Received email declined appointment?

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mattella0204

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Oct 23, 2019
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My DS received an email today saying after careful consideration he will not be given an appointment. He is so upset and confused. He was dodmerb qualified, his AO seemed very positive with his scores, he was set to take the CFA next week. He has numerous leadership roles and is also an Eagle Scout. He was set to do an overnight at academy. Both him and I are so confused as to why. He left a message for his AO to see where he could Improve. Anyone else ever encounter this? Any advice/insight?
 
Sorry to see this disappointing outcome.

Over the coming months, across the country, many stellar candidates who are fully qualified with outstanding packages will receive this news from all 5 SAs. There are always more excellent candidates than there are seats available. This is exactly why there are so many discussions on college re-applicants and Plans B-whatever.

Right move to ask for any insight on improvement.

This is an opportunity for your DS to deal with adult-sized disappointment and subsequent course changes and decision. He will learn to coach himself back onto the path. He will grow and learn from this.

Here on SAF, this process and the subsequent years are often described as a roller coaster ride. Sometimes, unexpectedly, it jolts to a halt and you have to get off. That doesn’t mean you can’t try for the next one, if this is what is truly desired.

News like this does tend to put recipients through the classic stages of grief - shock, anger, bargaining, sadness, acceptance.

Oh - do suggest to your son and take the advice to yourself to not torture yourself with comparing “stats,” noting those who receive appointments with apparently lesser “stats.” NO ONE here can see the entire candidate package, much less in comparison with others, except Admissions.
 
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So sorry to hear this. Can you find out anything about his 3 teacher and GC recommendations? How about his essay, did he address all 5 elements, including the explicit statement of understanding at the end? Hope you get some answers & constructive comments.
 
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was it an outright no? My DS originally received a notice in Jan when he applied but bc of low ACT score. Once he passed the minimum he received another letter saying hecwas qualified and then had to go in the national pool. he ultimately did not get appointed but he did change his status.
 
If service academy is what he wants look into self prep at MMI it’s a great school and they really care about the cadets . They work with the service academies and get the cadets ready! It’s a great option.
 
Yes, I have heard of many early rejections like your DS received. I know you are both upset, and understandably so. Your DS is doing the right thing to get more information about why he fell short this year. I say this year because if your DS really wants to attend USMMA, he needs to know where he can improve for his reapplication. Service academies appreciate the tenacity it takes to reapply, and many candidates are admitted on the second (or subsequent) try. Your DS has excelled in many ways, and you both should take a second and recognize that. Give your DS a hug and tell him how proud you are of him. Then help him make his best plan B for next year. The competition is fierce, with many extremely will qualified candidates. You are not alone in your disappointment. Two of my kids received appointments, but a third one did not. While the disappointment seemed like the end of the world at the time, my DD did great at her plan B school and now realizes that she ended up in the best place for her. My two SA kids each know lots of mids who were admitted their second try who were grateful for the extra year of preparation and who really excelled once they were at the scademy. Feel free to pm me if you want to. Good luck to your DS in his future plans, wherever he ends up.
 
jaglvr said:
was it an outright no? My DS originally received a notice in Jan when he applied but bc of low ACT score. Once he passed the minimum he received another letter saying hecwas qualified and then had to go in the national pool. he ultimately did not get appointed but he did change his status.
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Yes. Seems that way. Just an email saying sorry no appointment.
 
Capt MJ said:
Right move to ask for any insight on improvement.
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I completely agree. If the issue can be remedied, there is still a path. If your DS is truly driven to attend a SA, something like the Marion Military Institute or Northwestern Military Service Academy Prep program could be just what he needs to earn an appointment. An experience like this will add to his story and give him a great tale of resiliency and determination to achieve a goal should he elect to apply in the next cycle.
 
Aztec Tiger said:
How is the school overrated in your opinion?
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Unless you go into the military, the US Flagged fleet is steadily contracting. I now have a 6 figure job in the tanker industry, BUT it took months of working as a deckhand waiting for a spot to open and in 4 years its probably less likely those spots are going to be open.
 
Mr2020 said:
Unless you go into the military, the US Flagged fleet is steadily contracting. I now have a 6 figure job in the tanker industry, BUT it took months of working as a deckhand waiting for a spot to open and in 4 years its probably less likely those spots are going to be open.
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People have been saying this since the 70s and yet somehow we're all still here... I'm between ships right now, but was able to line up a new job in about 6 hours yesterday. It is all about the network. I've turned down six, out of the blue, totally unsolicited jobs since August. If you're good there is work out there.

Are you sailing non-union? Or did you work on an SIU ship?
 
beyond said:
People have been saying this since the 70s and yet somehow we're all still here... I'm between ships right now, but was able to line up a new job in about 6 hours yesterday. It is all about the network. I've turned down six, out of the blue, totally unsolicited jobs since August. If you're good there is work out there.

Are you sailing non-union? Or did you work on an SIU ship?
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AMO applicant right now. Worked non-union before. The unlicensed on my current ship are SIU members though.
 
Mr2020 said:
Unless you go into the military, the US Flagged fleet is steadily contracting. I now have a 6 figure job in the tanker industry, BUT it took months of working as a deckhand waiting for a spot to open and in 4 years its probably less likely those spots are going to be open.
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Six figure job in first year after graduation and complaining about working as a Deckhand for a few months ?
Do you know what base pay for an 0-1 in the military is ?
 
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Old Navy BGO said:
Do you know what base pay for an 0-1 in the military is ?
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Do you know how much more training responsibility a tanker mate has than a ensign?

The tanker mate is also working more hours per year, in a more challenging work environment. When you factor in the tax free allowances, the pay isn’t that wildly different. The level of responsibility is though.
 
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beyond said:
The tanker mate is also working more hours per year, in a more challenging work environment.
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How about this for a challenging work environment for an O-1? (Ranger Swamp phase) ;)

Image result for army ranger swamp
 
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beyond said:
If you're good there is work out there.
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This👆
I would add 'persistent' to that too.. I spent 9 months 'haunting' the MM&P union hall after I graduated.. and the only work I had during that time were a few 'night mate' jobs and a 2 week relief AB berth on an old broke down Standard Oil T-2. I heard all the rumors about the impending demise of the US Merchant Marine. True, it was declining when I got out of school due to the end of the Vietnam Sealift, but even so, once I finally got my first ship as a licensed officer, I never wanted for work again.. especially after I raised my license.. By the way, the MM&P has shipped 127 3rd Mate applicants since Kings Points last graduation.. I don't know what the numbers are for the MEBA Group III [applicant] 3rd Engineers , but it wouldn't surprise me if they were about the same. My son who got his 3rd Mates license in 2011 has actually moved up to his Masters license faster then I did back when the US Merchant Fleet had considerably more ships and jobs.
 
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