Timing is important. If the applicant does not get early access to the portal, they can at least work to be ready when it does:
- Line up the SOE's before summer starts and teachers become harder to reach
- Be ready to take the CFA (Really ready for above average scores and max as many as you can)
- Be thinking about the personal statement prompts. Can't remember if USMA made them available prior to the file opening. But you can guarantee one of them will be on something like why do you want to be an army officer and would be good at it.
- Initiate any Nom applications as soon as they open (most open in the spring in our area)
In a recent briefing the RC for our area underscored the importance of completing your USMA and Nom applications as early as possible.
There is a cascade of to-do's once the portal opens. One of the most critical is getting your DODMERB exam scheduled and completed. Again, RC input is to do as early as possible in case a waiver is needed. Very hard to get waivers late in the process, and it takes much longer.
The goal should be to have application complete (LOE's, test scores, transcripts, essays, etc), nom's underway, DODMERB passed, and Excellent CFA early enough to be in the first reviews/boards.
While USMA technically no longer does rolling admissions, RC input is that completed apps in the stack earlier get better scrutiny, coaching, and review for LOE's than those that flood in later.