Plan B issues

I've never had a guidance counselor who said having a plan B was a bad thing... weird.
 
usna1985 said:
OldRetSWO's story . . .

Wow, just wow. With an enrollment of 75,000 students, I don't for a minute believe that they "reserved a spot" that went "unfilled." But they obviously used that line to bilk you out of $20k.
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TRIED to bilk us out of $$$.
We chose not to pay and ride out the hit to kid's credit score. Since they would not talk to or negotiate with me, it didn't go on MY credit score and my kid was pissed off enough at them that they were willing to take the hit.
 
The fact that a school would seek to ruin the credit of a 18-year-old "kid" is worse in my mind than had they tried to ruin yours. I fully understand that kid is legally responsible, but . . . seriously???? My guess is that they assumed parents would ultimately pay -- almost like extortion.
 
yyz123 said:
My DS was informed by his guidance counselor that he should not have a Plan B since he is taking a seat from someone at State University. He was advised to relinquish his seat as it is considered unethical in the admissions world. My DS explained the possible scenarios that could happen before he gets to his service academy (injuries, medical DQ, etc) but the guidance counselor advised him against Plan B. DS even called State University to explain the situation and they are ok with him holding his slot pending everything going as planned at the service academy over the summer. Any advice on how to handle this?
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You need to do what is right for you. Unless you applied EA to the other school, I don't think it is unethical to have two school decisions pending. At this stage many students have a couple of decisions under discernment as they contemplate finances, geography, etc.

As to why the counselor may encourage turning it down, some competitive schools will only take X number of students from a HS. Last year our HS counselors suggested those accepted to state U of X to promptly decline if they didn't plan on attending because it would open up a spot for one of their classmates in deferred status. As those declines were made, it was an actual one for one pick up from the waiting list.

So it may not be as much about having a Plan B as it is the specific Plan B having downstream implications for classmates. If this is the case for your school, the counselor could have explained it better.
 
For all of you who feel that it is okay to have the Plan B in place after May 1st without letting the Plan B school know, how would you feel if someone here who had received appointments to both USMA and USNA were to accept both appointments to give them the rest of the summer until they have to report to I Day or R Day, to make their final decision? Would you feel that was unethical and is keeping someone else from possibly getting an appointment? Would you feel "it's not the same" as having a civilian school as their backup? Is it justified in one case and not the other?
 
USMAROTCFamily said:
For all of you who feel that it is okay to have the Plan B in place after May 1st without letting the Plan B school know, how would you feel if someone here who had received appointments to both USMA and USNA were to accept both appointments to give them the rest of the summer until they have to report to I Day or R Day, to make their final decision?
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Speaking only for DD’s situation, this is not a valid comparison at all. DD was not trying to buy time so that she could make a decision down the road. She had made a firm decision to attend USNA. She was buying an insurance policy in case illness or injury prevented her from showing up on I-Day. Extremely prudent, given the strict parameters surrounding SA matriculation.

I understand the question you’re asking, but it’s apples and oranges in our case. The scenario you present — deferring a decision between two SAs — is not something we would’ve entertained or considered.
 
USMAROTCFamily said:
For all of you who feel that it is okay to have the Plan B in place after May 1st without letting the Plan B school know, how would you feel if someone here who had received appointments to both USMA and USNA were to accept both appointments to give them the rest of the summer until they have to report to I Day or R Day, to make their final decision? Would you feel that was unethical and is keeping someone else from possibly getting an appointment? Would you feel "it's not the same" as having a civilian school as their backup? Is it justified in one case and not the other?
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MidCakePa said:
Speaking only for DD’s situation, this is not a valid comparison at all. DD was not trying to buy time so that she could make a decision down the road. She had made a firm decision to attend USNA. She was buying an insurance policy in case illness or injury prevented her from showing up on I-Day. Extremely prudent, given the strict parameters surrounding SA matriculation.

I understand the question you’re asking, but it’s apples and oranges in our case. The scenario you present — deferring a decision between two SAs — is not something we would’ve entertained or considered.
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Usmartocfamily has brought up a interesting point. I understand and support that having a plan B is a good idea. I also agree that the plan B school needs to be aware of their status and agree. I do think that in some cases, holding that Plan B could be a detriment to someone else. Is it every person who holds a "Plan B" no? No, but it could be making it difficult for someone trying to get that spot at the school, or scholarship that is being held.

MidcakePa and their DS did the right thing and the school is all for it, so your not doing anything wrong, but I wouldn't agree that it doesn't have the potential to make it more difficult for someone out there. I also think that if you are fine with a plan B for a civilian school, then a plan B for a SA should be the same no problem.
 
My assumption is any kid in the position of preserving a backup/insurance situation is in most circumstances probably a pretty smart and thoughtful person, probably from parents that are the same, and not someone who is just trying to screw over a school or other applicant.

My advice, which is worth what you're paying to read it, is to read/understand any provision regarding any deposit or deadline before you agree to anything so you know the ramifications of the decision(s) to be made... and then do what you feel is in your or your kid's best interest, outside influences be damned. Notice there's no wiggle room in my advice for third parties. These kids are on the doorstep of one of the most important, stressful, and difficult decisions of their life and are looked at as a bag of money by most schools, so utilize whatever leverage is best for your situation.

The rules and stipulations of what MUST be done are there, and so long as you're operating within them with good intentions, I think your conscience should be good to go. This is one opportunity to be unapologetically selfish for maintaining options, while still operating under whatever rules you've agreed to.
 
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Plan B isn’t USNA …. Why is it getting so much worried attention?
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