ALO Question-

[Pima]

But the ALO is correct: the earlier the candidate package is complete, the more times it'll be looked at by admissions and that's NEVER a bad thing!!!

Has it changed regarding meeting more boards? Last I knew you got your WCS on the 1st board you meet. IF you submit new updates, such as new SAT/ACT score, new leadership position, new EC, than they would have their package reviewed again. However, only for the part that you submitted. IE Your superscore ACT went up to 33 from 31, but the leadership/ ECs have stayed unchanged. Only the PAR portion would be reviewed and calculated for a new WCS, nothing else.

IOWS, they aren't really being re-boarded each time the boards meet. It just means that their WCS is in earlier. I am not someone that believes in wait until the 11th hour, but I do believe in submitting the best packet you can. If that means taking 3 more weeks so you can max the CFA, than wait. CFA is a very small amount of the WCS, but it is a portion, a portion you can control. USAFA is unique, not everyone is allowed to submit a 2nd CFA, it has to be re-opened by USAFA. Thus, see the CFA as 1 and done.

Eventually when they get down to the NWL, there will be a line drawn with an X. Above the X you are in, below and you get the TWE. We are not talking about a huge difference in the points, more like decimals. Ask yourself come April, had I waited 2 more weeks and submitted a CFA where I did 15 pull ups instead of 10, would that have been the key for myself to get just a few more decimal points on my WCS and appointment?

Thing of it also like this...submit a package early that is not top notch, is the HARE. Yes, you got off to a fast start. However, the one that waits to submit the BEST package is the tortoise. Which one in that story is known to win in the LONG run?

JMPO, no flaming please.

 

[OldRetSWO]

I might be wrong, but I think NJ MoCs also talk.

The NJ Senators do coordinate - they hold joint interview boards which involve both of the staffs. This has been the case in NJ for a long time and predates both of the current Senators.

If I also recall they don't interview until Jan. sometime.

Not trying to digress from the OP, just again illustrating how long they may have to wait to get an MoC nom, even if they submit by Oct.

Incorrect. Most years it is in late Oct or November with any stragglers over the Christmas break.
I got an email today that invited me to serve on the panels and the weekends are Nov 10 -Nov 11 at NJIT in Newark for North Jersey and Nov 17-Nov 18 at Rowan Univ for South Jersey.

 

[flieger83]

Pima,

Mostly you're correct. The WCS is computed as soon as the candidate has filed all the requisite paperwork and all evaluations are complete. That being said, the WCS is fluid; it can be adjusted by the ways you mention, and by USAFA/RRS should they choose to "revamp" their selections. The goal here is to be seen as often as possible in that "board A" may only select 5% of the class total; then "B" may select 10%...then nothing for several months, other than trickle folks, and then the process will ramp back up. If you're in the pack each time its looked at you may actually end up being selected before folks come along later and surpass you with higher WCS's...that's the benefit of earlier completion.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

 

[Finsup]

Thanks for all the advice. And appreciate the calls to wait and to 'calm down'--

Skismuggs- I don't see a due date, only this -- You have met the deadline to continue in the application process. My DS doesn't show up under the Mentor ALO's "aloweb" anymore, so he can't verify the due date for the interview, but he's pretty sure its due on Oct 12 (not sure how he came up with that date though).

Pima/FMHS-79/fencersmother/especially flier83- First, thanks for your advice, its been very informative and appreciated. Since, IMHO my DS is not a shoe-in, he'd love a chance to be looked at as many boards as he can (the Mentor ALO basically said as much).

A few of you said to wait a week to a few months. It's now been over 3 weeks since he was assigned an Interview ALO with no reply to any emails and no phone number to call.

I'm not sure if my DS should reach out to the AFA; the Mentor ALO is pretty spun up and just today questioned my DSs desire to go to the Academy since he's not willing to make a phone call. My DS's point is he doesn't want to possibly upset the person who is going to interview him.

Unfortunately, the Mentor ALOs advice is 180 degrees out from the advice on this forum.

Should he continue to wait?

Thanks in advance--

 

[skismuggs]

Three weeks seems too long. I'd call/email the USAFA counselor and just run it by them. They can contact the regional director if needed and have him reassigned.

 

[skismuggs]

What state or region? The whole mentor and interview ALO program is still new. The ALOweb is not very user friendly sometimes. [emoji23].