How DS Got Appointed for class of 2025 - A Profile, Stats, and Experiences of Just One of Many

2025USMAdad

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DISCLAIMER - These are just some stats and experiences about DS getting appointed for the class of 2025. Obviously, it is just "one" profile of many, but you can use it for data points if it helps. The danger of course is that in some cases it could discourage someone from applying, please don't be that guy/gal. Our son is just a normal kid, and had to work for this mostly on his own. The athletic, leadership, and scholarship profiles of these kids are amazing, and an ACT score and GPA does not define make/break you. I am writing this because if this is helpful in any way to hopeful candidates and overwhelmed parents, then I have contributed in some small way as a way of THANK YOU to AMAZING folks on this board who have contributed for YEARS. @Capt MJ , @MullenLE, looking squarely at both of you for unbelievable contributions. Neither of you or the others that have contributed have heard a peep from me, but me and DS have saved hours and hours of frustration and anxiety because we just read from the experience of those who came before. I am sure I am going to step in something by writing this, so I apologize in advance.

Some Background...

Son is 5' 7" about 125 pounds soaking wet. Has felt a "calling" to serve as an Army officer since he was a freshman in high school. Middle-class, public school. We took him to see the Air Force Academy (Mom and I tried), and West Point (Game Over) the summer before his junior year. We have NO military background other than grandparents WWII, etc. Entering his Junior year he was FOCUSED on going to USMA, with his backup plan going to ROTC at his next favorite school (a private University in-state).

The summer before his Junior year started, he dislocated his elbow in a club soccer tournament playing with an older age group (yes, this one comes back later in the story), but he was able to completely rehab it with no surgery and made it in time to play uninhibited for the last to two games of that fall season.

Eagle Scout - Became an Eagle Scout in Sophmore year, Leadership as Senior Patrol Leader, did a really cool project (going through that exercise as a leader by himself probably contributed more to him getting through the USMA application process than anything else he has ever done).

Grades - He carried a 4.0 through high school, normal AP Classes.

Class Rank - Tied with some other students for 1st in class.

Sports - High school is biggest in the state, there are about 900 kids in his grade alone. Travelling Club Soccer his whole life, NO VARSITY SOCCER, he went to the top soccer school in the state, was simply not good enough to make Varsity team. Made track team end of Junior year but never played due to COVID. Made Cross Country team in fall of Senior year, was an unremarkable runner (about a 5:55 mile), but was surprised when he earned All State Academic honors for Cross Country.

SLE - Cancelled, was waiting for response to his application, but COVID hit before he was offered. (His stats for that were as above, but he got a 30 on his ACT before so he thought he had a decent chance of possibly getting an opportunity to go...he wanted to go...badly!

Boy's State - Cancelled, this was interesting as he had to really work for this. He met with several vets at the local American Legion, which really inspired him even more, and they gave him their sponsorship for Boy's State. He was very proud of that, and was bummed that he couldn't go. It would have been out of his comfort zone because he is not that outgoing guy that gets up and front of people and asks for votes.

Clubs, Student Council - None. He spent a lot of time as a youth leader of a good group of teenage boys at his church, but didn't get involved in school clubs (wasn't interested in either). Volunteered at local food pantry.

CFA Practice Test (First Ever Attempt)- January, 2020

Push-ups - 4 (yes, 4, just coming off of rehab of the dislocated elbow)
Pull-ups - 0 (yep)
Sit-ups - Max (95)
Shuttle - 8.9
BB Throw - 41 feet
Mile - 6:30

Got Stew Smith's CFA workout book, worked out 6 days a week, about 1 1/2 hours a day, used bands to help him on pull-ups until he could do one on his own, etc.

Final CFA - August, 2020 (Passing Scores)

Push-Ups - 49*
Pull-ups - 9
Sit-ups - Max 95
Shuttle 8.7
BB Throw - 67 feet
Mile - 5:55

*Had to redo Push Up video for form, worked on that for another 3 weeks and submitted.

ACT

First Test - 30 Cum - 30 Math, 30 Science, 33 Reading, 33 English, 6 writing score

Second Test - 33 - 30 Math, 31 Science, 35 Reading, 35 English, - didn't offer writing test.

COVID STRUCK - stayed with the 33, and didn't take any more ACT or SAT tests.


Worries that were mostly out of his control by this point - No Varsity Team, No Student Council, No Clubs, coming off of injury.

Plan B - ROTC Scholarship

Won 4 Year National Scholarship for ARMY first board. WAS SO EXCITED. Worried about injury to elbow coming back to haunt him with DODMERB.

Received LOE (Letter of Encouragement) from USMA shortly after getting National Scholarship.

DODMERB

Received waiver review shortly after being denied by DODMERB for both ROTC and USMA for dislocated elbow in past history (as per policy).

Waiver granted for ROTC after submitting information. BIG MILESTONE.

USMA required DIFFERENT information...

Took much longer...sweated it out...DS reached out to everyone's favorite Saint Mullen, got pointed in the right direction. Waited. Got Waiver!

NOMINATION

Interviewed online with Congressman, Senators. About 100 seeking nominations for USMA in State. DS found an ROTC Scholarship Podcast that helped him quite a bit, in particular, the episode on video interviews.

Nominations in our State are Principle Noms with numbered alternates. Senators work together so they can offer the most noms.

DS got letter from congressman and one of the senators telling him that he received a nomination (no mention of numbered order). Received another letter from other Senator telling him congratulations on receiving nomination from other Senator, and that as the work together, he was going to pass on giving DS a nomination so it can go to someone else. (I thought that was a pretty cool gesture)

January - Got call from Senator, telling him that he won the state slate and was the principal nomination, and that he wanted to be the first to congratulate him for his soon to be appointment. Appointment hit portal 2 days later.


Well, hopefully these stats all in one place is helpful to some of you guys. My son took the same approach with me (as his intense dad) as he did during his Eagle Project. "Dad, I love you, but you need to back off...read these words right here from Mr. Mullen about where you fit in this process". LOL

It didn't keep me from reading though...all the best folks!
 
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Thanks for sharing, incredible story. You must be a proud dad with his accomplishments so far.
 
Awesome post! I am currently working on gaining an appointment for the class of 26' and your DS seems pretty similar to me in a few ways. Do you mind if I ask how he was able to begin the nomination process? I've been searching all over my representatives' web pages and I cant seem to find the application anywhere. Did you have to call, write, or email them?
 
Awesome post! I am currently working on gaining an appointment for the class of 26' and your DS seems pretty similar to me in a few ways. Do you mind if I ask how he was able to begin the nomination process? I've been searching all over my representatives' web pages and I cant seem to find the application anywhere. Did you have to call, write, or email them?
It may be too early, and the website hasn’t been reset with the next cycle info yet. The SA portals just opened. Give it a few weeks and go back to check. Due dates won’t likely be until early fall or late summer.
 
Awesome post! I am currently working on gaining an appointment for the class of 26' and your DS seems pretty similar to me in a few ways. Do you mind if I ask how he was able to begin the nomination process? I've been searching all over my representatives' web pages and I cant seem to find the application anywhere. Did you have to call, write, or email them?
Pre Covid this was the time of year MOC give seminars for the nomination process. Most in person events were cancelled last year but hopefully they resume this year, but even if its online session look for those dates for your district.
 
Awesome post! I am currently working on gaining an appointment for the class of 26' and your DS seems pretty similar to me in a few ways. Do you mind if I ask how he was able to begin the nomination process? I've been searching all over my representatives' web pages and I cant seem to find the application anywhere. Did you have to call, write, or email them?
Can’t emphasize enough how critical and stressful the nomination process is. Without a nomination, chances of getting an appointment are low. Be sure to submit the best possible nomination packet. Don’t submit a poor quality packet early. Wait to make sure you have the highest quality packet then submit by the deadline. Lastly, try to find out, if MOC shares, when and how nomination decisions will be communicated. You’ll want to know email, snail mail, or phone call and during what week decisions will be made. Also, be sure to develop a good relationship with the MOC representative.
 
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Awesome post! I am currently working on gaining an appointment for the class of 26' and your DS seems pretty similar to me in a few ways. Do you mind if I ask how he was able to begin the nomination process? I've been searching all over my representatives' web pages and I cant seem to find the application anywhere. Did you have to call, write, or email them?
It's usually a little hidden under "Services" / "Student Resources" or something like that. One of our senators already has opened the process for 2022 on March 1st. One did a big press release and listed those who got nominations. Maybe connect with one of them in your area and they can give you tips on how they succeeded. Good luck.
 
DISCLAIMER - These are just some stats and experiences about DS getting appointed for the class of 2025. Obviously, it is just "one" profile of many, but you can use it for data points if it helps. The danger of course is that in some cases it could discourage someone from applying, please don't be that guy/gal. Our son is just a normal kid, and had to work for this mostly on his own. The athletic, leadership, and scholarship profiles of these kids are amazing, and an ACT score and GPA does not define make/break you. I am writing this because if this is helpful in any way to hopeful candidates and overwhelmed parents, then I have contributed in some small way as a way of THANK YOU to AMAZING folks on this board who have contributed for YEARS. @Capt MJ , @MullenLE, looking squarely at both of you for unbelievable contributions. Neither of you or the others that have contributed have heard a peep from me, but me and DS have saved hours and hours of frustration and anxiety because we just read from the experience of those who came before. I am sure I am going to step in something by writing this, so I apologize in advance.

Some Background...

Son is 5' 7" about 125 pounds soaking wet. Has felt a "calling" to serve as an Army officer since he was a freshman in high school. Middle-class, public school. We took him to see the Air Force Academy (Mom and I tried), and West Point (Game Over) the summer before his junior year. We have NO military background other than grandparents WWII, etc. Entering his Junior year he was FOCUSED on going to USMA, with his backup plan going to ROTC at his next favorite school (a private University in-state).

The summer before his Junior year started, he dislocated his elbow in a club soccer tournament playing with an older age group (yes, this one comes back later in the story), but he was able to completely rehab it with no surgery and made it in time to play uninhibited for the last to two games of that fall season.

Eagle Scout - Became an Eagle Scout in Sophmore year, Leadership as Senior Patrol Leader, did a really cool project (going through that exercise as a leader by himself probably contributed more to him getting through the USMA application process than anything else he has ever done).

Grades - He carried a 4.0 through high school, normal AP Classes.

Class Rank - Tied with some other students for 1st in class.

Sports - High school is biggest in the state, there are about 900 kids in his grade alone. Travelling Club Soccer his whole life, NO VARSITY SOCCER, he went to the top soccer school in the state, was simply not good enough to make Varsity team. Made track team end of Junior year but never played due to COVID. Made Cross Country team in fall of Senior year, was an unremarkable runner (about a 5:55 mile), but was surprised when he earned All State Academic honors for Cross Country.

SLE - Cancelled, was waiting for response to his application, but COVID hit before he was offered. (His stats for that were as above, but he got a 30 on his ACT before so he thought he had a decent chance of possibly getting an opportunity to go...he wanted to go...badly!

Boy's State - Cancelled, this was interesting as he had to really work for this. He met with several vets at the local American Legion, which really inspired him even more, and they gave him their sponsorship for Boy's State. He was very proud of that, and was bummed that he couldn't go. It would have been out of his comfort zone because he is not that outgoing guy that gets up and front of people and asks for votes.

Clubs, Student Council - None. He spent a lot of time as a youth leader of a good group of teenage boys at his church, but didn't get involved in school clubs (wasn't interested in either). Volunteered at local food pantry.

CFA Practice Test (First Ever Attempt)- January, 2020

Push-ups - 4 (yes, 4, just coming off of rehab of the dislocated elbow)
Pull-ups - 0 (yep)
Sit-ups - Max (95)
Shuttle - 8.9
BB Throw - 41 feet
Mile - 6:30

Got Stew Smith's CFA workout book, worked out 6 days a week, about 1 1/2 hours a day, used bands to help him on pull-ups until he could do one on his own, etc.

Final CFA - August, 2020 (Passing Scores)

Push-Ups - 49*
Pull-ups - 9
Sit-ups - Max 95
Shuttle 8.7
BB Throw - 67 feet
Mile - 5:55

*Had to redo Push Up video for form, worked on that for another 3 weeks and submitted.

ACT

First Test - 30 Cum - 30 Math, 30 Science, 33 Reading, 33 English, 6 writing score

Second Test - 33 - 30 Math, 31 Science, 35 Reading, 35 English, - didn't offer writing test.

COVID STRUCK - stayed with the 33, and didn't take any more ACT or SAT tests.


Worries that were mostly out of his control by this point - No Varsity Team, No Student Council, No Clubs, coming off of injury.

Plan B - ROTC Scholarship

Won 4 Year National Scholarship for ARMY first board. WAS SO EXCITED. Worried about injury to elbow coming back to haunt him with DODMERB.

Received LOE (Letter of Encouragement) from USMA shortly after getting National Scholarship.

DODMERB

Received waiver review shortly after being denied by DODMERB for both ROTC and USMA for dislocated elbow in past history (as per policy).

Waiver granted for ROTC after submitting information. BIG MILESTONE.

USMA required DIFFERENT information...

Took much longer...sweated it out...DS reached out to everyone's favorite Saint Mullen, got pointed in the right direction. Waited. Got Waiver!

NOMINATION

Interviewed online with Congressman, Senators. About 100 seeking nominations for USMA in State. DS found an ROTC Scholarship Podcast that helped him quite a bit, in particular, the episode on video interviews.

Nominations in our State are Principle Noms with numbered alternates. Senators work together so they can offer the most noms.

DS got letter from congressman and one of the senators telling him that he received a nomination (no mention of numbered order). Received another letter from other Senator telling him congratulations on receiving nomination from other Senator, and that as the work together, he was going to pass on giving DS a nomination so it can go to someone else. (I thought that was a pretty cool gesture)

January - Got call from Senator, telling him that he won the state slate and was the principal nomination, and that he wanted to be the first to congratulate him for his soon to be appointment. Appointment hit portal 2 days later.


Well, hopefully these stats all in one place is helpful to some of you guys. My son took the same approach with me (as his intense dad) as he did during his Eagle Project. "Dad, I love you, but you need to back off...read these words right here from Mr. Mullen about where you fit in this process". LOL

It didn't keep me from reading though...all the best folks!
It sounds like your son needs to put on weight. Otherwise I feel like I have a lot in common with him
 
DISCLAIMER - These are just some stats and experiences about DS getting appointed for the class of 2025. Obviously, it is just "one" profile of many, but you can use it for data points if it helps. The danger of course is that in some cases it could discourage someone from applying, please don't be that guy/gal. Our son is just a normal kid, and had to work for this mostly on his own. The athletic, leadership, and scholarship profiles of these kids are amazing, and an ACT score and GPA does not define make/break you. I am writing this because if this is helpful in any way to hopeful candidates and overwhelmed parents, then I have contributed in some small way as a way of THANK YOU to AMAZING folks on this board who have contributed for YEARS. @Capt MJ , @MullenLE, looking squarely at both of you for unbelievable contributions. Neither of you or the others that have contributed have heard a peep from me, but me and DS have saved hours and hours of frustration and anxiety because we just read from the experience of those who came before. I am sure I am going to step in something by writing this, so I apologize in advance.

Some Background...

Son is 5' 7" about 125 pounds soaking wet. Has felt a "calling" to serve as an Army officer since he was a freshman in high school. Middle-class, public school. We took him to see the Air Force Academy (Mom and I tried), and West Point (Game Over) the summer before his junior year. We have NO military background other than grandparents WWII, etc. Entering his Junior year he was FOCUSED on going to USMA, with his backup plan going to ROTC at his next favorite school (a private University in-state).

The summer before his Junior year started, he dislocated his elbow in a club soccer tournament playing with an older age group (yes, this one comes back later in the story), but he was able to completely rehab it with no surgery and made it in time to play uninhibited for the last to two games of that fall season.

Eagle Scout - Became an Eagle Scout in Sophmore year, Leadership as Senior Patrol Leader, did a really cool project (going through that exercise as a leader by himself probably contributed more to him getting through the USMA application process than anything else he has ever done).

Grades - He carried a 4.0 through high school, normal AP Classes.

Class Rank - Tied with some other students for 1st in class.

Sports - High school is biggest in the state, there are about 900 kids in his grade alone. Travelling Club Soccer his whole life, NO VARSITY SOCCER, he went to the top soccer school in the state, was simply not good enough to make Varsity team. Made track team end of Junior year but never played due to COVID. Made Cross Country team in fall of Senior year, was an unremarkable runner (about a 5:55 mile), but was surprised when he earned All State Academic honors for Cross Country.

SLE - Cancelled, was waiting for response to his application, but COVID hit before he was offered. (His stats for that were as above, but he got a 30 on his ACT before so he thought he had a decent chance of possibly getting an opportunity to go...he wanted to go...badly!

Boy's State - Cancelled, this was interesting as he had to really work for this. He met with several vets at the local American Legion, which really inspired him even more, and they gave him their sponsorship for Boy's State. He was very proud of that, and was bummed that he couldn't go. It would have been out of his comfort zone because he is not that outgoing guy that gets up and front of people and asks for votes.

Clubs, Student Council - None. He spent a lot of time as a youth leader of a good group of teenage boys at his church, but didn't get involved in school clubs (wasn't interested in either). Volunteered at local food pantry.

CFA Practice Test (First Ever Attempt)- January, 2020

Push-ups - 4 (yes, 4, just coming off of rehab of the dislocated elbow)
Pull-ups - 0 (yep)
Sit-ups - Max (95)
Shuttle - 8.9
BB Throw - 41 feet
Mile - 6:30

Got Stew Smith's CFA workout book, worked out 6 days a week, about 1 1/2 hours a day, used bands to help him on pull-ups until he could do one on his own, etc.

Final CFA - August, 2020 (Passing Scores)

Push-Ups - 49*
Pull-ups - 9
Sit-ups - Max 95
Shuttle 8.7
BB Throw - 67 feet
Mile - 5:55

*Had to redo Push Up video for form, worked on that for another 3 weeks and submitted.

ACT

First Test - 30 Cum - 30 Math, 30 Science, 33 Reading, 33 English, 6 writing score

Second Test - 33 - 30 Math, 31 Science, 35 Reading, 35 English, - didn't offer writing test.

COVID STRUCK - stayed with the 33, and didn't take any more ACT or SAT tests.


Worries that were mostly out of his control by this point - No Varsity Team, No Student Council, No Clubs, coming off of injury.

Plan B - ROTC Scholarship

Won 4 Year National Scholarship for ARMY first board. WAS SO EXCITED. Worried about injury to elbow coming back to haunt him with DODMERB.

Received LOE (Letter of Encouragement) from USMA shortly after getting National Scholarship.

DODMERB

Received waiver review shortly after being denied by DODMERB for both ROTC and USMA for dislocated elbow in past history (as per policy).

Waiver granted for ROTC after submitting information. BIG MILESTONE.

USMA required DIFFERENT information...

Took much longer...sweated it out...DS reached out to everyone's favorite Saint Mullen, got pointed in the right direction. Waited. Got Waiver!

NOMINATION

Interviewed online with Congressman, Senators. About 100 seeking nominations for USMA in State. DS found an ROTC Scholarship Podcast that helped him quite a bit, in particular, the episode on video interviews.

Nominations in our State are Principle Noms with numbered alternates. Senators work together so they can offer the most noms.

DS got letter from congressman and one of the senators telling him that he received a nomination (no mention of numbered order). Received another letter from other Senator telling him congratulations on receiving nomination from other Senator, and that as the work together, he was going to pass on giving DS a nomination so it can go to someone else. (I thought that was a pretty cool gesture)

January - Got call from Senator, telling him that he won the state slate and was the principal nomination, and that he wanted to be the first to congratulate him for his soon to be appointment. Appointment hit portal 2 days later.


Well, hopefully these stats all in one place is helpful to some of you guys. My son took the same approach with me (as his intense dad) as he did during his Eagle Project. "Dad, I love you, but you need to back off...read these words right here from Mr. Mullen about where you fit in this process". LOL

It didn't keep me from reading though...all the best folks!
Awesome, great story 😁
 
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