Accepted Appointment...should DS cancel free school visits?

There is a common misconception that if someone takes a spot and then doesn't make it through, they 'took' a slot from someone who wanted it. Everyone who gets an appointment deserves to be there and has the right to accept that appointment. They have been vetted by admissions and their ALO who feel that they belong there. The fact of the matter is, USAFA isn't right for everyone. Unfortunately, no one who hasn't been there can really know what it is like. Some people who have dreamed of USAFA for years come to find that it just isn't for them. They have every right to come to this decision. Not allowing them to make this decision on their own can lead to terrible consequences.

That said, I agree, no one should go to BCT as a 'try out', however, things do happen. My DS put down a deposit on plan B just in case there was an injury or medical turn back during BCT. We lost that deposit but it was good insurance.
 
First off, congratulations for the appointments, it is a tremendous honor to receive such an opportunity.

When I first read this thread, when the original question was posted regarding other schools, I saw it was a very valid question. Unfortunately as I started to read the replies, it was difficult to keep quiet. I am very concerned with this scenario where appointees that will be travelling to the Academy, 'trying out BCT' and then seeing at the end, if they would like to pursue a different path.

For those who have accepted their appointments, like myself, please read, and I mean READ, the second page in the Instructions for Appointees. I'll quote what Colonel Benyshek writes in the second paragraph, "If you are coming to the Academy to ―try it out‖ or because of peer, community, or parental pressure, I urge you not to accept your appointment. If you were to resign due to a change of career goals or should you desire to pursue another scholarship offer, you will have deprived another deserving and more motivated person of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Please do not take this decision lightly ".

Now, the odds are 1 in 10 could choose to drop the Academy during or post BCT. But to think that, one could easily go from this thread, to the thread titled "Still haven't heard anything..." there are highly qualified candidates that would do anything to have the opportunity your sons and daughters have right now. This is THEIR decision. If there is doubt, talk it over now. Until you do, there are people waiting, for these life changing opportunities, not just for the Academy, but a scholarship to serve their country.

College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.
Thank you 4mb43 for thinking of those of us who are still waiting! You nailed it.
 
There is a common misconception that if someone takes a spot and then doesn't make it through, they 'took' a slot from someone who wanted it. Everyone who gets an appointment deserves to be there and has the right to accept that appointment. They have been vetted by admissions and their ALO who feel that they belong there. The fact of the matter is, USAFA isn't right for everyone. Unfortunately, no one who hasn't been there can really know what it is like. Some people who have dreamed of USAFA for years come to find that it just isn't for them. They have every right to come to this decision. Not allowing them to make this decision on their own can lead to terrible consequences.

That said, I agree, no one should go to BCT as a 'try out', however, things do happen. My DS put down a deposit on plan B just in case there was an injury or medical turn back during BCT. We lost that deposit but it was good insurance.

This is exactly what we plan and I believe was the plan for others who posted. I have no idea where the idea that anyone was "trying out" the Academy is coming from.

If my DS chooses the Academy we will hold onto a plan B.
 
Thank you 4mb43 for thinking of those of us who are still waiting! You nailed it.

I'm very sorry that you are waiting. But the fact is if my son turns his AFROTC scholarship down today, nobody will get it. They offer more than they plan to be accepted. They realize that many of them will end up at the Academy. There is not "kitty" it goes back into for the next person waiting.


So the statement that we are somehow depriving anyone is false and unfair. My son has worked just as hard as everyone else for these opportunities. He is very fortunate and realizes that. But he does not owe it to anyone to turn it down prematurely.
 
So I think the message here is that some people have appointments and have excitedly moved into the "making plans" stage and others are still waiting and stressed out as a result, so let's all be sensitive to the emotions running on both sides and not make assumptions or judgments about anyone's postings. Good luck to all of you! Many of us have been exactly where you sit now, whether you're making plans or still waiting anxiously, and we understand how you feel...really.
 
My son has worked just as hard as everyone else for these opportunities. He is very fortunate and realizes that. But he does not owe it to anyone to turn it down prematurely.

In fact, he has earned the right to think long and hard about the decision he makes. In my DS's BCT flight there was a young man who got off the bus at the ramp for the wrong reasons and was on 'sick call' almost every day of BCT I as a result. He was gone before Jacks Valley. It may have been wise for that particular cadet candidate to have reconsidered accepting his appointment.

Your son is being prudent as he weighs his options carefully so he does not 'waste' a slot that may or may not be available for another candidate. There are many accepted to USAFA who are better suited to ROTC at a civilian school. There are also many worthy candidates not offered an appointment, for whatever reason, who continue on with great success without missing a beat. Only the board knows why 1 gets in and another does not. It will not seem 'fair' sometimes, so make the best of whatever happens and move forward. Congrats to Rocko's DS and best wishes to those who are still in limbo.
 
The intent of my thread was NOT about indecision regarding the appointment. My DS is 100% ready to attend BUT he has some free trips available to him and he wants to attend those trips (Swarthmore and Emory). I told him to pick one trip and enjoy as June 26th will be here before soon!

In the meantime, he wakes up for his 5:30am run and has begun doing the recommended weights and circuit workout which he said is tough.
 
As for the appointments..If you do not reply by May1 your appointment will be marked as DECLINED. I'd say use every minute between now and May 1 getting in shape, visiting schools etc...
 
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