Committing to an Academy…Last Minute Offers?

[billthegoat2026]

I realize that the academies occasionally waitlist an applicant, only to offer them an appointment last minute. What happens if you commit to one academy, but you get an offer from another academy afterward? Would it be frowned upon to “un-commit” from the first academy in order to pursue attendance at the second?

Annapolis is my first choice, but I applied to West Point and AF. My fear is that I’ll end up in the above situation, where I commit to one academy by the 1 May deadline, only to get an offer from the USNA soon afterward.

West Point closed my application, but I have yet to hear from Navy and Air Force.


P.s.
This is my first inquiry/thread. Please forgive me if I posted my question in the wrong (or an awkward) manner.

 

[Capt MJ]

I realize that the academies occasionally waitlist an applicant, only to offer them an appointment last minute. What happens if you commit to one academy, but you get an offer from another academy afterward? Would it be frowned upon to “un-commit” from the first academy in order to pursue attendance at the second?

Annapolis is my first choice, but I applied to West Point and AF. My fear is that I’ll end up in the above situation, where I commit to one academy by the 1 May deadline, only to get an offer from the USNA soon afterward.

West Point closed my application, but I have yet to hear from Navy and Air Force.


P.s.
This is my first inquiry/thread. Please forgive me if I posted my question in the wrong (or an awkward) manner.

You can change your mind without penalty. The SAs want you to go where you find your best fit.

They offer more appointments than they expect will get accepted, relying on decades of experience with declinations and changed minds. They will get the yield they want.

Focus on what you can control, tend alternate plans, calm yourself down with plenty of PT and SEAL box breathing.

And your post was fine.

Good luck!

 

[billthegoat2026]

You can change your mind without penalty. The SAs want you to go where you find yourself best fit.

They offer more appointments than they expect will get accepted, relying on decades of experience with declinations and changed minds. They will get the yield they want.

Focus on what you can control, tend alternate plans, calm yourself down with plenty of PT and SEAL box breathing.

And tour post was fine.

Good luck!

Thank you!

 

[justdoit19]

And a side note….make sure you have solid back up plans you are working on now, should no appointment come. Just spoke with a student this weekend who is still waiting and has no plan B!

Good luck!!

 

[billthegoat2026]

And a side note….make sure you have solid back up plans you are working on now, should no appointment come. Just spoke with a student this weekend who is still waiting and has no plan B!

Good luck!!

My alternative plan is to attend community college for a year and try again for the class of ‘27. I’m already enrolled in the cc system having done a few classes there during high school.

 

[IronmanDaremo]

If it does fall to that, make sure you are taking as similar a course load to what the Plebes take as you can, and try to demonstrate as many leadership opportunities as possible. Re-take any tests that make sense (SAT/ACT) to improve if that was a shortcoming with proper preparation.

There is a whole sticky thread on re-applying, and a lot of people that have experienced that journey here. Listen to their advice.

 

[usna1985]

CC is a fine alternative is that is what you / your family can financially afford. However, if there is an option for a 4-year college, that is the preference for USNA. There are quite a few state schools in each state where tuition isn't super high (relatively speaking) and some that accept late applications. You might look into that as a Plan B.