2024 Process

[jaglvr]

Would you or anyone be able to explain the Girl's State process? I have been emailing her counselor about this since last Fall because I have heard from a couple of other people that this would look favorably on her application. My DD's high school has a new counselor in charge of this program and she has pretty much said she doesn't know much about the process but is asking questions and trying to figure it out. Meanwhile the deadline is approaching. Would you happen to know if belonging to a Auxillary Unit helps? While trying to find out more info, I was pleasantly surprised to find out she (we) qualified to be members. It's a little frustrating that my DD and other students might miss out on an opportunity because the people in charge of this at her HS have no clue as to what they are doing.

contact your local legion auxillary... they can reach out to your guidance office or some may let you apply directly. My DS had to go directly to our Legion for Boy’s State because our HS was clueless too. We helped pave the way bc this past year the guidance counselor asked US what to do for another interested student.

 

[Flea]

Would you or anyone be able to explain the Girl's State process? I have been emailing her counselor about this since last Fall because I have heard from a couple of other people that this would look favorably on her application. My DD's high school has a new counselor in charge of this program and she has pretty much said she doesn't know much about the process but is asking questions and trying to figure it out. Meanwhile the deadline is approaching. Would you happen to know if belonging to a Auxillary Unit helps? While trying to find out more info, I was pleasantly surprised to find out she (we) qualified to be members. It's a little frustrating that my DD and other students might miss out on an opportunity because the people in charge of this at her HS have no clue as to what they are doing.

contact your local legion auxillary... they can reach out to your guidance office or some may let you apply directly. My DS had to go directly to our Legion for Boy’s State because our HS was clueless too. We helped pave the way bc this past year the guidance counselor asked US what to do for another interested student.

Thank you! I am tracking some down right now. I wasn't sure if there was another avenue other than through her HS.

 

[GoCubbies]

Would you happen to know if belonging to a Auxillary Unit helps

Although it's not required for a relative to be a member of the American Legion or Auxillary, I do think it helps. The reason is the relative knows the process and, depending on the unit, selection for who goes to Boys/Girls State may be informal. In my experience, when selection processes are informal, more of the "take care of a buddy" or "drug deal" type systems take over.

While the HS are oftentimes the conduit for selection, I don't see the harm in your DD (notice I said your DD and not you or your spouse) contacting the auxillary leadership and letting them know her interest in Girls State and wanting to compete for a slot. If luck plays into the selection, there may be only 1 or 2 (or maybe none at all!) other applicants for the typically 1 slot a unit has.

My DD's process was a bit simpler. She contacted her GC about her interest in January 2018. Her GC knew the auxillary president from previous years that other kids applied. The lady in the auxillary in charge of Girls State contacted my daughter and sent her the app. My DD applied and found out she got the slot in March 2018.

So, as I mentioned previously, applying is through the GC. Since your DD's GC doesn't know about much about the process, your DD (with your guidance) may have to take things into her own hands. It is a positive discriminator for SA and ROTC scholarship acceptance, so it's a big deal to be a State delegate.

My DD didn't have as much fun at Girls State as she did for SLE. I thought there would be a few other SA applicants during the Girls State session, but she found no one else. She said the girls were different than the ones attending SLE. She felt she belonged more with the SLE group (same type of personality, passions, motivations, goals, etc I guess) than with the Girls State group.

She chose going to Girls State rather than going to USNA NASS.

Good luck!

 

[Flea]

Would you happen to know if belonging to a Auxillary Unit helps

Although it's not required for a relative to be a member of the American Legion or Auxillary, I do think it helps. The reason is the relative knows the process and, depending on the unit, selection for who goes to Boys/Girls State may be informal. In my experience, when selection processes are informal, more of the "take care of a buddy" or "drug deal" type systems take over.

While the HS are oftentimes the conduit for selection, I don't see the harm in your DD (notice I said your DD and not you or your spouse) contacting the auxillary leadership and letting them know her interest in Girls State and wanting to compete for a slot. If luck plays into the selection, there may be only 1 or 2 (or maybe none at all!) other applicants for the typically 1 slot a unit has.

My DD's process was a bit simpler. She contacted her GC about her interest in January 2018. Her GC knew the auxillary president from previous years that other kids applied. The lady in the auxillary in charge of Girls State contacted my daughter and sent her the app. My DD applied and found out she got the slot in March 2018.

So, as I mentioned previously, applying is through the GC. Since your DD's GC doesn't know about much about the process, your DD (with your guidance) may have to take things into her own hands. It is a positive discriminator for SA and ROTC scholarship acceptance, so it's a big deal to be a State delegate.

My DD didn't have as much fun at Girls State as she did for SLE. I thought there would be a few other SA applicants during the Girls State session, but she found no one else. She said the girls were different than the ones attending SLE. She felt she belonged more with the SLE group (same type of personality, passions, motivations, goals, etc I guess) than with the Girls State group.

She chose going to Girls State rather than going to USNA NASS.

Good luck!

Thank you so much! I appreciate all the helpful advice I come across on this forum.

 

[SCubb]

Been lurking on this forum for a while - great info and very helpful to those of us very new to the process. Thanks to everyone that manages and contributes to this forum.

As my DS is now officially pursuing 2024 SA appts, at what point does timeline become clear? Contacting BGO? CFA? Applying to MOCs? Prelim app? Letters of Recoms?

Completed Summer apps for USNA, WP and USAFA. Do we need to relax for now or GO?

My DD was in the same shoes last year as your DS. She was successful in the application process for the USMA, USAFA, and USNA. Since you posted this in the USNA forum, I'll try to concentrate on making this a USNA-specific gouge.

1) One of my bosses was a USMA grad. His wife was a USMA grad. Three (or maybe 4?) of their kids went to USMA. One of the many advice he gave to me was to have my DD look into Girls State. He said it's a positive discriminator for SA selection. Take a look at the Boys State website. IF your DS thinks the week will be worthwhile for him, then he should be applying for Boys State around this time. Don't do Boys State just to add to an application. Do it if it'll be value-added in your DS's development. My DD applied and was selected for Girls State. I think the American Legion Auxillary informed her in late Feb/early Mar of her selection. She didn't get as much out of Girls State as compared to SLE.

2) I colleague of mine had a ton of skill badges on his uniform. One of them was the President's Hundred badge which is a sharpshooting award. I asked him what he did to get it. He said something along the lines of, "You'd be amazed at what you can accomplish with some practice."

So there you go...
- the SAs superscore ACTs/SATs. Your DS should be practicing taking the exams by looking at lots of questions in a time-limited setting. Take the exams multiple times. If you have to, have your DS consider one a practice ACT/SAT. My DD took the ACT 4 times.
- CFA. My DD got accepted to SLE in maybe early Feb? At that point, she put a mark on the calendar on when she will take the CFA during SLE. We knew the CFA is done the Sunday of SLE so she had a target date. The reason she wanted to do the CFA at SLE is because USMA requires a video of the push-ups and pull-ups. We thought it would be a PIA to take the video, upload, etc... Even if she were to take the CFA at the USNA NASS and USAFA SS, USMA will not accept unless there is a video of the 2 events. If she took the CFA at SLE and did well, then she knew she can send the scores to USNA and USAFA. The reverse (eg USNA NASS to USMA) isn't true though unless a video was done. She started to practice all the events (less the 1 mile run) in April. She looked at the CFA videos on YouTube for techniques. We met at the gym after her track practice starting in April. On the weekends, we practiced in front of the house. When I couldn't be there for her practice, she did it on her own. She did well enough on the CFA at SLE and had the results sent to USAFA and USNA. Done! That was early June. No worries about doing a CFA for the rest of the summer. No more throwing a basketball from your knees. In this whole "exercise", she got a chance to hone her backwards planning skills.

3) Triggering the DODMERB exam. My DD doesn't like to miss classes or meets/games/practice for her in-season sport. She wanted to finish her DODMERB exam before the summer was done. Unlike the USAFA application, she didn't know how to trigger an exam by the USNA. The USAFA app said if she completed 3 (or it could have been 4) requirements, then a DODMERB exam can be scheduled. She didn't get that type of guidance from the USNA app. Sources on this forum say finishing 2/3 or 3/4 of the requirements will trigger the DODMERB exam from USNA.

I say this because the USNA app opened for her in early May. Some of requirements were things she was able to do before school let out for the summer. One was a recommendation from a math teacher from junior or senior year. She talked to her pre-calc teacher when the portal opened and gave him heads up about a recommendation. He agreed to do one for her. I think he got that done in mid-June. Another requirement is HS transcript. As soon as school let out, she sent a request to her GC to submit her 6 semester transcripts to USNA. That got done in mid-June also. If your DS is lucky enough to have a good junior english teacher, then he/she can complete the english teacher eval even before the end of junior year.

When it was all said and done, her DODMERB exam was triggered in late June. She made appointments right away and everything got sent to DODMERB by late July.

4) Noms. Apply for all that your DS is eligible. If I recall, the app for our junior senator opened in March so my DD worked on that early. Our senior senator nom app didn't open until June. Our rep nom app didn't open until 1 Aug. Fortunately, none of her MOCs were due for a re-election. Actually, our rep was due for a re-election but our district is so in one direction she won with 60%+ of the votes. I discuss re-election because it can throw a curveball (or a Max Scherzer slider) later in the fall if the MOC doesn't get re-elected.

She called the staff at our rep's office before school let out (app not available until Aug) and asked if the requirements for the nom will be the same. The staffer said the requirements will be the same. With that knowledge in hand, she began to grease the skids with 3 of her teachers/coaches that she will be asking for LORs later in the summer. The app required a picture too. When she took her senior year pic during the summer, she made sure she ordered a 4x6 pic to include with the rep nom app.

The app for our senior senator wasn't open until June, so she did the same thing in May. She called the staffer in charge of noms and asked if the requirements would be the same.

So I guess my point here is even though the nom apps may not be open until later, your DS can use the current app on the MOC website to give him a general idea of what will be required. He can start working on the requirements when he comes up for air (we need to realize our kids are still in school and studying for standardized exams as juniors) and NOT have to start when apps are actually open for the current cycle.

5) LORs/Statements of Evaluation. I got this idea from this forum and made a recommendation to her. She made the final decision on this piece. When she sent her request to the teachers for LOR/SOE, she sent a bio (3/4 page), CV/resume, and her answers to the essay prompts. I think it helped the teachers craft a nice LOR/SOE for her with the additional info in hand. It helped also that my DD is well-known in the school as star XC and long distance track athlete and in a handful of impactful leadership positions, so the teachers had that knowledge from which to draw. I think (I don't know because I didn't read the emails) she even sent her essay from the Common App to her teachers to add another data point for their input.

6) Lawnmower parent. I didn't know what this is until I googled it. I know what a helicopter parent is and I am guilty to a certain degree of being one. I am also guilty of being a lawnmower parent to a certain degree too. I thought I was just setting the conditions for my DD to be successful in life. Crossing the line though can be a lawnmower parent. Try not to be a helicopter or lawnmower parent.

Not once did I contact the RC. Good thing too. I heard my DD's RC will take an email or call from a parent once. After that one contact, the RC will tell the parent to have the DS or DD make the contact. My DD was the only one to contact the MOC staff too. I did teach her to put "Very Respectfully" or "VR" after every email. Make your DS request transcripts to be sent. If transcripts aren't sent, make your DS ping the GC (or whoever is supposed to send the transcript). I made my DD troubleshoot things if she got stuck or run into a roadblock.

HOWEVER, there could be a time where your DS may make an error that is difficult to overcome or remedy (maybe even prevent admission to a SA for this cycle). It is those situations that you have to use your judgement that more assistance from you is needed BEFORE the error is made.

Hope this helps a bit.

Would you or anyone be able to explain the Girl's State process? I have been emailing her counselor about this since last Fall because I have heard from a couple of other people that this would look favorably on her application. My DD's high school has a new counselor in charge of this program and she has pretty much said she doesn't know much about the process but is asking questions and trying to figure it out. Meanwhile the deadline is approaching. Would you happen to know if belonging to a Auxillary Unit helps? While trying to find out more info, I was pleasantly surprised to find out she (we) qualified to be members. It's a little frustrating that my DD and other students might miss out on an opportunity because the people in charge of this at her HS have no clue as to what they are doing.

Google Girls State XXX where XXX is your state. There will be a girls state website that is specific to your state. All information regarding the application process will be there. In PA, my state, a school counselor recommendation is required - but maybe not in your state. It’s a program run by the American Legion.

 

[Flea]

Been lurking on this forum for a while - great info and very helpful to those of us very new to the process. Thanks to everyone that manages and contributes to this forum.

As my DS is now officially pursuing 2024 SA appts, at what point does timeline become clear? Contacting BGO? CFA? Applying to MOCs? Prelim app? Letters of Recoms?

Completed Summer apps for USNA, WP and USAFA. Do we need to relax for now or GO?

My DD was in the same shoes last year as your DS. She was successful in the application process for the USMA, USAFA, and USNA. Since you posted this in the USNA forum, I'll try to concentrate on making this a USNA-specific gouge.

1) One of my bosses was a USMA grad. His wife was a USMA grad. Three (or maybe 4?) of their kids went to USMA. One of the many advice he gave to me was to have my DD look into Girls State. He said it's a positive discriminator for SA selection. Take a look at the Boys State website. IF your DS thinks the week will be worthwhile for him, then he should be applying for Boys State around this time. Don't do Boys State just to add to an application. Do it if it'll be value-added in your DS's development. My DD applied and was selected for Girls State. I think the American Legion Auxillary informed her in late Feb/early Mar of her selection. She didn't get as much out of Girls State as compared to SLE.

2) I colleague of mine had a ton of skill badges on his uniform. One of them was the President's Hundred badge which is a sharpshooting award. I asked him what he did to get it. He said something along the lines of, "You'd be amazed at what you can accomplish with some practice."

So there you go...
- the SAs superscore ACTs/SATs. Your DS should be practicing taking the exams by looking at lots of questions in a time-limited setting. Take the exams multiple times. If you have to, have your DS consider one a practice ACT/SAT. My DD took the ACT 4 times.
- CFA. My DD got accepted to SLE in maybe early Feb? At that point, she put a mark on the calendar on when she will take the CFA during SLE. We knew the CFA is done the Sunday of SLE so she had a target date. The reason she wanted to do the CFA at SLE is because USMA requires a video of the push-ups and pull-ups. We thought it would be a PIA to take the video, upload, etc... Even if she were to take the CFA at the USNA NASS and USAFA SS, USMA will not accept unless there is a video of the 2 events. If she took the CFA at SLE and did well, then she knew she can send the scores to USNA and USAFA. The reverse (eg USNA NASS to USMA) isn't true though unless a video was done. She started to practice all the events (less the 1 mile run) in April. She looked at the CFA videos on YouTube for techniques. We met at the gym after her track practice starting in April. On the weekends, we practiced in front of the house. When I couldn't be there for her practice, she did it on her own. She did well enough on the CFA at SLE and had the results sent to USAFA and USNA. Done! That was early June. No worries about doing a CFA for the rest of the summer. No more throwing a basketball from your knees. In this whole "exercise", she got a chance to hone her backwards planning skills.

3) Triggering the DODMERB exam. My DD doesn't like to miss classes or meets/games/practice for her in-season sport. She wanted to finish her DODMERB exam before the summer was done. Unlike the USAFA application, she didn't know how to trigger an exam by the USNA. The USAFA app said if she completed 3 (or it could have been 4) requirements, then a DODMERB exam can be scheduled. She didn't get that type of guidance from the USNA app. Sources on this forum say finishing 2/3 or 3/4 of the requirements will trigger the DODMERB exam from USNA.

I say this because the USNA app opened for her in early May. Some of requirements were things she was able to do before school let out for the summer. One was a recommendation from a math teacher from junior or senior year. She talked to her pre-calc teacher when the portal opened and gave him heads up about a recommendation. He agreed to do one for her. I think he got that done in mid-June. Another requirement is HS transcript. As soon as school let out, she sent a request to her GC to submit her 6 semester transcripts to USNA. That got done in mid-June also. If your DS is lucky enough to have a good junior english teacher, then he/she can complete the english teacher eval even before the end of junior year.

When it was all said and done, her DODMERB exam was triggered in late June. She made appointments right away and everything got sent to DODMERB by late July.

4) Noms. Apply for all that your DS is eligible. If I recall, the app for our junior senator opened in March so my DD worked on that early. Our senior senator nom app didn't open until June. Our rep nom app didn't open until 1 Aug. Fortunately, none of her MOCs were due for a re-election. Actually, our rep was due for a re-election but our district is so in one direction she won with 60%+ of the votes. I discuss re-election because it can throw a curveball (or a Max Scherzer slider) later in the fall if the MOC doesn't get re-elected.

She called the staff at our rep's office before school let out (app not available until Aug) and asked if the requirements for the nom will be the same. The staffer said the requirements will be the same. With that knowledge in hand, she began to grease the skids with 3 of her teachers/coaches that she will be asking for LORs later in the summer. The app required a picture too. When she took her senior year pic during the summer, she made sure she ordered a 4x6 pic to include with the rep nom app.

The app for our senior senator wasn't open until June, so she did the same thing in May. She called the staffer in charge of noms and asked if the requirements would be the same.

So I guess my point here is even though the nom apps may not be open until later, your DS can use the current app on the MOC website to give him a general idea of what will be required. He can start working on the requirements when he comes up for air (we need to realize our kids are still in school and studying for standardized exams as juniors) and NOT have to start when apps are actually open for the current cycle.

5) LORs/Statements of Evaluation. I got this idea from this forum and made a recommendation to her. She made the final decision on this piece. When she sent her request to the teachers for LOR/SOE, she sent a bio (3/4 page), CV/resume, and her answers to the essay prompts. I think it helped the teachers craft a nice LOR/SOE for her with the additional info in hand. It helped also that my DD is well-known in the school as star XC and long distance track athlete and in a handful of impactful leadership positions, so the teachers had that knowledge from which to draw. I think (I don't know because I didn't read the emails) she even sent her essay from the Common App to her teachers to add another data point for their input.

6) Lawnmower parent. I didn't know what this is until I googled it. I know what a helicopter parent is and I am guilty to a certain degree of being one. I am also guilty of being a lawnmower parent to a certain degree too. I thought I was just setting the conditions for my DD to be successful in life. Crossing the line though can be a lawnmower parent. Try not to be a helicopter or lawnmower parent.

Not once did I contact the RC. Good thing too. I heard my DD's RC will take an email or call from a parent once. After that one contact, the RC will tell the parent to have the DS or DD make the contact. My DD was the only one to contact the MOC staff too. I did teach her to put "Very Respectfully" or "VR" after every email. Make your DS request transcripts to be sent. If transcripts aren't sent, make your DS ping the GC (or whoever is supposed to send the transcript). I made my DD troubleshoot things if she got stuck or run into a roadblock.

HOWEVER, there could be a time where your DS may make an error that is difficult to overcome or remedy (maybe even prevent admission to a SA for this cycle). It is those situations that you have to use your judgement that more assistance from you is needed BEFORE the error is made.

Hope this helps a bit.

Would you or anyone be able to explain the Girl's State process? I have been emailing her counselor about this since last Fall because I have heard from a couple of other people that this would look favorably on her application. My DD's high school has a new counselor in charge of this program and she has pretty much said she doesn't know much about the process but is asking questions and trying to figure it out. Meanwhile the deadline is approaching. Would you happen to know if belonging to a Auxillary Unit helps? While trying to find out more info, I was pleasantly surprised to find out she (we) qualified to be members. It's a little frustrating that my DD and other students might miss out on an opportunity because the people in charge of this at her HS have no clue as to what they are doing.

Google Girls State XXX where XXX is your state. There will be a girls state website that is specific to your state. All information regarding the application process will be there. In PA, my state, a school counselor recommendation is required - but maybe not in your state. It’s a program run by the American Legion.

Thank you, that was the first thing I did but their description is very vague.

 

[SCubb]

Been lurking on this forum for a while - great info and very helpful to those of us very new to the process. Thanks to everyone that manages and contributes to this forum.

As my DS is now officially pursuing 2024 SA appts, at what point does timeline become clear? Contacting BGO? CFA? Applying to MOCs? Prelim app? Letters of Recoms?

Completed Summer apps for USNA, WP and USAFA. Do we need to relax for now or GO?

My DD was in the same shoes last year as your DS. She was successful in the application process for the USMA, USAFA, and USNA. Since you posted this in the USNA forum, I'll try to concentrate on making this a USNA-specific gouge.

1) One of my bosses was a USMA grad. His wife was a USMA grad. Three (or maybe 4?) of their kids went to USMA. One of the many advice he gave to me was to have my DD look into Girls State. He said it's a positive discriminator for SA selection. Take a look at the Boys State website. IF your DS thinks the week will be worthwhile for him, then he should be applying for Boys State around this time. Don't do Boys State just to add to an application. Do it if it'll be value-added in your DS's development. My DD applied and was selected for Girls State. I think the American Legion Auxillary informed her in late Feb/early Mar of her selection. She didn't get as much out of Girls State as compared to SLE.

2) I colleague of mine had a ton of skill badges on his uniform. One of them was the President's Hundred badge which is a sharpshooting award. I asked him what he did to get it. He said something along the lines of, "You'd be amazed at what you can accomplish with some practice."

So there you go...
- the SAs superscore ACTs/SATs. Your DS should be practicing taking the exams by looking at lots of questions in a time-limited setting. Take the exams multiple times. If you have to, have your DS consider one a practice ACT/SAT. My DD took the ACT 4 times.
- CFA. My DD got accepted to SLE in maybe early Feb? At that point, she put a mark on the calendar on when she will take the CFA during SLE. We knew the CFA is done the Sunday of SLE so she had a target date. The reason she wanted to do the CFA at SLE is because USMA requires a video of the push-ups and pull-ups. We thought it would be a PIA to take the video, upload, etc... Even if she were to take the CFA at the USNA NASS and USAFA SS, USMA will not accept unless there is a video of the 2 events. If she took the CFA at SLE and did well, then she knew she can send the scores to USNA and USAFA. The reverse (eg USNA NASS to USMA) isn't true though unless a video was done. She started to practice all the events (less the 1 mile run) in April. She looked at the CFA videos on YouTube for techniques. We met at the gym after her track practice starting in April. On the weekends, we practiced in front of the house. When I couldn't be there for her practice, she did it on her own. She did well enough on the CFA at SLE and had the results sent to USAFA and USNA. Done! That was early June. No worries about doing a CFA for the rest of the summer. No more throwing a basketball from your knees. In this whole "exercise", she got a chance to hone her backwards planning skills.

3) Triggering the DODMERB exam. My DD doesn't like to miss classes or meets/games/practice for her in-season sport. She wanted to finish her DODMERB exam before the summer was done. Unlike the USAFA application, she didn't know how to trigger an exam by the USNA. The USAFA app said if she completed 3 (or it could have been 4) requirements, then a DODMERB exam can be scheduled. She didn't get that type of guidance from the USNA app. Sources on this forum say finishing 2/3 or 3/4 of the requirements will trigger the DODMERB exam from USNA.

I say this because the USNA app opened for her in early May. Some of requirements were things she was able to do before school let out for the summer. One was a recommendation from a math teacher from junior or senior year. She talked to her pre-calc teacher when the portal opened and gave him heads up about a recommendation. He agreed to do one for her. I think he got that done in mid-June. Another requirement is HS transcript. As soon as school let out, she sent a request to her GC to submit her 6 semester transcripts to USNA. That got done in mid-June also. If your DS is lucky enough to have a good junior english teacher, then he/she can complete the english teacher eval even before the end of junior year.

When it was all said and done, her DODMERB exam was triggered in late June. She made appointments right away and everything got sent to DODMERB by late July.

4) Noms. Apply for all that your DS is eligible. If I recall, the app for our junior senator opened in March so my DD worked on that early. Our senior senator nom app didn't open until June. Our rep nom app didn't open until 1 Aug. Fortunately, none of her MOCs were due for a re-election. Actually, our rep was due for a re-election but our district is so in one direction she won with 60%+ of the votes. I discuss re-election because it can throw a curveball (or a Max Scherzer slider) later in the fall if the MOC doesn't get re-elected.

She called the staff at our rep's office before school let out (app not available until Aug) and asked if the requirements for the nom will be the same. The staffer said the requirements will be the same. With that knowledge in hand, she began to grease the skids with 3 of her teachers/coaches that she will be asking for LORs later in the summer. The app required a picture too. When she took her senior year pic during the summer, she made sure she ordered a 4x6 pic to include with the rep nom app.

The app for our senior senator wasn't open until June, so she did the same thing in May. She called the staffer in charge of noms and asked if the requirements would be the same.

So I guess my point here is even though the nom apps may not be open until later, your DS can use the current app on the MOC website to give him a general idea of what will be required. He can start working on the requirements when he comes up for air (we need to realize our kids are still in school and studying for standardized exams as juniors) and NOT have to start when apps are actually open for the current cycle.

5) LORs/Statements of Evaluation. I got this idea from this forum and made a recommendation to her. She made the final decision on this piece. When she sent her request to the teachers for LOR/SOE, she sent a bio (3/4 page), CV/resume, and her answers to the essay prompts. I think it helped the teachers craft a nice LOR/SOE for her with the additional info in hand. It helped also that my DD is well-known in the school as star XC and long distance track athlete and in a handful of impactful leadership positions, so the teachers had that knowledge from which to draw. I think (I don't know because I didn't read the emails) she even sent her essay from the Common App to her teachers to add another data point for their input.

6) Lawnmower parent. I didn't know what this is until I googled it. I know what a helicopter parent is and I am guilty to a certain degree of being one. I am also guilty of being a lawnmower parent to a certain degree too. I thought I was just setting the conditions for my DD to be successful in life. Crossing the line though can be a lawnmower parent. Try not to be a helicopter or lawnmower parent.

Not once did I contact the RC. Good thing too. I heard my DD's RC will take an email or call from a parent once. After that one contact, the RC will tell the parent to have the DS or DD make the contact. My DD was the only one to contact the MOC staff too. I did teach her to put "Very Respectfully" or "VR" after every email. Make your DS request transcripts to be sent. If transcripts aren't sent, make your DS ping the GC (or whoever is supposed to send the transcript). I made my DD troubleshoot things if she got stuck or run into a roadblock.

HOWEVER, there could be a time where your DS may make an error that is difficult to overcome or remedy (maybe even prevent admission to a SA for this cycle). It is those situations that you have to use your judgement that more assistance from you is needed BEFORE the error is made.

Hope this helps a bit.

Would you or anyone be able to explain the Girl's State process? I have been emailing her counselor about this since last Fall because I have heard from a couple of other people that this would look favorably on her application. My DD's high school has a new counselor in charge of this program and she has pretty much said she doesn't know much about the process but is asking questions and trying to figure it out. Meanwhile the deadline is approaching. Would you happen to know if belonging to a Auxillary Unit helps? While trying to find out more info, I was pleasantly surprised to find out she (we) qualified to be members. It's a little frustrating that my DD and other students might miss out on an opportunity because the people in charge of this at her HS have no clue as to what they are doing.

Google Girls State XXX where XXX is your state. There will be a girls state website that is specific to your state. All information regarding the application process will be there. In PA, my state, a school counselor recommendation is required - but maybe not in your state. It’s a program run by the American Legion.

Thank you, that was the first thing I did but their description is very vague.

The closest American legion to my house was very helpful when my son called them.

 

[jaglvr]

Google Girls State XXX where XXX is your state. There will be a girls state website that is specific to your state. All information regarding the application process will be there. In PA, my state, a school counselor recommendation is required - but maybe not in your state. It’s a program run by the American Legion.

Actually PA you can self apply and go if you pay the fee...

 

[jaglvr]

Although it's not required for a relative to be a member of the American Legion or Auxillary, I do think it helps. The reason is the relative knows the process and, depending on the unit, selection for who goes to Boys/Girls State may be informal. In my experience, when selection processes are informal, more of the "take care of a buddy" or "drug deal" type systems take over.

While the HS are oftentimes the conduit for selection, I don't see the harm in your DD (notice I said your DD and not you or your spouse) contacting the auxillary leadership and letting them know her interest in Girls State and wanting to compete for a slot. If luck plays into the selection, there may be only 1 or 2 (or maybe none at all!) other applicants for the typically 1 slot a unit has.

My DD's process was a bit simpler. She contacted her GC about her interest in January 2018. Her GC knew the auxillary president from previous years that other kids applied. The lady in the auxillary in charge of Girls State contacted my daughter and sent her the app. My DD applied and found out she got the slot in March 2018.

So, as I mentioned previously, applying is through the GC. Since your DD's GC doesn't know about much about the process, your DD (with your guidance) may have to take things into her own hands. It is a positive discriminator for SA and ROTC scholarship acceptance, so it's a big deal to be a State delegate.

My DD didn't have as much fun at Girls State as she did for SLE. I thought there would be a few other SA applicants during the Girls State session, but she found no one else. She said the girls were different than the ones attending SLE. She felt she belonged more with the SLE group (same type of personality, passions, motivations, goals, etc I guess) than with the Girls State group.

She chose going to Girls State rather than going to USNA NASS.

Good luck!

I think GS is lesser known than BS. My DS actually had many SA wanna bes in his session. Ran into a couple at AIM later that summer.

 

[OldRetSWO]

If luck plays into the selection, there may be only 1 or 2 (or maybe none at all!) other applicants for the typically 1 slot a unit has.

Just a little note here:
I am a staffer at our Boy's State as well as being on the Board of Trustees AND being the county coordinator for the American Legion. With that said, I would say that I am at least a little familiar with the program as well as the accompanying Girls State program.

First of all, when someone says that their unit has "1 slot" that is how many that they choose to pay for as opposed to how many they COULD pay for. This is absolutely definitely true in NJ where I have posts in my county who provide 8 spots to their single or two schools as opposed to other posts that provide just one. There are posts in other counties that choose not to send anyone and others who not only fund over 10 but also find businesses and groups who pay for additional slots.

Something else that we do is allow parents to sponsor (pay for) boys which really helps with kids at boarding schools or other out of area schools. Here, the cost is $250 to either a post or parents.

If your child wants to go to Boys State/Girls State, start with the guidance counselor and if they aren't able to connect you with a point of contact, reach out to the local legion/auxiliary OR to points of contact that you find on the Boys State/Girls State website. That is also where you MIGHT find out info about self sponsoring It is addressed on the Boys state website in NJ for sure as I have walked people through it.

Sincerely
Statesman (back when the Earth was still cooling)
Parent of a 2006 Statesman - USNA '11
Boy's State staffer/trustee/etc - got involved a couple of years AFTER my son attended

 

[OldRetSWO]

Also, one of our lectures each year at NJ Boys State is a Military careers introduction with representatives from each Service Academy. We have two or three USNA grads on our staff for the whole week and at least one current mid parent.

 

[ProudDad2022]

One thing my son learned from the application process was how to "manage up" (or lead from behind, or lead from below, or many other terms). He had some difficulty getting his rec's from his teachers and counselors and eventually ended up face to face with them and explaining his timelines and even offering to help them with this process.

I was available as the proofreader and sounding wall but the process was his.

Lastly, be sure to attend the medical with him and make sure he understands that if you have not been diagnosed by a Dr. with (insert ailment here), then you do not have (insert ailment). I believe I read that earlier in this thread Be honest, but do not add or assume. If you search these forums you will find some threads of kids having to jump through extra hoops because of the way they answered some of the medical questions.

 

[dgusafa]

Been lurking on this forum for a while - great info and very helpful to those of us very new to the process. Thanks to everyone that manages and contributes to this forum.

As my DS is now officially pursuing 2024 SA appts, at what point does timeline become clear? Contacting BGO? CFA? Applying to MOCs? Prelim app? Letters of Recoms?

Completed Summer apps for USNA, WP and USAFA. Do we need to relax for now or GO?

All the best. I am in class of 2023. All I will add here is to early preparations and ground work. Here is my road map -

1. Completed my SAT and ACT by April. By this time I had also taken 13 APs
2. Wrote the personal statements and essays by July
3. Aligned with the School Counselor and teachers for recommendation before the Summer break
4. Made sure that the application for nomination is opened with the MoCs in time. Each had different dates. Kept referring to their websites for details.
5. Made sure that the Test scores reach them in advance. Called to check around September. One didn't receive, so had to resend.
6. When the application opened for USNA in August - I was ready with the essays and all the other items for me
7. Had no issues with the Physical, got CFA done in September and sent by the School Sports Director
8. Submitted the USNA application by August end
9. Had my 2 rounds of BGO interviews by September end. Took my Dad's help in preparing for the interview.
10. DODMERB cleared in October. This I heard takes a lot of time, so plan early.
11. Fortunate to receive LOA in October end
12. Nomination interviews in November and December
13. Received Senator nomination in December before Christmas
14. Accepted the offer online in first week of January 2019
14. Received Letter of Offer by post in January 2019
15. Doing the final preps for Plebe Summer now.

I got a lot of assistance from the forum and other Veterans in my neighborhood, would be happy to answer any other questions.

All the best !

 

[dgusafa]

Thanks for this. It looks like we are on the right track, forums scoured, tours taken multiple times, etc. I think DS is on it. We will figure out how to organize. He applied for summer session on day 1 so thus far I think he is on track. But specifically with the portal - if DS is vigilant, are all these things ready for upload on day 1? Could he do CFA, for example, tomorrow and “post” it? Are there spots for uploading all requirements now?
I think I am answering my own question and perhaps I need to poke around the portal too?

To answer the question about doing stuff now: no. He has to wait for the portal to open. He has to be a candidate before he can post things. It will be very clear on the portal. Basically each required piece has a box where USNA record when it is received. The “nomination received” box stays open for what seem like forever! It was pretty satisfying to have all the boxes full!!

Lurking, reading, exploring online and dreaming is what you do for now. I don’t think DS’s summer seminar was released until May if I remember correctly? So the other thing you do is wait, as mentioned.

This semester is a good time to make sure you talk with your counselor, math and science teachers about what you are doing (if they aren’t familiar with a service academy application process) and that you will be needing them to fill out the required recommendations (sometimes multiple times in our case with NROTC). These are done online, basically an evaluation of your classroom habits and potential. But asking if they are available during the summer to assist with this, or how best to be in touch with them, is a good idea.

Also he can think about who he wants to write his essay type recommendations. The ones from someone who knows him well and can attest to his character, etc. Again, if this is a school person, touching base about how to best be In contact over the summer. Most MOC’s also require this piece as part of their application process.

All the other advice above. Plus opening a dialogue with the people at school you will need to do their part. And making sure they are familiar with the process. They may not understand how it is different from ‘regular college’ apps/deadlines.

And wait. Lots of waiting.

Feedback on here has been great and I am feverishly taking notes . DS is actually running this process well so far, but as a parent I want to be able to look over his shoulder and make sure he isn't missing anything and making sure he is organizing appropriately.
Last question (for now) - when does the portal "open"? I thought it opened when he applied for summer seminar?
Thanks again to all!

I remember this, my dad would ask for status every evening at the dinner table. He is one guy who was the hardest to deal with till he saw the LOA and the offer. I know he wants me to be successful.

 

[jaglvr]

All the best. I am in class of 2023. All I will add here is to early preparations and ground work. Here is my road map -

1. Completed my SAT and ACT by April. By this time I had also taken 13 APs
2. Wrote the personal statements and essays by July
3. Aligned with the School Counselor and teachers for recommendation before the Summer break
4. Made sure that the application for nomination is opened with the MoCs in time. Each had different dates. Kept referring to their websites for details.
5. Made sure that the Test scores reach them in advance. Called to check around September. One didn't receive, so had to resend.
6. When the application opened for USNA in August - I was ready with the essays and all the other items for me
7. Had no issues with the Physical, got CFA done in September and sent by the School Sports Director
8. Submitted the USNA application by August end
9. Had my 2 rounds of BGO interviews by September end. Took my Dad's help in preparing for the interview.
10. DODMERB cleared in October. This I heard takes a lot of time, so plan early.
11. Fortunate to receive LOA in October end
12. Nomination interviews in November and December
13. Received Senator nomination in December before Christmas
14. Accepted the offer online in first week of January 2019
14. Received Letter of Offer by post in January 2019
15. Doing the final preps for Plebe Summer now.

I got a lot of assistance from the forum and other Veterans in my neighborhood, would be happy to answer any other questions.

All the best !

Wow, 13APs?? Our HS doesn’t offer until junior year!!

 

[SCubb]

Thanks for this. It looks like we are on the right track, forums scoured, tours taken multiple times, etc. I think DS is on it. We will figure out how to organize. He applied for summer session on day 1 so thus far I think he is on track. But specifically with the portal - if DS is vigilant, are all these things ready for upload on day 1? Could he do CFA, for example, tomorrow and “post” it? Are there spots for uploading all requirements now?
I think I am answering my own question and perhaps I need to poke around the portal too?

To answer the question about doing stuff now: no. He has to wait for the portal to open. He has to be a candidate before he can post things. It will be very clear on the portal. Basically each required piece has a box where USNA record when it is received. The “nomination received” box stays open for what seem like forever! It was pretty satisfying to have all the boxes full!!

Lurking, reading, exploring online and dreaming is what you do for now. I don’t think DS’s summer seminar was released until May if I remember correctly? So the other thing you do is wait, as mentioned.

This semester is a good time to make sure you talk with your counselor, math and science teachers about what you are doing (if they aren’t familiar with a service academy application process) and that you will be needing them to fill out the required recommendations (sometimes multiple times in our case with NROTC). These are done online, basically an evaluation of your classroom habits and potential. But asking if they are available during the summer to assist with this, or how best to be in touch with them, is a good idea.

Also he can think about who he wants to write his essay type recommendations. The ones from someone who knows him well and can attest to his character, etc. Again, if this is a school person, touching base about how to best be In contact over the summer. Most MOC’s also require this piece as part of their application process.

All the other advice above. Plus opening a dialogue with the people at school you will need to do their part. And making sure they are familiar with the process. They may not understand how it is different from ‘regular college’ apps/deadlines.

And wait. Lots of waiting.

Feedback on here has been great and I am feverishly taking notes . DS is actually running this process well so far, but as a parent I want to be able to look over his shoulder and make sure he isn't missing anything and making sure he is organizing appropriately.
Last question (for now) - when does the portal "open"? I thought it opened when he applied for summer seminar?
Thanks again to all!

I remember this, my dad would ask for status every evening at the dinner table. He is one guy who was the hardest to deal with till he saw the LOA and the offer. I know he wants me to be successful.

Sounds like your dad and I would get along! DS is on it so far, but this is a long trek and I want to keep tabs - from a distance. Congrats on your appt. I’m sure your dad is really proud - but probably still going to be checking on you for a while!

 

[jn11n]

I reached out to my blue and gold officer really early (summer before 11th grade). I was able to learn a lot and he helped me plan my junior year. I went on a candidate visit that fall, not sure if it helped in terms of my application but it was a great experience. Definitely go to boys/girls state. I talked to my math and English teachers and guidance counselor in April to tell them about my timeline. I had everything but my transcript completed by August including DoDMERB. I actually had a ton of trouble with my transcript because my guidance counselor never submitted it so I had to track her down over the summer. You’ll save yourself a ton of stress if you’re file is complete before school starts in the fall. Also be prepared for a ton of waiting and do yourself a favor and try not to check your computer three times a day.

 

[jn11n]

Also don’t count on an LOA. I was lucky enough to receive one (and eventually an appointment), but thinking about anything except what you can control makes the waiting so much worse.

 

[justdoit19]

Really good advice from @jn11n!

 

[brewmeist]

Lots of great advice here. One thing I would add is to get any essays done during the spring. Both USNA essays and any needed for nominations. My son did this to give his English teachers time to proofread and give suggestions during the school year. He didn't want to wait until the chaos that happens at the end of the school year, and he did not want to bother them during summer break. He didn't submit his applications until summer, but the essays were out of the way.