A Numbers Question.....

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MaineGrad86

5-Year Member
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Feb 5, 2013
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This just caught my attention. I've been looking at the stats for a while and it never really struck me 'til just now.

The class profile for the Class of 2016 lists the following:

Nominated: 4285
Qualified: 2629 (academics and physical aptitude)
Accepted: 1193

How can 4285 nominated yield only 2629 (just over 60%) "qualified" candidates - and that doesn't even take into account the medical issues some candiates have?

That means 1600+ nominated candidates were not qualified for acceptance when receiving their nomination. Is that normal?

Is this attributable to CFA retakes, SAT/ACT retakes?

In my candidate's district in Northern VA, the competition was positively brutal. I can't imagine any of our MOC's nominees not being 3Q or at least 2Q with pending medical.

Can someone shed some light here?
 
You pretty much answered your own question. The CFA and DODMERB take out a good chuck of candidates. Remember, nominations have nothing to do with your West Point application, so they can nominate unqualified candidates.
 
Presidential nomination only requires parents serving in the military.
 
Hummmm

Yes, it is interesting to see how the numbers boil down. Take a look at this prospective that I have noticed too. Every year the number of applications have increased. This years estimates have been 15 to 16,000. SAT/ACT class mean have increased very lightly. The class size has decreased. This year Class of 2017 may be the same as last year. A number of factors contribute to this. The economy can play an interesting role. The economy has been flat and kids that are pursuing their education find the increasing challenges to afford the rising costs. Student loan debt now surpasses credit card debt. And you can’t declare bankruptcy on these loans. Many look at the Service Academies as means to attain those education goals serve their five years and fly. Or leave the service. Politics are a huge influence on the military such as the impeding budget struggles at the end of the month that can cripple the military across the board if decisions are not made to solve the sequestration.

So yes, there are too many that receive an appointment through Congress, Senate, Vice President, Presidential, Sup and enlisted serving at this time. Historically and rightfully so the service direct Presidential Noms get their appointments first. And it filters down from there. Yes, candidates who have not completed their files, pending DoDMERB, and so on, can receive a nom. And there is a matter of timing when congressional source noms are given during the school year and must be submitted by the end of January. Many candidates do not have SAT/ACT scores and high school scores. As last year there will be offers made and there could be 1200 left on the NWL that will receive a “Qualified Not Selected” notice. Some will re-apply, some will scramble for a prep school, and some will be offered MAPS. Most will carry on with Plan B and C.

This why have a well rounded back ground in academics, leadership and athletics is so important when planning and preparing for this moment to submit an application.

If anyone else can share do.

Push Hard, Press Forward

There is a document floating around that details Class of 2016 composition. I try to find it.
 
Yes it is normal!

MaineGrad86 said:
That means 1600+ nominated candidates were not qualified for acceptance when receiving their nomination. Is that normal?
Click to expand...


Based on 2013, 2014, and 2015 class stats that I've seen and heard in AFA, USMC, USNA, and USCGA presentations - I would say a resounding "YES, THAT IS NORMAL."

Bottom line: it is harder to meet the 3Q requirements than to get a nomination. I know that many who have heard of my DS' nomination think that with that he is in - NOT!

Academics alone won't do; physical fitness alone won't do; perfect health alone won't do. Take all three together, add a favorable WCS then compare to your peers; with the grace of God - you can get in. :thumb:
 
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tug_boat said:
? . . .Every year the number of applications have increased. This years estimates have been 15 to 16,000.

it.
Click to expand...

Number of applications is misleading as I seen more than 1/2 of applications from my state not being completed.
 
The nomination process and the qualification process by West Point are COMPLETELY unrelated. For example, a Member of Congress can nominate up to ten people for each slot he/she has. They normally have little or no idea what West Point thinks of their nominees. The MOC can use any criteria they want to award nominations- independent of West Point. Most of these ten nominees will not be triple quilified by West Point academically, medically and physically.

Another example - if every MOC (Senators and Representatives) each decided to nominate 10 people each year that would be (100 senators + 434 congressmen = 534 times 10 nominees per MOC = 5,340 just from the political side. Add Presidential (unlimited number) plus other military categories and you could get possibly 7,000 people nominated with only about 1,200 of these getting admitted. Getting a nomination is perhaps the easiest part of the process if you are a good candidate. Becomming 3Qd is the big cut.
 
Agreed. If in your state there's a district that has a lot of military bases most of the candidates there will have a slight advantage in terms of knowledge. They tend to do a lot of leadership stuff and have strong grades, too. Only reason I know is because my nominator told me this; I got picked for having a strong file and for political reasons--he hasn't nominated someone outside San Antonio in a while haha..
 
MemberLG said:
Number of applications is misleading as I seen more than 1/2 of applications from my state not being completed.
Click to expand...

I've seen this in my district too.
Out of 50+ applications for 2017, only 12 have completed their files and it doesn't look like any others will complete by the 28 FEB deadline.

An application only means that you've opened a file.


BillSL said:
Depends on the state/district.
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If you live in a NOVA district, it is very competitive to get a nom. Other districts, there may be few competitive candidates or any candidates at all.

When DS was interviewed by his MALO, he said that our district was very competitive for noms but if we lived 10 miles south in the next district, he would be a slam dunk for a nom.
I have heard of folks moving to a district just for the sole reason that it is a less competitive district.
 
Does anyone know what happens on Feb 26th if a medical waiver is not complete?

For my district, I am the first alternate to receive nomination. The candidate with P-Nom is undergoing a medical waiver. Who will be offered appointment if waiver is not complete?
 
Rough, approximate numbers:
About 5,000 nominated
About half of them 3Qd
About half of those admitted
 
grad2013 said:
Does anyone know what happens on Feb 26th if a medical waiver is not complete?

For my district, I am the first alternate to receive nomination. The candidate with P-Nom is undergoing a medical waiver. Who will be offered appointment if waiver is not complete?
Click to expand...

That is a good question. I am the P-nom in my state (there are benefits to living in Kansas) but am medically DQ'ed. I am just waiting for a waiver that was requested way back in October. I feel as if a decision would be made before offers were sent out but they also said they are sending letters out way late in the Spring. It's nerve fraying to be sure.
 
Remember that Feb 26 is just the start of the "offer season". Most offers - but not all - will be made in the late Feb to mid-March time frame. However, as NWL selections are made, waivers are approved or not approved, people turn-down offers, etc offers will be made all the way up to R-Day.
In the past, Admissions waits for the outcome of waivers for P-Noms before going to the next in line in that District.
 
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