nor were either of my parents in the military so besides NROTC and USNA, i know nothing. I have not gotten a rejection from USNA, but i have not been appointed yet either. I have received a 4 year NROTC scholarship, but would a prep school like Northwestern look better on the USNA application next year than a year at George Washington U in DC with NROTC and classes mimicking plebe year? Is Northwestern Prep difficult to get into? Do you have to have a nomination to go? If i have a nomination to USNA, could it be transfered to Northwestern Prep? Sorry for all my questions, but if you could answer all or one of them, i would greatly appreciate it.


...and sorry to thread hijack, i just got really excited about another way into the academy!


Hi!

Okay...a bit about schools like Northwestern Prep. It is ONE of a bunch that are recommended by academies. It's NOT the only one; just the one I know the most about as I went there.

The Falcon Foundation sends USAFA folks to several places around the country; mostly military related. New Mexico Military Institute comes to mind as one.

Students go for one year, or at Northwestern, a semester. They are then required to attend a local college/community college for the second half of the year (Northwestern folks). This is to keep them "on track."

Now...does this look better than say a year at a college, ROTC, etc? The answer is NO. Now...if the Falcon Foundation or any other academy foundation approaches the candidate with this option and with a scholarship, then I think that has to be viewed VERY closely. An offer like this is an indicator of SERIOUS interest.

But I know several officers currently serving in both the AF and the Army that did NOT get into the academy and then went to a prep school or into college/ROTC, and then either went to the academy OR stayed in ROTC and excelled!

They're all serving well and excelling. What you find, at the end of the day, is that the source of the commission isn't so important; rather it's how the officer approaches their career and their jobs.
 
cycling...
GeorgeWashU's NROTC program is TOUGH. My mid's closest high school girlfriend didn't want a USNA window to her Marine Commissioning, so she chose GW. They wear their uniforms several days a week to class, they have rigorous PT and their academic classes are very challenging.

As a mom outsider - I am watching both paths, my girl's and her friends with great interest.

Before you choose - go to GW and TALK with their ROTC folk and check out their program. You can always look at another try at USNA but don't sell that program short.

God be with your heart to serve our country!
 
flieger83-

Can you tell us a little bit about the cost and also the admissions to NWPS for those who may be considered "free agents"? I am still waiting to hear from the USAFA but I am very interested.

Thanks!
 
flieger83 and peskemom,

thanks so much for the info. Im still keeping my fingers crossed for USNA but if that doesnt happen i will be doing NROTC and GWU whether my scholarship gets transfered or not.
 
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