2024 DS moved to "official candidate".....

Is this just a function of his applying to previous USNA programs (i.e. ALL applicants to STEM or Summer Seminar roll into this status) or was there some selection to this next step?
Excited for him none the less.

My 2023 appointee wasn't moved to official candidate till the end of June. He was appointed the end of February. Not sure if there is a rhyme nor reason.

Edited to add: Not raining on any parade. The service academy experience is full of highs and lows. Enjoy the good to prepare for the not so good.

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Love4monsters said:

My 2023 appointee wasn't moved to official candidate till the end of June. He was appointed the end of February. Not sure if there is a rhyme nor reason.

Edited to add: Not raining on any parade. The service academy experience is full of highs and lows. Enjoy the good to prepare for the not so good.

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oh we are preparing our best and expecting the worst! We are really, really, really keeping this in the "dream outcome" as the end of the path but have already fully researched plans B, C and D.

bhimom said:

Is this just a function of his applying to previous USNA programs (i.e. ALL applicants to STEM or Summer Seminar roll into this status) or was there some selection to this next step?
Excited for him none the less.

Click to expand...

For sure, a NASS application acts as his initial candidate questionnaire. If one doesn’t apply to NASS/STEM, the can still complete an initial candidate questionnaire to begin the process.

USNA promotes to Candidate Status (assigns a BGO, password and candidate number...access to portal, etc) from people who complete an initial candidate questionnaire, either via applying to camps, or through their website, whom they deem “competitive”. Meeting their basic criteria. There will be THOUSANDS of “official candidates”. Not all official candidates will finish the application process. Appointments are then ultimately offered from those that do and are deemed 3Q and receive a nomination.

Some applicants don't become candidates for a number of reasons. One reason is that if they do not meet the minimum requirements;

• A United States Citizen
• Ages 17 – 23 (on July 1 of the year of entry)
• Unmarried
• Not pregnant and no dependents
• Have a valid Social Security Number

Another reason can be that they have not completely filled out the preliminary application, or do an about-face and decide they really don't want to apply.