Class of 2016-Mailbox Stalkers Club

2

2bornot2b

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2012
Messages
492
I know it's early and I hope I don't get accused of being a "helicopter" parent, but I thought that it would be fun to start this thread so all of us anxiously waiting for the BFE to arrive could share/vent/stalk, etc. The waiting is excruciating and I feel like it helps to know that you are not the only one.
 
Thanks for starting this thread 2bornot2b. I am here right along side of you, stalking the mailbox daily.
 
Appointment

They are starting to come out. I received my notification of appointment on Thursday. It shouldn't be too long until y'all find out.
 
Appointments are starting to come out already, even though we all know that March is the main time frame. The Recruited Athletes, for obvious reasons, typically get early appointments, and those with Principal Nominations that are otherwise qualified. I have seen others announce receipt of either a call from their MOC or the actual BFE, who are neither Recruited Athletes, nor have Principal Nominations, and I assume these are the "no-brainer" selections, meaning they are obviously highly qualified (4.0 unweighted, 1400+ on SATs, varsity letter(s), top of class, maxed out CFA, clean DoDMERB, tons of EC exhibiting leadership potential, etc.), i.e. they would have had Principal Nominations if that is the way their MOC operated. It will be helpful to have intel on the type of appointments coming out, if for no other reason than "not knowing what is happening" makes the waiting that much more painful.
 
2bornot2b said:
I know it's early and I hope I don't get accused of being a "helicopter" parent, but I thought that it would be fun to start this thread so all of us anxiously waiting for the BFE to arrive could share/vent/stalk, etc. The waiting is excruciating and I feel like it helps to know that you are not the only one.
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Excellent! Last year this group was unreal, met tons of parents from around the U.S.. Good luck to 2016!
 
jmcdon04, Congratulations!!! were you a Recruited Athlete? Principal Nomination?
 
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One thing that the stalkers this year need to understand is that it is likely going to be very slow going. Last year it was my understanding that USAFA sent out too many appointments, too soon, and it really made things difficult on the admissions committee when they started sending out the mass BFE's in March and April (If my memory serves me right, the goal for the Class of 2015 was 1120 and they ended up with 1118 new appointments, and about 19 turnbacks and international students. USAFA is apparently being more cautious this year with appointment offers since the class of 2016 is targeted for 1050 (70 less than the class of 2015).

So be pull up a chair and enjoy the view to the mailbox...
 
2bornot2b said:
Appointments are starting to come out already, even though we all know that March is the main time frame. The Recruited Athletes, for obvious reasons, typically get early appointments, and those with Principal Nominations that are otherwise qualified. I have seen others announce receipt of either a call from their MOC or the actual BFE, who are neither Recruited Athletes, nor have Principal Nominations, and I assume these are the "no-brainer" selections, meaning they are obviously highly qualified (4.0 unweighted, 1400+ on SATs, varsity letter(s), top of class, maxed out CFA, clean DoDMERB, tons of EC exhibiting leadership potential, etc.), i.e. they would have had Principal Nominations if that is the way their MOC operated. It will be helpful to have intel on the type of appointments coming out, if for no other reason than "not knowing what is happening" makes the waiting that much more painful.
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DS received his BFE Feb 7. He was qualified DoDMERB the end of Aug. His application was complete late Sept or early Oct. CFA was a spread of slightly above average, average to slightly below average. ACT Comp 32, (34 Eng Sci), (32 Reading Math). Eagle Scout two years ago. GPA 3.7. Rank 37/447. Lettered Cross Country, Marching Band (SAX). Nominations (Presidential, Principal Congressional CO-2) Principal used. Attended Summer Seminar. Maxed out ALO evaluation. He is going to need supplemental oxygen as he still hasn't come down.
 
Thank you, falconfamily! it is going to be a very tough couple of months. looks like.
 
2bornot2b said:
The waiting is excruciating and I feel like it helps to know that you are not the only one.
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I agree that starting this thread for the Class of 2016 was a great idea. Thanks 2bornot2b!

As DS is a Falcon Scholar, this is our second go around stalking the mailbox. And I am sure there are quite a few others on their second time as well. But whether it's the first, second, or third time through the process, it is great to be part of a supportive community.

I would like to encourage first timers that not getting an appointment last year was the best thing that could have happened to our DS. We didn't see it that way at the time. But in his own words after coming back from NWP he recognized that he "just wasn't ready". We now appreciate the wisdom of Admissions in sending DS for a year of focused preparation. From our perspective, the USAFA admissions process really does work . . .
 
USAF463 said:
DS received his BFE Feb 7. He was qualified DoDMERB the end of Aug. His application was complete late Sept or early Oct. CFA was a spread of slightly above average, average to slightly below average. ACT Comp 32, (34 Eng Sci), (32 Reading Math). Eagle Scout two years ago. GPA 3.7. Rank 37/447. Lettered Cross Country, Marching Band (SAX). Nominations (Presidential, Principal Congressional CO-2) Principal used. Attended Summer Seminar. Maxed out ALO evaluation. He is going to need supplemental oxygen as he still hasn't come down.
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Thank you so much for posting! this is exactly the type of information that is very useful. Congratulations to your DS! I hope I do not offend by saying that IMHO he is a classic "no-brainer" appointment, so I am not surprised he got an early appointment.
 
FANTASTIC idea to get this up and running for the new class! It was a great source of information and friendship during our time. Remember there are always other options to meeting your goals if you don't get it this time around. Our son took his scholarship and went the ROTC route. Our daughter ended up turning down her Air Force scholarship and changed her major to Biomed Eng. and has "walked" on to her university's crew team. As you sit and watch your mailboxes just know that us "old timers" are here praying for your sons and daughters and all their dreams coming true.:thumb:
 
I am super anxious/nervous as my mail will probably take an extra two weeks to get to me since I live overseas. But at least I have someone stateside who is 'stalking' for me! Also, I'm nervous because I was told that I am a recruited athlete but have not heard back from the coach about my status.... :confused:
 
Another "old" parent dropping in to wish everyone the best of luck! Hard not to join the thread after two years running - oldest son is 2014 (and very happy) at USAFA so I'll be glad to answer any questions anyone has that I can help with. Middle son did finally get the appointment late last March, but ended up turning it down for NROTC at MIT (just couldn't pass up that opportunity!) where he's 2015 and loving ROTC. My youngest son has actually done all his civilian college applications this year and got accepted at his top 4 schools, none of which were a SA and nothing including ROTC though. So we're actually at the point of doing visits and stalking Financial Aid decisions instead. :redface: Quite different this year. Good luck to everyone and I'll be watching with interest and hoping for the best.
 
Mailbox stalking is difficult here when the darn mailman doesn't arrive until after noon formation... Grrr...
But we'll stalk away! I've got a feeling us here at NMMI have a long wait still, but here's hoping they let us know sooner, not later. Good luck everyone else!
 
2bornot2b said:
jmcdon04, Congratulations!!! were you a Recruited Athlete? Principal Nomination?
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No, I wasn't a recruited athlete or a principle nomination. I just had a normal congressional nomination. I was very surprised when my congressman called me because I didn't expect to hear that soon, if at all.
 
jmcdon04 said:
No, I wasn't a recruited athlete or a principle nomination. I just had a normal congressional nomination. I was very surprised when my congressman called me because I didn't expect to hear that soon, if at all.
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Thank you for keeping us posted. Best wishes moving forward!
 
Just concurring with what Blackbird wrote...
Although not receiving an appointment on the first attempt left our DS extremely disappointed, he also felt that attending NWP as a Falcon Scholar was the best decision both he AND the USAFA admissions made! It made all the difference in his overall outlook and perspective. He is incredibly focused, fully prepared and completely ready for "plan B" (hopefully that includes a BFE)! So...
Utilizing these forums as a way to educate myself on the process and being able to share this experience with so many others has been such a blessing! Thanks 2bornot2b for starting this thread!
 
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