Help with process??

boris007

New Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2020
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1
Hi. Newbie here. Son in 11th grade just starting process to understand all of this.

Are there any consultants to help guide me/him through process? Our high school isn't very helpful.
 
Welcome to SAF..

- Did you get chance to read the admission requirements for the SA your kid is interested in? That would be great place to start if you have not started yet. Do keep in mind that admission process is different for each SA, but all have some common theme amongst the candidates. There are a lot of threads here on each topic.


- There are some SAF stickies for newbies, it’s good idea to go thru them as well.

- Summer seminar applications for USNA and USMA are open, so you may want to have your Son/daughter apply.

I guess this is just the right time to start looking into the academies.

SAF is a great resource, there are lot of contributors here who can provide high level guidance. I started the process of knowing more about academies for my DD last July, but have not come across any consultant(s) information. I think SAF contributors are great consultants and advisors, but the buck will stop at you. You can always ask questions without giving specifics.

Hope this helps.
 
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Welcome to the site. Most importantly is to review the admissions site of each service academy your son is considering. There is a wealth of information. The USNA one even provides a proposed timeline. Secondly, this forum has tons of info. Read the ‘stickies’ at the top of each forum as these are the standard items everyone should know and are repetitive. Third, review your MOC websites for timelines and their nom process. Fourth, if pursuing ROTC, review those websites. It’s alot, no doubt. With an 11th grader, I would review each service academies summer programs for rising seniors. Great opportunities for your son to get exposed to this life. Summer Seminar is USNA’s. Each SA has one. Reviewing all these sites and mapping out a timeline for all the requirements is also a great step. Any local area events for congressional days or any local out reach that a SA does are great opportunities. Follow the various SA admissions on social media. They often have some live chats. It’s overwhelming, but take it in chunks. Your som needs to drive this process and own it in the end. Good luck.
 
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Read all the info on the SA sites, this forum, tons of good intel in the stickies at the top of each thread. Also, see if your guidance office knows who your Field Force Officer (USMA) and Blue and Gold officer (USNA) are. Your kiddo could reach out.
Apply for Boys/Girls State, I believe apps are open now, amazing program!
Attend any forums you can, read your Member of Congress (MOC) pages, see what is required for an application.
 
Hi Boris,

You are in a good spot, lots of good advice and info here. In direct answer to your question: Yes, there are consultants in population centers who can help you ----------- a little. In 2016 on the recommendation of parents whose kids had gone on to college out of DD's team we engaged a consultant to help manage the whole college application/recruiting process. A very straight-up guy, he helped DD identify schools that were a fit for her and coached my DD on how to engage with coaches from introduction letters to calls to arranging visits.

When DD expressed an interest in the USNA he arranged an interview with a USAFA grad who had been active on NOM boards in the past to gain a sense of whether DD was a fit for an SA. When this guy, gave DD a thumbs-up as an "SA fit," it was full speed ahead on the visit/application process. Note: according to this consultant, he directs a bunch of kids away from the SA application process every year. DD did all the work in the rest of the process, but for DD it was helpful to have an informed opinion that DD was the kind of student they were looking for.

I don't think you can justify the cost of "a consultant" just to help with SA applications (there really isn't that much they can/should do). That said, I'm happy we hired the guy. He ordered DD thinking re: the options available to her and he helped DD identify what she really wanted from the next 4/9 years.

The best thing he did was to help DD "own the process". He pushed her to contact 20+coaches. He had her arrange in-person and phone interviews and demanded that she put in the time to develop her interview skills. By the time she walked into her USNA Nom Board, DD was very comfortable in an interview environment, AND she knew exactly what she wanted the Nom Board to know about her. The consultant also offered help with SAT and ACT preparation (DD didn't need this, but it sure helped out my other DD). Be very careful about choosing a consultant, many are just plain fake and many more are over-focused on Sports. The guy we used was recommended by people we knew who were happy with the Guys approach and results.

Of course, you gotta pay the guy. but if cash were an issue. I'd contact the USNA parents club in my area and see if my DS/DD could arrange to meet with some USNA Grads or current Mids. Lots of really good people in these groups who can vector you to local help/info.
 
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