How is this situation best handled?

lumpcrab

Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2016
Messages
89
My child is one of the CPR kids for USNA. He is also currently waitlisted at another Academy. I *believe* they are required to decide on an appointment at USNA by May 1 if they are offered one.

He is not likely to hear from the waitlist until after May 1.

What do kids in this situation do? If he accepts USNA, does he need to let the other Academy know? Would they then take him off the waitlist? Can he accept USNA and also stay on the waitlist for the other Academy?
 
If he accepts USNA, does he need to let the other Academy know?
No
Would they then take him off the waitlist?
No
Can he accept USNA and also stay on the waitlist for the other Academy?
Yes
What do kids in this situation do?
Wait until near the deadline to accept the best offer you have. Same advice for SA and civilian colleges. Pay the deposit (if applicable) as close to the May 1 deadline as you feel comfortable. If you clear the waitlist at a school that is better for you, accept that offer, politely let the other school know that you are going to a different school, because you got off their waitlist. Politely ask if they would refund the deposit. This would not be the first time someone switched schools because of clearing a wait list.
 
As he hasn't been offered USNA yet, he could be waitlisted for USNA as well. If your DS is offered an appointment to USNA, it is possible that he will hear from the other academy by May 1st (it's almost 40 days out). On last year's threads, some appointments off the waitlist list were given shortly after April 15. If he indeed ends up with the appointment to USNA and still hasn't heard from the other academy, I would accept the appointment. Some kids change their minds after accepting an appointment at one academy and pursue another path.
 
These timelines have many of us concerned. My DS is also CPR for the USNA, but has an appointment to the USAFA that needs to accept by April 15th or it automatically be moved into a declined status.

He would be proud to accept the USAFA appointment, but hoping to hear from the USNA soon so that he a bit of time to properly assess his options.
 
For the OP, how I read your question is that he currently doesn't have any appointments, so there is nothing he needs to do at this time. IF you applied to multiple SA's, the best thing to do is decide what your first choice would be IF you got accepted to all of them. Then you are not left with a last minute decision.

Once you receive an appointment, you can accept it without impacting your opportunity for another SA. Even if you accept an appointment, you are still under no obligation to attend and can later decide to decline. IF you get appointments to more then one, the proper thing to do is decline all of the other appointments once you have made your final decision.
 
Thank you for this feedback. He may get no appointment at all but if he does, we wanted to make sure to do the right thing and not violate any rules.
 
These timelines have many of us concerned. My DS is also CPR for the USNA, but has an appointment to the USAFA that needs to accept by April 15th or it automatically be moved into a declined status.

He would be proud to accept the USAFA appointment, but hoping to hear from the USNA soon so that he a bit of time to properly assess his options.

This post is not personally directed at the OP... just my feelings regarding the subject. The OP's post is just the perfect example.

I keep holding my tongue but the anxiety of my DD being CPR is starting to get the best of me so here goes..... I do not understand applying to multiple academies EXCEPT your goal is to be a United States Military Officer regardless of the branch. If that is your goal and one of the academies offers you an appointment then take it and free up the spot at other academies for other people. My DD is only interested in being a Naval Officer so she did not apply to USMA or USAFA. The service branches have different missions, traditions, and service careers. To complain about having to wait to hear from USNA while having an appointment in hand from another Academy - in the USNA forum - is kind of insulting to those of us who put Annapolis on a pedestal. I probably wouldn't have posted this if it were solely my opinion but I've heard this sentiment from multiple USNA candidates or their parents. So I imagine there are anxious USMA and USAFA folks who feel the same. I personally believe there is a line of morality and ethics - if not a general sense of fairness - required to be a good officer and perhaps this is the first chance to examine this.

Go ahead and blast away at my post.... Again, it is not intended as a personal attack on the OP. The intent is to share the frustration myself and others may be feeling.

Go Navy! Beat Army and Air Force! ⚓
 
If you took my comment as a complaint, my apologies - I was just trying acknowledge the frustration many have expressed in this forum.

I see this process as many things we experience in life, we plan and dream but have contingency plans in place. For many of our DSs and DDs, these contingency plans include civilian colleges, ROTC, and/or other SAs. For my DS, the USNA is Plan A... IMHO, the fact his Plan B happens to be another SA should not be considered an insult to the Navy, the USNA, its candidates (or their parents). This is probably the most important decision our children have had to make, I think all candidates and parents of candidates still in CPR status are feeling anxious at this point in time.
 
These timelines have many of us concerned. My DS is also CPR for the USNA, but has an appointment to the USAFA that needs to accept by April 15th or it automatically be moved into a declined status.

He would be proud to accept the USAFA appointment, but hoping to hear from the USNA soon so that he a bit of time to properly assess his options.

This post is not personally directed at the OP... just my feelings regarding the subject. The OP's post is just the perfect example.

I keep holding my tongue but the anxiety of my DD being CPR is starting to get the best of me so here goes..... I do not understand applying to multiple academies EXCEPT your goal is to be a United States Military Officer regardless of the branch. If that is your goal and one of the academies offers you an appointment then take it and free up the spot at other academies for other people. My DD is only interested in being a Naval Officer so she did not apply to USMA or USAFA. The service branches have different missions, traditions, and service careers. To complain about having to wait to hear from USNA while having an appointment in hand from another Academy - in the USNA forum - is kind of insulting to those of us who put Annapolis on a pedestal. I probably wouldn't have posted this if it were solely my opinion but I've heard this sentiment from multiple USNA candidates or their parents. So I imagine there are anxious USMA and USAFA folks who feel the same. I personally believe there is a line of morality and ethics - if not a general sense of fairness - required to be a good officer and perhaps this is the first chance to examine this.

Go ahead and blast away at my post.... Again, it is not intended as a personal attack on the OP. The intent is to share the frustration myself and others may be feeling.

Go Navy! Beat Army and Air Force! ⚓
Ok. I'll blast away. Lol.

Everyone has the absolute right, legally, morally, and otherwise, to apply to whatever academies they wish to apply to, for whatever reason or prerogative; even to the extent that other applicants would rather the field had one less candidate competing for a spot. Kids are not obligated, morally or otherwise, to consern themselves with the possibility that some other person would rather not have them competing for the same academy spot, or would rather not have to wait so long before being awarded a spot of their own. Under what theory or principle of ethics or morality should a kid feel bad about applying to multiple academies?

Frankly, if a kid wants to serve his/her country, and lead in the armed services, that patriotic desire should apply regardless of the branch of service; but I get that one branch may be more attractive, for a number of reasons unique to each individual, just as one academy might be more attractive than another. Nevertheless, even if a kid has a favorite, there is nothing at all inappropriate with seeking an appointment to multiple academies, and then assessing which one he/she wants to accept, even at the last minute. If that's the case, he/she would have gone through the process for each of the academies, secured nominations, had good enough grades, test scores, leadership and athletic achievements, and fitness to win multiple appointments, and absolutely earned the luxury of choice, and even taking his/her time to chose.

My son would have loved even a single appointment to either USMA, USAFA, or USNA, and applied to all three. He had interviewed with three different MOC committees (three different days, along with 250 other kids for each), three different academy liaison officers, and met with admissions officers, as well as a ROTC interview. He had to satisfy all the requirements for each academy; separate essays, teacher assessments, letters of recommendation, etc.... all while doing all the other things like sports, work, studying for the ACT, and working out for the CFA. He was awarded appointments to USAFA and USMA earlier than most, but nothing from USNA until after he was committed to USMA, when he got the call from USNA only days before we left for R-day at West Point. Would he have liked the opportunity to consider USNA before committing to WP? Of course he would have. But someone else obviously earned the spot before him, and most likely waited until passing on it, or perhaps he was just next on the NWL. Either way, that's the way it goes, and fortunately for him he put himself is a position to have choices. He didn't take anything away from anyone else, and even if someone lost the opportunity to go to West Point because he got it, that's the way life works; and it is quite equitable, moral and fair in the truest sense. He earned each spot he got by competing hard for it and winning it over the others who applied, just as he earned the opportunity to choose.

I still don't understand how a 17 year old kid can figure out with any degree of accuracy what he/she will want to be doing the rest of their life. But everyone on these forums keeps saying their kid knows they want to be in one of the armed services but not the other. Really? I have been a judge for 8 years, and was a lawyer for almost 20 years before that because I could never figure out what I should do before that. Honestly. How many kids go to one academy, or enlist in one service or another, only to think about what they might be able to do if they were in one of the other branches of service, but realize there is no sense thinking about it, because they are already committed to the one they are in. There are great career options in all of them, and most career fields one service has the others have too. Navy has ships, so if you want that then don't do Army or Air Force. But you could still do Coast Guard. Most kids are in love with a vision they have. Usually a romantic vision, made for Hollywood, and they see themselves in a particular uniform. We all had visions of ourselves at that age, and with rare exception those visions or goals change because our interests and aptitude change as we experience things, mature, and grow.

Point is, I think it is unfair to disparage a young person for conceding he or she isn't sure what he/she wants, and just tries to open as many doors to becoming a military officer as possible. I encourage all kids to broaden there interests and options by applying to multiple academies.
 
Brovol, you ended your second paragraph with a question - my guess is that it was for me - so I'll answer it. I never said a kid should feel bad about applying to multiple academies. I did say that I could only understand applying to multiple academies as showing you are interested in serving our country as a non branch specific military officer, in contrast to applicants who only want Army, or only want Navy, etc. Therefore if that young man or woman is awarded an appointment at an academy they should accept it.

Otherwise, I think I understand the overall sentiment of your post and I don't necessarily disagree with what you typed. My post was based on my understanding of it now, as a first time applicant's parent, and I'm not stupid enough to think I know it all or that you - with your experience - aren't someone I can learn from. So nice try sugar, but if you want to blast this old girl you're going to have to do better than that! LOL. Oh, and Navy WILL be taking the football game back this year so there is that!

Edit: editing my post because I confused two separate messages, sorry.
 
Last edited:
My husband wanted to be a Coastie. That was his first pick but at the time in 1977 (!!), the Coast Guard had a 1 year waiting period for his job. He went into the Navy as his second choice because he wanted to graduate early and go off on an adventure serving his country. He had the choice to choose between waiting a year or being in the Navy. He loved his Navy career and wouldn't change it but did that make him less qualified as a retired Navy enlisted? No. His reviews and work record indicate he served for 20 years as a superior Navy enlisted. It was his second choice but no less valid.

Our son has worked for his nearly perfect ACT score along with his assortment of varsity sports, academic awards and excellent EC's. He chose to apply to multiple academies but that does not make him any less serious or qualified because he applied to multiple academies. My son earned his USMA appointment and if appointed to USNA as a color blind male, he earned that too. It is up to him to determine his path - whether to an academy or civilian school.
 
I did say that I could only understand applying to multiple academies as showing you are interested in serving our country as a non branch specific military officer, in contrast to applicants who only want Army, or only want Navy, etc. Therefore if that young man or woman is awarded an appointment at an academy they should accept it.
Being willing to serve as an officer in any service does not preclude having preferences. I understand some folks only want one service. My DS only desired to be a Marine. Nevertheless, you have to earn your own slot. I know the feelings you are having. I had similar feelings when my son failed to win an NROTC scholarship while other folks were trying to decide between which ROTC program offer they would take. Some time later, in retrospect, I saw that my attitude was just sour grapes. If one wants it, one has to earn it, and if you earn it, it's yours to do whatever you want with, including declining the day before reporting. Yup, it's happened.
 
If you took my comment as a complaint, my apologies - I was just trying acknowledge the frustration many have expressed in this forum.

I see this process as many things we experience in life, we plan and dream but have contingency plans in place. For many of our DSs and DDs, these contingency plans include civilian colleges, ROTC, and/or other SAs. For my DS, the USNA is Plan A... IMHO, the fact his Plan B happens to be another SA should not be considered an insult to the Navy, the USNA, its candidates (or their parents). This is probably the most important decision our children have had to make, I think all candidates and parents of candidates still in CPR status are feeling anxious at this point in time.

We are brand new to this forum and appreciate any words of wisdom or information. Our DS is also qualified and has not heard or been seen by NROTC or USNA. USNA shows our DS --CPR. Our DS has a 760 in math and qualified physically & academically by USMA. However, other than asking for a DODMERB response for our DS doctor, we are hearing nothing. Has anyone seen or heard of any appointments/LOA/BFE or TWE for Nevada, other than 1 who declined, from CD-4?
Thanks in advance
 
Brovol, you ended your second paragraph with a question - my guess is that it was for me - so I'll answer it. I never said a kid should feel bad about applying to multiple academies. I did say that I could only understand applying to multiple academies as showing you are interested in serving our country as a non branch specific military officer, in contrast to applicants who only want Army, or only want Navy, etc. Therefore if that young man or woman is awarded an appointment at an academy they should accept it.

Otherwise, I think I understand the overall sentiment of your post and I don't necessarily disagree with what you typed. My post was based on my understanding of it now, as a first time applicant's parent, and I'm not stupid enough to think I know it all or that you - with your experience - aren't someone I can learn from. So nice try sugar, but if you want to blast this old girl you're going to have to do better than that! LOL. Oh, and Navy WILL be taking the football game back this year so there is that!

Edit: editing my post because I confused two separate messages, sorry.
Well you did invite the blasting. And I did it the nicest way possible.

I think if a kid, like yours apparently, is fixed on one service, and has concluded with certainty that he/she would never want to serve in any other branch of the military, that kid is not likely applying to the other academies. Thus, it's only those who think they might choose to attend one of the other academy if they don't get an appointment to their preferred school. My thoughts though are that kids that age don't really know exactly what they want, and if at least they believe they would like to serve as an officer, there is no harm in applying to the other academies. Worse that can happen is you turn an offer down. If in the meantime you look into the other schools and services, you may discover that it is at least as attractive as the one you originally thought was the one and only option.

Take your daughter, for example. I don't know her, but I am sure she is thoughtful and bright. I also assume she is 17 or 18 years old, and something triggered an interest in either the Navy, USNA, or both. Maybe someone she knows attended, or she she discovered a career field in the navy that sounds perfect? My son wanted aviation, and he was pretty gung-ho about flying, either fixed wing or rotary. He has been at West Point for less than a year now, and although he still thinks it would be great to fly, he now thinks his branch choice would be engineers if he had to pick right now. When they get into their plebe year they have so much information about opportunities, and learn so much more about virtually everything, that when they soak it all in perspectives change and evolve. I'm sure some kids are so advanced that they never deviate from the original plan, and that's great. But these kids are just that; kids. They should, in my opinion, be encouraged to at least consider and explore the other services, remaining as open minded as possible. If, hypothetically, your daughter right now had an appointment from USAFA, USMA, and USCGA, but doesn't get one from USNA, I wonder if she did a visit to the other schools she wouldn't possibly discover that she loves one or more of them. Just saying....

I know that this academy admissions process can be frustrating. Honestly, we were frustrated than my son didn't get a USNA offer of appointment until long after my son was committed to USMA; not because we thought he would go there (West Point was always his first love), but because we thought he would have gotten a USNA spot earlier in the process.

I like it when you call me sugar though. Makes me sound sweeter than most folks would conclude I am.
 
My kids was one of those who applied to 2 service academies. He said he would have been happy with either and just wanted an opportunity to go to one. He had done the SS at USNA and fell in love with it. He had gotten into SLE, as well, but the date coincided with Boys State, so he didn't go. He got his appointment to USNA first, but didn't immediately accept it as he felt compelled to check out USMA, since he had done the work to apply and his dad is a grad. After receiving the appointment to West Point, he went on his overnight visit there. In the end, he chose USMA, even though we thought he would select USNA. He loves being at West Point, but I'm sure he would have loved USNA, as well. I don't feel he took away an opportunity from somebody else, or was being selfish by being appointed to both. Each school will always up with the class size they want in the end, so when he declined his appointment to USNA, I'm sure the spot went to another deserving candidate.
 
My kids was one of those who applied to 2 service academies. He said he would have been happy with either and just wanted an opportunity to go to one. He had done the SS at USNA and fell in love with it. He had gotten into SLE, as well, but the date coincided with Boys State, so he didn't go. He got his appointment to USNA first, but didn't immediately accept it as he felt compelled to check out USMA, since he had done the work to apply and his dad is a grad. After receiving the appointment to West Point, he went on his overnight visit there. In the end, he chose USMA, even though we thought he would select USNA. He loves being at West Point, but I'm sure he would have loved USNA, as well. I don't feel he took away an opportunity from somebody else, or was being selfish by being appointed to both. Each school will always up with the class size they want in the end, so when he declined his appointment to USNA, I'm sure the spot went to another deserving candidate.
Good post, except never concede our West Point boys and girls would ever like the Navel Academy. Mine would choke me if he heard that. The only nice thing we can say nice about that place is that their white shoes are very pretty, and of course that hey did a nice job as the warm up band, singing their alma mater first before West Point's was sung by the main attraction after the Army Navy game in December.
 
My #1 applied to USMA--it is the only college to which he applied. He went to SLE and when I picked him up he said, "I want to go to the college that will prepare me for an entry level leadership position in the most powerful Army in the world." He had an LOA by the 2nd week of September. So, no other SA, no other college or scholarship program.
#3 is now in the shoot--waiting. He radiates leadership and is clear on his career goals; however, he loves all of the services--and all of the academies--but felt that his scores and GPA made him not as sparklingly obvious a choice as his eldest brother--so he applied to all three SAs thinking he would end up attending No Ordinary Back Up School (You all know the Institute of which I speak--and he really likes it there too.) (I should add that he knew his heart well enough to NOT apply to USCGA or USMMA despite strong encouragement to do so by those who know him and know those institutions--he knew--perhaps to the point of being impolite--exactly what he DID NOT want to do). So, he isn't selfish. He recognized that his chances of getting into any of the SAs might be slim. Actually, he applied to USAFA as a surprise to me--after hearing a female Air Force colonel speak when she awarded an appointment to a boy at his school--#3 picked up the flier for USAFA--and left it on his nightstand all summer...and in August while working on his USMA and USNA apps, he said, "I am going to apply to USAFA too" He loves aviation. I hope it works out for all of our kids but the kids who just want to lead and serve--I think it is hard for teenagers to know the differences between the services or the ramification of going to one service academy over the other...the idea that you will have a deploy/dwell ratio of 1:2--or that your service my be perennially underfunded, undermanned, and underseige--and promotions are slower, the kids don't know that and it might seem exciting to lead such an abstemious existence at 18 but at 27 or 35 it is a different story. So, we have to support and admire the teenagers who put in the effort to apply to multiple service academies--different recommendations, different items required, the expense of sending multiple test scores, three different essays for three different schools--plus the essays for the congressman and two senators, remembering all of the different deadlines--and everyone here knows that if you apply to USNA, they want you to apply to Navy ROTC and FIVE colleges--and USMA wants you to apply to at least three colleges. It is exponentially more demanding. At least the CFA is the same and the DODMERB--but you still have to do them. No easy day. No Common App!
 
Last edited:
Great points by all! Thank you and I hope you can appreciate mine as well. I believe from the description, my DD is much like DrMom's #1 with regard to service academies. Unfortunately for me, she's equally singularly minded about most things. I keep warning her never to have children because if they don't fit into her mold her head may explode! As I've said before, I truly believe all of these kids are going to do great and there are no wrong choices when deciding between academies. I think DrMom explains it best offering her #3's perspective so special thanks there. And for Sugar, I don't know what the trigger was for her at USNA. I would share it if I knew. The Navy will find out before I do, and if she doesn't get appointed she'll take it to her grave, she's that kind of kid.
 
WonderGirl...it had to be watching TopGun. Come on...everyone wants to be Mav, Goose, and IceMan.
I just said a little prayer for your girl. The Almighty will know who I am talking about...
 
Back
Top