For Those Awaiting an Appointment/TWE

Same boat here. Me thinks they have already denied DS, so why the wait? I'd have more respect if they just told us as soon as possible. Been waiting since November, checking many times everyday. I doubt anyone is fighting for him out there. 5 months to make a decision, DS is starting to think this was a mistake, doesn't want to be associated with an organization that operates like this.


I know this process is difficult. One takeaway I got from my DS's MOC board was that most of these young people have never experienced much failure in their youth. The reason they are even in a position to still be a candidate, is because they are some of the best in the country.

While it may seem cruel to be waiting, this is life. It's a teaching moment. He can learn from this experience, or be soured by it. I am sorry that he thinks that being associated with an "organization like operates like this" is a mistake..

Many good people work hard in this process.. Some of them spend many volunteer hours, such as ALO's to help young people get to this point..

Failure won't define him, but how he acts in the face of it in life will.. Eventually all of these young people will fail, after achieving so much in their short lives. I hope that your son finds a way to overcome his disappointments in life, without looking at it as a negative! Good luck to all that are still alive!!

@CB_Dad_5
Truth! Waiting is agony, but I'm thinking that it's harder for me than DS. As parents, we want our kids to have the most success possible and to reach their dreams. And if they don't get it, sometimes we hurt like it was us being rejected.

DS knows that getting this far is an huge accomplishment, and is proud of that. I can only imagine how hard the admissions team works, and how many candidates are declined that they really, really wanted to accept.

I have told my sons for years that they need to fail, and embrace it. Failure doesn't define them, but how they respond does. Do they hang their head and cave inwards? Or do they look inside for how they can improve and do better next time? It's strange to say 'my DS is good at failure', but he is. And he learns from it. He's moving forward and making the commitment to Plan B school and AFROTC.

He's not giving up, he will get to the same destination, but the journey will be a little different.

Best of luck to all!
 
Same boat here. Me thinks they have already denied DS, so why the wait? I'd have more respect if they just told us as soon as possible. Been waiting since November, checking many times everyday. I doubt anyone is fighting for him out there. 5 months to make a decision, DS is starting to think this was a mistake, doesn't want to be associated with an organization that operates like this.
Umm..... Your DS entered into this knowing the application and decision deadlines. If your DS is troubled about this wait, maybe its not a fit because there is a lot of "hurry up and wait" in the military. Neither my child or yours is entitled to have anyone "fight for them" or to be told of their application status outside the normal process.
 
+1 to CB_Dad_5's response

I truly understand your son's disappointment. It's sobering to realize that USAFA, along with other elite schools, get so many get so many high caliber applicants that they could fill multiple classes from their amazing applicant pool. He can count his blessings - there are many applicants who would do anything to still be in the running!

I say this with gentle humility as a parent who has made a lot of mistakes, and who has seen our older son face similar discouragement in the college process (until he was ultimately accepted to where he was meant to be)...this is an opportunity to speak hope and encouragement to our kids during a time in their lives when they may feel insecure and unsure about the future. Railing in anger doesn't help; it only serves to perpetuate a victim mentality. Rather than focus on the heartbreak, we can take this time to build up our kids and let them know that hope is not lost. We fully believe that they will succeed wherever they land. Their worth is in who they are, not in an institution.
 
DS received TWE from USNA 2 weeks ago. Starting to come to grips that USAFA may be sending him a TWE soon. He had a plan B prior to receiving Navy TWE but now is considering going in a different direction. He believes he did not receive and offer of appointment from Navy because his ACT was a bit low and that he might not have been the MOC Primary Nominee? He received nominations from 2 Senators and 1 Congressman to USNA. Only one Senator nominated him to USAFA.

Question: How did others find out they were the MOC Primary Nominee?
My DS received a Principle/Primary Nomination from his MOC. MOC called my son on 12/22/16 and told him. Not all MOC give Principle/Primary Nominations, some give USAFA their list and let USAFA rank the list.

With that being said, my DS is still waiting to hear from USAFA. My DS contacted his ALO on 4/1/17 and was told he has an offer coming and to be patient that the process takes time.

My DS has a friend that got the Principle for our district last year and he did not get his appointment until 4/28/16. I don't know how USAFA does the appointments, but I do know that until you have a TWE it isn't over. I also know that several TWE's got appointments in May last year.
 
Same boat here. Me thinks they have already denied DS, so why the wait? I'd have more respect if they just told us as soon as possible. Been waiting since November, checking many times everyday. I doubt anyone is fighting for him out there. 5 months to make a decision, DS is starting to think this was a mistake, doesn't want to be associated with an organization that operates like this.


I know this process is difficult. One takeaway I got from my DS's MOC board was that most of these young people have never experienced much failure in their youth. The reason they are even in a position to still be a candidate, is because they are some of the best in the country.

While it may seem cruel to be waiting, this is life. It's a teaching moment. He can learn from this experience, or be soured by it. I am sorry that he thinks that being associated with an "organization like operates like this" is a mistake..

Many good people work hard in this process.. Some of them spend many volunteer hours, such as ALO's to help young people get to this point..

Failure won't define him, but how he acts in the face of it in life will.. Eventually all of these young people will fail, after achieving so much in their short lives. I hope that your son finds a way to overcome his disappointments in life, without looking at it as a negative! Good luck to all that are still alive!!
Well said.
 
+1 to CB_Dad_5's response

I truly understand your son's disappointment. It's sobering to realize that USAFA, along with other elite schools, get so many get so many high caliber applicants that they could fill multiple classes from their amazing applicant pool. He can count his blessings - there are many applicants who would do anything to still be in the running!

I say this with gentle humility as a parent who has made a lot of mistakes, and who has seen our older son face similar discouragement in the college process (until he was ultimately accepted to where he was meant to be)...this is an opportunity to speak hope and encouragement to our kids during a time in their lives when they may feel insecure and unsure about the future. Railing in anger doesn't help; it only serves to perpetuate a victim mentality. Rather than focus on the heartbreak, we can take this time to build up our kids and let them know that hope is not lost. We fully believe that they will succeed wherever they land. Their worth is in who they are, not in an institution.
Well said. Thank you for your wisdom.
 
Still waiting here. As each day passes son is beginning to realize that the appointment is not coming. The focus and efforts are on plan B and deciding between an AFROTC or NROTC scholarship.

Good luck and all the best to everyone this week! My mommy anxiety is in overdrive. Keeping it all inside because I need to be there so support my son. Thankful for all the fine folks on this board who are quite a support group.
Your not alone sister, :)
Amen. My DS is handling this waiting better than me. Chin up it is not over yet.
 
DD spent a week at the academy last summer so loved the experience. Dec 3, she was DQ March 17 med waiver was approved back on as a candidate again. She has two nominations.
She text this a.m. said mom we need to work on my plan B tonight. I think she has finally given up hope on an offer.
Lucky for her ROTC did give her a four yr scholarship to Purdue.
I paid the nonrefundable acceptance fee of 400 to Purdue last month hoping I could eat that money because she got accepted to the academy no such luck.
She will apply again next year she says.
 
Still waiting here. As each day passes son is beginning to realize that the appointment is not coming. The focus and efforts are on plan B and deciding between an AFROTC or NROTC scholarship.

Good luck and all the best to everyone this week! My mommy anxiety is in overdrive. Keeping it all inside because I need to be there so support my son. Thankful for all the fine folks on this board who are quite a support group.
Your not alone sister, :)

Right there with ya! :) some pretty dang fantastic Plan B's!
 
Several years ago when DS#1 applied we thought it was a long shot, received his appointment January 31, 2015! Early compared to everyone waiting right now. DS#2 is still waiting for a waiver, but he's got his plan B deposit paid and a 4 year ROTC scholarship, although it's Army, but either way, I always feel what's supposed to happen will happen. If he doesn't get an appointment this year, and he really wants it, he will be in a better position next year. He's 17 until the end of July anyway, so an extra year would't hurt him. Heads up everyone. It's not over yet.
 
I don't know why I'm seeing so much negativity being posted as the days go by. I see people practically giving themselves TWE's. You're not out until you get the TWE from USAFA- and even then you're still not out lol. There are thousands of people around the country who are still "Candidates"- including myself. I've heard about people receiving appointments as late as May. We're not even half way through April. Don't lose faith, lets be patient.
 
I don't know why I'm seeing so much negativity being posted as the days go by. I see people practically giving themselves TWE's. You're not out until you get the TWE from USAFA- and even then you're still not out lol. There are thousands of people around the country who are still "Candidates"- including myself. I've heard about people receiving appointments as late as May. We're not even half way through April. Don't lose faith, lets be patient.

Keep the Faith
and NEVER GIVE UP
 
I don't really look at it as negativity. More like confusion because we don't really understand the process. If we knew what to expect, we would probably sit here and easily say it's not over. But when you are in a guessing game, you never know where you stand or where you are in the process.
 
I don't really look at it as negativity. More like confusion because we don't really understand the process. If we knew what to expect, we would probably sit here and easily say it's not over. But when you are in a guessing game, you never know where you stand or where you are in the process.


Yes, there might be a little bit of that.. But, along the process, there is tons of information about how the process will proceed.. My DS and I have known from the beginning how long and tedious this journey could be, because we read the information that was given to us, and listened to those like the ALO..

Whether or not this has gone as planned is one thing. But, looking at an organization as a negative, even though they have told you how it could go, is not the right way to do it from my perspective.

Everyone has their own way of dealing with this, and I don't want to judge anyone. But, don't blame the leadership, when they have warned you from the beginning?
 
DD has a number of friends that have either gone through the process or are going through it now. We are aware of how long it takes and being a military family completely get the "hurry up and wait" game you learn to live with. If you are getting ready to dissociate yourself from the academy at this point, it probably wasn't the place you were meant to be. Anywhere these kids end up they will be off doing amazing things. In a way I'm glad my dd has failed at things, she broke her foot hitting a diving board, almost failed the 5th grade, failed a PFT when she had just got done being sick, the list goes on. It has given her the ability to pick herself up and brush it off.
 
I like to be productive while waiting.....just like the burst of energy 'nesting' right before childbirth....I spent the weekend deep cleaning my house. Perhaps if we don't hear anything by next weekend, I'll scrub the grout in my tile floor. If I start vacuuming the air vents and smoke detectors, I'm in trouble because they only thing left to do after that is start baking (and eating!!!!)
 
Same boat here. Me thinks they have already denied DS, so why the wait? I'd have more respect if they just told us as soon as possible. Been waiting since November, checking many times everyday. I doubt anyone is fighting for him out there. 5 months to make a decision, DS is starting to think this was a mistake, doesn't want to be associated with an organization that operates like this.


I know this process is difficult. One takeaway I got from my DS's MOC board was that most of these young people have never experienced much failure in their youth. The reason they are even in a position to still be a candidate, is because they are some of the best in the country.

While it may seem cruel to be waiting, this is life. It's a teaching moment. He can learn from this experience, or be soured by it. I am sorry that he thinks that being associated with an "organization like operates like this" is a mistake..

Many good people work hard in this process.. Some of them spend many volunteer hours, such as ALO's to help young people get to this point..

Failure won't define him, but how he acts in the face of it in life will.. Eventually all of these young people will fail, after achieving so much in their short lives. I hope that your son finds a way to overcome his disappointments in life, without looking at it as a negative! Good luck to all that are still alive!!

@CB_Dad_5
Truth! Waiting is agony, but I'm thinking that it's harder for me than DS. As parents, we want our kids to have the most success possible and to reach their dreams. And if they don't get it, sometimes we hurt like it was us being rejected.

DS knows that getting this far is an huge accomplishment, and is proud of that. I can only imagine how hard the admissions team works, and how many candidates are declined that they really, really wanted to accept.

I have told my sons for years that they need to fail, and embrace it. Failure doesn't define them, but how they respond does. Do they hang their head and cave inwards? Or do they look inside for how they can improve and do better next time? It's strange to say 'my DS is good at failure', but he is. And he learns from it. He's moving forward and making the commitment to Plan B school and AFROTC.

He's not giving up, he will get to the same destination, but the journey will be a little different.

Best of luck to all!


My DS did not get in his first try after HS (graduated 2016). We suffered the long way into April as well. Went with his plan B at UT-Austin and joined AFROTC. Tried again and received a LOA in early November and appointment in mid-November. He really did nothing to strengthen his resume beyond joining ROTC and trying again. I guess the USAFA likes perseverance!
 
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