loa AND nominations?

Prep School

WeatherMom,

If your daughter has any of the "candidate books" from any of the service academies, they all discuss extensively that "perseverance" in applying is noted by the admissions boards. They further note that a third of each incoming class comes from the academy's prep schools, their "civil prep" programs, or some previous college. And, the prep school is not at all considered a "failure" by the admissions folks. You can search the posts on this and the CC forum and find so many positives about the prep option that you may think it is a blessing in disguise -- so many people who have done it believe it to have been. As one person said, for example in the civil prep option, those who take advantage of it make up the first members of the next class.

She should do some research on it and ask others -- her academy reps, curren cadets and mids, academy graduates, etc. -- about it. Think of it this way -- what if she gets "the thin letter" with no options, or the thin letter with another one that says "the admissions board has forwarded your name to us (AOG, Falcon Foundation, USNA Foundation)" and they are, in effect, saying -- not this year, but next -- that you need another year of academic prep. The phrase "consider all your options" implies there is more than one way to accomplish a goal, sound advice for what life throws at you, as she has already discovered, and continues to do! Good luck!
 
Excellent advice raptordad. Also, for those who are curious. Remember that you don't get to "APPLY" to the prep school. Being offered a slot at the prep school is at the sole discretion of the academy. It is an extensive process for the academy to make such an offer. Let your daughter know, that if by chance she doesn't get an appointment, but is offered a slot at the prep school, that she should feel honored. Being offered a prep school slot is the academy's way of saying; "Other than a simple academy issue, you are a totally acceptable cadet for the academy".

Some people don't realize it, but there are 4.0 gpa applicants who AREN'T offered an appointment. There are many who "Think" their resume walks on water, yet they aren't given an appointment. The academy is looking for a specific "WELL ROUNDED INDIVIDUAL". The same goes with civilian schools. I know first hand individuals with a 4.0gpa and 2300 SAT / 35 ACT who were turned down by harvard and yale. So, if by chance, your daughter is offered the prep school; let he know that the academy thinks she is the perfect well rounded applicant that they are looking for. And that she just needs a little academic help. Also, the prep school has limited numbers of slots available. So getting chosen for that is just as much an honor. later... mike....
 
WeatherMom - I suggest that your d contact admissions directly. My d spoke to her admissions rep several times during the course of this adventure. D's ALO was not easy to talk to and d just didn't feel at ease with him so she called admissions directly. My d didn't have an excuse to call, she just wanted to. She called to "make sure you have everything you need and is there anything else I can do to make my file stronger?" she also told her admissions rep how much she desired to attend AFA etc.... I know d called her admissions rep a few times. D got an LOA but she was not by any means a stellar scholar - she was a good student but not the typical LOA recipient. At the time of her LOA her GPA was at exactly the 50% of those admitted the prior year - the same with her SAT scores, she was exactly at the average. She had no varsity sport (multiple band letters & major leadership as drum major of a 175 member nationally recognized HS band for 3 years). D even set up a personal appointment at AFA to meet her admissions rep face to face. We are not local so that took a plane ride and logistics... her LOA came very shortly after scheduling that meeting (she still kept the meeting - non-refundable airline tickets). The point is to express the depth of interest. The bottom line, however, is that if the foundation is not adequately laid for academic success, AFA will not admit the student. They admit only kids they believe can survive the academic rigors. That being said - if extenuating circumstances have made it so that the foundation that is laid is not quite strong enough to succeed in such a rigorous environment (both academically and other), a prep or foundation program is the best way to go and I think that extenuating circumstances can open that door more readily. When your d speaks to her admissions rep be sure she tells her that she would consider a prep school option, if it were to be made available to her. At the very least, it is another means to express the depth of her desire and willingness to do whatever it takes to attend AFA.
 
The prep schoolers also have an advantage. They've already been through one Basic, know how to put a room in SAMI and make the beds, and they know a lot of military history and decorum and quotes and stuff. It takes a lot of pressure off during the Academy's basic. The Preppies had more fun than the rest of us. Also, many of them will be taking similar classes that they would their first year here, which makes academics here that much easier. And if you go to the Academy Prep School, you will be issued all the correct officer uniforms, and when a firsty, won't have to pay for the new uniforms. They also recieve a higher paycheck each month since they are technically considered airmen. This is just what I've learned being here, but if any preppies would like to chime in, that'd be great.
 
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WeatherMom,

I agree with all of the Prep School advice, but why are you and your daughter already assuming she will NOT get an appointment directly to USAFA? She already has a nomination, so that definitely increases her chances of an appointment. Maybe she just will not get the LOA, which arrives early to a very small percentage of candidates out of the total who will eventually get appointments. The majority of appointments do not go out until mid-March. My son received his nomination in December and updated a few things a couple of times early in second semester. He heard about several people receiving LOAs and appointments while he still waited...and waited...grew more and more discouraged...and had pretty much resigned himself to his 2nd choice school. But lo and behold, that appointment DID come mid-March. Now he is doing wonderfully there and it makes no difference anymore who was the first or the last to be accepted - they all start out on equal ground and prove themselves as they go. So keep working on alternatives, but do not give up hope!
 
3 NOM's and some thanks

Hello-
THank you to all of you for the good advice and help. She found Thanksgiving in receiving 3 noms - 1 from each Senator and 1 from our Congressman. Does receiving more than one nomination to the AFA help?

They talked to her during the interview and felt that her perserverance also showed character. One of the guys said.. Oh that is why your grades slipped some jr. year. His Dad also died during his jr. year.. and he told her to contact the AFA directly. He was also an AFA graduate.

Thanks again for the guidance.. it is strange being alone now and trying like heck to help my kid along.. there are no adults to talk to.. and since we are not a "military" family no one else really understands in my extended family how big of a deal and honor this is.
 
More then just bragging rights. The Academy pays attention becuase they don't just give noms away. You only need one, but more is better. In some cases based on locationyou may only be able to get one, but having more then one helps admissions.
 
Thank you. I feel kind of bad that she may have taken away from other candidates.. but it maybe because our state is small that demand was not there.. or it could be that they really liked her. The one guy told her that she would do great there and that she reminded him of her daughter. I thought that you only need one.. but a couple more is not going to hurt.. and she needs all the help she can get. Thanks for giving me a little confirmation on this.
 
weathermom -
Congratulations to your daughter receiving her nomination to the AFA. I hope she wins an appointment.

Not to dismiss any of your daughter's accomplishments but the reason she received three nominations is probably directly related to you residing in a small state without much competition (or demand) for AFA Applicants. I note that you live in a small state in the NE US. Ayuh. With only two congressional districts and far fewer applicants than states like Texas, Virginia or PA - it is pretty easy for the MOC's to double up.
Now - how does this work - the "benefit" of having more than one nomination?
Your daughter is on three lists. Either the academy or the MOC (most likely the academy) will rank the candidates. There will be up to 10 names on each lists with the appointment going to the top names. If the top name rejects the appointment or wins an appointment from another MOC - the next in line will be offered.
Whether or not your daughter wins an appointment is directly related to how high she ranks.
Those candidates who are on the nominations slate but do not win a nomination from that MOC will go on a "National Waiting List" with candidates from all over the country who won Congressional nominations but not appointments. The academy draws from this list to fill the class. The list is ranked as well, and appointments are offered by merit.
I believe there was a candidate on this forum last year from your state who won three congressional nominations but didn't win an appointment - USNA I believe.

That is the reality - the good news is - your daughter will have the attention of admissions. I haven't seen her resume but I did see her Math SAT is 590. This may be a little low for AFA. If it is too low for a direct appointment - has she had calculus? - and the academy wants her as a cadet, there are options.

Honestly, prep school either in the form of an AOG scholarship or the AF Prep school is an ideal situation for candidates like your daughter. If, by chance (I tell this to every parent) your daughter is offered prep school - accentuate the positive. There is an advantage to parents knowing more than their kids!!
Encourage her to explore the option and bring any questions back here and to her ALO and the admissions dept.
 
Math SAT's

Hi.. Yes, her Math SAT is low.. we have been working on it.. but she is going to take the ACT in about 12 days.. and those have been going great. Not sure why she did not try and take those earlier.. They just do not stress ACT in New England. Yes.. living in a smaller state helps. I think she partly got those noms.. because of her desire.. and because they have enough to give out. She also got Military and Annapolis.. one of each for those, since they are not her first choices...
We were knew we had a good chance of getting one, but were pleased with 3 for AF and the other two.
I am originally form Ohio.. and I know it is different there.. same as any populated state, or any place that has a strong military tradition. That is not the case in Maine. I know of 2 kids that have had good SAT's, were top 10 in their class (and our HS is hard) and got 3 noms..but did not get in. They did not have the sports or leadership background. Did bad on CFA's. One goes to Columbia now.. the other to Johns Hopkins. So they still landed on their feet.

So that being said.. yes she is taking Honors Calculus.. although SAT doesn't test that.. also taking AP physics.

She is taking SAT again in Jan. We felt since her math SAT had not improved that it did no good to take it in Dec., so she did not have enough prep time.
Yes.. I would love her to get into the Prep school.. the Academy would be great.. but in all truth to prep school may actually be better for her at this time. I guess we will just have to wait and see. I think her Dad would be proud of her. :thumb:
 
It is great that she is taking Honors Calc and AP Physics. This will really add to the Math side of her package. Taking the ACT is great as well as taking the SAT again in Jan. You are right - the SAT doesn't test for calculus. Practicing with sample tests can sometimes help. Seriously, desire counts and counts a lot. Testing and re-testing shows desire.
Yes, up in NE, USMA and USNA are far more popular than USAFA so that is definitely a plus for her. I did not mean to discourage you or her or in anyway denigrate her accomplishments.
If she is a varsity athlete and has some demonstrated leadership - both of those go far in seeking an appointment.

I am sorry for the loss of your husband and her father. These life changing events are taken into consideration. If she had a rough year because of it, it is certainly understandable. I am sure her Dad would be very proud of her and you should be proud of her as well. By spring she could have some great choices to make - :thumb:
Good Luck!

PS - Looking back - I see your daughter played Field Hockey and LAX. Was/is she on the varsity team?
My daughter played field hockey as well. Not sure if the folks in Co have heard of FH :wink: - but at USMA and USNA they love Field Hockey players. An admissions rep at USMA told me that they look at a female FH player the same way as a male FB player. Of course, we mom's know that FH is far more dangerous than FB any day!
As far as LAX, USNA is D-1, but it is a club sport at both USAFA and USMA.
 
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Thanks for the nice comments and encouragement...No you did not discourage me. We just were not happy with the SAT and it didn't go up from the first time.. that is why the ACT finally came up... try try again.. then try something different.

Varsity for FH, which is her first love of sports... she played left wing... she did not enjoy LAX so much. I loved watching both. She did not letter in either of those.. although she should have in FH.. but we got a controversial coach...so that is they way the cookie crumbles.. but she was JV co-captain in FH for 2 years. She lettered in Tennis and Golf of all things.
Yes FH is fun.. and hard and aggressive. She is only 5'2 and about 112, so she was not the biggest thing on the field, but was a stubborn little player.

Have a great day and again thanks for your comments.
 
yeah, my parents care, but not enough to brave the challenges of the technological unknown:shake:. Instead, they let me do the research, then support my decisions. I'll need them to agree in the end since I'll be 17 by basic.
 
J.NordicSkier7 said:
yeah, my parents care, but not enough to brave the challenges of the technological unknown:shake:. Instead, they let me do the research, then support my decisions. I'll need them to agree in the end since I'll be 17 by basic.
Click to expand...
lol. kinda the same here. i think my parents don't want to make it seem like they want me to go more than I do. They're somewhat paranoid about that.

For all the parents on this forum however, from all of us who wish to attend USAFA, we want to thank you for the support you give your own children and for the advice you pass along to us. It is greatly appreciated. :thumb:
 
Well my mom is disappointed thinking that I'd follow in her footsteps, she thinks that because she and my dad are doctors that I should be too. This would make me seem rebellious, but I'm really not. She also thinks there's no good in flying planes and shooting people, and thinks that the military environment will tear me apart. In a way, she doesn't support me at all.................................. Thanks mom!
 
Aww that sucks dude (or dudette?).. Well we all support you because, well, we all have the same goals. To me, being a doctor is way less of an accomplishment than being an officer in the Air Force with an Academy education.. just my opinion :)... But seriously, I think you are doing the right thing and keep on keepin on
 
well, you could be a doctor in the Air Force. My sponsor brother is doing that.
 
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