C/O 2019 Mailbox Stalkers

NAVYHOPEFUL2019 said:
Good luck dznavy19 with GT. We won't hear from Penn until March 31st. My fear is my DS will be denied admission there even though he has the 4 year NROTC scholarship because its an Ivy and all the applicants are well qualified. But he really loves Penn so we are opting not to try to transfer it just yet because his NROTC advisor told him he could lose his spot at Penn should they find another unit. Ugh..the pressure is mounting. Should he contact Penn ? Doesnt the unit already know about his scholarship? He is accepted at two other schools, Pitt and VA Tech... Waiting on 5 including USNA, Penn, Nova, Cornell and UVA.
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After finding out about my ROTC scholarship at tech, I immediately called and scheduled a visit. They said they were aware and could see things such as my ACT scores and GPA. there's not much they can do for regular admission but they can help with waitlists. It can't hurt to call the unit commander and explain your situation. Good luck!
 
I also just got accepted to my first-choice backup (second choice overall) school! RPI! Still waiting on any sort of word about the NROTCMO scholarship, though. Fingers crossed! That makes my total acceptances 4 (VT, RIT, RPI, UPitt) and my WLs 1 (Georgia Tech). This is huge for me; I'll be the first in my family to go to college. I never thought I could get accepted anywhere until it actually happened!! Hopefully I'll continue to hear good news; some good news from USNA would be nice :D
Congratulations to all those who are also seeing various acceptances roll in!!
 
Angie9715 said:
I also just got accepted to my first-choice backup (second choice overall) school! RPI! Still waiting on any sort of word about the NROTCMO scholarship, though. Fingers crossed! That makes my total acceptances 4 (VT, RIT, RPI, UPitt) and my WLs 1 (Georgia Tech). This is huge for me; I'll be the first in my family to go to college. I never thought I could get accepted anywhere until it actually happened!! Hopefully I'll continue to hear good news; some good news from USNA would be nice :D
Congratulations to all those who are also seeing various acceptances roll in!!
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That's an excellent list of acceptances. Congrats to you! Your earlier post regarding your varying levels of confidence---up one day, very down the next--was spot on.

I usually don't actually get a chance to stalk the mail-person. DW typically texts me "no mail". Of course there are bilks, fliers, pizza coupons, magazines, catalogues. But we know what that means. It means one more day without a TWE and still in the hunt!!
 
Beat Army!!! said:
Squad leader for Alpha 1 Company hence A1.
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I was at NASS and I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Anyway, going to NASS should help your chances slightly if your squad leader wrote you a good review. Mine interviewed us individually so she could learn more about us before writing her report. But, since more than 3,000 candidates attend NASS and most go on to complete their application, obviously not everyone can get in.
 
AJ, you may want to create a screen name when you post to forums.

As for committment, who can tell what the future holds for anyone admitted. There are those whose "dream" has been to attend an academy and once they get there, realize that it is nothing like they thought it would be and drop. Or that military life is not for them and drop. SA is nothing like ROTC from what others have posted and still people drop. Someone else posted far better than I can that if the "dream" is to attend an academy and that is the goal, then life there may be miserable. The Academies are a tool or pathway to a bigger goal...just like Harvard or XStateU is a pathway...

Anyone that has completed the application process has shown committment and the fact that someone re-applys or does ROTC does as well. Does that mean it's more or less of a committment? What about the kids that turn down an Ivy for an academy, that shows committment. From what I've read here and other places, the academies do like reapplicants and a number of them do end up with appointments-proabably because it shows them determination.

I get what you are saying, I just down think there can be a "box" to check as there are way too many variables that go into the whole thing.
 
I recognize that the waiting game is anxiety provoking and have a lot of empathy for all those stalking the mail box - especially for the second or third time! Keep in mind that admissions does know who is a re-applicant and will be able to highlight what has changed over the year (or several years) of an applicant's quest for an appointment. The degree of 'commitment' is highly subjective and can be partially understood through BGO interview, recommendations and personal statements. A person's commitment prior to I-Day, however, doesn't necessarily translate to that person making it to graduation from USNA. Priorities and goals can change. I would also be careful about criticizing those who choose to separate from USNA - the dream and the reality may not be the same, especially when you are a plebe during the dark ages, lacking sleep, suffering from some random bug, struggling in academics, etc. Attrition from I-day to Commissioning has been falling a ton and, from what I remember being told in the parent's brief on I-day, is trending toward <10%. Just further emphasis on how initiatives to get the right candidates in from the admissions side and to retain them once there are playing out in the numbers.

In closing, I wish you the best of luck and hope that you do get positive news.
 
Aaron Jorgensen said:
While still waiting on notice from the academy, what irks me is the fact that it seems no consideration is given to commitment. I know for certain there are going to be a number of candidates appointed who will drop within the first couple years (our freshman class attrition rate in my ROTC program was about 50% within the first semester), and while my appointment is still up in the air I feel as though those of us who perhaps applied last year and got turned down, or simply decided to do ROTC and later decided our dream was to attend the academy should have some sort of commitment box checked with the admissions board. Something along the lines of "Hey, I am a candidate almost guaranteed to stay in, because I've already shown this is what I want to do" ... or am I just crazy.
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There are some who leave. USNA factors this into their equation when selecting class size. As attrition has dropped over the last decade, the classes have actually gotten smaller. I think this is because of the mass amounts of information that exist with the Internet, better out reach to candidates and admissions/BGO evals. Candidates are much better informed than they were pre-Internet. If there was zero attrition, then there would be less appointed. When I went through USNA, our attrition for 4 years was around 25%. I believe this number is lower now. As you spend more time at USNA, folks tend to be forced to leave vice wanting to leave. I don't think you can compare ROTC in reality. Leaving when one is not on scholarship the first semester is not that rare from what I have seen at units. BGOs are looking for commitment, they look at the candidate for many things to include this. Also, there are no guarantees. Just because you think you are committed doesn't mean other candidates are not. If you are referencing that you are "guaranteed to stay in" on active duty that is another story.
 
Unfortunately, there is no way to predict who will stick it out. Those who drop in most cases were as committed or more committed on I-Day than those who stay. And, the fact someone did JNROTC or some other military-type thing doesn't mean they are more likely to stick it out than someone who is the first person in his/her family to be in the military. In an ideal world, your idea would be great; but in reality, there is no viable way to measure long-term commitment.
 
To all that graciously replied to my, what can best be labeled a rant. Thank you, your opinions are all valid in their reasoning. Please do not assume that I saw commitment as a guarantee for admission, nor was I doubting the commitment of any other applicants. I was simply wishing it was a factor that could be more accurately assessed and perhaps one that could way a little more heavily into the process than it appears to now, in my opinion. In conclusion, please do not form the opinion that I belive my self any more motivated than another candidate I have yet to personally meet, nor that I see my commitment greater than others in my situation. I wish all the best in their admissions process and hope to see all that have yet to hear back at the academy. Aditionally, I must say, somewhat ruefully, that I've learnt my lesson and will now allow at least a few hours to pass before posting after a particularly rigorous morning PT session.
 
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Rants are fine, sometimes better to just say that. There is no perfect way to measure commitment. BGOs do the best they can by trying to talk with get to know candidates. I am not a BGO, but do help out at Q&As, meet and greets and other events we have around. Often times candidates will say the darndest things when they don't know that most of us at those events all know who the BGOs are and talk with them. You would be surprised who walks away from USNA or other SAs, you can't predict it all. Plebe Summer my company lost none. We only lost one plebe year (he stayed the entire year). He had attended Penn State for a year (not ROTC) and decided to go back. I ran detail one year for Plebe Summer, we had 42 plebes. Lost 2, one high school kid and a prior enlisted Marine that year. No one would of expected the Marine to leave. The other kid was doing well, but his brother hit it big as a musician and he decided to follow him around. My class year at USNA shot gunned after plebe year and we lost 4 total from my class my last 3 years at USNA. 1 who did not sign 2/7 (went on to Columbia to graduate), 1 thrown out for academics, 1 thrown out for honor and the other was eventually tossed for academics the week of graduation (there is a crazy long story on that one that involves a girl and other chaos, but he is an E-6 in the Navy today). The one who voluntarily left just knew the military wasn't for him. He really struggled with his decision. The same goes for the fleet. Those who think they will stay 20, will leave at 5. Others will stay 30 and you wonder, wow, never would of thought that! Our Valedictorian at USNA washed out of BUDS quickly, our Anchor Man is still in and going to take Command. Bottom line is, things change, life changes, people change. They allow 2 years at USNA to walk away from to allow a year away from Plebe Year to really evaluate if the military is right for someone. Very few at this point of the admissions process, don't want it badly.
 
As the days go by, I become more and more envious of all my friends who have known exactly where they'll be going since early January.

Honestly, I wouldn't be too sad if I had to attend a civilian school before (hopefully) going to an academy. I think the life experience, and giving Calc' 2 and physics/chem the chance to kick my butt would do me good. Just give me whatever I have coming!
 
MJP said:
DS is in same boat(plane) for USAFA...no nom but no turndown yet either...he thinks just a matter of time. I'm more optimistic.
Waiting and hoping for BFE here.
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I feel as if this is my week to go... however i am still trying to cling on to the possibility of prep school
 
Yeah, thought there was going to be some type of wave today. Came home and checked the box. Junk as usual. Maybe Friday will be the big day. Best of luck to y'all and keep stalking those boxes!
 
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