Re-Applying - Question About Timing

[Tucker2023]

I've read the re-applying sticky thoroughly and I do not see an answer to our question. DS will be finishing up his nomination applications before he leaves for college. We know these must be done by the due dates in October. For a valid reason, DS would like to postpone opening his online application, if possible waiting until even the winter break. We see on the USNA website the application closes on January 31st. Would there be any disadvantage for a re-applicant to wait to open the application online and complete it during his winter break. One thing we cannot remember is if there was a delay in moving to official candidate status so he could get busy with all the details of the application. In fact, as I type this it seems that his NASS application served as the start of the process so the first day they assigned Candidate status he got the email.

 

[helmsdown]

When does he go back to school? You will need to have a BGO interview in there sometime. I think he's good on the DoDmerb, will he have to retake the CFA? Don't forget he'll need the two recommendation letters and a Nomination. Those would be considerations when opening the app during winter break. Seems like an awful lot to do.

 

[usna1985]

I don't know if MOCs will consider a candidate who isn't already an "official candidate." I think MOCs ask for your candidate number. Nor do I know how they could nominate him -- many MOCs submit their slates well before the end of December -- if he isn't a candidate. Also, how is he going to respond to the MOC question, "Why haven't you applied?"

Finally, agree with above poster that putting everything off until January is risky. Lots of things can happen. And I can tell you that BGOs HATE getting a call or email essentially demanding an interview at the end of January b/c the candidate has procrastinated.

NASS status works for that year only for candidate status. Last year, candidates got candidate numbers starting with 23. This year, for the Class of 2024, their numbers will start with 24. USNA doesn't give every turned down candidate a new number -- you must indicate to USNA your intent to reapply.

I'm not sure of a "valid reason" for waiting to reopen his application. I suppose any reason could be "valid," but the question is whether such a decision makes sense.

 

[Tucker2023]

All good points. We will be discussing. It is a valid reason and its not just to procrastinate. Thank you for the feedback.

 

[A6E Dad]

The advice for a re-applicant is to not rush, and to make sure that the college experience is reflected in the essays and activities as well as recommendations if possible. The candidate won't be reviewed until the first semester transcript is sent in.

That usually means open the application early, and get much of it done, but wait to submit the essay and activities till around Thanksgiving.

However, waiting till after the semester before even opening the app is risky in my opinion, you're only giving yourself a month to complete everything and the people you are depending on will probably have vacations/unavailability around the same time. There are things outside your control the can't begin until you are an official candidate, especially letters of rec, that can take a long time. You also can't take the CFA until you are an official candidate, and you would be betting that you don't have a twisted ankle or some other issue during that brief window.

What is the downside of starting early? You can knock out the SAT/ACT, CFA, High School Academic info, HS transcript, and get the info sent to the LOR writers. You can also get DODMERB started early.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

I don't know if MOCs will consider a candidate who isn't already an "official candidate."

. I had a candidate "pop up" on BGIS for the first time in December/January a few years ago. On initial contact, I asked him why he had not opened up an application with USNA before then, and he explained that he wanted to get his nominations first. He was a great candidate, submitted the application quickly, interviewed before Jan. 31, and got offers to both USNA and USAFA, and is a Midshipman now. \

Of course, as I often say here, one data point doesn't make a rule, and this was certainly extraordinary. Every MOC can be different, and I would expect most to expect "Official Candidate" status before nominating.

I can't think of any reason of waiting to Open the application, and get most of the routine documents (activities, recommendations, etc) done before you get busy with college. Save the personal essay for a few months into college, so you can include lessons learned, demonstrate growth etc, and get the BGO interview done at Thanksgiving or Christmas breaks.

If you are worried about not looking motivated by delaying the interview or personal statement, then communicate your plan to your BGO and Admissions Counselor up front...send an email that they can paste into your Student Notes (the BGIS system has a place for BGO's to put notes in the Candidate file).

Good luck.

 

[Tucker2023]

Thank you. He is going to open the application and fill out the page that will get him to Candidate status when the nominations are due. We know that his file will not be looked at until they have his transcript for his first semester so working though it over winter break and completing it before he returns is still the plan. DodMERB is good for two years. He is DQ'd and will need a waiver.

Thank you all for the feedback!

 

[Norfolk63]

It is in the candidate's best interest to apply early. With college re-applicants they also need to initiate contact with their college math and english professors to submit their evaluations to the CIS portal.