Appointment question

[shock-n-awe]

The turn down of a fully qualified candidate with a Principal Nomination to USAFA would seem it can only boil down to a few of the unknowns. The LORs did not reflect well, the essay wasn’t received well or the interview was disqualifying.
There isn’t much else to factor. It’s unfortunate, but the otherwise fully qualified candidate with a PNOM to USAFA must be appointed by law. A candidate with a PNOM is NOT competing with anyone else. Their scores academically and physically must only meet the SA minimum standards (which we don’t know). Then they pass DODMERB and they will be deemed 3Q.
PNOM + 3Q = Appointment
Unless as mentioned above that the candidate was turned down for one of the unknown factors which are also weighted on the offer of Appointment
Often times candidates never really know if they are 3Q. One can compare their “stats” to the published class averages to get an idea where they stand since minimum scores are not published.

 

[Aggiemom]

The turn down of a fully qualified candidate with a Principal Nomination to USAFA would seem it can only boil down to a few of the unknowns. The LORs did not reflect well, the essay wasn’t received well or the interview was disqualifying.
There isn’t much else to factor. It’s unfortunate, but the otherwise fully qualified candidate with a PNOM to USAFA must be appointed by law. A candidate with a PNOM is NOT competing with anyone else. Their scores academically and physically must only meet the SA minimum standards (which we don’t know). Then they pass DODMERB and they will be deemed 3Q.
PNOM + 3Q = Appointment
Unless as mentioned above that the candidate was turned down for one of the unknown factors which are also weighted on the offer of Appointment
Often times candidates never really know if they are 3Q. One can compare their “stats” to the published class averages to get an idea where they stand since minimum scores are not published.

You bring up good points, which make us wonder if DS should reach out the academy and question where he fell short. I know we are his parents, and think he’s fabulous! But from what we knew he was a great well rounded candidate. And met the minimums. His LORs from teachers we did not see but I can not imagine they were not very much in his favor. They are teachers that know and love him and were thrilled for him to do this. I know there are so many parts. But honestly your post makes me question if someone may have made a mistake with his principal nomination. Yesterday I was ready to move on but today I’m questioning if that has been handled correctly.

 

[Frog97]

Good evening! I took the day off to process the TD with DS today. We really do not know where he fell short. Was he 3q? How would we really know? When his MOC called with his nomination, he told him “ he was so excited to have a fully qualified candidate from our area”. That’s really all we had to go by. He passed CFA, he was cleared medically, and was top 3 percent of class. Lots of leadership roles. President of NHS, varsity baseball captain, golf captain, drumline captain…. The list goes on. I think if I were guessing based on other TD I’ve seen with near perfect ACT and SAT scores… that’s where he fell short. I would initially have thought he would get a prep offer but it has become clear that amazing candidates with no academic shortcomings have been offered those spots. That is not what we’re told about how that worked. Neither here nor there.

The bottom line is our DS had an excellent resume, and many others had more. And we are very honored to have been part of this amazing group of candidates. To all who got an appointment, many congratulations! There is something to learn from everything, and our DS will learn many valuable lessons from this rejection no matter the sting. I truly wish all the incoming Class of 2028 all the best!

I am so sorry for the heartbreaking news for you and your family. This process is grueling and this end result is hard to walk. I'm glad you were able to take time with your son as y'all process.

When and if he's ready, have him reach out to the admissions team to find out where they disqualified him. As a principle nom, they had to look at something and decide it wasn't up to the standard this year and it I'd think it had to borderline if they waited this long to tell him. It doesn't change anything but it can add closure. Our oldest applied to the USAFA and USMA his senior year. He was the principle nom for USMA and was rejected in Feb of that cycle. He reached out to admissions to find out what dq'ed him and for West Point it was his CFA scores more specifically his videos he had to submit. They encouraged him to improve his CFA and try again. It at least helped have closure to that door in my son's journey for sure. Rejection in all forms SUCKS! Knowing reasons behind it helps.

It definitely seems that the "talk" of being a more competitive year than the last few year's might actually be true based on the trends seen here in the forum. I can't wait to see the total number of applications that were opened this year and the class stats when it is published. It just will be interesting to see from all the academies actually. Our youngest applied to USAFA and USMA this year. He is a lucky one with an appointment to USAFA and is currently still waiting to hear from USMA. He is clearly on the B plan list at USMA (he actually received a call from admissions last week with questions asking about his interest still in USMA). We have only been told we will hear something May 1. Why is any candidate "good enough" for one SA and not for another? The answer is so complicated because the process is beyond complicated. Nothing and I mean nothing about this process is straight forward. Our extended family and friends are in constant awe and remain completely perplexed by the admissions journey we have faced. We have two boys that we have walked through the admissions journey with both having applied to USAFA and USMA and their journeys are as different as they are. There just are no explanations for some of what we experience in the SA admissions process and a very select few understand it. That's what makes the forums such a good place to come express what you are going through. It helps you know you truly aren't alone.

Wishing your sweet son and family the best in his next journey. TAMU is an awesome place with awesome people. And if he decides to re-apply he can do that too. I have no doubt he has great things awaiting him.

 

[Aggiemom]

Very interesting info. This whole process is a roller coaster ride I’m just beginning. It’s almost like a “yes” may not really mean a yes and a “no” sometimes changes to a yes. I’m sure the selection process is insane for the Academies. Can I ask how competitive your district is? Do you know how many candidates he went against? Thank you

I honestly do not know but it’s a very large district. And I have no idea how many candidates he was up against. Again, all I know is our MOC was very excited when he called and told him he was giving him his principal nomination. We were and are honored. My DS prayed to be led down the right path, maybe USAFA was just not his path.

 

[Aggiemom]

I am so sorry for the heartbreaking news for you and your family. This process is grueling and this end result is hard to walk. I'm glad you were able to take time with your son as y'all process.

When and if he's ready, have him reach out to the admissions team to find out where they disqualified him. As a principle nom, they had to look at something and decide it wasn't up to the standard this year and it I'd think it had to borderline if they waited this long to tell him. It doesn't change anything but it can add closure. Our oldest applied to the USAFA and USMA his senior year. He was the principle nom for USMA and was rejected in Feb of that cycle. He reached out to admissions to find out what dq'ed him and for West Point it was his CFA scores more specifically his videos he had to submit. They encouraged him to improve his CFA and try again. It at least helped have closure to that door in my son's journey for sure. Rejection in all forms SUCKS! Knowing reasons behind it helps.

It definitely seems that the "talk" of being a more competitive year than the last few year's might actually be true based on the trends seen here in the forum. I can't wait to see the total number of applications that were opened this year and the class stats when it is published. It just will be interesting to see from all the academies actually. Our youngest applied to USAFA and USMA this year. He is a lucky one with an appointment to USAFA and is currently still waiting to hear from USMA. He is clearly on the B plan list at USMA (he actually received a call from admissions last week with questions asking about his interest still in USMA). We have only been told we will hear something May 1. Why is any candidate "good enough" for one SA and not for another? The answer is so complicated because the process is beyond complicated. Nothing and I mean nothing about this process is straight forward. Our extended family and friends are in constant awe and remain completely perplexed by the admissions journey we have faced. We have two boys that we have walked through the admissions journey with both having applied to USAFA and USMA and their journeys are as different as they are. There just are no explanations for some of what we experience in the SA admissions process and a very select few understand it. That's what makes the forums such a good place to come express what you are going through. It helps you know you truly aren't alone.

Wishing your sweet son and family the best in his next journey. TAMU is an awesome place with awesome people. And if he decides to re-apply he can do that too. I have no doubt he has great things awaiting him.

Thank you so much for your kind words! It is quite the journey!

 

[MountainCat]

When you reaching out to admissions regarding the reasons for TWE, do you contact Team Silver, Team Blue, etc., or some other contact?

 

[Aggiemom]

When you reaching out to admissions regarding the reasons for TWE, do you contact Team Silver, Team Blue, etc., or some other contact?

My DS reached out to team silver today. They responded, however it was the exact same generalized response that was on his TD and that I believe was sent to all TD’s. So I am not exactly sure if he should have reached out to someone else for more specific information regarding his application.

 

[Avenger2027]

My DS reached out to team silver today. They responded, however it was the exact same generalized response that was on his TD and that I believe was sent to all TD’s. So I am not exactly sure if he should have reached out to someone else for more specific information regarding his application.

Did you reach out to his ALO officer and/or mentor or the congressman that gave him the Principal nomination?

 

[Aggiemom]

Did you reach out to his ALO officer and/or mentor or the congressman that gave him the Principal nomination?

He has reached out to his congressman but no response yet. I’ll mention the ALO to him. Thank you!!