Basically you have several options if you really want to attend USMA.
1. Go to a plan B school. Hopefully on an ROTC scholarship, but even if you don't get a scholarship sign up for ROTC and reapply. Look for opportunities at your university such as sports or clubs that would help your resume.
2. AOG spot, if offered. Great option. Two of my brothers and two nieces did this at USNA.
3. Enlist and reapply from the ranks.
My DD did a combination of 1 and 3. Went to school for a semester on an ROTC and athletic scholarship. Dropped out and enlisted, then applied from the ranks. Currently a Plebe.
Very sorry to hear the disappointing news. I lived it last year. We were naïve and thought it impossible that West Point admissions wouldn't rush out to escort DS through the gates, as most first time applicants do. The reality was very sobering but DS was determined. We were fortunate that he received an AOG offer which he immediately accepted. This led to serious debate in our house as he had numerous very prestigious scholarship offers on the table. However he never waivered and reported to MMI in August on a mission to prove that he belonged at West Point. Fortunately upon arrival in Alabama he found 20 other AOG's just as determined as he was. Together they accomplished everything they set out to accomplish and they did it together. When July 2 rolls around they will all be reporting to R-day more mature, more confident, and more capable than they were a year ago. Best of all they each arrive with a built in support system of fellow cadets that they can depend on when the going gets tough.Received two nominations and a 3Q letter, but was rejected today. It has been really difficult to cope with the rejection.
Received two nominations and a 3Q letter, but was rejected today. It has been really difficult to cope with the rejection.
Believe you have to spend a certain amount of time enlisted before you can apply. Your command has to sign off on it. Just spending a few months in a unit won't provide much benefit. They want real experience.Basically you have several options if you really want to attend USMA.
1. Go to a plan B school. Hopefully on an ROTC scholarship, but even if you don't get a scholarship sign up for ROTC and reapply. Look for opportunities at your university such as sports or clubs that would help your resume.
2. AOG spot, if offered. Great option. Two of my brothers and two nieces did this at USNA.
3. Enlist and reapply from the ranks.
My DD did a combination of 1 and 3. Went to school for a semester on an ROTC and athletic scholarship. Dropped out and enlisted, then applied from the ranks. Currently a Plebe.
Once enlisted did she reapply right away, or is there a waiting period?
And I would add, demonstrated leadership and hard work.Believe you have to spend a certain amount of time enlisted before you can apply. Your command has to sign off on it. Just spending a few months in a unit won't provide much benefit. They want real experience.
Sometimes unanswered prayers are the right path. This was just one road or path to your future, thier will be many more opportunities for you.Received two nominations and a 3Q letter, but was rejected today. It has been really difficult to cope with the rejection.
DD came and saw A-Day parade after attending airborne school right after graduation from AIT. Got to her unit a week later and opened her portal. Found out while deployed she was accepted. Someone from her class was in language school when notified of acceptance.Believe you have to spend a certain amount of time enlisted before you can apply. Your command has to sign off on it. Just spending a few months in a unit won't provide much benefit. They want real experience.
Once enlisted did she reapply right away, or is there a waiting period?
Received two nominations and a 3Q letter, but was rejected today. It has been really difficult to cope with the rejection.
That's odd. I'm assuming she got an enlisted slot? You'd think they'd want a few years of experience from enlisted soldiers. I know they don't fill the allocated enlisted slots every year. Late congratulations to you and your DDDD came and saw A-Day parade after attending airborne school right after graduation from AIT. Got to her unit a week later and opened her portal. Found out while deployed she was accepted. Someone from her class was in language school when notified of acceptance.Believe you have to spend a certain amount of time enlisted before you can apply. Your command has to sign off on it. Just spending a few months in a unit won't provide much benefit. They want real experience.
Results may vary.
Yes, she received an enlisted slot. There is a fine line as they must meet the age requirement. No more waivers for this so if a person needs a year of MAPS (my DD did not), they are on a tight schedule.That's odd. I'm assuming she got an enlisted slot? You'd think they'd want a few years of experience from enlisted soldiers. I know they don't fill the allocated enlisted slots every year. Late congratulations to you and your DD
@UHBlackhawk daughter is a great story and many of us have seen the video of the Brigade Commander calling her out front to tell her. She is classmates with my DD and these young women are doing great things; the year of maturity sure helps when you get there. I have my own DD who took a different route through regular college and ROTC. You see other success stories about self-prep or SMC. Against my wife's wishes, my advice to my DD was to chase her dreams and never give up reapplying if that is what she truly wanted.
BUT, these are just the stories with happy endings. No one comes back here and says my kid went to Marion as a Self Prep or Enlisted and is now miserable because they did not get in as a re-applicant. Not getting in as a re-applicant happens at least as often and probably more frequently.
There are numerous paths for a re-applicant and all have advantages and disadvantages. The four year college with ROTC is the path with the fewest roadblocks and the enlisted route is probably the most difficult to navigate as many things are outside your control. The other options are somewhere in between.
The best advice is to evaluate each option for what you want out of the experience and ensure you will be satisfied with the outcome if you do not get in.
Will you be happy serving four years as an enlisted soldier?
Will you be happy with a year at self prep and transferring to another college?
Will you be satisfied graduating and commissioning through the Corps at a SMC?
I purposely left sponsored prep out of the discussion as it is a no-brainer golden ticket if offered.