SLE

Hi guys! Sorry if this question has already been answered, but I am slightly confused. I received an email from admissions saying I was offered a spot at SLE last week. However, after filling out the shirt size, session preference, and workshop preference, the SLE candidate portal says my status is "pending." I also do not have access to the forms and medical questionnaire in the portal. Does this mean I am not guaranteed a spot yet?
 
doglover45 said:
Hi guys! Sorry if this question has already been answered, but I am slightly confused. I received an email from admissions saying I was offered a spot at SLE last week. However, after filling out the shirt size, session preference, and workshop preference, the SLE candidate portal says my status is "pending." I also do not have access to the forms and medical questionnaire in the portal. Does this mean I am not guaranteed a spot yet?
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They are just confirming your session. You are guaranteed a spot, you just don't know which week yet.
 
I have yet to click "Accept" in the SLE portal... I'm wanting to wait until I hear from USAFA about Summer Seminar. SLE Portal says I have until April 15 to complete the checklist and from what I've heard USAFA usually announces offers around April 1. Will I lose my slot if I wait that long? I don't want to miss one opportunity by waiting for one I won't necessarily get.
 
JollyGreenSnoopy said:
I have yet to click "Accept" in the SLE portal... I'm wanting to wait until I hear from USAFA about Summer Seminar. SLE Portal says I have until April 15 to complete the checklist and from what I've heard USAFA usually announces offers around April 1. Will I lose my slot if I wait that long? I don't want to miss one opportunity by waiting for one I won't necessarily get.
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Why do you want to wait for the USAFA response? I believe the session 1 SLE and Session 2 Summer Seminar dates do not overlap? I am also hoping to get accepted for the USAFA Summer Seminar, but I have accepted the SLE offer and selected session 1. I would look at the SLE offers sooner rather than later, as I am not sure if the slots for SLE session 1 would get filled up. I believe session 2 and USAFA summer Seminar overlap.

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The above is the USAFA dates and the lower is SLE.
 
It is "possible" to switch sessions if a conflict arises - not a given, but will work with you on a space available basis.
 
It's not necessarily because of conflict; I'm trying to maximize what I can get out of my summer. Although I would love to go to all the SA summer programs, I don't think I would benefit much beyond one and also don't think my parents want to invest the money required (airfare is expensive!) when it could go to other programs that I'd likely benefit more from...
 
JollyGreenSnoopy said:
It's not necessarily because of conflict; I'm trying to maximize what I can get out of my summer. Although I would love to go to all the SA summer programs, I don't think I would benefit much beyond one and also don't think my parents want to invest the money required (airfare is expensive!) when it could go to other programs that I'd likely benefit more from...
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Ah that makes sense, I know what you mean. In that case, maybe consider accepting the SLE offer, and holding on for payment until you hear from USAFA. After you accept the offer, they want you to select which session, so you could select the first session just so that you have a spot, and wait to pay until you decide? Just a thought, as the payment and medical stuff and everything come after selecting which session!

Good luck, hope to see you at one program or the other :)!
 
JollyGreenSnoopy said:
It's not necessarily because of conflict; I'm trying to maximize what I can get out of my summer. Although I would love to go to all the SA summer programs, I don't think I would benefit much beyond one and also don't think my parents want to invest the money required (airfare is expensive!) when it could go to other programs that I'd likely benefit more from...
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Are you kidding me? If you end up attending one of these academies, you will come out ahead roughly $200,000 that you don’t pay to get a degree. Then you have a guaranteed job for a handful of years at least, with benefits. Airfare is a drop in the bucket. And you have it right, it isn’t a cost, it’s an investment. You may get a huge return.
 
Well, that’s a pretty big if. The $200,000 is hypothetical. The airfare and other costs associated with the summer programs are real money out of the family’s pocket right now.
 
Iwutke said:
Are you kidding me? If you end up attending one of these academies, you will come out ahead roughly $200,000 that you don’t pay to get a degree. Then you have a guaranteed job for a handful of years at least, with benefits. Airfare is a drop in the bucket. And you have it right, it isn’t a cost, it’s an investment. You may get a huge return.
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This is completely understood. That is why we are working to maximize what I can get out of my and their time, which is something the academies can't give back if I do go. The money isn't an issue in the long run, I just want to make sure it and my time is best spent towards getting an appointment.

Unless someone can tell me otherwise, I don't think it's a good use of my time necessarily to go to multiple of these when I could be spending the money and time on more productive programs to boost my profile.

puzzler said:
Well, that’s a pretty big if. The $200,000 is hypothetical. The airfare and other costs associated with the summer programs are real money out of the family’s pocket right now.
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This too. My family is willing to invest regardless, which I am very grateful for, but they can only spend so much.
 
So a couple of things. Going or not going to one of the summer programs does NOT add weight to your application or likelihood of receiving an appointment. Admissions is clear about this. It is, however, a great opportunity to get on campus, interact with current cadets/mids, meet professors in the workshops. What I will offer you is that for my DD, going to more than one was an opportunity to get some insight into the culture of each SA. She went to both NASS and SLE and declined the virtual session at USAFA because she didn't feel a virtual experience was for her.

While these summer programs are not a "day in the life" in the same way as an overnight visit when classes are in session, she did come away from both with some observations and amazing interactions that gave her insight into the respective cultures, the post graduation service opportunities, the passionate professors, etc. Having the opportunity to compare two experiences solidified the confidence she had in her decision. She also found that a number of people she met that went to multiple summer experiences came away with preferences that they didn't expect to have before they went.

I absolutely concur with your assessment that other summer engagements such as boys/girls state, a job or internship, etc will offer a boost to your application (at any school) over attending all of the summer experiences at the academies. You are wise to consider how you use your time and resources to maximum effect and personal growth. One last thought ... a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
 
Completely agree. And in some parts of the country ( here in the Northeast) kids are still in school during SLE. Our DS was not offered a spot last year, but in hindsight it was a blessing because he would have missed class right before finals, and he needed strong grades to secure an appointment!
 
doglover45 said:
Hi guys! Sorry if this question has already been answered, but I am slightly confused. I received an email from admissions saying I was offered a spot at SLE last week. However, after filling out the shirt size, session preference, and workshop preference, the SLE candidate portal says my status is "pending." I also do not have access to the forms and medical questionnaire in the portal. Does this mean I am not guaranteed a spot yet?
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We were in the same boat until this evening. You may want to log into the SLE Portal now and check again. It took us approximately 10 days for the status to change to "Offered".
 
shwebamar001 said:
We were in the same boat until this evening. You may want to log into the SLE Portal now and check again. It took us approximately 10 days for the status to change to "Offered".
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Odd… status for my DS just went from “Pending” to “Accepted/In Progress”
 
shwebamar001 said:
We were in the same boat until this evening. You may want to log into the SLE Portal now and check again. It took us approximately 10 days for the status to change to "Offered".
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Yes, thank you so much! My status was finally changed to "accepted" yesterday. 😌
 
Just an update on SLE: We heard that they will be having two "military days" instead of one this year at SLE based on popular demand. My DS is really looking forward to attending.
 
Texark147 said:
Just an update on SLE: We heard that they will be having two "military days" instead of one this year at SLE based on popular demand. My DS is really looking forward to attending.
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That is interesting, any idea what they are cutting out?
 
Andor2024 said:
That is interesting, any idea what they are cutting out?
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No, I don't know. This was mentioned by a Col from West Point during a speech we attended last weekend. He was referencing the SLE and casually mentioned the addition of an extra military day this year.
 
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