Admissions Board questions

crair70

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
257
I have read many different dates for the first board meeting... Aug 26, Sept 1??? Does anyone know for sure the correct time frame? I know, it doesn't really matter but just curious since my DS has been busting his tush to get all completed before then.

Also wondering what typically happens if a candidate has all in except waiting for DodMERB results and BGO interview to be submitted. If the board meets will they look at the candidate or wait until all is complete? If they look at the candidate and 3 weeks later the file is completed does it come up at that time for a second look or put in a pile for later in the fall? All of this considering the candidate has a presidential so far but too early for any MOC noms... Wondering if anyone has inside scoops on how the board goes about looking at candidates... Guess my concern is that if a candidate doesn't receive a LOA will their application get shoved to the back of the stack...lost in the pile for the next 6 months without another look? Trying to prepare him for the next long 6-8 months of mailbox stalking... ok, preparing myself too!
 
my dd had her bgo interview last night. the bgo said 1st board meeting is 8/26. dd's app is now complete except for nomination portion so she was his 1st interviewee. he also said that there are over 30k apps this year (and only a couple hundred slots for females)!

they will only review online apps that are complete. if the candidate is desirable, they'll find a nom. if there is anything missing on the app, it will not be brought before the board for review. since this is rolling admissions, board looks more favorably on students who complete their apps earlier.
 
Going to be a long winter and spring for both candidates and parents. My DS now has a complete file also including DoDMERB and BGO interview. Hoping he can get focused on his other college applications and the coming high school football season. Good luck everybody!
 
my dd had her bgo interview last night. the bgo said 1st board meeting is 8/26. dd's app is now complete except for nomination portion so she was his 1st interviewee. he also said that there are over 30k apps this year (and only a couple hundred slots for females)!

they will only review online apps that are complete. if the candidate is desirable, they'll find a nom. if there is anything missing on the app, it will not be brought before the board for review. since this is rolling admissions, board looks more favorably on students who complete their apps earlier.

Not to be argumentative Pezska but I think you may be incorrect. SA will not "find" a nomination for anyone... that is up to the candidate. at least that is what I was told. Also my understanding that a LOA is for those who are assured an appointment if they complete the missing part of the application (usually nomination, medical) so they must view applications if they are not complete... wondering if a BGO out there can clarify .
 
they will only review online apps that are complete.

True. However, if the BGO interview is the only thing missing, eventually they'll review the packet without it. Per the above, it used to be that LOAs were given before 100% was in but, at least last year, I didn't see that happen with my candidates.

If a candidate is desirable, they'll find a nom.

I wouldn't count on that. There are the 5 VP noms that USNA "controls." USNA also has 50 Supe's noms -- noms for which you can't apply but can receive. So, yes, if USNA really desires you, they can ensure you get an appointment. But, for most, this isn't a realistic option. In 13 yrs for ~20 candidates per year, I've had 2 candidates get Supe's noms. One turned down the appointment.

if there is anything missing on the app, it will not be brought before the board for review.

See my comment above. They'll also review without CFA or medical. Had a candidate last year missing only one item and his file was never reviewed.

since this is rolling admissions, board looks more favorably on students who complete their apps earlier.

It's not exactly rolling admissions. The Admissions Board does review records on a rolling basis but, in my experience, it's not always "first in/first out." The Board determines whether you are scholastically qualified. If you are, and your CFA and medical are OK, you are 3 Q'ed and, with a nom in hand, can compete for an appointment. Other than Pres nominees (and maybe J/ROTC noms), USNA can't start offering appointments until the MOC nom slates start coming in -- and those aren't due until Jan. 31 (some MOCs turn their slates in earlier).

USNA then evaluates 3 Q'ed applicants against the nomination slates and other sources of noms. This is why MOST appointments go out from late Jan. - March. Those hearing earlier typically have Pres nominations. Those who will receive Supe's noms and VP noms tyically hear very late in the process.

For various reasons, it is better to get your packet in early, but many successful applicants don't complete theirs until Oct and Nov.
 
So are the reviewed candidates notified if it's determined they are 3 Q'ed?
 
So are the reviewed candidates notified if it's determined they are 3 Q'ed?

I'd like to say yes, but . . .

You will know if you're medically qualified and are told if you don't pass the CFA. Your BGO also knows whether you've passed the CFA.

Many candidates get letters saying they are scholastically qualified or they are 3 Q'ed. However, anecdotally, some don't. And I'm not sure why not.
 
DS is already medically qualified and has passed the CFA, I was just curious if he would receive anything indicating if he was scholastically qualified. Thanks for the update.
 
Not to be argumentative Pezska but I think you may be incorrect. SA will not "find" a nomination for anyone... that is up to the candidate. at least that is what I was told. Also my understanding that a LOA is for those who are assured an appointment if they complete the missing part of the application (usually nomination, medical) so they must view applications if they are not complete... wondering if a BGO out there can clarify .

you are absolutely correct and it was my error that i did not mention that my dd is a recruited athlete.
 
thanks usna1985- is 8/26 the correct date for the first board?

So say you have a 3Q with pres nom candidate with application in by Sept. The board doesn't give an appointment yet for whatever reason... what happens to the candidate. Does app stay on file to be viewed at a later date? Do they get a TWE in Sept. Wondering if a candidate can be at a disadvantage by having all in early since they give out so few LOA or appointments this early. Have you seen candidates like this get lost in the stack... I realize they only give out 100 appointments with presidential noms so do they wait until the deadline to see all that come in before assigning a candidate to a presidential...

Also 30,000 applicants?? That is almost double last year?? IN AUGUST!! Seems a little inflated- don't you think?

One thing I need to remind my DS when he is reading the posts on here and freaking out is that MOST applications will not be coming in until mid fall and noms until January. This forum is filled with highly motivated candidates and parents who have dedicated their summer to this process. I would argue that we are not all the majority but the minority. A student may know they want to apply to SA but the typical teenager is a procrastinator and will not complete their application in Aug but fall. Waiting for school to be back in- teacher recs and so on. Not necessarily they type of person a SA is looking for but true. Therefore I find it hard to believe there are 30,000 applicants out there already and surely NOT 30,000 candidates!
 
Now, this is anecdotal, and a variation but not "off topic." Relative to "finding a nomination", 2 potential scenarios:

1. Up front, this is a dated scenario and may no longer be the case, but we have a personal officer friend from our state, attended a foundation school in another, and received his nomination from another. So, don't know if these still occur, but they have in the past.

2. NAPS and foundation candidates. All are encouraged to pursue any,all potential sources of nomination. That noted, any and all meeting the qualifications are "found" nominations. And some of these are not those noted earlier. They do not have to be concerned about nominations but do need to pursue them.

Neither of these are pertinent to the vast majority of candidates, but they are pertinent to the issue of nominations and candidates, in general.

On the issue of "rolling admissions" 85 is correct. It is not precisely that in that it is not analogous to the process associated with that terminology at secular institutions. That noted, there is advantage(s), imo, to pursuing this early, fast, furiously, and getting all that can be done well done as soon as possible. Why? Would you prefer to be considered when 1500 offers of appointment remain to be made ... or 15? Well, when one considers the complexities and intricacies of this at least 2 track system (3Qed AND Nominations) and the potential for one's candidacy being inter-dependent upon others in one's MOC, state, or other nominating pools AND the timing as well as composition of those submissions and application completions ... we begin to see that this goes WAY BEYOND the simple idea that "get your app done and in" and you'll be reviewed and accepted/declined/wait-listed. They simply are different ... VASTLY different "rolling admissions" processes.

In fact, and strange as it may seem ... there may be scenarios where one's chances are superior for appointment with 15 remaining vs. those initial 1,500.

btw, while I do not know the answer, I'd bet my mongrel dog that the "30,000 applications" is a monster stretch, realizing that would be a near 300% increase over a 5 year span on what was already a massive pool of people. In any case ... of that number only 1,500 or so will be determined 3Qed and nominated. Nominations are always a "fixed number" so no matter how many applicants, the real number never varies.
 
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if you are correct or not, i cannot confirm, but our bgo echoed your post.
 
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