Email question from Admissions to candidate

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ORparentOf2

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My candidate is currently a University student. Today admissions emailed and asked her why she had no grades a couple terms and what she's been doing during the terms of no grades. My question is- does she have to give a reason or can she say the reason is private and that be enough? But at the same time explain what she has been doing during those terms? I'm also looking for insight about why Admissions has asked this. She has 2 noms so she impressed those interview panels. plus has the grades and test scores
Her transcript states she is taking a "personal education leave" meaning the University has grandfathered her curriculum for her major and granted her enrollment to continue taking courses there during leave.
Her concern about just saying it's private is that Admissions would think she's suicidal or something like that because so many college students have problems and drop out and then return to school etc She's calling Admissions person tomorrow, I'm just wondering if it's best to go ahead and state the reason
 
I would give the reason. They aren’t going to share it with anyone that doesn’t need to know.

Whatever the reason is - they need to know what it is to make an informed decision.

Secrecy I suspect would lead them to assuming something that could end her chances.
 
Well, it depends. If she wants to stay in the running for an Offer of Appointment, she probably needs to answer the question.

There are a lot of reasons that USNA would ask such a question, that may not have crossed your mind, or hers;
Was she was pregnant, gave birth, and now has a dependent?
Was she married?
Does she hold dual-citizenship with a country other than the U.S. and was conscripted there for military service?
Was she not a U.S. citizen until recently?

Just guessing at a few questions that have nothing to do with suicidal thoughts or drug/alcohol addiction.
 
I agree with A1Janitor's assessment. They want to know why there's a hole in that transcript and an answer that says "for private reasons" allows them to draw their own conclusions. That's not what you want this late in the game when decisions are being made.

(Also, the two noms and what the committee saw, have no bearing on this in any way. The extra nom provides another her with another lottery ticket for placement but won't come into play in this.)

It's a delicate situation to be sure and a balance between protecting her privacy and what they want/need to know to make a decision.
 
It's nothing medical, pregnancy etc. DodMERB qualified. I see what everyone is saying. She is planning to answer truthfully. It really is a private matter.
I don't expect the Admissions person to be prepared so I am very concerned how their response will affect my daughter.
 
ORparentOf2 said:
It's nothing medical, pregnancy etc. DodMERB qualified. I see what everyone is saying. She is planning to answer truthfully. It really is a private matter.
I don't expect the Admissions person to be prepared so I am very concerned how their response will affect my daughter.
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Good luck. I am sure the worst part is discussing the private matter.

I am pulling for her.
 
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USNA doesn't expect/like to see unexplained gaps in a college transcript. It's rare and naturally raises the question . . . where was she and why wasn't she in school? After all, you can't just leave USNA for a while, absent a medical reason. The response "it's private" is legally fine but probably isn't going to cut it with USNA. They want to be confident that, whatever caused her to leave college won't cause the same issues at USNA.

Agree with THParent that there are MANY reasons other than suicidal thoughts that could cause someone to leave school that might be troubling to USNA. She couldn't handle the stress of college (how will she handle USNA?). She had a bad breakup with her BF (that could happen again).

Conversely, some things might be understandable (or might not, depending on circumstances). For example, parent or sibling dying. Need to work because no one could pay for her college. Wanting to spend a year abroad becoming fluent in a language.

Also agree that what the MOC committees thought is irrelevant. They may not have noticed the gap in the transcript. They may not have cared. USNA does.

Your DD's reason is private -- no need to air it here. I'm just citing things USNA might have in the back of their minds if they don't know. If they know -- and the reason is "legit," no problems.
 
Please do not call a private matter a secret
A1Janitor said:
ORparentOf2 said:
It's nothing medical, pregnancy etc. DodMERB qualified. I see what everyone is saying. She is planning to answer truthfully. It really is a private matter.
I don't expect the Admissions person to be prepared so I am very concerned how their response will affect my daughter.
Click to expand...

Good luck. I am sure the worst part is telling the secret.

I am pulling for her.
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Thank you. Let's not call a private matter a secret.
 
I corrected it. I certainly meant no offense.

It is the language I use.

The definition of secret of course is “something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.”
 
A1Janitor said:
I corrected it. I certainly meant no offense.

It is the language I use.

The definition of secret of course is “something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.”
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You are free to use any word you like.

I just looked at my online dictionary app.

A synonym of “private” is “secret.”
 
GoCubbies said:
A1Janitor said:
I corrected it. I certainly meant no offense.

It is the language I use.

The definition of secret of course is “something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.”
Click to expand...

You are free to use any word you like.

I just looked at my online dictionary app.

A synonym of “private” is “secret.”
Click to expand...

Yeah, but there could be a negative connotation using the word secret. I didn’t mean it that way.
 
It’s sounds like they’re trying to extend some grace by asking for an explanation for the gap. They just as easily could have passed this application over for one without questions. It sounds like she is still in the running. What if they’re down to two candidates for this slate and it’s close? Maybe the other student had a similar gap but they were doing scientific research in Iceland, solo sailing, or a medical mission during a gap semester. The other applicant wrote an amazing essay about taking care of personal problems and personal growth through adversity? You may have 2 noms but lots of kids have noms that will walk away without an appointment. They are evaluating every applicant with a fine tooth comb.

Be happy and thankful that you’re still in the running and use this opportunity to stand out as the type of stand up kid that will make an amazing mid and Officer.
 
boatsfordays said:
It’s sounds like they’re trying to extend some grace by asking for an explanation for the gap. They just as easily could have passed this application over for one without questions. It sounds like she is still in the running. What if they’re down to two candidates for this slate and it’s close? Maybe the other student had a similar gap but they were doing scientific research in Iceland, solo sailing, or a medical mission during a gap semester. The other applicant wrote an amazing essay about taking care of personal problems and personal growth through adversity? You may have 2 noms but lots of kids have noms that will walk away without an appointment. They are evaluating every applicant with a fine tooth comb.

Be happy and thankful that you’re still in the running and use this opportunity to stand out as the type of stand up kid that will make an amazing mid and Officer.
Click to expand...

Good points. Absolutely. It was received as a good sign that she’s still in the running. She understands how selective they are. She watched her younger brother go through the process. He’s Cof2022.
She actually has accomplished many things outside the classroom during that time off so she can explain all that to the Admissions person to help her stand out. It’s almost like a mini elevator pitch opportunity. She’s got this. I’m not sure I do though. :/
 
ORparentOf2 said:
boatsfordays said:
It’s sounds like they’re trying to extend some grace by asking for an explanation for the gap. They just as easily could have passed this application over for one without questions. It sounds like she is still in the running. What if they’re down to two candidates for this slate and it’s close? Maybe the other student had a similar gap but they were doing scientific research in Iceland, solo sailing, or a medical mission during a gap semester. The other applicant wrote an amazing essay about taking care of personal problems and personal growth through adversity? You may have 2 noms but lots of kids have noms that will walk away without an appointment. They are evaluating every applicant with a fine tooth comb.

Be happy and thankful that you’re still in the running and use this opportunity to stand out as the type of stand up kid that will make an amazing mid and Officer.
Click to expand...

Good points. Absolutely. It was received as a good sign that she’s still in the running. She understands how selective they are. She watched her younger brother go through the process. He’s Cof2022.
She actually has accomplished many things outside the classroom during that time off so she can explain all that to the Admissions person to help her stand out. It’s almost like a mini elevator pitch opportunity. She’s got this. I’m not sure I do though. :/
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LOL my son checked his portal for the first time in a week. DS’s idiot father checked his DoDMERB portal every 5 minutes. For months.

Parents don’t “get” it. They can’t.
 
THParent said:
A1Janitor said:
...father checked his DoDMERB portal every 5 minutes. For months...
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I feel that the obvious question here is why are you checking anything online, regarding your DS' application?
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The checking online every five minutes was tongue in cheek. An exaggeration.

That being said ... my son asked me to check for him during school because he didn’t have access.

Don’t judge me. Or piss on my parade. My kid earned this. And his old man is proud.

Oh ... and I don’t care what you “feel”.
 
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A1Janitor said:
The checking online every five minutes was tongue in cheek. An exaggeration.

That being said ... my son asked me to check for him during school because he didn’t have access.

Don’t judge me. Or piss on my parade. My kid earned this. And his old man is proud.

Oh ... and I don’t care what you “feel”.
Click to expand...

I totally thought your “checking every 5 minutes “ was funny and a huge exaggeration far from reality.
That comment is way off point of my thread.
Enjoy your son’s accomplishments
 
A1Janitor said:
The checking online every five minutes was tongue in cheek. An exaggeration.
That being said ... my son asked me to check for him during school because he didn’t have access.
Don’t judge me. Or piss on my parade. My kid earned this. And his old man is proud.
Oh ... and I don’t care what you “feel”.
Click to expand...

Okie dokie.
 
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