Update from a MB Stalker Class of 2015
Hi everyone. I was right where you now this time last year. DS had applied to only two programs...USAFA and Virginia Tech Corp of Cadets/AFROTC. Unlike many on this forum who are very familiar with the application process, nomination process etc., we were totally in the dark. So much so that DS only applied for one nomination! However, he did receive a nom from that Congressman. This congressman selects a principal and then the other 9 are "alternates". This congressman also always selects a principal nom who is currently IN ROTC and a freshman in college. So DS only had a chance at being the prin nom if there were no current ROTC college freshmen in the mix. Of course that did not happen, and the prin nom was a college freshman, ROTC student. As DS had not applied for a nom from any other source, he was pretty much out of the running for a slot at USAFA. But we held out hope, until the day arrived that brought the QNV letter to our home. DS was disappointed to not have been selected but was VERY excited about his admission to VT and into the Aerospace Engineering program there. Then, a funny thing happened. We learned that the prin nom had been REJECTED by the USAFA on academic grounds. It seems that his first semester grades were WAY below par and he was out. So we thought "maybe" for DS. As luck would have it, there was one other candidate who received a nom from our Congressman who was ALSO a college freshman in ROTC, so that individual took the prin nom place of the disqualified prin nom. Oh well! However, DS was told that he was next in line and that if he reapplied his freshman year, as a member of the Corp and AFROTC, that there was a STRONG possibility that he would be the prin nom. And that became the plan for DS.
Well, a funny thing has happened. DS became infatuated with VT, the Corp and loves his AFROTC detachment at VT. He busted his butt, made the Commandants List for Academic Excellence taking 18 hours, was appointed to the AFROTC Community Liaison Committee and excelled in PT. He knew after a month or so that he would not be reapplying to the USAFA, even though his chances of being the prin nom were VERY high. Instead, he was put in the "rack and stack" nomination list by the AFROTC detachment for an in-college AFROTC scholarship. He just learned this week that he was selected by the USAFROTC HQ to receive a Type 2 AFROTC scholarship, which will cover him for the next three years...tuition, books and a monthly stipend.
When DS received the QNV letter, I will admit that I was WAY more upset than he. I thought "excellent SAT, Eagle Scout, numerous awards, a NASA Internship, etc.....are these people crazy?". However, as cliche as it sounds, things really DO happen for a reason. I know that DS is THRIVING in his current situation, and is enjoying the normalcy of a large, "normal" college situation while still being able to pursue his goal of serving his country and qualifying for Pilot.
I know that this is VERY long post, but I want to encourage the Stalker/Reapply Club to think about all of the wonderful options that exist outside of the academy. Our son chose not to pursue that path again, even with an "almost" guaranteed prin nom because he found his calling elsewhere.
I got through my range of emotions last year with the help of a very savvy member of this group, PIMA. What a blessing and voice of reason she was and I see still continues to be. I made a promise to her that I would return to this site this year and share my "story" so that others might benefit from our experience. I hope that I have honored that commitment. If anyone has any questions that I can answer, feel free to ask on this site or in a PM. I don't know a lot about the process of reapplying since DS did not choose that path, but I know a LOT about how embracing other options can and do turn out to be the best outcome. My final word of advice? LISTEN TO PIMA and heed her messages and advice. She knows of what she speaks. And good luck to all of you as you stalk, reapply or follow another path.
