Early applications

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talltrees

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Feb 23, 2019
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I just finished my junior year and I’ve read that the earlier I submit my application the more competitive it will be. However I am waiting for AP test scores to fix a couple of bs on my transcript.
 
Just how early are you talking about submitting an application? If you are just now completing your Junior year then you probably will not have everything ready for submission until October of 2019 at the earliest.
 
talltrees said:
I just finished my junior year and I’ve read that the earlier I submit my application the more competitive it will be. However I am waiting for AP test scores to fix a couple of bs on my transcript.
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Being early does not necessarily make you more competitive. In fact, if it is hastily prepared in order to get it in early, then it could actually have the opposite effect...make you less competitive.

Turning in your best application as soon as it’s done is the way to go. Keep in mind that it is a several item process. You can complete different parts at different times. If all you are concerned about is the transcript, it’s a piece that you can wait to have sent when you are ready. Another thing to keep in mind that when about 50 percent of your package is completed, your DoDMRB will be triggered. Which is an important piece to get going early so you have plenty of time to deal with ‘stuff’ that can pop up.

Curious, how does waiting for AP scores affect your transcript? Isn’t your semester grade already figured? I believe August is when those are released. Which is still plenty early for completing your application.

Good luck!!
 
My FFR recommended getting everything done in a timely but complete manner, as justdoit19 said. While an early file completion may not make you more competitive, it does show you are dedicated which may increase your chances. The main thing that comes to mind is the essay portion. Don't wait until your senior year to complete the essays when they are open in June or July. When looking to award LOA's, the essays definitely impact your chances, so if that is your goal then you really want to have them submitted as soon as possible. However, they are read by the English department, so don't sacrifice quality for timeliness.

In general, don't worry about things you can't control (such as when the AP or transcripts are sent) and put heavy focus on what you can impact (essays, CFA, etc.). Good luck!
 
justdoit19 said:
talltrees said:
I just finished my junior year and I’ve read that the earlier I submit my application the more competitive it will be. However I am waiting for AP test scores to fix a couple of bs on my transcript.
Click to expand...

Being early does not necessarily make you more competitive. In fact, if it is hastily prepared in order to get it in early, then it could actually have the opposite effect...make you less competitive.

Turning in your best application as soon as it’s done is the way to go. Keep in mind that it is a several item process. You can complete different parts at different times. If all you are concerned about is the transcript, it’s a piece that you can wait to have sent when you are ready. Another thing to keep in mind that when about 50 percent of your package is completed, your DoDMRB will be triggered. Which is an important piece to get going early so you have plenty of time to deal with ‘stuff’ that can pop up.

Curious, how does waiting for AP scores affect your transcript? Isn’t your semester grade already figured? I believe August is when those are released. Which is still plenty early for completing your application.

Good luck!!
Click to expand...
I got two high bs in a couple of classes and at my school if you get a certain AP score then your teachers would raise your transcript grade
 
When does the main application open (the one with the essay topics and all of the other steps)? I already filled out a pre-candidate questionnaire and received an email confirming that I’m an official candidate.
 
At SLE, they said the portal doesn't open until August, so that is plenty of time to wait for the AP scores, which are released in early July. We too thought it would be early (June) so that you have the summer to work on it, but unfortunately that isn't the case.
 
The full application for c/o 2023 opened August 1st, so I’d count on that. Your transcript does not to be sent in the moment the portal opens, so don’t worry about a short delay.
 
A few points:
  • A good application is better than an early application. USMA does not do rolling admissions. You won't be appointed sooner by completing your application in September rather than November, but you may wait longer if you complete it in February.
  • The main reason to get an application completed sooner rather than later is that it is far more extensive than a civilian college application and you are more likely to run into glitches that take time to address - DoDMerb remedials and waivers, chasing down evaluations, getting CFA done correctly, etc.
  • Don't wait for AP scores or new test results. Those can be updated later.
  • Hopefully, the English Department never sees your essays. They only review writing samples of candidates with suspect writing skills.
  • The essays are not as important as people think, as long as they are grammatically correct and you don't say something stupid (true for civilian colleges too). According to one RC "Don't let the essays hold up the application. We are looking for grammatically correct and well organized composition, not Shakespeare."
 
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