Nominations for the big three!

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bubblyroses

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Feb 4, 2022
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Hello SA forums! I’ve been stalking this website for a while because service academies have been a goal for me since sophomore year. Today, though, I really wanted to share my joy with all of you in finding out (on 1/31) that I was nominated to USNA, USMA, and USAFA! It’s been a long process, but I’m very hopeful for some good news in the spring, and I wish all other candidates who are still waiting on appointments the best, and congratulations to those who got their appointments already!
 
Congrats! That is a positive step forward in the right direction. The road ahead can be a long one so buckle in and let the process play out. The parts you control have already been put in motion and now you wait. Spend as much time with your family as possible between now and summer.
 
Thank you, and thanks for the advice! There seems to be a common theme of being told to enjoy civilian life before entering the academies, and I certainly will!
 
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bubblyroses said:
Thank you, and thanks for the advice! There seems to be a common theme of being told to enjoy civilian life before entering the academies, and I certainly will!
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It isnt really "civilian life" as much as the current relationships you have and the uniqueness of your situation as a graduating HS senior. If you think about it, within the next 4 years, you will transition away from being with your family and current friends 24/7 to something far different. These changes happen in real time and seem gradual at first until you look back and see just how far you have gone.

Today, you spend A LOT of time at home. At college or a SA, you are physically there A LOT and see your parents one time every 3 months. That in and of itself is a huge change. For some, that is a good thing, and for others, it can take away their focus on the new mission. At a SA, your schedule is VERY FULL and in my case, there was little time to dwell or reflect on this because there was so much commanding your attention.

Upon graduation, you are a full grown adult with a real job, real challenges, bills, and actual things you are responsible for. You will move to a corner of the globe that may mean you see your family even less (in person) for a little while. So you go from almost 50% of every day of your life for 18 years straight, to once per 3 months seemingly overnight, to maybe Christmas or Thanksgiving simply because you graduated college...

While a member on Active Duty status, you do get 30 days vacation each year, but most would tell you that number is not realistic to actually use per year, but the point is - change is on the horizon so appreciate what you have today. Present day YOU doesn't see it, nor can you anticipate it, but this is a pivotal time in any young person's life and as much as the old people tell you - it is human nature to live in the now much easier than to keep an eye ahead on tomorrow. Future you will appreciate you spending the time with Mom and Dad today. If there is a BF or GF in the picture, and you see a future with that person, don't steal the time from Mom and Dad. Alone time with your parents is dwindling and time with the BF/GF is only increasing as you start a life together.
 
Just to clarify, having a NOM and being 3Q puts you in the RUNNING for an appointment. Everyone in that category will not be offered an appointment, it is still a competition for the most qualified individuals since there are more who are 3Q with a NOM then spaces available in the incoming class. Older threads on here or the official SA websites reference those numbers.

Regardless of where you go to college, it will likely be the first time that person has ever lived away from home for an extended period of time. So it is clearly a change from your h.s. experience. SA's are obviously a different college experience from a civilian college, but that is path those individuals have chosen to pursue.
 
time2 said:
Just to clarify, having a NOM and being 3Q puts you in the RUNNING for an appointment. Everyone in that category will not be offered an appointment, it is still a competition for the most qualified individuals since there are more who are 3Q with a NOM then spaces available in the incoming class. Older threads on here or the official SA websites reference those numbers.

Regardless of where you go to college, it will likely be the first time that person has ever lived away from home for an extended period of time. So it is clearly a change from your h.s. experience. SA's are obviously a different college experience from a civilian college, but that is path those individuals have chosen to pursue.
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I am aware that I am still competing with other 3Q candidates. I’m just hopeful that going to prep school gives me an edge not just for SA’s but for college in general because I’ve been at boarding school for the last 3 years, so I am very familiar at this point with living away from home. But you are right, it’s nothing like being at a service academy, so hopefully boarding school will have served me well!
 
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MomOf3GreatKids said:
OH! That's good. Then my son is good. Thank you
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Your son is now able to compete for one of the coveted spots. Must be qualified in all areas in order to compete!

Good luck! Don’t forget to tend to back up plans. Every year there are fabulous candidates to do not receive an appointment.
 
justdoit19 said:
Your son is now able to compete for one of the coveted spots. Must be qualified in all areas in order to compete!

Good luck! Don’t forget to tend to back up plans. Every year there are fabulous candidates to do not receive an appointment.
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Absolutely! Applying for an ROTC Scholarship is paramount.
 
Congrats on the three nominations. That's a great achievement. My DS received three as well and has received two appointments. He is waiting to hear from the last one.
 
bubblyroses said:
I am aware that I am still competing with other 3Q candidates. I’m just hopeful that going to prep school gives me an edge not just for SA’s but for college in general because I’ve been at boarding school for the last 3 years, so I am very familiar at this point with living away from home. But you are right, it’s nothing like being at a service academy, so hopefully boarding school will have served me well!
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Good call on the boarding school. My oldest son was at boarding school for two years and I think he's much more mature and likely to succeed now.
 
GraniteDad said:
Good call on the boarding school. My oldest son was at boarding school for two years and I think he's much more mature and likely to succeed now.
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I'll have to thank the parents for investing in me! I have a pretty rigid schedule that feels planned out within an inch of its life (four 75-minute classes 8:30-3:20, athletics/after school activities 3:45-5:45, study hall 7:45-9:45, being an RA and having other EC's on top of that) , so I hope that'll prepare me for having my days completely booked for the next four years. I think i've really benefited more from the structured schedule, as at my old public school I wasn't performing as well as I could have been, and I didn't have the discipline I do now.
 
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