ALO Mystified

[justawife]

Last night was my son's senior awards night. My Son ALO came to give the AFROTC awards to the 4 kids at his school who received them.

He told my son that he and his regional director were "mystified" this year. My son and a friend/classmate/co-capt of lax team both went to Summer Seminar 2006 and were ranked as their top candidates. There also was a girl at another HS in our area that went to SS who didn't get in either. He related that every year previous 3-4 "in high school" canidates come out of our region (5 high schools in Northern Virginia) this year ZERO. Two years ago it was 8 total. Only a prep schooler and an AD marine enlisted got in from our area this year. This is a tough area too.

So I feel better, because every family friend that are GOs we know are shocked that he didn't get in. Then they give me the line of "I don't know if I could get in now" and "What do you need to do to get in--invent the wheel?"
I feel better because the ALO too can't give him answer to "why or what was the weakness?" We only can point to a 82 (c+ here) in sophomore math.

So the major told my son to apply again, they give you brownie points for trying again. I am not too thrilled about doing this again, since son walks in to UF as a sophomore (30 hours AP/AICE credits) and set to have an easy 4 years with only having to take 12 credit hours each semester.

Maybe next cycle I'll get the colonel do the parenting, let his hair go white from this stress!!

 

[hooyahmicah]

It's definitely not a thrilling prospect, but if it's worth it...

 

[SubSquid]

justawife:

We have a very similar experience with the USNA. My son was triple qualified, had the nomination and all of the credentials; athletics, academics, and, EC's. When he received his "thin #10" from the Academy he was flabergasted. So too were his parents, BGO, Area Coordinator and his school's teachers and administrators. He did the right thing and contacted the CGO, specifically his Regional Director, for a debriefing.

My son wanted to know specifically what he needed to improve so that a re-application would be successful. The LT could not be more specific other than stating that my son was an A+ candidate amidst A++ candidates for the class of 2011. He gave my son the litany of recommended college courses to take. He told my son that SAT's were fine and don't bother retaking them. At first I thought that the LT had bum rushed my son by not being specific in the "need to improve" catagory until I contacted a respected member of this forum for their take on the conversation.

Their take on the exchange was that there was nothing to improve and the Regional Director had tacitly told my son that he would have normally been offered an appointment but the caliber of the incoming class was so high, that not everyone the Academy wanted could be taken. That premise is supported by talking to several college admission's departments including the college that my son will be attending in the fall. It seems that this year, the qualifications for the incoming class has surpassed all previous classes. The Dean of Admissions at Franklin and Marshall stated, without any reservation, that the class of 2011 was the most highly qualified class the college has ever admitted since its founding in 1787.

While this information is reveling, it dosn't offer much solace to the kids that have so much to offer, but didn't quite make the final cut. My son's disappointment was deep. At 18, the denial was an attack on his self esteem and preception of his abilities. Since then, he has had the time to step back and view the bigger picture. He realized that the woulda, coulda, and, shoulda's don't advance his abilities in the future. He deceided that he will reapply for the class of 2012 at USNA.

In the mean time, he will be receiving a great education, playing the sports he loves, and, working for that second chance at the brass ring. Two of his best friends from school are attending MAPS this year and he looks at the year in college as time well spent waiting for his friends to become Woops and graduate in the same class year as he.

Yeah, I know it's spin, but for him it's continuing to follow his dream. The Sprint Coach at the Academy wrote to him after the denial and told him that the things in life that are really worthwhile, take great effort, great determination, and, great character. I believe that communication helped get my son past the disappointment and into the determination to continue the Academy journey.

As his parents, we offer support, suggest solutions, and provide the benefits of our life experience. We've done as parents everything possible, since the cradle, to teach them the skills and imbue them with the character that they will carry through life. The days of making the decisions for them are over. I just wish the days of doing the laundry, cooking the meals and cleaning the rooms were over too!

We send you and your child our best wishes for their continued success. Life doesn't always follow the plan we conceive but we can conceive many plans.

Good luck!

 

[GreatAmerican]

...That premise is supported by talking to several college admission's departments including the college that my son will be attending in the fall. It seems that this year, the qualifications for the incoming class has surpassed all previous classes....

We were told the same thing by the Dean of Admissions at Rensselaer. The number of applications for the Class of 2011 was double the number they received for the Class of 2010. The Dean for the College of Engineering stated that the average SAT score had risen by an average of 40 points for this year.

...Their take on the exchange was that there was nothing to improve and the Regional Director had tacitly told my son that he would have normally been offered an appointment but the caliber of the incoming class was so high, that not everyone the Academy wanted could be taken....

The applicant pool was also larger than the past couple of years. This year, USNA received in excess of 12,000 applications. A larger pool translates into more competition.

 

[USNA69]

The applicant pool was also larger than the past couple of years. This year, USNA received in excess of 12,000 applications. A larger pool translates into more competition.

Actually, historically, 12,000 + has been the average. It dropped off slightly, but not significantly, after 9/11, but is back up to the early 2000 levels. The economy also plays a large role in the total number of applicants. However, through it all, 3Qed applicants remain almost constant.

Several things are at play in selection this year. Each academy has a Congress-mandated end strength. In 2002, USNA was 4000. They were then authorized to increase it by 100 each year until it reached 4400. That has been a factor over the last 4 years.

Retention plays a huge roll in end strength. Historically, USNA, which is the highest, has been around 80%. Do the numbers on USNA Class of 2007. Retention is up even higher. Rumors are that Class of 2010 is setting even higher records. More staying>>>>less new ones coming in>>>>less coming in, selection is better>>>>more better ones stay in causing new classes to be even smaller. So even with a constant pool, selection within that pool has become more difficult.

Considering the above factors, I have heard rumors that Class of 2011 is down around 1160.

I think a panic has set in among high school students causing them to apply to more schools fueled partially by unsubstantiated rumors such as GA's statement concerning Rensselaer. Their website states that applications are up "nearly" 50%, not 100%, and SATs are up 20 points, not 40 points.

Bottom line: For helo parents, thinking that they have created an anomaly wave of superqualified applicants, overburdening the education system, I don't think it is true. Just another average year.

 

[utahmom]

Ahh c'mon 69 - is there really any harm in letting us 'think' we have created an anomaly of super qualified applicants? I, for one, am impressed that there are so many highly qualified young people who choose to serve their country at this time, when they clearly have many other excellent options. Considering this particular time in history - nothing average about that!

We should be proud to have 'more than enough' kids of this caliber to choose from - says a lot about this great country we are so blessed to live in.

 

[USNA69]

Okay, I take it all back. Haven't you all realized yet that sometimes I use facts to my benefit. I have heard Academy representatives on more than one occassion state that Class of 2010 is the best ever (of course that is only since 1969). Indications are that 2011 is going to be even better.

 

[nurseypoo]

I, for one, am okay with the creating of the "anomaly of super qualified applicants." So, I'm just going to stay in my little "idealistic" spot, while other realists (69, you are very much like my husband, you realist you! ) take a pin to my little red balloon of joy!