Questions, Chatter, Congrats for the 2026 USAFA Appointment Thread

I would put VERY little credence in things you see "out there on the internet."

I work fairly closely with admissions during the process. Dr. P has not mentioned any issues with the process in the admissions directorate. There were complaints by ALOs to the admissions folks about the new ALOWEB however that has no impact on candidate admissions; it just really limited our visibility of the candidate's progress. And they are getting that worked out. I've seen a marked improvement in my ALOWEB abilities in the past few months.

USAFA has been, traditionally, the slower of the academies, in making offers. In my ALO career (over 20 years) the process has gone something like this:

1. September (very rarely), October (some LOAs to blue-chip athletic recruits and those beyond-the-norm academic wunderkind).
2. November/December...some more LOAs (small numbers) to athletes and super-standout candidates that are completely finished with the application process. Also, some offers to MOC principal nominees.
3. January/February: see above, but some more offers to "more typical" candidates
4. Middle March - BIG SLUG (like 70-80%) of offers around the middle of the month, sometimes around the third week, although there's no "timeline" that is disclosed to anyone in the ALO field.
5. April up until the report date: offers to fill the class after folks turn down their offers, etc.

That's just how the process seems to play out year after year.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Nice!

Here is a re-repost of @richard_miao 's repost, near this time 2 cycles ago:

 
My DS received and accepted his appointment today. Happy times over here! Congrats to all others.
I know sometimes people like to see stats of applicants….feel free to PM me if you want general information.
Just wondered how you receive it, does it show up on the portal? Thanks
 
Just wondered how you receive it, does it show up on the portal? Thanks
So my son has been checking every day and he just happened to check the portal this afternoon and the letter was there. He did not get an email telling him to check the portal he just checked on his own. And he did not receive a phone call from his Congressman either. Everyone does it a little differently I guess!
 
For the people who got appointments on January 11th, when did you complete and submit your candidate kit?
I received an appointment before my DoDMERB was cleared. I received it in December and the Candidate kit was completed towards the end of October.
 
I received an appointment before my DoDMERB was cleared. I received it in December and the Candidate kit was completed towards the end of October.
Hello!
I was not able to message you back…I think you have to post 5x before we/you can PM someone.
 
Hello all:
Does anyone know if there is a candidate visit weekend/weekend for admitted cadets?
Don't remember anything like that offered last year.

Plan ahead, highly recommend visiting the Springs a week early to help with acclimating to the altitude. The 3 days before IDay start to get busy around town as 1100 new cadets get ready for drop-off. Your DS should be working on finishing strong for senior year, spending quality time with family and friends, completing all handbook tasks, especially the security clearance paperwork, keeping up with physical prep, and prevent from making any bad decisions or serious injuries.
 
Don't remember anything like that offered last year.

Plan ahead, highly recommend visiting the Springs a week early to help with acclimating to the altitude. The 3 days before IDay start to get busy around town as 1100 new cadets get ready for drop-off. Your DS should be working on finishing strong for senior year, spending quality time with family and friends, completing all handbook tasks, especially the security clearance paperwork, keeping up with physical prep, and prevent from making any bad decisions or serious injuries.
Thank you-all Great advice. We are in a particular New York situation that he is still in school and actually his graduation day is the same as I Day. So we can only come out a couple days early. Everything else is right on point. Just waiting for information to load into his portal so we can start making definite reservations and plans.
 
Hello all:
Does anyone know if there is a candidate visit weekend/weekend for admitted cadets?
I am curious about this too. I have a 2025 DS and he says he sees seniors visiting but not sure if they are athletes. I have a hopeful DD and she is headed to a USNA visit this month. Hoping if she gets USAFA appointment she will be able to go there to visit as well. Someone did tell her there are appointee weekends, but she doesn’t know any more or how to find out more.
 
I am curious about this too. I have a 2025 DS and he says he sees seniors visiting but not sure if they are athletes. I have a hopeful DD and she is headed to a USNA visit this month. Hoping if she gets USAFA appointment she will be able to go there to visit as well. Someone did tell her there are appointee weekends, but she doesn’t know any more or how to find out more.
Right -us either. Have not received cadet booklet/info, etc but if we do and there is something in there I will be sure to post :)
 
I have been wanting to go on a visit to USAFA but was wondering the same thing. I know in years past, minus last year, they had an appointee day in April. Has anyone heard anything about this being started back up? I was hoping to meet professors or shadow a cadet on my visit.
 
So my son has been checking every day and he just happened to check the portal this afternoon and the letter was there. He did not get an email telling him to check the portal he just checked on his own. And he did not receive a phone call from his Congressman either. Everyone does it a little differently I guess!
I'm curious.. where in the portal is the letter found?
 
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