Early Action Apps

[wstlzrd]

DS received the deferral letter today. He's understandably a little disappointed but he is also glad it wasn't a rejection. He plans to do what he needs to in order to stay in the race.

I'm sorry to hear that it wasn't an appointment this first time around. Did the deferral letter give specifics about what they would like to see for the next round?

 

[Long Island Sound]

I'm sorry to hear that it wasn't an appointment this first time around. Did the deferral letter give specifics about what they would like to see for the next round?

It stated:
"Your record will be reconsidered if you provide any of the following items by February 1, 2011:

• An official high school (or college) transcript that includes your final fall semester grades.
• New SAT Reasoning or ACT exam scores. Your high school (or college) can include these official scores on your updated transcript or you may send them to us directly from the College Board or ACT. Our institutional codes are 5807 and 0600, respectively.
• Additional letters of recommendation, awards or evidence of achievement and leadership you have received since the Early Action deadline."

 

[USNA1982BGO]

Just as the letter states, encourage him to continue to send in items that would make his packet stronger. Send in OFFICIAL (embossed) copies of both Quarter 1 and 2 grades. Any volunteer projects he may be involved with, sports and academic awards, etc. Have him keep in touch with the LT who is assigned to his district.
Once a candidate receives this dreaded deferral letter it can take the wind out of their sails (no pun intended). If USCGA really is their 1st choice, continue to encourage him to maintain contact. Have a good backup plan and if things don't fair well for this year he can reapply next year!
Though the next few months will be nail biters remember that there are cadets who have been selected off the alternate (deferral) pool. These candidates usually don't hear from the Academy until late April/early May (some have even had offers in early June). (our deferral candidate is now called LTJG!!)
Keep the faith, if this is his destiny...so it will be!

 

[swimmer27]

USNA1982BGO,

Thank you for those very encouraging words! As always, it is very much appreciated at this time to be reminded that an early action deferral is not the end of the journey; rather, the beginning of a new (and more stressful) one! Keep up the faith, guys, and keep on truckin' towards that BFE! All of you other candidates are in my thoughts and I hope the best for you all!

 

[Mom1315]

so, what was it?

Received a regular sized letter in the mail today for my son from admissions, which is probably not the best sign, but hopefully not total rejection yet. Don't think we will spring the news until after his first basketball game of the season tonight, though!

Still praying the envelope was a conditional appointment, let us know! If not, it is a deferral and it is the beginning of more waiting, but by no means the end of the road!!!! Keep the faith!

 

[Long Island Sound]

I'm sorry to hear that it wasn't an appointment this first time around. Did the deferral letter give specifics about what they would like to see for the next round?

Just as the letter states, encourage him to continue to send in items that would make his packet stronger. Send in OFFICIAL (embossed) copies of both Quarter 1 and 2 grades. Any volunteer projects he may be involved with, sports and academic awards, etc. Have him keep in touch with the LT who is assigned to his district.
Once a candidate receives this dreaded deferral letter it can take the wind out of their sails (no pun intended). If USCGA really is their 1st choice, continue to encourage him to maintain contact. Have a good backup plan and if things don't fair well for this year he can reapply next year!
Though the next few months will be nail biters remember that there are cadets who have been selected off the alternate (deferral) pool. These candidates usually don't hear from the Academy until late April/early May (some have even had offers in early June). (our deferral candidate is now called LTJG!!)
Keep the faith, if this is his destiny...so it will be!

Thanks! Prior to receiving the deferral letter, he made arrangements with his Guidance Officer to have his OFFICIAL Q1 grades forwarded to USCGA. He will do the same at the end of Q2.

Regarding leadership, his lacrosse coach resigned this semester, so he has voluntarily assumed MUCH of the leadership responsibilities as the varsity team captain. He works part time at a lacrosse store, so he made arrangements with one of the supply reps to create custom gloves for the team using his design. He was able to get them a 30% discount off the retail price. He got approval from the Athletic Director to present the idea to the team, and has already collected checks for 23 pairs of gloves. They will be custom made and delivered in February. The coaches of the JV/Freshman teams are now interested, and he will be coordinating the purchase for them as well in a second order. He arranges fun things for all of the boys to do together - they all meet just about every other Saturday year 'round for pancakes at a local diner, and they all line up at our house with their cars for a "cougar car wash" (their mascot) at least once a month. It's not a fundraiser, just a FUN raiser and team-building thing.

He said he will approach his current Physics, Pre-Calculus, and English teachers for letters of recommendation. At the time of the EA deadline, it really wouldn't have been prudent to use their recommendations, as they didn't have a lot of time to assess his academic/leadership ability. Since the EA1 deadline, he has made his mark in his current classes - for example, he got a 100 on his last 2 Physics tests, and he led a college-level English class discussion for an entire class period after which his teacher said his knowledge of the subject and ability to lead the discussion and steer his peers was the standard by which the other students should strive to achieve.

I am hopeful for him that by making the USCGA aware of things like this, it will help him better his chances to be appointed. He is actually excited to keep trying - it seems he has always performed his best when "under the gun", so maybe this will be just what the doctor ordered.

Don't look at the deferral as a problem, but merely an opportunity to help the USCGA better understand why YOU should be chosen!! I bet they want to know, "Is this Candidate REALLY serious about attending?" SHOW THEM YOU ARE!!!!!

 

[GemStateMom]

Still praying the envelope was a conditional appointment, let us know! If not, it is a deferral and it is the beginning of more waiting, but by no means the end of the road!!!! Keep the faith!

Thanks for your thoughts! It was a deferral, so we had a hugely disappointed DS this morning, even though he put on a brave face.

He will persevere, and do his best for another shot. Unfortunately he did not get selected to attend the summer camp (he received the dredded letter that even though he was highly qualified there were so many applicants....) but did fly out for Cadet for a Day and absolutely loved the campus and the environment. He does have backup plans, but they pale in comparison to his desire to attend the CGA.

Good luck to all those other DS and DD families in their pursuits!!

 

[USNA1982BGO]

Something I learned early in life, especially with yearly fitness reports is, no one's going to toot your horn but you!
LIS, have him send in that information about Lacrosse, that is an excellent example of a significant accomplishment and leadership skills.
Best of luck to him!