Rolling Admissions Process

Does anyone know anything about the rolling admissions process? I am confused as we were told during a parent panel that it is best for candidates to get application packages in as soon as possible. DS submitted everything in August, and in September his admissions counselor contacted with a question about a summer course he took. In September, he also took ACT again and scored significantly higher. Last week, he learned the admissions board only reviews applications one time and he emailed admissions counselor to inquire if the new scores would be included in his application package when it went to the board. Since he got everything in so early, he was concerned his package had already been reviewed without the new scores, but his counselor responded that it has not been reviewed. Can anyone explain the rolling admissions process or the urgency to get application packages in early? Thank you!

I was told that it's best to finish your applications to all of the SAs early, as it increases your chance of receiving a Letter of Assurance--USMA, USNA, USAFA, and USMMA give these (I don't know about USCGA, as I am not applying there), or if you're applying to USMA, it increases your chance of being additionally authorized for an overnight visit. A girl who graduated from my school a couple of years ago is a 3rd Classman at USNA. Because she was on my co-ed athletic team, I remember how excited she was when Navy sent her an LOA because she was a highly qualified candidate who finished her entire application earlier than most others. The longer you wait to finish your application, the smaller the chances of obtaining an LOA (or LOE if we're also talking West Point) because more files are opening/being completed and thus more candidates are increasing their WPS and may be racking up enough points to grab the letters from other candidates that could have had them (and don't forget about recruited athletes and diversity candidates). I'm glad your DS retook the ACT--that is something that almost everyone should do to make himself more competitive and can mark a large increase in the WPS. The SAs are dealing with tons of digital/physical paperwork this time of year, so it may take them a while to review their file. It took USMA a couple of weeks to review mine after I knew they had my new ACT scores. Anyway, the girl from my sports team loves USNA with all her heart and is planning on getting married to her boyfriend there after graduation. It is a wonderful place and I wish your DS all the luck and work ethic he needs to get there.

Good luck!

(AND GO ARMY)

Very few applicants get LOA's. The best reason to work on your application early is to insure that after your DODMERB exam, there is amply time to work on resolving any noted medical issues. Lots of older threads about waivers and that process. The same criteria applies to being 3Q regardless of whether you are the first or last to apply, so when you apply has nothing to do with your chance of being 3Q.

Each MOC also has a specific window during which you can apply for a NOM. Obviously, if you miss that window you won't get a NOM and unless you are eligible for other sources of NOM's, you will be out of the running for an appointment that year.

Yes, Admissions Board looks at applications on a rolling basis, starting in September. However, the Admissions Board action is only part of the equation, and the Candidates do not see the rest. One Admissions Board finds candidate Qualified , and Candidate is medically and physically qualified , ie. 3Q, the candidate must be matched to a Nomination. Most MOC don't award their nominations until November/December, and even then most Nominations are competitive --so Admissions must wait until all applicants are in and reviewed before they can determine who receives the Appointment. Thus , candidate may be CPR for months --although Admissions has already determined him/her 3Q.

There is an advantage to completing package earlier. First,. it shows Admissions and BGO that the candidate is motivated and organized. Second, there is a greater possibility of a LOA (but see my admonition in other threads about worrying about the LOA). Finally, can't hurt to tell the MOC nomination committee that you have completed your package.

You may still be thinking of the admission board of a normal college. The board only qualifies a candidate, they do not hand out appointments when they meet. As @Old Navy BGO said, there are many things that need to happen after the board meets to get an appointment. Your admission's representative can add significant achievements to your file without having to re-board you to change your WCS score. If your SAT changes from 1300 to 1500, there are a set number of points that are associated with the scores and your score will change accordingly.

While I certainly understand the quest for the LOA, there are other ways for the SA's to express interest, if you've finished your applications early. For example, last year DS had LOA's to USMA and USAFA in October, but none to USNA. Instead, he received an email from the dean of admissions as a 'highly qualified candidate' to have breakfast with him prior to the Navy/USAFA game. Long story short, after receiving a congressional nomination around Thanksgiving, he got the coveted appointment two days later. All that matters is the appointment, by whatever route, then staying healthy and out of trouble. For example, one of my best friends at work is a 2007 USNA grad, who broke his leg 3 weeks prior to I-day so instead of being in the class of 2006, he had to reapply and go through the whole process again.

time2 makes an excellent point. Medical issues can take a while to sort out. As someone who went through the waiver process, I can tell you that it behooves you to get the DoDMERB stuff done early. Cross your t's and dot your i's... make sure your DS does, too!

The truth is that all the SAs issue the majority of appointments in the early March timeframe.
Jan 31 is the deadline for MOC nominations so many applications cannot be processed before then anyway; SAs like to get the complete nomination slates so they can see how to 'fit in' the candidates they prefer.

Early is better for the reasons already stated [especially DoDMERB !] but its not really rolling admissions in the traditional sense.
Don't panic; DS received multiple nominations, was appointed to 2 SAs and heard Feb 14 and March ~10 [no LOAs.]
You can be a strong candidate and still not get LOA / early action.

I know its hard but be patient . . .

Harva said:

Does anyone know anything about the rolling admissions process? I am confused as we were told during a parent panel that it is best for candidates to get application packages in as soon as possible. DS submitted everything in August, and in September his admissions counselor contacted with a question about a summer course he took. In September, he also took ACT again and scored significantly higher. Last week, he learned the admissions board only reviews applications one time and he emailed admissions counselor to inquire if the new scores would be included in his application package when it went to the board. Since he got everything in so early, he was concerned his package had already been reviewed without the new scores, but his counselor responded that it has not been reviewed. Can anyone explain the rolling admissions process or the urgency to get application packages in early? Thank you!

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Harva does make a good point....if you complete your application in, say, August and your application goes before the Admissions Board in (say again) something like the end of September and they decline your application (for lack of a better phrase) - which you have no idea that happens, and may not until sometime in the spring - perhaps based on average SAT/ACT test scores, and then you re-take the SAT (for example) in November and knock it out of the park over your previously considered SAT score that was decent but not overwhelming. Since they don't re-look at previously considered applications, wouldn't that be a somewhat strong disadvantage to having done your application early? (not sure if all that made sense!)

AbsoluteBearing said:

Harva does make a good point....if you complete your application in, say, August and your application goes before the Admissions Board in (say again) something like the end of September and they decline your application (for lack of a better phrase) - which you have no idea that happens, and may not until sometime in the spring - perhaps based on average SAT/ACT test scores, and then you re-take the SAT (for example) in November and knock it out of the park over your previously considered SAT score that was decent but not overwhelming. Since they don't re-look at previously considered applications, wouldn't that be a somewhat strong disadvantage to having done your application early? (not sure if all that made sense!)

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Yes! And some candidates even get their files closed for whatever reason, then reopened again in the same year. A friend of mine who applied to USNA had his portal closed for disqualifying ACT scores but hired a tutor to study, retook the test, and sent USNA his new scores. They re-opened his file! Now, he was not admitted, but that isn't the point--the point is to get everything done early so you know you qualify. Getting the CFA out of the way is relieving as well. I remember how I felt when I finished it early...the minute you're at an SA, you're taking their designated fitness test. No more CFA!

Here's a tip for letters of recommendation for those of you who are juniors in HS or parents of DS/DD juniors: at the end of his/her school year, have your DS/DD record the names, emails, and phone numbers (if they will give them) of a Physics/Chem, Math, English, and PE teacher that he/she thinks she has interacted the best with in his/her high school career and warn the teachers of an email from USNA between July and somewhere in early August. When you can submit them right away, it gives you points toward obtaining a DoDMERB exam.

As for essays, it's really best to sit down and crank those out...

DoDMERB is another hoop. There's a whole thread for that but it's imperative that the exams are done ASAP. I went through the waiver process for a childhood diagnosis because DoDMERB decided to DQ me. Luckily, my waiver was granted a month and a half after it was requested, but sometimes people aren't so lucky, as it can take anywhere between 2 weeks and 6 months for a waiver to be approved or denied.

Reality is that your admission's counselor will not take your packet to the board if you are not going to be qualified. Each academy process on average 5,000 applications per year so they have the process kind of down.

There are reviews prior to the board that screen unqualified and at risk candidates. The best advice is to put your best foot forward and complete your application as soon as possible. Do not try and overthink the "what ifs"

If you have improvements through the process, they will happily update your file.

USMA 1994 said:

Reality is that your admission's counselor will not take your packet to the board if you are not going to be qualified

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USMA - what is the source of this information ? I been a BGO for > 15 years , and never heard this. While I am suspect that more than a few applicants are rather perfunctory rejections, we have been told that all completed applications go to the Admissions Board for qualification. Are you referring to a USMA process ?

Old Navy BGO said:

USMA 1994 said:

Reality is that your admission's counselor will not take your packet to the board if you are not going to be qualified

Click to expand...

USMA - what is the source of this information ? I been a BGO for > 15 years , and never heard this. While I am suspect that more than a few applicants are rather perfunctory rejections, we have been told that all completed applications go to the Admissions Board for qualification. Are you referring to a USMA process ?

Click to expand...

Maybe the processes are a little different between the academies but overall, but my point is that the admission's counselors have a pretty good idea on how qualified a candidate is and wI do not see them taking numerous candidates to the board that they do not feel will get the Green Light to move further in the process. I think we have both said that the "admissions board" at the academy is not like a typical college where they vote appointment yes or no. They deem qualified and can move further or not-qualified.