Okay, how do we call a time-out in the Waiting Game?

[The Commissioner]

Situation: kid was rejected by AFA, put in the alternate pool at CGA, waiting to hear anything from USNA, and told by USMA that he ranks #3 in the district and unless #1 & #2 decide to opt out (which they don't expect), he wasn't getting in. No word yet on a NROTC scholarship. Game came down to Navy and Coast Guard with the 4 yr AROTC scholarship in backup bag.

Lo and behold, yesterday my wife took a call from an Army MAJ with USMA admissions and he tells her that the kid is "among the top candidates for one of the spots" at MAPS. Then he goes on to tell her that he needs a decision from the kid QUICKLY because he wants to offer the spot to someone else if the kid turns it down.

How long can the kid stall the USMA guy until he hears from the other two academies? Also, could he stall long enough until he can travel to NJ/NY to visit the schools during his spring break (last week in March)?

 

[2011's Mom]

hmm - good question. D got a call earlier from WP saying they had a spot for her at prep and did she want it? She paused a few days and then responded that she would like info and please send info (that alone should buy you a week or more). Reply was "no, things looking good - hold tight, no need for prep school". Day or two later, appointment in the mail from WP. She's going AFA but that's another story! So, maybe try the "pause al la my D" trick and see what happens. Plus, my understanding is that when they offer it you'll have until "some date" specific to respond. It seems unreasonable not to give them time to research the offer. I would think your son could get the MAPS going (but not accpet, just ask for the info so he can make an informed decision) and then later turn down if CGA or USNA comes through - right? I got the impression from what they told D that they would send her info by mail. She took a few days to think, contacted them back - assuming they would now send materials - the materials presumably would have the decision dates on them? I am not aware of D having been on the NWL, though I guess it is possible. I presume she got her appointment when whomever above her on our Congressional list turned it down (I assume that is what transpired, but don't know for sure, it doesn't really matter much either at this point). Is your son being put on the NWL for WP? Perhaps not, in which case the only option for him at WP is MAPS (is that how it works?). I don't think it is unreasonable to ask how long your son has to think about the MAPS option nor do I think it unreasonable for him to ask for written materials pertaining to MAPS and that alone should buy time.

Anyway, good luck.

 

[Zaphod]

Wait.... He applied without visiting USMA?

My 2 cents: If they offer MAPS and AFA and USCGA have turned you down, then play the odds and accept MAPS.

Granted, it's Army, but that's a sacrifice you'll just have to suck up and deal with.

 

[USNA69]

Wait.... He applied without visiting USMA?

If I remember correctly, he favors CGA over USNA because of not being offered NASS. He also never followed up on his USMA initial application. As a parent, both these issues could cause me concern as to his commitment.

An indecisive candidate combined with a "used car salesman" hard sell approach can be disasterous. I find it amazing that USMA is using this approach to fill the MAPS class.

I cannot advise you on his CGA chances. With USNA, if your son submitted a timely application, completed before Christmas or so, and received a nomination, he most likely should, if he is competitive, already have been before the Board. If he hasn't, the best he can hope for is NAPS. Another factor is that USNA and AFA have very similiar acceptance guidelines. AFA rejection does not bode well for USNA acceptance.

I agree with Zap. Time to sit down and do some soul searching. What does your son want for a career? If the Army is it, accept MAPS. JMHO.

 

[Just_A_Mom]

First - If he is offered MAPS and accepts then if offered a late appointment to an academy - I doubt the Green Beret is gonna come into his bed in the middle of the night and haul him off to Fort Monmouth.
(That was a joke)
I am pretty sure the Army would allow him to forgo MAPS for an appointment elsewhere. Just ask them.

Second - If he gives up on all else and is thrilled with the Army - who wouldn't be? - then seems to me he has a choice between MAPS and AROTC scholarship. While there would be advantages to going AROTC there are many many advantages to MAPS. If the choice was a Foundation Prep scholarship or AROTC that would be another matter.

By the way - does MAPS move to West Point this coming year? I am not sure of the timetable of that.
Sounds like he does have some options available - good luck!

 

[Just_A_Mom]

Wait.... He applied without visiting USMA?

This really isn't fair. They are from Oklahoma. Many kids apply without being able to visit. Not every applicant is from the East Coast and a few hours away.
Anyway MAPS is currently in NJ and I am sure they would want to visit there and WP - make it a double shot.

 

[jamzmom]

I'd have a case of the hives if I were you. Be sure to let us all know what goes on with the MAPS issue as to the dates they want your son to reply by. USNA is notorious for being one of the last academies to send out those letters. Its hard because you feel like you can't drag your feet on other offers. His alternate status at GCA means there is hope. Don't sign anything yet.

My kid was one of those who accepted his appointment to KP sight unseen.

 

[bt2011]

Posted by USNA69 - With USNA, if your son submitted a timely application, completed before Christmas or so, and received a nomination, he most likely should, if he is competitive, already have been before the Board.

Can you elaborate on what this means? If you had the app in well before christmas, the scholastically qualified letter in Nov/Dec and nominations in Dec/Jan, it sounds like the Board should have reviewed you already? So how significant is it if no news either way has been received?

 

[USNA69]

Can you elaborate on what this means? If you had the app in well before christmas, the scholastically qualified letter in Nov/Dec and nominations in Dec/Jan, it sounds like the Board should have reviewed you already? So how significant is it if no news either way has been received?

Successful review by the Board is what precipitates the scholastically qualified letter. Now it is sit and wait. Many things come into play now, the most significant which is where you stand with your nomination sources. There have been several threads that have thoroughly discussed this.

 

[The Commissioner]

Wait.... He applied without visiting USMA?

He must take after his father. I sent in my housing deposit before I ever got within 200 miles of the campus of my alma mater.

 

[USNA69]

He must take after his father. I sent in my housing deposit before I ever got within 200 miles of the campus of my alma mater.

Things have changed. Roads are better. Flying is relatively cheaper. Parents are more sophisticated. Schools expect more. My first visit to USNA was I-Day. Neither had I visited my back-up school. There was no such thing as NASS or CVWs. I never had a BGO. And probably less than two thirds of my class graduated.

Now, the graduation rate is pushing 80%, the highest of the three major service academies. Why? Candidates are expected to know exactly what they are getting into. BGO's primary responsibility is to ensure the knowledgable desire for a military career is there and not a parent's dream of a free education.

A candidate who has not taken advantage of NASS or CVW and has made no individual effort to visit the Academy is indeed an anomaly. Distance and financial circumstances are possible reasons but what candidate cannot come up with the $300 airfare/shuttle which will get one in and out of Reagan from most anywhere in the country? I know a previous candidate who, through a variety of reasons, was entirely on her own throughout her entire high school career. She missed a valuable week of summer work and scraped together enough money to go to NASS. That is dedication and commitment.

 

[Just_A_Mom]

The Commissioner:

Now that I have had a day to think about your post - as a parent this is what I would do - take it or leave it:

Time to sit down and talk to your son. He applied to a bunch of places - (just like my daughter) last summer and now should have an idea of what his goals are.
Does he want Army or a Sea Service (USNA or USCGA)?

If he is sold on Army - then it is a done deal - take either USMAPS or ARTOC scholarship - I think the benefits of USMAPS outweigh ARTOC but that is another discussion.

IF he really wants a sea service - and wants it as a career - then he won't be happy going Army. Time to take steps in aiming for a commission as an Officer in the Navy or Coast Guard. Wait and see. Enact a back up plan. Decide on whether or not to reapply next year or go NROTC if he is accepted to an NROTC school. If he reapplies next year he really should seriously consider USMMA as he can be commissioned into the coast guard or navy from there.

Good Luck and let us know how it all turns out.

 

[kpmom2011]

My son applied to CGA, USNA, USMMA and received nominations to both USNA and USMMA. He received appt. to USMMA.....during all this West Point and Air Force kept sending him really strong offers to which is said "NO." His love is the sea and there was no way that AF or Army could help him with his goals. He also received a NROTC to Virginia Tech as a "back up" plan.

USMMA is truly a well-kept secret, and that's my question to you? Why did your son apply to Army or AF and not USMMA if he wants a career on the water?

Like Just a Mom said, your boy needs to seriously think about what he wants to do with his future. He would be very unhappy if he went Army and it would make his hard schedule most unbearable.

 

[boiler83]

I don't view accepting a MAPS offer, with the hopes of still getting a USNA appointment as an "honorable" course of action. Once you accept an offer, you should notify the other SAs in the mix that you are no longer 'on the market'. This is being fair to the Academies involved as well as the other candidates waiting out there.

 

[kp2001]

I don't view accepting a MAPS offer, with the hopes of still getting a USNA appointment as an "honorable" course of action. Once you accept an offer, you should notify the other SAs in the mix that you are no longer 'on the market'. This is being fair to the Academies involved as well as the other candidates waiting out there.

I could not disagree with you more on this one. If someone wants to hold a slot at a prep school while awaiting word from one of the service academies then I say go for it. The person is simply holding a slot at a school. Now once they have been accepted to another service academy THAT is when they need to make the decision and not hold on to the spot that they will ultimately decline for too long a time.

 

[The Commissioner]

USMMA is truly a well-kept secret, and that's my question to you? Why did your son apply to Army or AF and not USMMA if he wants a career on the water?

I don't know why he never indicated any interest in KP. I never asked him.

All the advice he's received from Day One is consistent: "Apply to all the academies." He applied to all but one. If I find out why he excluded KP, I will let you know.

 

[The Commissioner]

Waiting Game is over!

The Commissioner:

Good Luck and let us know how it all turns out.

My son's service academy application process has been one of the strangest journeys I've ever experienced. The twists and turns and unpredictable events have been beyond our imaginations. As I like to say, "You can't make this stuff up."

The application journey ended last night with my son's decision to accept the admission offer to USMA Prep School. The next journey to West Point now begins.

All things considered, the opportunity presented to him is absolutely the best case scenario. We feel the Prep School route offers him the necessary time to 'grow' into the Academy culture and equips him for success.

Looking back, we see how the power of prayer has guided this process. On behalf of my son and our family, I thank all of you who prayed for him and offered wise advice and counsel. You have helped lead another fine young person into service to this great nation of ours and that is an accomplishment you can take great pride in.

 

[2011's Mom]

YEAH!!! So glad the odd rollar coaster of the admissions process has come to the finish. Now, I guess, the next marathon begins, and from what I understand - the prep we received in the admissions marathon is training for the next several years journey.

I am so excited for your son and the whole family! And, what a wonderful trip you and son had - I loved reading about the campus visits, fabulous information.

 

[Antoinette]

The Commissioner,

Congratulations to your son! He is lucky to have your support.

My son recently accepted his offer of admission to the USMA Class of 2011.

Many thanks to all who post here.

Go Army!

 

[Just_A_Mom]

My son's service academy application process has been one of the strangest journeys I've ever experienced. The twists and turns and unpredictable events have been beyond our imaginations. As I like to say, "You can't make this stuff up."

I hear you! I have sent two older children to college and you cannot compare the service academy process with any other college application experience.

My sincerest Congratuations to your son on choosing USMAPS! He has been given a fabulous opportunity, I wish him the best. West Point Class of 2012 - pretty cool indeed!