Incomplete status

[Old Navy BGO]

There is “big elephant” in the room that needed to be addressed. That is the admission committee would start meeting in earlier September to review the applications. If my DS application is incomplete when everything else is done then the committee won’t be looking at it.

So what ? Why does it need to be addressed ? There is no bonus points for being in the first round reviewed. Sure, DS could, repeat could, get an LOA if his records supports it...but no more or less likely than if reviewed in October, November or even end of January. Once the package is complete, it will show "Complete Pending Review" and in most cases remains that way until you get the BFE or TWE. You will not know when the Admissions Board reviews the application, or whether the Admissions Board finds the Candidate "Qualified." For most Candidates, the lions share of that work begins in early February, when Noms and Appointments starts building the class --determining whom among fully qualified candidates "wins" the nominating slate and gets the offer of appointment.

I'm not suggesting that Candidates shouldn't try to submit an application in a timely manner...the big advantage is that USNA will submit your name to DODMERB and start the Medical Q process when the Candidate demonstrates substantial progress on their application, and starting the medical process gives more time to address any issues that may arise. However, if you have already submitted your application, be patient --it will eventually show as Complete Pending Review...then you will wait.

 

[mike1979]

So what ? Why does it need to be addressed ? There is no bonus points for being in the first round reviewed. Sure, DS could, repeat could, get an LOA if his records supports it...but no more or less likely than if reviewed in October, November or even end of January. Once the package is complete, it will show "Complete Pending Review" and in most cases remains that way until you get the BFE or TWE. You will not know when the Admissions Board reviews the application, or whether the Admissions Board finds the Candidate "Qualified." For most Candidates, the lions share of that work begins in early February, when Noms and Appointments starts building the class --determining whom among fully qualified candidates "wins" the nominating slate and gets the offer of appointment.

I'm not suggesting that Candidates shouldn't try to submit an application in a timely manner...the big advantage is that USNA will submit your name to DODMERB and start the Medical Q process when the Candidate demonstrates substantial progress on their application, and starting the medical process gives more time to address any issues that may arise. However, if you have already submitted your application, be patient --it will eventually show as Complete Pending Review...then you will wait.

Good point. I am going to let DS know that he should've played video games during his summer instead of working on the application... We'll be smarter next time and won't turn it in until late January.

 

[DTT!FSA!]

 

[IronmanDaremo]

Stressing over things that one has no control over is not that effective either. Causes more headaches/heartaches than it is worth.

The mantra is always, put in your BEST application in the most expeditious manner. No points for first place or first review. If a kid has what the Academy admissions team wants, then they will put them in the "Yeah, that's the ticket" pile. If not, then they have other piles for them.

Remember, the first review is to see if a candidate is qualified, and someone they want to consider. As mentioned, it is then up to Noms and Appointments to choose whether or not the candidate is a good fit for the class profile and nomination slates. One group does not make all the decisions. It is a team composed of different groups (qualification review, medical review, noms and appointments).

Unless a kid already has a specific nom in hand (Presidential, MoH, disabled vet, etc.), then they won't be offered an appointment early. Without a verified nomination, they might be given an LOA, but even those are no guarantees for an appointment.

If a candidate is concerned/frustrated by the process, they should be taking the initiative to find out what is wrong and whether or not there is something within their control that they can help fix. If there isn't, it takes maturity and patience to sit back and let the process play out. If nothing changes after a certain period of time? The candidate should ping them again.

 

[Holden100]

I think DS told me he didn't think it would be marked 'complete' until he had a nomination...

 

[Old Navy BGO]

I think DS told me he didn't think it would be marked 'complete' until he had a nomination...

Incorrect...COMPLETE PENDING REVIEW does not include a Nomination .
You cannot compete for an Appointment until you have a nomination

The formula is Admissions Board Qualified + Medically Qualified (DODMERB) + Physically Qualified (CFA)= 3Q

3Q + Nomination = Noms & Appointments reviews each Nomination Slate and determines whom on a particular Nomination slate gets the Apppointment --this is where the competition is, ie. The candidate may get the Admissions Board Q, but there may be 9 other people on the Nomination slate who rank higher based upon the whole person multiple.

 

[justdoit19]

@mike1979 maybe you are thinking of the NROTC application process. There are several boards that meet, and some scholarships are offered at each. So if your package is ready for the first board, you can be offered a scholarship on the first board.

And you are correct, if your son has a better application as a result of waiting until until January, he should wait until January.

After the application deadline, and after nomination slates are submitted, the class build ramps up. Most candidates will know by April 15th.

Posters are trying to point out that this is a VERY slow period. Things don’t really get rolling until USNA knows who the pieces are, for the class puzzle. After application and nomination deadlines. After the first of the year.

It’s great your son is early. His DODMERB can begin. And it gives a candidate lots of time to clear issues that MAY exist in their medical process.

An LOA is a very uncommon thing. Don’t count on it. It also doesn’t guarantee an appointment. Trying to combine a SA appointment, with other college EA/ED is a difficult thing to do. But that doesn’t make the SA process any quicker. It cannot be, as it’s affected by law, with the NOM requirement.

You are assuming that just bc your sons portal doesn’t show complete pending review, that the process isn’t where it normally is. Or that the process is behind. It’s not. It hasn’t even really started yet.

 

[Holden100]

Incorrect...COMPLETE PENDING REVIEW does not include a Nomination .
You cannot compete for an Appointment until you have a nomination

The formula is Admissions Board Qualified + Medically Qualified (DODMERB) + Physically Qualified (CFA)= 3Q

3Q + Nomination = Noms & Appointments reviews each Nomination Slate and determines whom on a particular Nomination slate gets the Apppointment --this is where the competition is, ie. The candidate may get the Admissions Board Q, but there may be 9 other people on the Nomination slate who rank higher based upon the whole person multiple.

I think someone in admissions told him earlier this summer that his portal would not be marked 'complete' until everything was submitted, including having a nomination on file. I will definitely pass along your info, thanks. But to answer so many other questions about issues with the portal, DS has been told admissions can see items that have been submitted, regardless of whether they have been 'checked off.' Good luck to all the applicants!!

 

[mike1979]

@mike1979 maybe you are thinking of the NROTC application process. There are several boards that meet, and some scholarships are offered at each. So if your package is ready for the first board, you can be offered a scholarship on the first board.

And you are correct, if your son has a better application as a result of waiting until until January, he should wait until January.

After the application deadline, and after nomination slates are submitted, the class build ramps up. Most candidates will know by April 15th.

Posters are trying to point out that this is a VERY slow period. Things don’t really get rolling until USNA knows who the pieces are, for the class puzzle. After application and nomination deadlines. After the first of the year.

It’s great your son is early. His DODMERB can begin. And it gives a candidate lots of time to clear issues that MAY exist in their medical process.

An LOA is a very uncommon thing. Don’t count on it. It also doesn’t guarantee an appointment. Trying to combine a SA appointment, with other college EA/ED is a difficult thing to do. But that doesn’t make the SA process any quicker. It cannot be, as it’s affected by law, with the NOM requirement.

You are assuming that just bc your sons portal doesn’t show complete pending review, that the process isn’t where it normally is. Or that the process is behind. It’s not. It hasn’t even really started yet.

DS'es DoDMeRB is cleared. He was initially marked as not being able to read, but we got that squared away. Don't ask me how many phone calls it took. Lets just say that I had to make a conference calls between medical office that made a mistake and the DoD Mets. The two just won't talk to each other otherwise....

DS is positioning his application as complete and then it is up to the admissions to do whatever they want with it. At least at this point admissions are still answering calls and emails moving further into the season it would be more difficult to draw their attention to specific items which are completed but not marked as such.

 

[Campion]

Incorrect...COMPLETE PENDING REVIEW does not include a Nomination .
You cannot compete for an Appointment until you have a nomination

The formula is Admissions Board Qualified + Medically Qualified (DODMERB) + Physically Qualified (CFA)= 3Q

3Q + Nomination = Noms & Appointments reviews each Nomination Slate and determines whom on a particular Nomination slate gets the Apppointment --this is where the competition is, ie. The candidate may get the Admissions Board Q, but there may be 9 other people on the Nomination slate who rank higher based upon the whole person multiple.

Most applicants will be CPR until April. I think people have the misunderstanding they will get a decision shortly after they submit.

 

[Holden100]

Most applicants will be CPR until April. I think people have the misunderstanding they will get a decision shortly after they submit.

I actually think most of the confusion/questions this cycle have been about what the portal is showing. Candidates should pause on the checking until maybe October and work on all those other applications maybe.

 

[mike1979]

I actually think most of the confusion/questions this cycle have been about what the portal is showing. Candidates should pause on the checking until maybe October

DS is going for LOA with USNA, which requires completed application minus the nomination. He didn't get one from USMA. Attending one of the best private schools in the country, summer lab at one of ivy's that he got by himself (I am as far from academia as one can imagine), being Eagle scout, boys state and running weekly EMT shifts (that he really enjoys) was clearly not enough for USMA.

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

DS is going for LOA with USNA, which requires completed application minus the nomination. He didn't get one from USMA. Attending one of the best private schools in the country, summer lab at one of ivy's that he got by himself (I am as far from academia as one can imagine), being Eagle scout, boys state and running weekly EMT shifts (that he really enjoys) was clearly not enough for USMA.

It's not a realistic plan to "go[ing] for a LOA". LOA's are given out to help build the class that USNA wants (academics, locations/congressional districts, demographics, under-represented high schools, sex, many other factors. It's best to focus on what can be controlled and tend solid plans B, C and D.

 

[Holden100]

DS is going for LOA with USNA, which requires completed application minus the nomination. He didn't get one from USMA. Attending one of the best private schools in the country, summer lab at one of ivy's that he got by himself (I am as far from academia as one can imagine), being Eagle scout, boys state and running weekly EMT shifts (that he really enjoys) was clearly not enough for USMA.

I wish your son all the best!! Don't fret about the lack of an LOA from USMA. My older son also didn't get one, but has thrived at a T15 school in NROTC and will, hopefully, commission this spring. My younger son did get one just today (so they are still being issued). Nobody has the magic formula for them, but he still needs a nomination to be appointed. Sounds like your son is an amazing candidate. Eyes forward and good luck to him!

 

[justdoit19]

DS is going for LOA with USNA, which requires completed application minus the nomination. He didn't get one from USMA. Attending one of the best private schools in the country, summer lab at one of ivy's that he got by himself (I am as far from academia as one can imagine), being Eagle scout, boys state and running weekly EMT shifts (that he really enjoys) was clearly not enough for USMA.

Was he rejected already by USMA? What do you mean ‘clearly not enough for USMA’? And your sons accomplishments, as posted, are similar to many others he will be competing against on his slate. Think about it, as applications are not eve DUE yet, it’s impossible to begin the class build. And NOM slates are due until the end of the year. This is different than a regular college early decision. LOA’S are not given to the candidate with the most academic or xxx resume. An LOA can be issued for any reason, including underrepresented areas. Or athletes. Or xxx…What you are determining to be the standard for an LOA is not what a SA necessarily is.

YOU CANNOT GO FOR AN LOA. Maybe that is what you are not understanding.

And no LOA doesn’t mean no appointment.

 

[Campion]

DS is going for LOA with USNA, which requires completed application minus the nomination. He didn't get one from USMA. Attending one of the best private schools in the country, summer lab at one of ivy's that he got by himself (I am as far from academia as one can imagine), being Eagle scout, boys state and running weekly EMT shifts (that he really enjoys) was clearly not enough for USMA.

How exactly do you go for an LOA?

He should be going for an actual appointment.

 

[mike1979]

Was he rejected already by USMA? What do you mean ‘clearly not enough for USMA’? And your sons accomplishments, as posted, are similar to many others he will be competing against on his slate. And slates are due until the end of the year. This is different than a regular college early decision. LOA’S are not given to the candidate with the most academic or xxx resume. An LOA can be issued for any reason, including underrepresented areas. Or athletes. Or xxx…What you are determining to be the standard for an LOA is not what a SA necessarily is.

YOU CANNOT GO FOR AN LOA. Maybe that is what you are not understanding.

And no LOA doesn’t mean no appointment.

Also incorrect. Around mid of July USMA admissions issued the following statement.

"LOAs are issued from now until usually early September. The amount we issue is capped so they run out when they run out. I recommend that you have your school send us your official six semester transcripts, you order your SAT or ACT scores to be sent to West Point, and you complete your interview with the Field Force (SLE interviews count) so that you may be considered for an LOA."

I know DS is an average. Once I got to accept that my life started being a lot simpler.

 

[justdoit19]

Also incorrect. Around mid of July USMA admissions issued the following statement.

"LOAs are issued from now until usually early September. The amount we issue is capped so they run out when they run out. I recommend that you have your school send us your official six semester transcripts, you order your SAT or ACT scores to be sent to West Point, and you complete your interview with the Field Force (SLE interviews count) so that you may be considered for an LOA."

I know DS is an average. Once I got to accept that my life started being a lot simpler.

Speaking about USNA. This is the USNA forum. Idk about USMA admissions.

 

[mike1979]

Speaking about USNA. This is the USNA forum. Idk about USMA admissions.

You've asked question. I answered. Now you know more than before.

 

[Holden100]

Also incorrect. Around mid of July USMA admissions issued the following statement.

"LOAs are issued from now until usually early September. The amount we issue is capped so they run out when they run out. I recommend that you have your school send us your official six semester transcripts, you order your SAT or ACT scores to be sent to West Point, and you complete your interview with the Field Force (SLE interviews count) so that you may be considered for an LOA."

I know DS is an average. Once I got to accept that my life started being a lot simpler.

No candidate who decides to attempt this application is in any way 'average,' whatever that means! Everyone on this thread is trying to help you with all kinds of great advice, some more tactful than others. If your son has specific questions for admissions (at both USMA and USNA) the BEST person for him to reach out to is his admissions counselor. But I really don't think anyone can answer the 'will my son get an LOA' question. And that's okay. Sounds like he will have lots of options he'll want to talk about with you come next spring. Totally fine and great to support your son, who, again, sounds like an amazing candidate. And good luck to him!