A note on applications to the Class of 2026

[Insider]

USAFA Admissions (and USAFA in general) have been working to implement new IT solutions for several years. The existing portal and Admissions system is two decades old and is being decommissioned on July 30, 2021.

The reason for the 15 day delay in opening the new applications just reflects the challenges in standing up a new system. USAFA Admissions wanted to conduct additional testing before opening the flood gates. USAFA Admissions has also radically changed how the ALO force is structured and operates (and this contributes to the complexity of the change).

Some of you will recognize my username (although I have not been very active on this forum over the past few years). I am, however, the primary architect of the current Admissions system. I am retiring on July 31, 2021 (the day after the current system is sunset).

Because I am intimately familiar with the USAFA Admissions process and the complexities of the IT requirements, I am urging all applicants for the class of 2026 (and beyond) to be patient with the Admissions staff as the application opens and the process begins on March 15. There is a lot that still needs to be accomplished and you can expect a bumpy ride for a while. This is normal with new systems and things will shake out over time.

Good luck to you all, and best wishes as you start your journey.

- Insider

 

[tadbtd]

As antiquated as the current admissions portal is, it is remarkably straightforward despite looking out of the 90s. (I found it much more straightforward than the UC or CommonApp portals) I never had any issues. Thanks for the work, and happy retirement!

 

[TheWaterConsumer]

USAFA Admissions (and USAFA in general) have been working to implement new IT solutions for several years. The existing portal and Admissions system is two decades old and is being decommissioned on July 30, 2021.

The reason for the 15 day delay in opening the new applications just reflects the challenges in standing up a new system. USAFA Admissions wanted to conduct additional testing before opening the flood gates. USAFA Admissions has also radically changed how the ALO force is structured and operates (and this contributes to the complexity of the change).

Some of you will recognize my username (although I have not been very active on this forum over the past few years). I am, however, the primary architect of the current Admissions system. I am retiring on July 31, 2021 (the day after the current system is sunset).

Because I am intimately familiar with the USAFA Admissions process and the complexities of the IT requirements, I am urging all applicants for the class of 2026 (and beyond) to be patient with the Admissions staff as the application opens and the process begins on March 15. There is a lot that still needs to be accomplished and you can expect a bumpy ride for a while. This is normal with new systems and things will shake out over time.

Good luck to you all, and best wishes as you start your journey.

- Insider

If I have to re-apply next year. Will anything in the portal transfer over?

 

[Insider]

No, no information will transfer. You will need to start from scratch (including creating a new profile).

 

[mullinfox]

USAFA Admissions (and USAFA in general) have been working to implement new IT solutions for several years. The existing portal and Admissions system is two decades old and is being decommissioned on July 30, 2021.

The reason for the 15 day delay in opening the new applications just reflects the challenges in standing up a new system. USAFA Admissions wanted to conduct additional testing before opening the flood gates. USAFA Admissions has also radically changed how the ALO force is structured and operates (and this contributes to the complexity of the change).

Some of you will recognize my username (although I have not been very active on this forum over the past few years). I am, however, the primary architect of the current Admissions system. I am retiring on July 31, 2021 (the day after the current system is sunset).

Because I am intimately familiar with the USAFA Admissions process and the complexities of the IT requirements, I am urging all applicants for the class of 2026 (and beyond) to be patient with the Admissions staff as the application opens and the process begins on March 15. There is a lot that still needs to be accomplished and you can expect a bumpy ride for a while. This is normal with new systems and things will shake out over time.

Good luck to you all, and best wishes as you start your journey.

- Insider

Thanks for the heads-up. I'm confused though - if the old system will return on July 30, but the application period opens on March 15, will the March-July 30 information loaded into system be into the old or new system? If old system, then wouldn't it be best to wait until August 1 to begin completing the application? Thanks for the advice, and congratulations on your retirement!

 

[teamluke]

Recently, I was told by USAFA Admissions,,,,,, If you applied for USAFA 2025 and did not receive an appointment you can not start a new application for the class of 2026 until July 1, 2021.

 

[crymsonwynters]

Recently, I was told by USAFA Admissions,,,,,, If you applied for USAFA 2025 and did not receive an appointment you can not start a new application for the class of 2026 until July 1, 2021.

That's just how they do it... I was a candidate for c/o 2024, and after non-selection, I couldn't submit another PCQ until July 1st. My full application opened up on July 26th. You won't have to worry about not finishing things on time, as your file won't be complete without a first semester college transcript, so there's no need to rush.

 

[Insider]

Thanks for the heads-up. I'm confused though - if the old system will return on July 30, but the application period opens on March 15, will the March-July 30 information loaded into system be into the old or new system? If old system, then wouldn't it be best to wait until August 1 to begin completing the application? Thanks for the advice, and congratulations on your retirement!

I believe you misunderstood the original message. The old system is not "returning" on July 30. It is being decommissioned (that is it will be completely shut down and will no longer be accessible). It is remaining online through July as it is the system of record (for now) and is being used to in-process the class of 2025 in June (and then the in-coming USAFA PS class of 2022 in July).

You can safely start your application now (using the new platform).

 

[Academician]

Another question: do the summer seminar applications (PCQs) process through this system? In other words, if a student applied to this summer's seminar in Jan 2021, will their information be transferred over to the 'new' system, including the sign-in/password established with this application? Also, enjoy your well deserved retirement!

 

[Insider]

Another question: do the summer seminar applications (PCQs) process through this system? In other words, if a student applied to this summer's seminar in Jan 2021, will their information be transferred over to the 'new' system, including the sign-in/password established with this application? Also, enjoy your well deserved retirement!

I am not directly involved in the operation of the new platform. From what I do know, however, a student should only create one profile and use it for both the Summer Seminar application and any subsequent applications to USAFA. As in past years a Summer Seminar applicant had the option to designate his/her application to be used as the PCQ for the next USAFA class year. If the student chose that option then they "should" have automatically had a PCQ created for the class of 2026. I say "should" because it is a new system (and there will be, and already have been, some glitches in the operation). The best place to get specific questions about the new platform answered are to direct emails to AdmissionsCRMAdmin@usafa.edu.

- Insider

 

[Insider]

Recently, I was told by USAFA Admissions,,,,,, If you applied for USAFA 2025 and did not receive an appointment you can not start a new application for the class of 2026 until July 1, 2021.

That was a limitation of the old platform. It will likely not apply to the new system (at least not this year). I do not believe the application data from previous years has been ported to the new platform (they are radically different) and it is unlikely the new platform will even know you applied before.

The old platform prevented a new application from being started until July 1 because it did not have the ability to maintain two active class years on the portal. The previous cycle had to be closed before the new one could be initiated.

The new administrators may apply the July 1 date starting next year since they will have the class of 2026 applicant data in their system. I don't know that they will have to do that, however, because I have no reason to believe the same limitations exist for the new platform.

That being said, USAFA can (and does) offer appointments and PS appointments up to the end of May (and Falcon offers well into June). Even if you wait until July to start a new application you will have plenty of time to finish. Hence there is no real reason to start one earlier.

- Insider

 

[Insider]

I am not directly involved in the operation of the new platform. From what I do know, however, a student should only create one profile and use it for both the Summer Seminar application and any subsequent applications to USAFA. As in past years a Summer Seminar applicant had the option to designate his/her application to be used as the PCQ for the next USAFA class year. If the student chose that option then they "should" have automatically had a PCQ created for the class of 2026. I say "should" because it is a new system (and there will be, and already have been, some glitches in the operation). The best place to get specific questions about the new platform answered are to direct emails to AdmissionsCRMAdmin@usafa.edu.

- Insider

I spoke with a admin of the new platform yesterday. He informed me that Summer Seminar applicants who opted for their application to be used as a PCQ for the class 2026 have not (yet) had their PCQs automatically created. He expects that to happen in the next few weeks.

He also said that any SS applicant who wants to go ahead and start a new PCQ can do so without issue (instead of waiting for the SS application to port over to the PCQ).

- Insider