Did I hurt my chances?

Did i hurt my chances?

  • Yes you wont get in

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • No

    Votes: 15 88.2%
  • Yes but not too badly where you wont get in

    Votes: 1 5.9%

  • Total voters
    17

jg29

Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2018
Messages
23
Everything is going very well as I am getting ready to apply for nominations for USMA. I have been in contact with my liaison officer and my admissions team. In the heat of the moment situation I believed it would be a smart idea to email more people at West Point. I emailed the Dean of Academics to ask if I could ask her questions about the academics. She replies that she would be happy too and cc'd the vice dean as well. My parents were less than thrilled with this choice. I have yet to reply, but we are all worried that I just ruined my chances of getting into the academy. Has anyone been in this situation? Did I hurt my chances? And how should I deal with it? Thank you so much.
 
In for a penny, in for a pound. Do your homework by reading every page, drop down and link at USMA.edu, so you don’t embarrass yourself by asking questions you can easily find out answers for yourself using the initiative and self-sufficiency desired in a junior officer.

I doubt it would ruin your chances. These folks have seen just about everything from applicants, candidates and those who are just exploring. They will probably laugh about it amongst themselves and be very nice in their replies.

Again, do your homework, don’t ask questions that with some effort on your part, you can find the answers.
 
I will chime in and say don't worry about it. This process (Applying to a Service Academy) will take the better part of a year.
No one cares that you EMailed the Dean of Academics, I assure you. :)
 
Agree with JWP and THParent. This episode should give you pause, though. The application / nomination process is long and detailed. It’s mainly online, somewhat bureaucratic, and leaves little opportunity for a “do over” once things are plugged in.

So for you and other Class of 2023 applicants: move deliberately, act intentionally, read carefully. It’s an exciting time, to be sure, but avoid “heat of the moment.” The process is a marathon, not a sprint, as many here have said. Before taking a step — such as writing West Point’s Dean of Academics or your ALO or B&G officer or even on this forum — ask yourself: What am I looking for out of this interaction, is this the best route for addressing this issue, have I considered other resources that might be more direct or obvious for this issue? This approach should serve you well.
 
This appears to be your first lesson regarding Chain of Command. Hopefully you will quickly learn not to go straight to the top for future questions....
 
Now that you have started this and they responded, make sure you email back. Think about a very good question and not something that is easily answered by the website or a student. Ask an intelligent question and they will probably be impressed. I don't think I would ask another though. Good luck!
 
Everything is going very well as I am getting ready to apply for nominations for USMA. I have been in contact with my liaison officer and my admissions team. In the heat of the moment situation I believed it would be a smart idea to email more people at West Point. I emailed the Dean of Academics to ask if I could ask her questions about the academics. She replies that she would be happy too and cc'd the vice dean as well. My parents were less than thrilled with this choice. I have yet to reply, but we are all worried that I just ruined my chances of getting into the academy. Has anyone been in this situation? Did I hurt my chances? And how should I deal with it? Thank you so much.
No harm, no foul unless you say something incredibly brilliant or incredibly stupid when communicating with the Dean - unlikely in either case as long as you prepare for an intelligent communication.

There are no WCS points for communicating with USMA department heads so admissions will not add/deduct points for that. Whatever the Dean may communicate to admissions will likely already be reflected in the rest of your file.
 
Do all of your own research prior to asking staffers. It's all available, they want self reliance above all else. You'll be fine. Study and learn the resources out there. Use them.
 
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