Stressed

cc.cg

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Joined
Dec 7, 2017
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118
Hello, I'm a current senior trying to apply to all of the SA's and I'm just a little overwhelmed because I really only want to attend USCGA and USMMA and have lost interest in the rest of the academies, no offense I respect all services and I am willing to serve in any branch but I'm just losing hope because my teachers have not even sent in my LOR's which are due very soon for my nominations. Also, the fact that I have to spread out my nominations for each school scares me because I heard that sometimes when you are applying to more than one SA they often don't give you your first choice and I really want USMMA for my nomination, any advice? Should I just continue applying to all SAs or decline my applications to the big 3?
 
I also meant to post this in "Nominations" but I'm not sure how to move my thread
 
Please don't rescind applications simply because of LOR difficulties. Provide your teachers gentle, respectful reminders about the upcoming deadlines. BTW, as long as the LOR meets each SA's requirements, there is no reason why a teacher can not send LORs to multiple SAs (I know a couple of my son's teachers sent LORs to several SAs and three MOCs).
 
@cc.cg, if you’re truly only interested in attending USCGA and USMMA, then why are you applying to the others? By spreading yourself so thin, you’re only decreasing the chances that you’ll receive appointment to the only SAs you want. Your heart won’t be in the essays and interviews, and you’ll be wasting your own time and that of other people.

Not to mention, should you be appointed to one of the other SAs and you attend, knowing deep down you don’t want to be there, you’ll likely leave inside Year 1. Each year, a few dozen new mids/cadets leave the SAs in their first year — and they thought beforehand that they wanted to be there.

Take stock of why you’re applying to USMA, USNA, USAFA. If you really don’t want to attend, then full stop.
 
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@cc.cg, if you’re truly only interested in attending USCGA and USMMA, then why are you applying to the others? By spreading yourself so thin, you’re only decreasing the chances that you’ll receive appointment to the only SAs you want. Your heart won’t be in the essays and interviews, and you’ll be wasting your own time and that of other people.

Not to mention, should you be appointed to one of the other SAs and you attend, knowing deep down you don’t want to be there, you’ll likely leave inside Year 1. Each year, a few dozen new mids/cadets leave the SAs in their first year — and they thought beforehand that they wanted to be there.

Take stock of why you’re applying to USMA, USNA, USAFA. If you really don’t want to attend, then full stop.
Wow thank you, I never thought of it that way I will keep this in mind, Thank you so much for your response I just need others opinions because I like to keep all my options open and then decide.
 
Please don't rescind applications simply because of LOR difficulties. Provide your teachers gentle, respectful reminders about the upcoming deadlines. BTW, as long as the LOR meets each SA's requirements, there is no reason why a teacher can not send LORs to multiple SAs (I know a couple of my son's teachers sent LORs to several SAs and three MOCs).
This is true, but I don't want to come off too harsh to my teachers, I just feel bad sometimes telling an "adult" to get a move on. But I plan to talk to them soon only because I'm super worried.
 
Make sure they understand it's important, there is a deadline, and it's urgent. Smile and speak softly when you tell them. Maybe preface some of the points with "In case you didn't know". Be pleasant, respectful, but firm. I'm not too good at it because my wife is an expert and I give such chores to her whenever possible. Somehow she always leaves them smiling.
 
Cccg. Your teachers are probably just coming around settling in to the fall teaching demands. Remember you’re not the only student asking for LOR. It can be early October. Good idea to have LORs from English, Math, Science, Social Studies. Some coming from your AP classes. 1 from a Varsity Coach and 1 from a person who can attest to your leadership. Then pick from this lot or all. Many schools don’t mind receiving more than stated minimum. After submitting your common apps, most schools will allow you to submit more separately uploaded on to their school portal. Same for the SAs. Your GC can help send them separately outside Naviance upload.

Nevertheless, you should definitely remind your teachers nicely. You may want to prioritize for your teachers which schools are up first in the cue. That’s what my DS did. It took 1 month for all his teachers to respond to his requests. In the end he secured 16 LORs and he ended up using different LORs for different schools. SAs they don’t mind receiving more than required. You can send more than the minimum required. Just don’t send them 10 LORs. But sometimes it can happen if you don’t coordinate with your GC and outside the school recommenders.

Also don’t worry about the Noms. If your state and district has history awarding more than 1 Nom to qualified candidates then it is likely you will be offered more than 1 Nom if you qualify.

USMMA Nom works differently. You can get Nom for USMMA from any district Reps in your state while Big 3 Noms must come from your district Rep or 2 senators. I would not bet on the VP Nom since only 1 or 2 is offered to each SA candidates. Normally given to stellar American citizens living abroad.

If I were you and if you believe you are competitive I would not drop any of the big 3 SAs. This is how I would plan the Noms if I were in your spot. But this is just me so you can do it anyway you choose. I would pick 1 SA you most want to attend and ask the Nom from your district rep for that SA. I would the remaining SAs as 2nd and 3rd choice. And ask the others from senators. REQUEST Nom from reps in your state for the USMMA.

Again this is just me so you should choose what you think would work best for you. As you know USCGA is a true national contest and not a district contest.
 
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Hello, I'm a current senior trying to apply to all of the SA's and I'm just a little overwhelmed because I really only want to attend USCGA and USMMA and have lost interest in the rest of the academies, no offense I respect all services and I am willing to serve in any branch but I'm just losing hope because my teachers have not even sent in my LOR's which are due very soon for my nominations. Also, the fact that I have to spread out my nominations for each school scares me because I heard that sometimes when you are applying to more than one SA they often don't give you your first choice and I really want USMMA for my nomination, any advice? Should I just continue applying to all SAs or decline my applications to the big 3?

Relax, I too am like you...USAFA and USCGA are my first choices but am applying for all academies and ROTCs besides regular colleges. I had interviews with AF, WestPoint and Navy (next week), my application is submitted for USCGA and have ROTC interviews in October. I don't know about the nominations dates yet but my plan B is there and then worst case plan C - regular college (my dad asked me for a plan C). My HS is in the top 20 schools since 2014, and I am the first one to apply in the academies ever from the school, trust me on this I was surprised too when I heard this. When I told my teachers and counselor that I am applying for academies, they had almost no clue of the process. I had to work with them on the process and even had to show them the online forms. I had to request them to get my LORs in advance as I have a different timeline than the regular college. They were very helpful and supporting. I had all my LORs, transcripts etc. from the school in by August end.

Talk with them, my experience is that the teachers get overwhelmed with the requests for LORs. I started sending them emails during summer holidays and my pre-work also helped in the process. Good Luck !
 
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