College Reapplicant SOE

Pen987

New Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2021
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4
Good morning everyone,

Had a question that is recently stumping my application and I. I am a college reapplicant and have completed all of my file apparentally apart from my SOE (school official evaluation). On my side, I stated to my RC that I have completed my SOE as I have submitted a ROTC and English SOE as the reapplication document I received stated it could come from "math, english, science, or ROTC". Therefore, I am confused as to why my RC insists that I still need math, further saying that science and ROTC are only asked for if I didn't have a college math course. However, I also have fellow reapplicants say they didn't need to submit their math SOE despite them having math.

The reason I don't simply submit my math SOE is that I am in a large school with a calculus class of at least 200. Since ROTC and English had a much more manageable class size, I mainly focused on those two classes so that they could know more about my character and academics.

I'm mainly wondering if there is something I'm missing or any solutions people here have to this situation because this is the last part on my application and don't want a mediocre SOE coming from a teacher that might not even know my face. Thank you.
 
I am confused as to why my RC insists that I still need math, further saying that science and ROTC are only asked for if I didn't have a college math course.
I'm mainly wondering if there is something I'm missing or any solutions people here have to this situation because this is the last part on my application and don't want a mediocre SOE coming from a teacher that might not even know my face.
So let’s play out a scenario.

RC: “You need to submit an SOE from your math instructor.”

You: “No, because some stranger posted anonymously in an online forum that I don’t have to.”

That doesn’t go over well. Solve this directly with your RC. Bring up other scenarios and push back, if you like, but ultimately they’re the authority.

To potential college reapplicants contemplating an SOE: I teach at our flagship state university and each semester, I get an email from a former student asking for a recommendation letter for an internship or a scholarship. Almost always, I’ve had to say: “Why are you asking me for a reco when you did almost nothing to distinguish yourself from your classmates or to otherwise make yourself known to me?”

Perhaps the student did well in exams and assignments, but they never spoke up in class, never chatted with me afterward and never visited office hours. All that takes a minimum amount of time and effort. My biggest sections have 75 students, so trust me, when someone does any or all of the above with genuine intent and interest, they stick out in a very positive way. So don’t fall back on an excuse like “The class was too big for the professor to know me.”
 
So let’s play out a scenario.

RC: “You need to submit an SOE from your math instructor.”

You: “No, because some stranger posted anonymously in an online forum that I don’t have to.”

That doesn’t go over well. Solve this directly with your RC. Bring up other scenarios and push back, if you like, but ultimately they’re the authority.

To potential college reapplicants contemplating an SOE: I teach at our flagship state university and each semester, I get an email from a former student asking for a recommendation letter for an internship or a scholarship. Almost always, I’ve had to say: “Why are you asking me for a reco when you did almost nothing to distinguish yourself from your classmates or to otherwise make yourself known to me?”

Perhaps the student did well in exams and assignments, but they never spoke up in class, never chatted with me afterward and never visited office hours. All that takes a minimum amount of time and effort. My biggest sections have 75 students, so trust me, when someone does any or all of the above with genuine intent and interest, they stick out in a very positive way. So don’t fall back on an excuse like “The class was too big for the professor to know me.”
I forgot to mention in the above post that the person who sent me the reapplicant instructions was the regional technician of the admissions team in charge of my file so I was following the instructions listed on that file
 
There is the right way, the wrong way, and the Army way:
  • Right way - call your RC and explain that it is your understanding that a Math SOE is not required and you would prefer not to spend time and effort on something that is not necessary. However, you will get it if the RC insists.
  • Wrong way - ignore the request for the Math SOE since it is not required
  • Army way - follow the instruction and get the Math SOE
Best path if you intend to serve in the Army - follow the Army way and save yourself much frustration and wasted effort.

The SOE is a very simple form and does not require an instructor to know the candidate extremely well, as might be the case for a recommendation letter. There are only 12 questions with a dropdown selection of 1 - 5. A meeting with the instructor accompanied by a resume will help them complete the evaluation. One additional question that requires a written response is, "How would the candidate do in colleges in your area?" That should be very easy for your college instructor to answer. There is also a space for comments, which is optional.

Your grades, coursework, resume, and instructor meeting should provide ample material for completion of the SOE.
 
There is the right way, the wrong way, and the Army way:
  • Right way - call your RC and explain that it is your understanding that a Math SOE is not required and you would prefer not to spend time and effort on something that is not necessary. However, you will get it if the RC insists.
  • Wrong way - ignore the request for the Math SOE since it is not required
  • Army way - follow the instruction and get the Math SOE
Best path if you intend to serve in the Army - follow the Army way and save yourself much frustration and wasted effort.

The SOE is a very simple form and does not require an instructor to know the candidate extremely well, as might be the case for a recommendation letter. There are only 12 questions with a dropdown selection of 1 - 5. A meeting with the instructor accompanied by a resume will help them complete the evaluation. One additional question that requires a written response is, "How would the candidate do in colleges in your area?" That should be very easy for your college instructor to answer. There is also a space for comments, which is optional.

Your grades, coursework, resume, and instructor meeting should provide ample material for completion of the SOE.
Thank you for your response and guidance. I was thinking more along the lines of the “right way”, but understand also I should probably just get it done. I’ll go contact the teacher right now and hopefully get it done ASAP
 
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