Everyone knows I'm the "Eternal Optimist". I always try and look at the bright side of things and find the positive. But there are two comments you made that the "Question BEGS to be asked". The first one was:
I know it was because of the essay he wrote and the interview.
Please tell me how you know this is the reason he was turned down. If you do know; because of something his ALO told him, that would be very valuable information for future applicants. If it's just a "Feeling" you have, that's understandable. I'm just curious if you do in fact know that the essay and interview is what prevented him from getting the appointment. Normally, rejection from an appointment is mainly speculation. Many of us, especially those who didn't get accepted, will speculate and try and narrow down why a person didn't get accepted. Your information could be a very valuable contribution.
Also; you said, concerning your daughter:
She has a GPA of 4.33. I wonder what reasons they will have for her?
Can I safely say that this is simply a comment made by disappointment? With 21 years of direct military involvement and another 10 years of indirect military/academy involvement, I can't really think of any conspiracy where certain applicants are summarily just rejected. Not if they are qualified. Obviously, the 2.8 gpa; 24act; etc... student might be; but not those who are qualified. If you believe you have reasons why your daughter might be rejected, that too could be valuable information. Yes, there are some applicants that might have a slight edge because of athletics or something similar, but that's usually in the positive direction. Not the rejection direction.
For all those who are reading this and are curious; I know that rejections are very difficult. Sometimes more on the parents than our children. Even with all the "Success" that my son and daughter have had, they have had their share of disappointments. Some very recently. And, as the eternal optimist, I have to believe that good comes from it. E.g. Other opportunities, builds character, teaches the person to persevere, etc... But we all go through it.
I've followed every single applicant that has consistently visited this forum. I am ecstatic for those who received appointments; and heart broken for those that were turned down. Most of those that did not receive the appointment, like your son, are fortunate to have so many exceptional options. Some like your son are going to Notre Dame. How exciting!!!! Of the class of 2013 applicants; here, other forums, and personally; I know of 8 individuals who are going to some very prestigious schools. You son is one of them. I also know some who were rejected from the academy who have been accepted and will be attending; Stanford; Brown; Princeton; UT Austin; and George Washington University; just to name a few.
So how in the world can someone be accepted to such prestigious schools and NOT get accepted to the Air Force Academy??? The truth is, of 10,000 applicants; 6500 are qualified. Of the 6500, 2800 are extremely qualified. Of the 1300-1400 who walk over the bridge on "I" day, and the 1300-1400 who don't; there is very little difference between them. Yes, there are some at the top of that 1400 list of appointees that were part of the "No Brainers" club. They received appointments and LOA's in October/November. They were going to get an appointment no matter what happened. They were in the top 2% of all applicants. But of the vast majority, there is very little difference between number 1000 and number 2800. Not that some weren't that good. On the contrary; ALL OF THEM WERE GOOD. But the truth is, you can't bring in 2800 applicants. Senators, representatives, president, vice president, ROTC, Medal of honor, prior enlistment, and ALL NOMINATIONS only get so many that they can nominate and only so many that can be appointed. That's the hard part of this. It's not that deserving people were denied and undeserving people were appointed. The undeserving would never have made it to the 2800 highly qualified. But only 1300-1400 can be appointed.
Some representatives and senators have 10 people that they want to give a nomination to. Some only have 2-3. Some have 30-40 but they can only give 10. Each MOC can only have 5 against their slot currently at the academy at any one time. That's basically 1 guarantee a year. "Hence why you hear about people trying to get that "PRINCIPLE NOMINATION" slot. That's the #1 slot and pretty much a guarantee. Same with all the other nominations and slots. There's only so many available and usually a lot more applying than slots.
So my recommendation for all those applying/re-applying is: Get your application done IMMEDIATELY. Get it completed 100% BEFORE July 30th. DON'T compete with others; make THEM COMPETE with YOU. Have the academy see your name immediately. Make them want to offer you an LOA. Then you get a slot as long as you get a nomination. Doesn't matter if you are #1 or #10. I know the feeling of disappointment. So does my son. No one is alone on this forum. We're a forum so we can help each other. USAFA84; if your daughter truly wants the academy, please encourage her to kick butt and do it quickly. You've been through this with your son. You know what is required. e.g. teachers, transcripts, medical, cfa, etc... She can have this all lined up prior to finishing her junior year of high school. This way, teachers and everyone else are lined up ahead of time. She can be 100% with the application by the end of July. As with everyone else here, please ask if there is anything I can do to help. There's a lot of people here who want to help. Just ask. Best of luck and congrats again to your son and Notre Dame. later.... mike....
