What now!? Plus, waiting is really hard!

SandBaby

Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2021
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60
Hello! Three things:

1) Does anyone know what I should be looking for at this point? I completed my application and was notified of my nominations a little over a month ago. I sent my first semester transcript about two weeks ago. Aside from waiting (see thing #2), what happens next? I've scoured tons of threads and comments, some describing a call from their MOC first then a BFE, but I haven't been able to find a common experience? It's the military- so I was expecting there to be a standard procedure for notifying candidates of their appointments, but I've read that it's relative to a candidate's particular situation? Should I keep my phone on during my classes? What does the BFE look like? Does USNA notify unaccepted candidates of their status before April 15th? What does that look like (BFE of sadness?)? I think I could run out of characters with more impatient irrationally anticipatory questions, but just know that I appreciate any and all information you might be willing to provide as to what I should be expecting after completing the application process... !!

2) If you can't tell from my obsessive amount of questions, I'm finding that the waiting and lack of control is harder than the actual application. I've worked my booty off to put my best, most honest, most vulnerable, most perfected foot forward in every aspect my application. I've checked every box to the best of my abilities and done an immense amount of research and relationship building in order to be able to confidently submit my application knowing that USNA is for me. Now that it's "done" though, I feel more stress and anxiety in letting the good people of USNA admissions take the reigns than when I was grinding for almost an entire year on the mountain of stress that is the application. I think this is common. But still... what can I be doing right now (other than trying to not think about someone else's decision and focusing on finishing my high school career with flying colors and great memories)? My senioritis is riddled with the stress of this big looming thing I want so badly but is out of my control. I'm trying to enjoy life in the moment and I've continued applying for scholarships and grants for my backups in the (very real and intimidating) event that I don't receive and appointment, but the idea of waiting potentially until April 15th (ahhhh!) for a decision from USNA, my plan A and dream school, seems incredibly daunting. Help. I know patience is a virtue, but I like to stay focused and stay busy. Your practical advice is appreciated.

3) Thank you to everyone who has lent their experience, advice and expertise regarding SA's, USNA, DODMERB, and everything in between on this forum. I've found so many helpful and inspiring pieces of wisdom here. My application would definitely not have been the same without this amazing resource and you amazing people.

Okay. That was pretty long winded but I appreciate you for taking the time to read any part of the above. I also really appreciate any feedback, guidance, or tales from past experiences you might be willing to share. (I am also grateful for your prayers... I've found that stuff works too)

Thank you!
 
Number one. Deep breathing exercises. Still your body and mind. Your post made me smile. You honestly communicated so many fears and anxieties all applicants have.

Control what you can. You put your best foot forward. You put in the work and completed a Herculean application process.


After scouring the forum you know that every MOC has a different process for application, interview, notification of nomination and choice to notify of appointment. You can’t control any of that. No applicant can.

You mentioned waiting until April to find out. Some find out later. Some find out closer to mid June.

Tend to all alternate plans. Continue to pace yourself mentally and continue to prepare physically and stay healthy.

Spend time with family and friends as whatever plan you end up with will likely mean less time with them for the foreseeable future.

A few more deep breaths. If you achieve the dream of an appointment, the art of patience and Semper Gumby will be required from day one.
 
Run. Stretch before and after you run.

I missed my MOC's call because he called in the morning in the middle of class and I had my phone silenced. The staffer got mad and chewed me out over the phone, but it was pretty unreasonable to expect a student to disobey school regulations and walk out in the middle of class to answer a phone call, congressman or not. I wasn't sorry to have had basic respect for my teachers.

My parents don't speak English, and USNA sent a hilariously poorly translated letter explaining the appointment. As if someone in Admissions had done a copy and paste job in Google Translate. Probably was exactly what they did. I still have it, and it's still ridiculously bad.
 
Hello! Three things:

1) Does anyone know what I should be looking for at this point? I completed my application and was notified of my nominations a little over a month ago. I sent my first semester transcript about two weeks ago. Aside from waiting (see thing #2), what happens next? I've scoured tons of threads and comments, some describing a call from their MOC first then a BFE, but I haven't been able to find a common experience? It's the military- so I was expecting there to be a standard procedure for notifying candidates of their appointments, but I've read that it's relative to a candidate's particular situation? Should I keep my phone on during my classes? What does the BFE look like? Does USNA notify unaccepted candidates of their status before April 15th? What does that look like (BFE of sadness?)? I think I could run out of characters with more impatient irrationally anticipatory questions, but just know that I appreciate any and all information you might be willing to provide as to what I should be expecting after completing the application process... !!

2) If you can't tell from my obsessive amount of questions, I'm finding that the waiting and lack of control is harder than the actual application. I've worked my booty off to put my best, most honest, most vulnerable, most perfected foot forward in every aspect my application. I've checked every box to the best of my abilities and done an immense amount of research and relationship building in order to be able to confidently submit my application knowing that USNA is for me. Now that it's "done" though, I feel more stress and anxiety in letting the good people of USNA admissions take the reigns than when I was grinding for almost an entire year on the mountain of stress that is the application. I think this is common. But still... what can I be doing right now (other than trying to not think about someone else's decision and focusing on finishing my high school career with flying colors and great memories)? My senioritis is riddled with the stress of this big looming thing I want so badly but is out of my control. I'm trying to enjoy life in the moment and I've continued applying for scholarships and grants for my backups in the (very real and intimidating) event that I don't receive and appointment, but the idea of waiting potentially until April 15th (ahhhh!) for a decision from USNA, my plan A and dream school, seems incredibly daunting. Help. I know patience is a virtue, but I like to stay focused and stay busy. Your practical advice is appreciated.

3) Thank you to everyone who has lent their experience, advice and expertise regarding SA's, USNA, DODMERB, and everything in between on this forum. I've found so many helpful and inspiring pieces of wisdom here. My application would definitely not have been the same without this amazing resource and you amazing people.

Okay. That was pretty long winded but I appreciate you for taking the time to read any part of the above. I also really appreciate any feedback, guidance, or tales from past experiences you might be willing to share. (I am also grateful for your prayers... I've found that stuff works too)

Thank you!
your post got my heart rate going!!

Overall, don’t worry about missing anything. You WILL be officially notified of your appointment from USNA. So checking your email/portal occasionally is really all you need to do for that.

The ‘notification from your MOC’ is a courtesy that may or may not happen (one of mine was called, one wasn’t). Yes it’s exciting, but not imperative to the appointment.

You won’t miss the actual appointment ☺️

The standardization is with the Military. That will come should you sign up! MOC’s are not military. They are politicians.

Now? You wait. Seriously. And train. And celebrate your last semester of your K-12 career. You’ve spent a long time with these people. Enjoy your senior moments. Tend to alternate plans. And prepare for the next chapter….bc your life is about to change no matter where you go.

Adding this: my second son did a really good job with this. Mentally, he got excited for plan B: picked a roommate. Picked his dorm room and planned furniture. Bought sweatshirts. I think this was really healthy as it freed up his mind. He wasn’t appointed until later May (first was December).

Good luck! It’s exciting but it’s potentially another 4-ish months of waiting. Don’t be tied mentally to your computer 💻
 
Hello! Three things:

1) Does anyone know what I should be looking for at this point? I completed my application and was notified of my nominations a little over a month ago. I sent my first semester transcript about two weeks ago. Aside from waiting (see thing #2), what happens next? I've scoured tons of threads and comments, some describing a call from their MOC first then a BFE, but I haven't been able to find a common experience? It's the military- so I was expecting there to be a standard procedure for notifying candidates of their appointments, but I've read that it's relative to a candidate's particular situation? Should I keep my phone on during my classes? What does the BFE look like? Does USNA notify unaccepted candidates of their status before April 15th? What does that look like (BFE of sadness?)? I think I could run out of characters with more impatient irrationally anticipatory questions, but just know that I appreciate any and all information you might be willing to provide as to what I should be expecting after completing the application process... !!

2) If you can't tell from my obsessive amount of questions, I'm finding that the waiting and lack of control is harder than the actual application. I've worked my booty off to put my best, most honest, most vulnerable, most perfected foot forward in every aspect my application. I've checked every box to the best of my abilities and done an immense amount of research and relationship building in order to be able to confidently submit my application knowing that USNA is for me. Now that it's "done" though, I feel more stress and anxiety in letting the good people of USNA admissions take the reigns than when I was grinding for almost an entire year on the mountain of stress that is the application. I think this is common. But still... what can I be doing right now (other than trying to not think about someone else's decision and focusing on finishing my high school career with flying colors and great memories)? My senioritis is riddled with the stress of this big looming thing I want so badly but is out of my control. I'm trying to enjoy life in the moment and I've continued applying for scholarships and grants for my backups in the (very real and intimidating) event that I don't receive and appointment, but the idea of waiting potentially until April 15th (ahhhh!) for a decision from USNA, my plan A and dream school, seems incredibly daunting. Help. I know patience is a virtue, but I like to stay focused and stay busy. Your practical advice is appreciated.

3) Thank you to everyone who has lent their experience, advice and expertise regarding SA's, USNA, DODMERB, and everything in between on this forum. I've found so many helpful and inspiring pieces of wisdom here. My application would definitely not have been the same without this amazing resource and you amazing people.

Okay. That was pretty long winded but I appreciate you for taking the time to read any part of the above. I also really appreciate any feedback, guidance, or tales from past experiences you might be willing to share. (I am also grateful for your prayers... I've found that stuff works too)

Thank you!
To answer a couple more questions, as the above replies tended to some others:

-The BFE is simply a big yellow envelope the academy will mail you which essentially congratulates you on your appointment
-Everyone finds out at different times and in one of a few different ways, it just depends on the situation, so don’t stress too much

Make these last few months of your senior year count, keep working hard, and as the above replies mentioned don’t spend it glued to your screen.
 
Quick question stemming from OP, are we supposed to send in our first semester grades? I somehow managed all A's, will sending it help my application?
 
Quick question stemming from OP, are we supposed to send in our first semester grades? I somehow managed all A's, will sending it help my application?
There’s a couple threads on this. If they want them, they will ask and if they don’t you don’t have to send them in. Considering you did well, it may not hurt to reach out to admissions and ask if you can send them in. It’s hard to find one reason why they are requested in some instances but not others. Hope this helps you out a bit.
 
There’s a couple threads on this. If they want them, they will ask and if they don’t you don’t have to send them in. Considering you did well, it may not hurt to reach out to admissions and ask if you can send them in. It’s hard to find one reason why they are requested in some instances but not others. Hope this helps you out a bit.
Appreciate it! I'll contact them and see if they don't mind me sending it in. Gives me something to do while waiting.
 
On a related waiting note, does anyone have a recent sense of how long it is taking a "qualified" status to transfer from Dodmerb to the USNA portal? DS was Dodmerb qualified for USNA and ROTC about 2 wks ago. ROTC medical qualified status appeared in his portals last week. Still nothing in USNA, perhaps this is the norm at this busy time of year.
 
On a related waiting note, does anyone have a recent sense of how long it is taking a "qualified" status to transfer from Dodmerb to the USNA portal? DS was Dodmerb qualified for USNA and ROTC about 2 wks ago. ROTC medical qualified status appeared in his portals last week. Still nothing in USNA, perhaps this is the norm at this busy time of year.
I don't know the answer, but did your DS go through a waiver, or was he just straight up qualified? My DS currently in waiver queue for USNA. I will say that for USMA it took about a week for their portal to update to qualified status after the status updated on DoDMERB.
 
Run. Stretch before and after you run.

Don't stretch before or after ..... just saying ........

You can do some dynamic activities to increase blood flow, but "stretching" in the traditional sense is seen by some in the sports med and coaching industry as a detriment to running performance.
 
Hello! Three things:

1) Does anyone know what I should be looking for at this point? I completed my application and was notified of my nominations a little over a month ago. I sent my first semester transcript about two weeks ago. Aside from waiting (see thing #2), what happens next? I've scoured tons of threads and comments, some describing a call from their MOC first then a BFE, but I haven't been able to find a common experience? It's the military- so I was expecting there to be a standard procedure for notifying candidates of their appointments, but I've read that it's relative to a candidate's particular situation? Should I keep my phone on during my classes? What does the BFE look like? Does USNA notify unaccepted candidates of their status before April 15th? What does that look like (BFE of sadness?)? I think I could run out of characters with more impatient irrationally anticipatory questions, but just know that I appreciate any and all information you might be willing to provide as to what I should be expecting after completing the application process... !!

2) If you can't tell from my obsessive amount of questions, I'm finding that the waiting and lack of control is harder than the actual application. I've worked my booty off to put my best, most honest, most vulnerable, most perfected foot forward in every aspect my application. I've checked every box to the best of my abilities and done an immense amount of research and relationship building in order to be able to confidently submit my application knowing that USNA is for me. Now that it's "done" though, I feel more stress and anxiety in letting the good people of USNA admissions take the reigns than when I was grinding for almost an entire year on the mountain of stress that is the application. I think this is common. But still... what can I be doing right now (other than trying to not think about someone else's decision and focusing on finishing my high school career with flying colors and great memories)? My senioritis is riddled with the stress of this big looming thing I want so badly but is out of my control. I'm trying to enjoy life in the moment and I've continued applying for scholarships and grants for my backups in the (very real and intimidating) event that I don't receive and appointment, but the idea of waiting potentially until April 15th (ahhhh!) for a decision from USNA, my plan A and dream school, seems incredibly daunting. Help. I know patience is a virtue, but I like to stay focused and stay busy. Your practical advice is appreciated.

3) Thank you to everyone who has lent their experience, advice and expertise regarding SA's, USNA, DODMERB, and everything in between on this forum. I've found so many helpful and inspiring pieces of wisdom here. My application would definitely not have been the same without this amazing resource and you amazing people.

Okay. That was pretty long winded but I appreciate you for taking the time to read any part of the above. I also really appreciate any feedback, guidance, or tales from past experiences you might be willing to share. (I am also grateful for your prayers... I've found that stuff works too)

Thank you!
Totally feel your post. It is an excruciating wait. No good advice other than to keep yourself busy, find things to do with friends and family that are fun and know that within about 8-10 weeks you will likely have an answer. Good luck to you. I bet you will be amazing wherever you end up going.
 
I agree that running is a great way to reduce stress as well as prepare for military service. As others said, evidence shows dynamic stretches can be helpful before running, and static stretches are not harmful after running. I am a coach, and that is how we do stretching in our practices.

On the subject of prayer, I am glad you mentioned that since it is probably the most key point. My son was going through the same situation last year and had to wait until April to hear the results. He and I often prayed together to ask God to work in the situation to guide him into the right path and into God’s purposes for his life. It is good to work as hard as you can and then trust God with the results. God knows what is best for you and is in control of the outcome. Below I will list the verses I often pray for my kids—that God will work out their circumstances to guide them into His purposes for their lives.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
- Ephesians 2:10

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
- Romans 8:28

In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will,
- Ephesians 1:11

For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9
 
I don't know the answer, but did your DS go through a waiver, or was he just straight up qualified? My DS currently in waiver queue for USNA. I will say that for USMA it took about a week for their portal to update to qualified status after the status updated on DoDMERB.
no waiver, straight qualified.
 
Don't stretch before or after ..... just saying ........

You can do some dynamic activities to increase blood flow, but "stretching" in the traditional sense is seen by some in the sports med and coaching industry as a detriment to running performance.
God bless you.
 
I agree that running is a great way to reduce stress as well as prepare for military service. As others said, evidence shows dynamic stretches can be helpful before running, and static stretches are not harmful after running. I am a coach, and that is how we do stretching in our practices.

On the subject of prayer, I am glad you mentioned that since it is probably the most key point. My son was going through the same situation last year and had to wait until April to hear the results. He and I often prayed together to ask God to work in the situation to guide him into the right path and into God’s purposes for his life. It is good to work as hard as you can and then trust God with the results. God knows what is best for you and is in control of the outcome. Below I will list the verses I often pray for my kids—that God will work out their circumstances to guide them into His purposes for their lives.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
- Ephesians 2:10

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
- Romans 8:28

In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will,
- Ephesians 1:11

For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9
Awesome Wahoo Fan---we are in the prayerfully waiting boat at our house. DS is in the excited but waiting mode---doing a good job of working hard at athletics, academics, and leadership in school and at church. To Jesus be any and all glory--regardless of appointment or not.
 
On a related waiting note, does anyone have a recent sense of how long it is taking a "qualified" status to transfer from Dodmerb to the USNA portal? DS was Dodmerb qualified for USNA and ROTC about 2 wks ago. ROTC medical qualified status appeared in his portals last week. Still nothing in USNA, perhaps this is the norm at this busy time of year.
I'm in the same boat. I qualified Jan 3, still waiting for USNA portal update, I've seen a wide range of timelines for updates, some get updated in days and some take over a month.
 
Awesome Wahoo Fan---we are in the prayerfully waiting boat at our house. DS is in the excited but waiting mode---doing a good job of working hard at athletics, academics, and leadership in school and at church. To Jesus be any and all glory--regardless of appointment or not.

Yep … Don’t stop or get sidetracked …. Keep making progress …
.
Proverbs 4:25-27 [25] Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. [26] Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. [27] Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

Proverbs 3:5-6 [5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
.
 
I don't know the answer, but did your DS go through a waiver, or was he just straight up qualified? My DS currently in waiver queue for USNA. I will say that for USMA it took about a week for their portal to update to qualified status after the status updated on DoDMERB.
My son's DoDMERB was almost a month ago, but still not showing received in the USNA portal...should we be concerned so close to the application deadline? He has emailed USNA admissions and they said it can take some time. the DoDMERB site shows "complete".
 
My son's DoDMERB was almost a month ago, but still not showing received in the USNA portal...should we be concerned so close to the application deadline? He has emailed USNA admissions and they said it can take some time. the DoDMERB site shows "complete".
As long as you've done everything you can control, I think you're fine. You can always contact Mr. Mullen to confirm they've done everything on the DoDMERB end, through the DoDMERB forum here. I just know that USNA basically nothing would show up until he was fully qualified medically. Otherwise we just see the X currently and wait.
 
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