(Early) Advice to Prospective c/o 2024

I’m going to bump this post as the prospective class of 2024 works on their applications. Feel free to message me with any questions about applications unanswered here (I’ll answer with what I can remember), Beast, or the start of Plebe year.

Know that nothing you did before R-Day matters at all once you get here: whether you had an LOA or not, whether it took you one try or four to get here, or whether you were prep or not. I’d say the only exception is if you’re prior service—but that depends on some factors too.

I’ll do my best to get back to you—plebe life, however, is quite busy.
 
Hello,

Congratulations on your LOA and thanks for the awesome advice! My family doesn’t really have the financial stability to drive to admission events and I live in a rural town, so I don’t expect an event to be near me any time soon. Are there any other ways to get my name recognized by my regional commander and show my passion?
 
@FaiM13 - I'll chime in what a possible answer for you. Find out who is the Field Force Rep in your area and reach out to that person. That person will be able to give you specific guidance.
 
bookreader said:
@FaiM13 - I'll chime in what a possible answer for you. Find out who is the Field Force Rep in your area and reach out to that person. That person will be able to give you specific guidance.
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Are there certain questions I should be asking? I already asked my FFR what I can do to be more competitive and he gave me a pretty generic answer, not unique to my file. However, I have barely emailed my RC and I was thinking that is who I should be talking to, but I’m unsure of what to say. As of right now I am not confused about anything relating to my application, I’m just trying to get it done.
 
FaiM13 said:
Are there certain questions I should be asking? I already asked my FFR what I can do to be more competitive and he gave me a pretty generic answer, not unique to my file. However, I have barely emailed my RC and I was thinking that is who I should be talking to, but I’m unsure of what to say. As of right now I am not confused about anything relating to my application, I’m just trying to get it done.
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I'd schedule a meeting with your Field Force Representative to sit down and go over your profile in person. Depending on their schedule they may or may not be able to do this, but I had success with it when I was first going into the application process.

With your Regional Commander, you could ask what pillar of admissions you are weakest in so you could have something to specifically work for that you know they want. You don't need to meet them in person to show initiative; going out of your way to do anything demonstrates some extra drive and desire to get an appointment.

I also live in a pretty random area where not many candidates apply, and an admissions event popped up about 15 minutes from me completely unexpectedly. Keep an eye out
 
prospective2019 said:
FaiM13 said:
Are there certain questions I should be asking? I already asked my FFR what I can do to be more competitive and he gave me a pretty generic answer, not unique to my file. However, I have barely emailed my RC and I was thinking that is who I should be talking to, but I’m unsure of what to say. As of right now I am not confused about anything relating to my application, I’m just trying to get it done.
Click to expand...

I'd schedule a meeting with your Field Force Representative to sit down and go over your profile in person. Depending on their schedule they may or may not be able to do this, but I had success with it when I was first going into the application process.

With your Regional Commander, you could ask what pillar of admissions you are weakest in so you could have something to specifically work for that you know they want. You don't need to meet them in person to show initiative; going out of your way to do anything demonstrates some extra drive and desire to get an appointment.

I also live in a pretty random area where not many candidates apply, and an admissions event popped up about 15 minutes from me completely unexpectedly. Keep an eye out
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I had not thought of those options honestly. Thank you for the advice!
 
After reading propective2019 post, I looked up Admissions events for USMA. Email the contact as there was no event within 5 hours driving distance. The officer replied that he will be in area visiting schools. Will go and meet the officer along with my DD
 
What is a FFR ( field rep) ? Is this person sort of admissions team at the SA?
 
Ok, Did some googling and found FFR are not part of Admissions team but may interview potential candidates.

So at what point should FFR be engaged? My DD is in junior and will be eligible to apply March 2020 for class of 2025.
 
txfwindian said:
Ok, Did some googling and found FFR are not part of Admissions team but may interview potential candidates.

So at what point should FFR be engaged? My DD is in junior and will be eligible to apply March 2020 for class of 2025.
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My DD applied to SLE as soon as the app became available in Jan of her junior year. I think it was within a month or so after that her FFR made first contact with her.

There are probably some justifications to reach out sooner. My DD and her FFR developed a good relationship throughout the process. He was very responsive.

Again, she rolled with the process and didn’t really feel the need to jump the gun on anything.
 
GoCubbies said:
My DD applied to SLE as soon as the app became available in Jan of her junior year. I think it was within a month or so after that her FFR made first contact with her.

There are probably some justifications to reach out sooner. My DD and her FFR developed a good relationship throughout the process. He was very responsive.

Again, she rolled with the process and didn’t really feel the need to jump the gun on anything.
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Thanks a bunch for sharing the info.
 
Hello, new here and I've been reading through your thread and appreciate all the good advice. Is it beneficial to go to an admission event if it is not in your district (There is one near me coming up)? I don't know what all they entail and would greatly appreciate feedback!
 
Absolutely if you want information. I’ve attended 3 with my kids, and learned something new every time.
 
I second that.. even if the information is known to you, you will make some connections, do some networking. We went to one event and ended up networking with a JROTC director for the region who is going to help DD with some events she can be part of even though JROTC is not offered in her school.
 
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