So much of this process depends on who is assigned to work with you.

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Pattonsghost

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Feb 4, 2023
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I guess this is just an obvious observation, but it seems clear that some of the Regional officers and the FF contacts are much more helpful than others. I get that they are busy, but I have heard from people who had Regionals really go the extra mile to help explain things and FFs who go out of their way to "sell" the candidate, or at least keep them on the radar. These may be small things, but I think it's worth noting. My FF has been great, but my contacts with my Regional have been pretty depressing and even dismissive. Just a heads up, not everyone is going to advocate for you or even be particularly helpful, so make sure you are your own best advocate.
 
Pattons Ghost. I am going to disagree with you.
It is never about the FFR...it is about the strength of the packet that the applicant puts together.
Lots of kids apply and get in and never once talk to admissions/regional officer and may not meet with a FFR or only just for an interview.

It is the strength of the packet. Have good test scores, a varsity letter, a solid GPA in competitive classes, be an Eagle Scout or do Boys/Girls State, and produce a solid CFT...control the things you can control.

I don't think anyone is 'selling' or 'promoting' the kids to the Regional Officers...more so tracking or communicating with the kids than helping admissions.
 
@Pattonsghost - Everyone gets a little concerned about this time of year. If you just read the SAF and look at the appointment list you would assume that almost all the slots are gone, but that is far from the case. This year things have been running slowly, partially due to the DODMERB issues. You cannot offer appointments until a candidate is fully qualified. I am sure many slate winners, Principal noms., and LOA holders are still waiting for offers.

But, the WCS determines a great deal as to whether a candidate progresses to an offer or not. GPA and SAT / ACT scores determine academic qualification, the CFA can’t be fudged, and RCs have almost nothing to do with Medical unless a waiver is requested. Yes, some RCs may hold hands more than another, but the numbers are the numbers and I would say the admissions committee objectively considers all candidates equally. It is easy to think you have been forgotten at this point, but this is very early in the process. Hang in there! My 2026 cadet didn’t get his appointment till April last year and he was a principal nom. with a 3Q letter in February. It just takes time…
 
@Pattonsghost and all other Waiting Waiting Waiting ‘27 applicants who are being driven mad by the brain hamsters running around your head nonstop - an invaluable adult skill is learning to focus on what you can control. YOU control exactly how you feel about any given thing in your life. No one person or circumstance MAKES you feel a certain way.

If you have time to read these two essays, here is how a well-known military officer used that skill to endure years of imprisonment.


 
Pattonsghost said:
Thanks. I hope I'm not the only one.
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Hang in there! It is completely understandable to feel the stress and worry of not knowing. Tend your backup plans, enjoy your friends and family and remember that while this process is rolling and you are seeing some appointment posting trickle in, the majority are yet to come. You've got this!
 
Capt MJ said:
@Pattonsghost and all other Waiting Waiting Waiting ‘27 applicants who are being driven mad by the brain hamsters running around your head nonstop - an invaluable adult skill is learning to focus on what you can control. YOU control exactly how you feel about any given thing in your life. No one person or circumstance MAKES you feel a certain way.

If you have time to read these two essays, here is how a well-known military officer used that skill to endure years of imprisonment.


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Marked for later.

Back when VADM Stockdale ran for office, I read a lot about him. Fascinating.
 
Don’t go looking for someone to blame. SA reps come in all flavors, but they’re ultimately conduits and not necessarily advocates. Your credentials are your credentials — your actions are your actions — and reps can’t boost them or suppress them. Ultimately, you are responsible for your outcome, not someone else. Which is why we often say on SAF: Go to the SA website and review every page, tab, link and pulldown. Inform yourself so that you can take responsibility for your app.

I advise the college students I teach to be accountable and not ”look for a reason.” That advice is equally apt for SA applicants.
 
@Pattonsghost ...this is a marathon. Do not be fooled by the list of happy people reporting an appointment. the class will not be finalized until around 1 May. If you were not on SAF, you would have no idea that other people were receiving appointments. Make your mindset that you will know by 1 May. You put your very best packet forward--that is the very best advocacy you can do--also those two noms--we know you are a good candidate--two noms! Great!

Pretend you cannot see that list. (One of my cadets received an LOA in early September, appointment in October; my other cadet heard NOTHING...NOTHING until around 24 or 27 April...NOTHING...(I sort of felt sick on the inside but we could no talk about it--he had already accepted an appointment to USAFA)...they are both USMA Old Grads and Army officers now).

Again, you may hear nothing until late April. You have to hang in there and build a great other plan: college and an Army ROTC scholarship. You will know by 1 May. If you are 3Q with a nom or two, you are in the pool of people who are more likely than not likely to get an appointment. That is a great place to be.

It is a marathon, not a sprint. Sometimes that marathon includes a year at another school and a re-application...So, enjoy your life now: school, friends, family--your life will be so different a year from now. Keep working out. Keep faith.
 
Also, it is early February...most of your other colleges are not telling you until later in the year.
Set your heart that the notification deadline is 1 May...and this may become more tolerable for you.

We are all cheering for you and hoping for you to get good news...that is the nature of this forum...we want the kids who post to get the appointments and live their dreams and serve our great Nation. Everyone here wants that for you.

These are early days...appointments will come out week by week until 1 May. Play the long game. Keep faith.
 
MarTac said:
@Pattonsghost - Everyone gets a little concerned about this time of year. If you just read the SAF and look at the appointment list you would assume that almost all the slots are gone, but that is far from the case. This year things have been running slowly, partially due to the DODMERB issues. You cannot offer appointments until a candidate is fully qualified. I am sure many slate winners, Principal noms., and LOA holders are still waiting for offers.

But, the WCS determines a great deal as to whether a candidate progresses to an offer or not. GPA and SAT / ACT scores determine academic qualification, the CFA can’t be fudged, and RCs have almost nothing to do with Medical unless a waiver is requested. Yes, some RCs may hold hands more than another, but the numbers are the numbers and I would say the admissions committee objectively considers all candidates equally. It is easy to think you have been forgotten at this point, but this is very early in the process. Hang in there! My 2026 cadet didn’t get his appointment till April last year and he was a principal nom. with a 3Q letter in February. It just takes time…
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This is encouraging and I wanted to thank you for posting. My DS got his packet in, CFA completed and medical completed in October. He also has a principal nom. We're working thru a medical waiver now but it surely requires patience and trust in the process. He is "this close" to an appointment but the system does more slowly. I keep tell him that I will help him continue to push until they tell him to stop. Sometimes the pace is frustrating but I remind him that there are very few times in your life when you are the cusp of massive change and a new identity: marriage, having a baby, and applying to an service academy. :) It is exciting and anxious at the same time and sometimes, those are difficulty to separate.
 
Pattonsghost said:
I appreciate your kind and encouraging words, DrMom. Fortunately, I do have a "plan B"--a 4 year Army ROTC scholarship that I just found out about last week. Your advice is sound. May 1st. Until then, I've got other things to work on!
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Way to work it through to an operating philosophy you can live with in the short-term.
 
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