Turned Down Appointment - Reapply?

Give the slot to someone that values the opportunity

I would not be inclined to readmit this young person. I roomed in beast with a new cadet that had gone thru the AFA version of beast and quick and was giving Army a shot. He was the most squared away new cadet around and he quit again before the end of summer.

I lack additional compassion for this situation as I have a family friend that was qualified for this slot but was not granted one. He is taking an extra year to achieve his goal while you took his slot and didn't even make use of it. These slots are valuable and you are privileged to have earned one. Getting an appointment to the academy is like getting a check for a couple hundred thousand dollars in the mail. You ripped this check up. Good luck taping it back together and trying to cash it. If you do get a second chance, make good use of the opportunity and don't quit once there.
 
Academy_Questions said:
Also, I accepted my appointment in February (received it in December) and told USMA that I would actually not be accepting that appointment before the May 1 deadline. So I feel I was responsible and not "flaky" in that regard..
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John Lynch said:
I lack additional compassion for this situation as I have a family friend that was qualified for this slot but was not granted one. He is taking an extra year to achieve his goal while you took his slot and didn't even make use of it.
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How did Academy_Questions take your family friend's slot?
 
Applicants reject offers is calculated in. They don't "take" anybody's seat, they take an overestimated slot from the admissions. If all the offered "seats" are yes, then in the future they won't be able to offer that many seats.

I don't think OP took anyone's slot. He rejected an appointment but class 2014 is overfilled. OP actually made the situation a little better by 1. They wouldn't mind if some more people rejected offers. I don't see no vacant slots at all.
 
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Thanks for the info and advice everyone.

Like I said, I did not make my decision lightly at all - it is the hardest thing I have ever done and had never been so honored as to receive an appointment. This was my dream, which I worked many many years for. (I basically spent a 1/4 of my life actively pursuing an appointment)

I did everything I could to let my decision be known the "right" way, so I could allow my "spot" to open up if it came to that. I did not ever fill out form beyond my initial acceptance, and obviously did not report to I-day. This was all done by May 1.

I feel like I have gained the maturity and knowledge since that time to make an appropriate decision for my future. I have renewed confidence in myself, and see that I simply doubted what I always knew to be my calling.

Being a female, I saw extra issues arise, which had never even crossed my mind when I initially became set on an academy.
 
I say go for it again if you know that is truly where you want to be. In my life though, there has not always been a 2nd chance. :mad:
 
John Lynch is not on the admission committee. The decision to accept you again is with admissions. Again, if you want to go for it then go for it. Like I said, it's been done before. Good Luck!

PS you will have to seek a nomination over again. Check with your MOC's you may not have to redo the entire package. You should probably consider writing a statement to them explaining why you didn't go the first time and why you now want to attend.
 
That is true "JAM"

Well, I have "re-openned" my file, and am awaiting a response from my regional officer. We'll see : )

Thanks for the encouragement!
 
I must admit that I am pulling more for the people who are trying to get into West Point and are SURE that they want to go. However, everyone makes mistakes in life and I wish you well. I would suggest that you write your MALO a thoughful letter on the situation concentrating on why you turned down your chance last year and why you are now sure that you want West Point now.
I know that these Regional Admissions people work hard on getting their regional candidates in West Point. I must frankly say that if I was a MALO I would have some hesitation in pushing your candidacy with the Admissions Committee.
 
The way that I look at it - I will have an extra year of thought and maturity, where I know that this is what I want and have experienced some of the "real world" and civilian life. By knowing what I do not want, I can be firmer in my decision.

So in that aspect I would be a sure bet in terms of signing those 2 for 7s
 
I would suggest reapplying and enjoying your time at your civilian college this year - its probably not a bad idea to get a taste of the quintessential dorm life before having to life in a strict military environment. Having one year ahead of you might also strengthen your application (even though it sounds you were well qualified). You can consider joining the National Guard, ROTC (if its available), or enlisting if you're really serious about the Army.

Good luck and have fun!
 
If you notify a SA by May 1 that you aren't coming, it has PLENTY of time to offer your spot to someone else. So, the OP here was not taking anyone else's slot.

If she had serious doubts, it was much better for her to decline her appointment and let someone else take it than to show up and then quit. Under those circumstances, no one could take her place.

If, upon further reflection this year, she realizes that she really belongs at WP, then maybe that is what was meant to be. It's another long road for her, but one she appears willing to travel.

Choosing to attend a SA is a difficult decision. Many of those who attrite were "sure" they wanted to attend but, once there, changed their mind. Thus, I can't fault someone who wasn't sure up front and did the most decent thing by giving someone else the chance to take her place.

And, quite honestly, what someone else may or may not have done and how that person may or may not have fared has zero reflection/impact on this particular individual.

To the OP, if -- after spending a few months at civilian college -- you still yearn to be at WP, finish your "re-application." If you realize that you're meant for another path, go forward with that 100%. Only you know where your heart lies.
 
Thanks USNA, you are really echoing how I feel and I can't tell you how much I appreciate the encouragement. It's inspirational, as this has been a tough path for me; but I know it will only help me learn and grow in the end.
 
Update?

Just curious, would you mind posting where you are at in your endeavor?

I want to let you know, you are not alone in your situation. I "encouraged" my daughter to apply to CG as I knew her love of the sea (crewed an all-female tallship) and willingness to help people. She made it through Summer Seminar, was accepted for early acceptance. My wife and I thought she was a perfect fit for that organization. And she was. She knew what she was getting into, as she was around during my navy career (USNA 1985) She had doubts and a boyfriend exploited those doubts. She turned down her appointment, went to Stonybrook and although has done very well, straight A's in the Honor program, member of the "Lead" program...entered school as a Sophomore with all her credits, she has made comments regarding wanting to reapply.

I believe she wants to take the challenge, again. She has considered re-applying. Although, she feels like it would be a waste of time as she thinks that she turned it down once they would not accept her. I went on this forum to look into the insight regarding this...I guess it is viable and she would have a chance. I wonder what the statistics are for people who turn the SA down and later reapply, and what percentage make it in,,,and what percentage make it to graduation. Anybody have those numbers?
 
bugaiho said:
I believe she wants to take the challenge, again. She has considered re-applying. Although, she feels like it would be a waste of time as she thinks that she turned it down once they would not accept her. I went on this forum to look into the insight regarding this...I guess it is viable and she would have a chance. I wonder what the statistics are for people who turn the SA down and later reapply, and what percentage make it in,,,and what percentage make it to graduation. Anybody have those numbers?
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Not sure how anyone would know that. But it is not rare. I was accepted and turned down my first appointment. I went to civilian college, reapplied and was turned down my freshman year. I then reapplied, and received my second appointment and graduated four years later.

Of course CG is much smalled than USMA, and they might have longer memories. I would ensure that she addresses it in communication/essay. Hopefully the algorithm that is used pops out a really big number for her file that will override any doubts about her dedication. Luckily you don't have to worry about a nomination for CG.

At least she didn't go to and then quit an academy thus taking a spot.
 
That blog has been taken down but here is the info that was in that blog:


Re-applying to West Point


* Apply to all possible sources of nomination.* Everyone is eligible for at least four sources of nomination (both state Senators, the Congressman in your district, and the Vice President).* It is not too early to contact the respective offices and request a nomination.* The easiest to apply for is the vice presidential nomination.

*Consider ROTC at the school you will be attending.* This will give you some military training opportunities.* Show the ROTC program your West Point qualified-non-select letter and this may help you gain a scholarship.* Joining ROTC may make you eligible for the ROTC nomination.



* If you join ROTC, also consider the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP).* The SMP allows you to attend ROTC and serve in the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard at the same time. It gives you an opportunity for additional training and experience. Cadets serve as Officer trainees in the Reserve or National Guard while completing college. You can earn Reserve/Guard pay and benefits in addition to your Army ROTC allowances. As a Reserve or National Guard soldier you will be eligible for a nomination as a soldier if recommended by your commander.* I did the SMP program between high school and West Point and was very happy with the training and experience it gave me.



* Retake and improve your standardized test score.* This is typically the easiest way to dramatically improve your competitive odds of admission.* Prep courses can help.* Here is a free one sponsored by the Army - https://www.march2success.com/index.cfm We take the best scores across multiple tests so you cannot hurt your chances of admission by retaking the tests.



* Complete your file early.* Many qualified-non-selects would have been offered admission if their files were completed in the fall instead of last minute in the spring.* That was the case for me in 1994.* Plan on having your file complete no later than December 15th.



* During your first semester of college take Math, English, Science, History and ROTC.* Earn A's.* Send me your first semester college transcript as soon as it is available and follow up with an email to make sure I have it.
 
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