Multiple Offers? What are your thoughts?

Let's remember that we are speaking of 17 or 18 year olds. This is the biggest decision of their life, and one that will direct the next 9+ years of their life. I'm sure none of us would want anyone to take that decision lightly. While some people are set on one branch of service or another, there are many applicants who have no military background at all. They also have little or no input in this process from their parents. Quite a weight to bear when they are getting input from various opinions, and then they have people on a forum call in to question their integrity for taking time to make a decision. I understand you may have a DS/DD waiting in the process, but that doesn't mean you should question another person's action that they have every right to exercise.

Thank you so much for this post. I am one of these people who come from a completely non-military background and family (in fact, my parents held me back from applying to USMA until I finally convinced them to let me as they held several prejudices against the Army), and it is the toughest decision I have had to make. For me, that decision will not come until I go on the overnight visit at USMA, and see both academies. This decision will also not just be about where I attend, but in what branch I will do my service in. It is important for me to take time to think about where I want to be truly committed to serving, as the government will be investing resources into me, and I do not want to waste that investment.
 
Glad to hear that by thoroughly examining my choices I'm setting myself up to be an indecisive officer!:thumb:
 
Complicated issue, but important one. Given the remaining 4-6 weeks for appointments, it's good to remember that a SA sppointment is an honor and a privilege granted to dedictated students who have displayed exceptional qualities and characteristics. To those to whom multiple appointments have been bestowed, congratulations. Awesome. But realize that the academy's decision was based on numbers, location, demographics, a little pixie dust, maybe prayer (as I've read in these threads), but things out of your control. So, in total, the selection was due to hard work, and a bit of good fortune, given to an exceptional kid. The problem is, there are perhaps 2000 remaining exceptional students, with perhaps decimal points between them, who equally deserve the honor, but may have lacked the pixie dust.

The service academies are predicated on service, which is entirely made up of teamwork and sacrifice. Holding an appointment till April in order to continue to make the "greener grass" decision (when a military officer should really be exhibiting an ability to be decisive), is in my opinion, a bit selfish. This is not a "in case of" situation, unlike holding ROTC scholarships could be.

Just one dude's personal opinion...

Yeah I understand what Striker is saying. But this is no easy decision for us candidates.. And you say "military officers should really be exhibiting an ability to be decisive" but you should keep in mind, we are 18 year olds, not military officers. The majority of us don't have any actual military experience whatsoever. Yes we have leadership experience. Yes some of us may be in JROTC. But I really don't think any of us have had to make such a momumental decision that would affect the next 9 years of our lives. So to say that we are being selfish for not being decisive like a military officer is a bit of a stretch, in my opinion. And I feel like your taking a LOT of credit away from all the candidates and current midshipmen/cadets who attend service academies by saying, "the academy's decision was based on numbers, location, demographics, a little pixie dust, maybe prayer, and that it was out of our control.. we didn't work our butts off, take the hardest classes offered, balance time between academics, clubs, sports, SAT's, leadership positions etc. just to let a little bit of "pixie dust" decide whether we get accepted or not. Yes competition is stiff. But that is NOT because some candidates have pixie dust while others don't. Sorry I'm not disrespecting your opinion, but just wanted to put my opinion out there.
 
The problem is, there are perhaps 2000 remaining exceptional students, with perhaps decimal points between them, who equally deserve the honor, but may have lacked the pixie dust.

There is no participation trophy here. If they were equally deserving, they would be the ones deciding. But they weren't. So, they'll have to wait until the more exceptional students make their decisions, first.

Don't want to have to wait? Be the most exceptional.

No one DESERVES the honor. It's earned through hardwork. And while many people work hard, they don't all earn that uniform and that experience.

Striker, entire services spend YEARS with 4-star admirals and generals decided "grass is greener" options.

To the candidate, take your time to make a decision.
 
Complicated issue, but important one. Given the remaining 4-6 weeks for appointments, it's good to remember that a SA sppointment is an honor and a privilege granted to dedictated students who have displayed exceptional qualities and characteristics. To those to whom multiple appointments have been bestowed, congratulations. Awesome. But realize that the academy's decision was based on numbers, location, demographics, a little pixie dust, maybe prayer (as I've read in these threads), but things out of your control. So, in total, the selection was due to hard work, and a bit of good fortune, given to an exceptional kid. The problem is, there are perhaps 2000 remaining exceptional students, with perhaps decimal points between them, who equally deserve the honor, but may have lacked the pixie dust.

The service academies are predicated on service, which is entirely made up of teamwork and sacrifice. Holding an appointment till April in order to continue to make the "greener grass" decision (when a military officer should really be exhibiting an ability to be decisive), is in my opinion, a bit selfish. This is not a "in case of" situation, unlike holding ROTC scholarships could be.

Just one dude's personal opinion...

Dude... they're not officers yet and i certainly don't expect them to behave as officers yet.
 
At the risk of a deeper hole, allow a response.

To the appointees LJM, stayingpositive, hopefuloregonmid, of course it's a enormous, life-altering decision. I would argue that your most difficult, however, was making the decision to offer yourself for 9 years to the military, whichever branch you choose. My respect for the decision is immense. I'm just a bit amazed that no clear choice between academies would be known by now, and an acceptance tendered. I'm learning along with you. Our experience is one focused on a single military pursuit.

The numbers, demographics, location, pixie dust....they come AFTER the hard work, taking the most challenging courses, captaining sports, etc., the things you WERE able to control. Nothing else implied. Nothing underestimated.

Lineinthesand, if no single candidate's future were affected by an appointee holding a spot, I'd agree, take all the time in the world to decide. And maybe that is the case, and my thought process (initiated by the OP's opinion regarding gracious notification of turning down an appointment), is all wrong. But to imply that only already-(multi)appointed candidates were the only exceptional ones begs the question, "why let anyone else in?" There are, however, plenty of students who "earned" their one and only appointment, and some have yet to. Are they not worthy? I agree, however, that honor is not "deserved", and I am the last person to suggest participation trophies.
 
At the risk of a deeper hole, allow a response.

To the appointees LJM, stayingpositive, hopefuloregonmid, of course it's a enormous, life-altering decision. I would argue that your most difficult, however, was making the decision to offer yourself for 9 years to the military, whichever branch you choose. My respect for the decision is immense. I'm just a bit amazed that no clear choice between academies would be known by now, and an acceptance tendered. I'm learning along with you. Our experience is one focused on a single military pursuit.

The numbers, demographics, location, pixie dust....they come AFTER the hard work, taking the most challenging courses, captaining sports, etc., the things you WERE able to control. Nothing else implied. Nothing underestimated.

Lineinthesand, if no single candidate's future were affected by an appointee holding a spot, I'd agree, take all the time in the world to decide. And maybe that is the case, and my thought process (initiated by the OP's opinion regarding gracious notification of turning down an appointment), is all wrong. But to imply that only already-(multi)appointed candidates were the only exceptional ones begs the question, "why let anyone else in?" There are, however, plenty of students who "earned" their one and only appointment, and some have yet to. Are they not worthy? I agree, however, that honor is not "deserved", and I am the last person to suggest participation trophies.

It's amazing how foggy the decision making gets. I was set on the Coast Guard Academy before I started applying. Once I got into the process, the Naval Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy also looked good. I had a hard decision that was only made easier after I visited each academy. I still regret a photo in my senior year book with me in a USNA sweatshirt (just unlucky day to be caught for a photo, I had a CGA shirt too.)

The only appointments to be earned are the appointments earned, not hypothetical "I would have been good had one more appointment been available". This may become to theoretical, but I believe the students who receive appointments EARNED them, and the students who didn't received appointments DIDN'T EARN them. They probably worked hard and did a great job, but that the end of the day there are limited appointments to be "earned."

And academies let new students in right up to the day of reporting in (or in the case of two of my classmates, AFTER R-Day). There is a waitlist for a reason. Students on the waitlist are chomping at the bit to get a shot at a spot. And they MAY get that chance. Or they may not. I don't think there are very many waitlisters who consider early March as a late call. Again, I had two classmates arrive a day or two after we all reported.
 
I'll say again, DD has a tough decision to make and she was really taken aback by the comments on this thread. This is her decision and she's been very meticulous and thoughtful about it all - exactly what I would expect of a good officer making life changing decisions (whether for herself or those she will eventually lead.)

At the start of this process, she was set on USAFA. When USNA gave her an LOA in October -- well, things changed. USNA has been incredibly welcoming to her and that has swayed things quite a bit. Given that her dad is a USAFA grad, you can see why this has become tough. Her goal is to fly ... both will offer that to her. She'll have her decision made after her USAFA visit in 2 weeks.

EDIT: I realized after I posted that some of the frustration stems from not having any control over the process. I totally get it. The wait seems unending and the frustration just builds with the thought that someone may have already decided but not declined. That's the biggest reason DD has decided not to wait until the May 1 deadline. She understands this and has already mentioned how unfair it is for those who may be waiting for that open slot.
 
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Lots of good points...

But don't forget... this post is not for the undecided. It is for the applicants that have already committed to a school. The ones that already accepted the appointment.

For those that are still undecided, wait as long as you want, this was not intended for you.
 
But don't forget... this post is not for the undecided. It is for the applicants that have already committed to a school. The ones that already accepted the appointment.

For those that are still undecided, wait as long as you want, this was not intended for you.

Thanks. It was unclear which lead to all the consternation.
 
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