Anyone else still waiting out there?

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I think one important fact is being forgotten: West Point's goal is not just to produce the best officers; it's to produce the best officers into a diverse officer corps. WP has to contribute to making the officer corps geographically and ethnically diverse to fair/pre-determined levels.

If WP just took the best candidates across the board, then we would end up with an officer corps with little minority representation and where most people come from big cities and their suburbs. That is not a healthy officer corps. Officers need to learn from others with different life experiences than their own so they can lead others who have had different experiences.

With that being said, if you're the 2nd best candidate in an ultra-competitive district, that sucks. However, if you're really as good of a candidate as you claim to be, you should get in off the NWL. I understand how you look at the person from a rural, uncompetitive district who has far worse stats than you but then gets an appointment and say "well this system is unfair", but you must consider that that candidate has also not had the same opportunities as yourself. In his local context, he's the best they've got. In your local context, they've selected the best they've got.

What's unfair about that?
 
USMA2016, I really love your analagy! I had never quite thought of the process in that way (city kids and rural kids). Truth is, each can learn alot from each other and they all have much to contribute to the corp of cadets no matter what the numbers were.
 
Re the interview:
-It is not required therefore there are no WCS points associated with it.
-It is not required simply because there are simply not enough folks to interview all candidates.
- Many, many interviews ( I would say most) are held long before nominations are known
-While most of you are talking in terms of what the interview can do for the candidate in terms of admissions, another very important and equal purpose of an interview is what the interviewee can do for the candidate.
We as MALOs and FFRs are to make sure that the interviewee understands and knows about West Point. It is for the education of the candidate about WP just as much as it is for the enlightenment about the candidate to WP. We have all heard stories of folks who show up on R-Day and come to the realization that they did not know what they are getting into.
In the interview, we encourage the candidate to ask questions, make suggestions on ways to strengthen their file, encourage them to seek out ROTC alongside applying to WP.

Let's face it - how one looks on paper may not be a true representation of how that candidate is in real life. Being the 'eyes' for WP is another important purpose of the interview. I can tell you personally of one candidate who had the dream application, but he personally didn't have the 'right' stuff for WP. The MALO recognized this and the candidate did not receive an appointment.

- If WP, for whatever reason, wants you interviewed, they will find someone to interview you.
 
Fritz - sorry I left you, after my remark yesterday, to "stand the post" alone. You brought up a slew of issues (and feelings) that I think many have encountered. Others, who responded, identified add'l issues that support the original conclusion. Let’s be pragmatic. The process is flawed because is designed and administered by those with agendas. To name just one "get the most candidates in their district appointed." Yes, there are safe guards to prevent this, but there are just as many loopholes. I certainly agree with those who noted that each appointment goes to candidate that is qualified. I will also concede that these candidates may not be the "best qualified," however that is defined or interpreted. Let’s not even mention the Plebes and Yearlings at WP, that after all the hard work to get there, and survive a year or two, are feeling the pressure of headcount reductions based on mandated enrollment stats (as noted on other threads). Thats just a few of my many observations on process flaws, but I have plenty of others. I will say this - it takes a very special type of person to want to put themselves through this process/scrutiny. Best of luck to all!
 
My last comment on this subject

Let's face it - how one looks on paper may not be a true representation of how that candidate is in real life. Being the 'eyes' for WP is another important purpose of the interview. I can tell you personally of one candidate who had the dream application, but he personally didn't have the 'right' stuff for WP. The MALO recognized this and the candidate did not receive an appointment.

Interview is important, diversity is important, football player( one that will make the Military teams competitive), is important, attitude is important to West Point and to being a leader. Picking the "Best" must be extremely difficult and they will not always pick the "Best" for the school. More often then not, Im assuming the system makes good choices. That assumption is based on our Military today.

If I have one issue with the system is one Fritz stated earlier and that is a lack of communication. But what I have found out it is not much different than the lack of communication in the Civilian process. When they are ready to let you know, they let you know, until that time you wait:)!

My son was denied and he had to move on....He felt he was much better than some that was selected and maybe he was but he wasnt selected for whatever reason. He tried to compare his SAT and grades to a friend of mine.....but he left out the fact the young man was a State champ in HS and had something special to offer in the sport arena(that most in the Military Academy) would not be able to offer.....The Academy need above average atheletes,above average grades, plays an instrument, thinks on their feet, diversity and more and very few, actually not any will be the bestor can provide all.

Congrats to all who have been accepted, good luck to all that are still waiting and thumbs up to all the Children who worked hard and had the opportunity to compete in this process.
 
At some point in the application process WP has enough info to declare a candidate in one of 4 categories:

"Unknown" (need more info)
"Non-competitive" (appears candidate does not have competitive record)
"Competitive" (strong record-good chance of admittance)
"Admissable" (very strong record - probably get an LOA)

When a cadidate gets to "competitive" status they are normally interviewed. This can vary between congressional districts. As in all rules there are exceptions.

The people who go to the summer SLS are normally interviewed.

IMPORTANT NOTE: A Candidate can move from one category to another as information is submitted. That is, if there is a new SAT with better scores a candidate might move to a higher category. As other information is submitted (poor interview, poor physical fitness score, poor teacher recomendations, lower grades in HS, etc) a candidate can move to a lower category.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT POINT" It is not valid to compare candidates based solely on just SAT scores, Sports, school activities etc. Candidates are evaluated and given a WCS based on MANY factors most of which have been discussed. Candidates (and their parents) do not know the score given for the interview, teachers recommendations, school activities, and the three papers submitted. Believe me - the scores given on these subjects vary greatly. It seems that almost every candidate (and their parents) think that their DS got top ratings by the teachers, wrote world-class papers, and conducted a dynamite interview - THAT IS NOT THE CASE. These evaluations vary greatly and do help to discriminate between candidates.

ANOTHER POINT: Be careful about what you answer when asked "Why do you want to go to WP". Of course, you shoud be truthful when answering questions but---You would be surprised at some of the "off-the-wall" answers. For example - I have heard: "The uniforms are cool" and "I wanted West Point but I guess I would accept Annapolis" and "My parents have always wanted me to go to WP".
 
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The people who go to the summer SLS are normally interviewed.

We did have a Squad Leader interview (which, as far as I understand, had the same effect as a MALO/FFR interview - ie. they both counted as the "input" required for LOAs to be awarded).
 
class of 2016

Has anyone STILL not heard back for class of 2016?! As much as I try to exercise patience, the wait is killing me!
 
We did have a Squad Leader interview (which, as far as I understand, had the same effect as a MALO/FFR interview - ie. they both counted as the "input" required for LOAs to be awarded).

My FFR told me last July that while the SLS interview did carry some weight, because it was with a cadet, it did not carry the same magnitude that the MALO/ FFR interview did, which is why she wanted us to do our "official" interview as soon as possible since there were several of us that were candidates for LOA's. The cadet interview, while it is considered "input," simply does not carry the same weight as the other interview does.
 
my daughters friend, who is still waiting was told last week that there were ten slots turned down that were offered to those on the waiting list, that moved him up to #11 on the list. I would say at this time they are just waiting to see who accepts and who declines. If you have heard nothing you still have a shot.
 
So even if we have heard nothing from USMA should we assume we are on the NWL even if we have not recived any word that we are or are not on it?
 
my daughters friend, who is still waiting was told last week that there were ten slots turned down that were offered to those on the waiting list, that moved him up to #11 on the list. I would say at this time they are just waiting to see who accepts and who declines. If you have heard nothing you still have a shot.

Do you know how many people are on the list? Also does anyone know when the AOG scholarships will be given out for the Great Lakes Region?
 
no bfe yet!

i'm a parent who is stalking the mailbox as well. we got a call from our congressman on saturday and he told us to watch the mailbox. admissions told us our bfe was mailed last week and still it's not here yet.

for those of you who are still waiting i'd call admissions. they can tell you if your bfe has been mailed or not. then at least you will know where you stand.
 
Reconfirmed today - no response

A candidate I know is still waiting for a response. As of earlier today, still nothing... The waiting continues.
 
My DS finally called our Regional West Point Officer and he informed us that he can expect a TWE soon. Very disappointed but moving on with Plan B. Congrats to all who achieved and appointment and good luck to all still waiting.
 
Ohioparent...So sorry you didn't hear better news. I wish you and your DS the best.
 
So i found out some news good and bad i guess. Just recived an email from my regional commander. What has occured is due to a drawn down of the class size from 1200 to 1150 several fully qualified candidates (like myself) are now competeing for slots which would have been their's last year. The biggest thing from the email was that we will not hear anything from admissions untill after May 1st. So everyone who's still waiting don't give up just be patient and let everything work itself out.

Best of luck to everyone!
 
are candidates who received the aog scholarship higher on the waiting list than those who have not heard anything yet?
 
We've heard as well that no news will come until after May 1 when all outstanding offers have been resolved .... were also told to begin moving forward on plan B ..... looks like TWE in the works here.
 
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