d22
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Argh! So sorry, gokings814! Your DS has some great plan B options. All the best to your DS.
TWE
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Argh! So sorry, gokings814! Your DS has some great plan B options. All the best to your DS.
We were there last year- was one of the hardest things as a parent that I have had to go through- we just let him say what he needed to, and supported him to go to Plan B; and to make the choice for himself about whether he would reapply. He had back-to-back TWE last spring= USNA and NROTC within one week. This year- he got both the NROTC scholarship and an appointment for USNA.
Thank you for your words of wisdom. It gives me such comfort. Our emotions are still so raw that we will have to wait a bit before discussing re-applying. Just letting DS decompress from his tough week. Heart is heavy but trying to remain strong for him. God Bless everyone on this forum.
I've been a forum reader not contributor, and my heart aches for you and for all the amazing DS/DD and their parents receiving a TWE. I won't get the mail for this very reason. Even as I read through the various posts, I can't stop crying because I can only imagine that all the DS/DD are like my DS and so filled with hope. I do believe God has a plan for everyone, even when individuals have other dreams and desires for themselves and we don't understand God's plan… doesn't make it any easier when your heart is crushed. Just to get a nomination speaks volumes to the caliber of students and leadership. Hugs to everyone.
I told my DD months ago that I had been praying for her every night. She said "I know how much you want me to go there". To which I replied "Yes, I do, but I haven't been praying for you to get in. I have been praying that it will work out where you get the news that will be best for you". I worry that because she doesn't live and breath NAVY she wouldn't do well. Or that she would get through and then hate Navy life. Or that it would be too hard. Or, any one of a million things. I really don't know what I want. She said today that if she gets a TWE that she will not be reapplying. She "wants to move on with her life and accept that it wasn't meant to be". That doesn't sound like someone who is driven to go there at all costs. (but is that even what it takes to succeed??)
I prayed SUPER hard for everyone last night. Others have voiced it so well. It is hard for many kids and parents to face a TWE, but maybe for an unknown reason at this moment it IS the best outcome. Maybe your DS or DD needs an extra year to grow, study, or evaluate life. Maybe they get a BFE next year, maybe they move on. There are so many unknowns here, but as time passes and candidates look back years from now no matter how the situation looks now, I am hopeful that they will see the "why?" as they see how their lives have been shaped. They are all wonderful outstanding citizens. Be proud, mamas and daddys; you have done a good job!!!
Not sure that anything really helps in the beginning- but I am re-posting something I sent via PM to another TWE parent about my son's journey post-TWE:
My son went through all the stages of grief; disappointment, sadness, withdrawal, anger, but he knew that he did want to proceed with trying to commission which is why he enrolled in the NROTC college program- and that was the BEST decision. He did "basic training"; mandatory PE; enforced study hall (which of course helped his GPA)- and his exposure to the military lifestyle was a really good fit for him. His fellow NROTC unit members made no distinction between college programmers and scholarship awardees, which was nice. He reapplied to NROTC as soon as he was able to (in June I think), and heard that he received a scholarship in September- which was to start his sophomore year.
He was ambivalent about the USNA, I think because he did not want to go through the whole application/rejection cycle. But he did the USNA reapplication over the summer and let his recs go in. With the NROTC scholarship in hand- he initially was not going to finish the USNA application- as he was happy- especially during basic training when he was very immersed in NROTC. BUT... truthfully- my husband pushed him, saying that he thought he would regret it if he did not give it another shot. And, as it turns out, as the semester went on, and the unit became "less military" for lack of a better word, my son was less satisfied, and realized that he wanted something more in terms of officer training than what he was getting. So, after talking with the BGO in December, he sent his final HS transcript in early January- and his 1st semester college grades shortly after.
I know from the BGO- that the pattern of my son's thinking is typical of college reapps- they have MANY reapplicants who initiate the reapp, and then, like my son- have second thoughts as they settle in to college life and are happy where they are and never finish the process- kids are very resilient, thank God. One thing I can say with reasonable certainty, is that your son/daughter WILL feel better and be happy - and if he/she wants to re-open the door to that application process- it can turn out well for them as it has for so many others on the site this year. And - while my DS is waiting on his "Permission to Report" packet; another freshman member of his NROTC unit who also received a USNA appointment this year on re-app- is happy and has elected to stay in the college NROTC program. He turned down the appointment.
My son went through all the stages of grief; disappointment, sadness, withdrawal, anger, but he knew that he did want to proceed with trying to commission which is why he enrolled in the NROTC college program- and that was the BEST decision. He did "basic training"; mandatory PE; enforced study hall (which of course helped his GPA)- and his exposure to the military lifestyle was a really good fit for him. His fellow NROTC unit members made no distinction between college programmers and scholarship awardees, which was nice. He reapplied to NROTC as soon as he was able to (in June I think), and heard that he received a scholarship in September- which was to start his sophomore year.
He was ambivalent about the USNA, I think because he did not want to go through the whole application/rejection cycle. But he did the USNA reapplication over the summer and let his recs go in. With the NROTC scholarship in hand- he initially was not going to finish the USNA application- as he was happy- especially during basic training when he was very immersed in NROTC. BUT... truthfully- my husband pushed him, saying that he thought he would regret it if he did not give it another shot. And, as it turns out, as the semester went on, and the unit became "less military" for lack of a better word, my son was less satisfied, and realized that he wanted something more in terms of officer training than what he was getting. So, after talking with the BGO in December, he sent his final HS transcript in early January- and his 1st semester college grades shortly after.
I know from the BGO- that the pattern of my son's thinking is typical of college reapps- they have MANY reapplicants who initiate the reapp, and then, like my son- have second thoughts as they settle in to college life and are happy where they are and never finish the process- kids are very resilient, thank God. One thing I can say with reasonable certainty, is that your son/daughter WILL feel better and be happy - and if he/she wants to re-open the door to that application process- it can turn out well for them as it has for so many others on the site this year. And - while my DS is waiting on his "Permission to Report" packet; another freshman member of his NROTC unit who also received a USNA appointment this year on re-app- is happy and has elected to stay in the college NROTC program. He turned down the appointment.
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justiceforall
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Just because she isn't reapplying doesn't mean she doesn't "breathe Navy". I myself am not reapplying because I want to spend 4 more years becoming an officer in ROTC rather than 5 more years by waiting to reapply again. Don't get me wrong, I breathe "Navy" and I was crushed when I got that TWE. Understand that USNA is a route to the end, not an end goal, so if DD wants to move on a quicker path, that's understandable. I understand that you want the best for her, but I believe that as long as we reach our end goal, the route we take matters less. Good luck.
navymomwannabe
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Well said justiceforall. NROTC, OCS, USNA, they all end in the same place. My son didn't want to reapply (although I admit that I really wanted him too.....took a few weeks to remember this was his journey not mine) and he has not regretted that decision. But everyone has to find their own way.
Anyone who shot for the academy and fell short is still an amazing individual and wherever they end up, I have no doubt they will be successful. All the best to you all!
Anyone who shot for the academy and fell short is still an amazing individual and wherever they end up, I have no doubt they will be successful. All the best to you all!
d22
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justiceforall
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Yes! looking forward to it.
So last year my son received an early LOA as well as an NROTC scholarship. Navy was not his first choice. He was not accepted to his #1 school for which he received the NROTC scholarship and was pretty upset. He still had some good options on the table but much to my surprise, decided on USNA. I was also concerned about choice since I didn't think he bled navy blue and gold. Fast forward to a week ago when I was driving him back to Annapolis after spring break-he commented how strange life is. This time last year he was so uncertain as he made his choice, afraid it was going to be a mistake and grateful he took the chance. He says now he can't imagine himself anywhere else. He's a happy, proud plebe. Go figure. Fingers crossed here in PA for all of you.
So TWE came Friday for my DS I ran into our past Congressman that nominated him 30 min later at the mechanics he was shocked he ranked him number 1 on his slate he was fully qualified and had 3 nominations to the Naval Academy and 2 more to USMA he is the JROTC Battalion Comander and will be appointed the Brigade Commander over the entire district next week he was one of twenty kids in the world presented Legion of Valor and recognized in the House of Representatives and Senate by the Congressman he was Boys State, NHS, student council and FBLA he had all advanced AP Calculus classes AP nuclear physics with straight As lettered in varsity rifle first in district biathalon commander of first place drill teams and color guards first place award in orienteering President of youth organizations and President of entire Midwest region of youth groups he runs conventions that he just got home from today to this TWE? He's a participant of AIPAC in Washington DC and studies abroad in Israel last 3 summers at an intense Yeshiva. He was asked for a candidate visit 1 week after the preliminary application was done last January and he received a TWE? Current congressman called me and told me he was told he was an excellent candidate but chalked it up to fierce competition? The current Congressman is flying in to present him with a saber for new Brigade Commander next week at the Military JROTC ball. And they didn't want this kid? What's up with that? Waiting on USMA he was accepted into Norwich with Presidential scholarship and Invited to the Citadel Scholars Competition for full ride scholarship but he wants to reapply to Academy and stay at local university ROTC a program in order to do it all over again!
Stunned. What a fabulous kid. So sorry. I just don't know what to say here. God bless y'all as you recover and move forward!
navymomwannabe
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I am so sorry ca3nemom. There are so many uber qualified kids who don't get in and there are always these questions. Fierce competition in his district/state could've been his downfall. Competing on the local level is sometimes harder in the really competitive districts. He sounds amazing. Wherever he lands, I am sure he will be very successful. I wish you all the best.
Sledge
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You aren't truly ranked number 1 on a slate, at least with any meaning, unless you are the "Principal Nominee." Either your congressman didn't convey all the facts about your son's position on the slate correctly - shocker - or we've got a situation like last year where a principal nominee did not receive an appointment. Absent further information, I'm going with the former.
Are you sure your outgoing Congressman did not leave the slate submission to the new Congressman? Perhaps the ranking was changed.
You don't mention class rank or standardized test scores, which weigh so heavily in the application process, in your DS's list of accomplishments. I would assume they are fairly good since he received a Presidential scholarship to Norwich and was invited to the Citadel Scholars Competition.
So why did he not go into national pool or wait listed? There are many qualified kids but how many really have done all that for leadership and recognized in Washington DC to House of Representatives for his Legion of Valor and I left out many other things he has done like volunteer at nursing home leading religious services fluent Hebrew etc that only highlights a small portion. His JROTC Colonol and Sgts Major and Army recruiter that attended the Academy were shocked not to mention the Congressmans response that slated him at the top? His words I ranked him the highest. His BGO was also shocked not a red mark on his record and fully qualified no need for medical waivers physically fit etc? Family military dad was Marine Embassy Guard Grandfather in Pearl Harbor in Navy and other GF was Army Jag Corp? At a loss?
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No I know both Congressmen it was former that I saw that nominated him he said he ranked him very high at the top, sorry I don't understand all the lingo he's top 10 percent in class ranking and test scores 33 in English on ACT math 28
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Sledge
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Well, there you go. If your Congressman "ranked," his nominees, there is a big difference between being #1 and #3. #1 gets in if fully qualified. The remainder of the slate have to compete in the national pool, i.e. National Waiting List (NWL). At this point, USNA knows how many slots they have left and what Whole Candidate Score (WCS) it will take for a slot off the NWL. So, they are sending TWE's out to those on the NWL who aren't close to that WCS.
Your son's accomplishments are impressive. But, you just don't know who he was competing against. Perhaps there was someone with a 35 ACT math/33 English, multi-sport letter winner, etc on the same slate. I imagine there are plenty of people on the NWL that have ACT Math and English both over 30.
Sorry for your disappointment. Perhaps West Point will come through.