FFR says it's over for me. Is it?

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captaincrunch

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I have followed this forum for a long time and it's been a great help. A little background.....I attended SLE last summer. Loved every minute of it and truly felt like I belonged there. I even won an award at SLE. I am 3Q at USMA with a senate nom and a congressional nom. SAT scores a tik below 1400, over 700 in math. 4.0 unweighted GPA. Many dual credit stem classes including calculus II. Boys State, Civil Air Patrol, leadership positions at school. Track, but no varsity letter. I have already been awarded a 4 year AROTC scholarship.

I contacted my FFR today. I have sent him several emails during this application process and this was the first time that he responded. He said that someone had been appointed, but is undecided from my congressional slate. The senate slate isn't decided yet. He said that USMA has my status as qualified, but he flat out told me that in his opinion I would not be appointed this year and that I should move on. It was shocking to hear. I come from a large state and I just assumed since I received a senate nom that my file had to be somewhat competitive. Is it really over for me this year already? Do I have no hope of coming off the NWL?
 
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captaincrunch said:
I have followed this forum for a long time and it's been a great help. A little background.....I attended SLE last summer. Loved every minute of it and truly felt like I belonged there. I even won an award at SLE. I am 3Q at USMA with a senate nom and a congressional nom. SAT scores a tik below 1400, over 700 in math. 4.0 unweighted GPA. Many dual credit stem classes including calculus II. Boys State, Civil Air Patrol, leadership positions at school. Track, but no varsity letter. I have already been awarded a 4 year AROTC scholarship.

I contacted my FFR today. I have sent him several emails during this application process and this was the first time that he responded. He said that someone had been appointed, but is undecided from my congressional slate. The senate slate isn't decided yet. He said that USMA has my status as qualified, but he flat out told me that in his opinion I would not be appointed this year and that I should move on. It was shocking to hear. I come from a large state and I just assumed since I received a senate nom that my file had to be somewhat competitive. Is it really over for me this year already? Do I have no hope of coming off the NWL?
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That is really harsh...it is not over until USMA Admissions tells you it is over. You have your head on straight--make those other awesome plans with your 4 year Army ROTC scholarship...and continue to play the waiting game. (Consider if you wish to re-apply next year from college--USMA loves a good reapplicant--yet perhaps you will go to your other school and love it!)

No one can tell you what is going to happen but you will know for sure by 1 May.
 
captaincrunch said:
I have followed this forum for a long time and it's been a great help. A little background.....I attended SLE last summer. Loved every minute of it and truly felt like I belonged there. I even won an award at SLE. I am 3Q at USMA with a senate nom and a congressional nom. SAT scores a tik below 1400, over 700 in math. 4.0 unweighted GPA. Many dual credit stem classes including calculus II. Boys State, Civil Air Patrol, leadership positions at school. Track, but no varsity letter. I have already been awarded a 4 year AROTC scholarship.

I contacted my FFR today. I have sent him several emails during this application process and this was the first time that he responded. He said that someone had been appointed, but is undecided from my congressional slate. The senate slate isn't decided yet. He said that USMA has my status as qualified, but he flat out told me that in his opinion I would not be appointed this year and that I should move on. It was shocking to hear. I come from a large state and I just assumed since I received a senate nom that my file had to be somewhat competitive. Is it really over for me this year already? Do I have no hope of coming off the NWL?
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Did you interview with this FFR? Did he share with you the rationale for saying that? Hang in there, I'm rooting for you!
 
I don't know what FFRs are instructed to say or not to say. For USNA BGOs are not supposed to give such a strong opinion as the OP states above. This is the job of Admissions.
 
captaincrunch said:
I have followed this forum for a long time and it's been a great help. A little background.....I attended SLE last summer. Loved every minute of it and truly felt like I belonged there. I even won an award at SLE. I am 3Q at USMA with a senate nom and a congressional nom. SAT scores a tik below 1400, over 700 in math. 4.0 unweighted GPA. Many dual credit stem classes including calculus II. Boys State, Civil Air Patrol, leadership positions at school. Track, but no varsity letter. I have already been awarded a 4 year AROTC scholarship.

I contacted my FFR today. I have sent him several emails during this application process and this was the first time that he responded. He said that someone had been appointed, but is undecided from my congressional slate. The senate slate isn't decided yet. He said that USMA has my status as qualified, but he flat out told me that in his opinion I would not be appointed this year and that I should move on. It was shocking to hear. I come from a large state and I just assumed since I received a senate nom that my file had to be somewhat competitive. Is it really over for me this year already? Do I have no hope of coming off the NWL?
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Persist and stay optimistic; your current achievements are commendable. Having witnessed the SLE award ceremony, I was impressed by the outstanding individuals on stage, and I understand the desire for you to be among them. Consider retaking the SAT or ACT to strengthen your application, especially if your state is highly competitive. There's still time before May 1st. West Point values perseverance, so view this as an opportunity to showcase your determination. Some candidates pursue West Point even after May, and reapplying or attending Prep school can enhance your chances. If West Point is your dream, keep pushing forward; you have the potential to make it. Don't give up. Some people got appointed in May. They have to rush to get all the paperwork done. Never give up—- from our Field officer.
 
captaincrunch said:
I have followed this forum for a long time and it's been a great help. A little background.....I attended SLE last summer. Loved every minute of it and truly felt like I belonged there. I even won an award at SLE. I am 3Q at USMA with a senate nom and a congressional nom. SAT scores a tik below 1400, over 700 in math. 4.0 unweighted GPA. Many dual credit stem classes including calculus II. Boys State, Civil Air Patrol, leadership positions at school. Track, but no varsity letter. I have already been awarded a 4 year AROTC scholarship.

I contacted my FFR today. I have sent him several emails during this application process and this was the first time that he responded. He said that someone had been appointed, but is undecided from my congressional slate. The senate slate isn't decided yet. He said that USMA has my status as qualified, but he flat out told me that in his opinion I would not be appointed this year and that I should move on. It was shocking to hear. I come from a large state and I just assumed since I received a senate nom that my file had to be somewhat competitive. Is it really over for me this year already? Do I have no hope of coming off the NWL?
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I'm in the same boat as you, almost to a tee with the award from SLE and MOC and Senate nom. I contacted my state rep and I was told my chances of getting off are "probably not good." I kept bugging her and she told me that she doesn't know where I am on the waitlist but she is going to get those details for me. If I were you I would continue to pursue WP and contact your state rep but continue to work on your back ups.
 
Your FFR is offering an opinion.

USMA will offer you a fact.

No, it’s not over until factually, it is.

Everyone is always advised to have a solid back up plan, or 3. Secure that, and wait for OFFICIAL word from USMA.

It’s hard, but put this in the back of your mind. Be present in your last semester, of your last year, of K-12 education. Senior year is special. Especially last semester of senior year.

My son was pulled from the waitlist for USNA in May. He had moved on to plan B. Bought spirit gear. Had a dorm and roommate. Planned furnishing his dorm. And then BOOM 🤯 a call.

It’s not over until official word that it is.
 
justdoit19 said:
Your FFR is offering an opinion.

USMA will offer you a fact.

No, it’s not over until factually, it is.

Everyone is always advised to have a solid back up plan, or 3. Secure that, and wait for OFFICIAL word from USMA.

It’s hard, but put this in the back of your mind. Be present in your last semester, of your last year, of K-12 education. Senior year is special. Especially last semester of senior year.

My son was pulled from the waitlist for USNA in May. He had moved on to plan B. Bought spirit gear. Had a dorm and roommate. Planned furnishing his dorm. And then BOOM 🤯 a call.

It’s not over until official word that it is.
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The 'wait list' at USNA is completely different from the NWL at USMA. So glad your son had a great plan.
 
There are many links on this in the USMA thread.
However, the USNA waiting list is just like a civilian university waiting list...other people are in the class, the wait listed people are waiting for someone to drop out.

At USMA, the National Waiting List is comprised of people who are 3Q with a Nom--and the class is built primarily from these applicants. These are not random people but rather people who are more likely to get into the class than not into the class. It is not that they were not selected and are the back up applicants, they are primary applicants. The NWL is exactly the best place to be while waiting for an appointment.
 
DrMom said:
The 'wait list' at USNA is completely different from the NWL at USMA. So glad your son had a great plan.
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I assume that’s understood (as this is a USMA forum). But also why I specified USNA. Thanks for the clarification! An important difference.

Not all from a USNA waitlist are ‘backup’ applicants.
 
It is very frustrating. My DS (class of 27) was in a similar situation with very similar credentials (CAP Spaatz, Boys State, NHS, Student Council, etc.) Just keep working you plan B's and it may still work out. We also had a conversation with his Regional Admissions Officer, and provided backup info to help his package (statements from CAP PJOC Commander, personal trainer on his physical capabilities.) DS also didn't have an athletic letter, even though he worked out and trained A LOT on his own. He started to accept that USMA wasnt going to come though, and was looking forward to Texas A&M on a AFROTC scholarship. It wasn't until late March that he receive an AOG Sponsored prep scholarship, and then a week after he accepted that, a full Admission. My point is, it can be a long road, full of twists and turns, and you just have to keep plugging away.

Fast forward to today, and he is in the top 10% of his class, and has received several Sup's award for fitness. So, a lack of athletic letter, and less than a 1500+ SAT do not always reflect how you will do at USMA. It comes down to grit and perseverance.
 
vipercrew said:
It is very frustrating. My DS (class of 27) was in a similar situation with very similar credentials (CAP Spaatz, Boys State, NHS, Student Council, etc.) Just keep working you plan B's and it may still work out. We also had a conversation with his Regional Admissions Officer, and provided backup info to help his package (statements from CAP PJOC Commander, personal trainer on his physical capabilities.) DS also didn't have an athletic letter, even though he worked out and trained A LOT on his own. He started to accept that USMA wasnt going to come though, and was looking forward to Texas A&M on a AFROTC scholarship. It wasn't until late March that he receive an AOG Sponsored prep scholarship, and then a week after he accepted that, a full Admission. My point is, it can be a long road, full of twists and turns, and you just have to keep plugging away.

Fast forward to today, and he is in the top 10% of his class, and has received several Sup's award for fitness. So, a lack of athletic letter, and less than a 1500+ SAT do not always reflect how you will do at USMA. It comes down to grit and perseverance.
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My DS is in a very similar situation. I am going to share your post with him. He has a great plan B lined up if it's needed. Thank you!
 
In my honest opinion, you're still not out of the game. You can probably still make it. Having someone appointed already in your slate is not over, there are 435 congressional districts in the United States but an appointed class makes up around 1100+ cadets.. So.. Where do the rest of the 600+ cadets come from? Many of those cadets come from districts that already have someone appointed in them and another nomination sources. It's not over until WP admissions says it is. Don't lose hope!
 
A FFR does not make final decisions for admission, so it is not over for you simply because he/she says so. As noted, you should have a solid backup plan. It appears you already have potential appointments/admission to USAFA and USNA, so you appear to be on the right path. Until you get an official rejection, you are still in the running.
 
1) You have a 4-year AROTC scholarship in your back pocket, so you are already way ahead of the game. Keep in mind that there are a lot of applicants who would willingly trade places with you because of that. (You haven't said, but where have you been accepted so far?)

2) None of us knows what intell your FFR may be sitting on, but it seems a bit extreme to me to tell someone with a senatorial nom from a large state that he has no chance at an appointment. If you were strong enough to get that nom, then even if you lose both your nom slates, I would think you would still definitely be competitive until the very end for an appointment from one of the noms that WP controls.

3) If you don't end up with an appointment (or AOG sponsorship, etc.), and you aren't happy with your college acceptances for the 4-year AROTC scholarship, then you might consider going to one of the SA prep schools like Marion, GMC, etc. From what I have see, Marion in particular has a strong track record with self-preps to WP.

You have a ton going for you. Don't lose sight of that no matter how WP breaks for you this go-around.
 
vipercrew said:
It is very frustrating. My DS (class of 27) was in a similar situation with very similar credentials (CAP Spaatz, Boys State, NHS, Student Council, etc.) Just keep working you plan B's and it may still work out. We also had a conversation with his Regional Admissions Officer, and provided backup info to help his package (statements from CAP PJOC Commander, personal trainer on his physical capabilities.) DS also didn't have an athletic letter, even though he worked out and trained A LOT on his own. He started to accept that USMA wasnt going to come though, and was looking forward to Texas A&M on a AFROTC scholarship. It wasn't until late March that he receive an AOG Sponsored prep scholarship, and then a week after he accepted that, a full Admission. My point is, it can be a long road, full of twists and turns, and you just have to keep plugging away.

Fast forward to today, and he is in the top 10% of his class, and has received several Sup's award for fitness. So, a lack of athletic letter, and less than a 1500+ SAT do not always reflect how you will do at USMA. It comes down to grit and perseverance.
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That's very helpful. Thanks
 
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