USAFA Appointment Certificate

TheToast said:
I had a question that was sort of related to this topic.

From my personal experience, I’ve noticed West Point and the Naval Academy have done a lot of outreach to recruit students compared to the Air Force Academy.
I was curious as to if anyone else has noticed this and if there was a reason(s) as to why.
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Yes. Many noted it last year. USAFA also used LOAs much less.

Why? Don't know.
 
TheToast said:
I had a question that was sort of related to this topic.

From my personal experience, I’ve noticed West Point and the Naval Academy have done a lot of outreach to recruit students compared to the Air Force Academy.
I was curious as to if anyone else has noticed this and if there was a reason(s) as to why.
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Yes, this is true from my perspective also. West Point was exceptional in their outreach and communication. They regularly sent emails and letters to keep him informed (and sent his certificate about 3 days after receiving his appointment). The Navy was decent. The AF was rather impersonal in all aspects of the application process...which is fine, but it does make for a rather disappointing first impression when trying to recruit the best. It pains me to say that since I am a retired USAF officer. It won't have any impact on his decision however...keep the big picture in mind.
 
With regards to the post about certificates - admissions is prioritizing making decisions now on who will get the opportunity to begin their training journey to become military leaders / officers in the Air Force. They're focused on picking the very best who will be standing shoulder to shoulder with their fighting force, sometimes engaging in the theater of combat. You'll want them focused on these selections for when your DD or DS is in that danger zone - isn't that more important than ensuring HS seniors have a shiny something to show off? Since my DS, cousin, perhaps your child too and others will soon share dirt/air in that theater/ protecting our nation, I honestly hope those focused on chastising admissions for not sending out certificates take a deep breath and keep the big picture in mind.

Look forward to receiving your certificate - eventually. Look forward to admissions picking the best among a very talented group too - maybe even more eagerly than an fancy piece of paper. #perspectives
 
Herman_Snerd said:
With regards to the post about certificates - admissions is prioritizing making decisions now on who will get the opportunity to begin their training journey to become military leaders / officers in the Air Force. They're focused on picking the very best who will be standing shoulder to shoulder with their fighting force, sometimes engaging in the theater of combat. You'll want them focused on these selections for when your DD or DS is in that danger zone - isn't that more important than ensuring HS seniors have a shiny something to show off? Since my DS, cousin, perhaps your child too and others will soon share dirt/air in that theater/ protecting our nation, I honestly hope those focused on chastising admissions for not sending out certificates take a deep breath and keep the big picture in mind.

Look forward to receiving your certificate - eventually. Look forward to admissions picking the best among a very talented group too - maybe even more eagerly than an fancy piece of paper. #perspectives
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While I agree with your sentiment, and think that appointees demanding immediate love and gratification is a sad, unfortunate product of the everyone gets a trophy generation, the staff on the selection committee aren’t the ones stuffing the envelopes.
 
From a personal perspective, I think I was more excited to see the real BFE in DS's hands than he was. I remember during his USNA cycle, some got the BFE, some were delayed, and I vaguely recall a few not receiving them. DS hasn't seen his in 3.5 years. It's in a Rubbermaid storage box in the closet.
 
So I don’t know if this means that someone from USAFA actually reads posts on this site, but today they posted on IG that certificates are coming and they want to highlight their appointees. My kid is excited to become a cadet regardless of whether or when he receives an actual certificate, but I know he’ll be smiling when it does come in the mail. Just another exciting step to the big leap in June. Thank you.
 
Saw that too. The admissions Instagram is ran by a class of 2022 grad so I’m sure he looks at the forums every once in a while.
 
Seniormom said:
Honestly - this is such a bummer. If anyone from USAFA admissions or someone who knows someone at USAFA admissions is reading this - PLEASE change this asap! Not only does the naval academy and West Point send out beautiful certificates but so do colleges! I think it’s a real disappointment for the kids who have worked so hard for an appointment and deserve something special for such an amazing achievement and dedication to serve. And it is really such an easy way to show some love from academy. I heard that they might eventually get something but I think the academy should be sending them out asap as kids get appointments. They are competing for students too - and showing some love back is not a bad thing.
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Could not agree more. Our son has received all kinds of "swag" from his colleges and West Point. He accepted his USAFA appointment without much thinking, but he has said over and over "it would be really nice to get SOMETHING from USAFA...anything". I'm not sure I understand how the other academies manage to send out nice packages as kids receive appointment/acceptances but USAFA cannot. They are all very busy, but it's just part of the admission process.
 
Congrats on the certificate and appointments!!

If the delay bothered you however, I’m just a little concerned about you for what’s next. From our experience with DS, a certificate was at the extreme low end of what caused stress, frustration, worry, etc… Get yourself ready for this ride because nothing is perfect and it will be bumpy. Embrace it and you will be amazed at what becomes of your cadet.
 
I also find it weird how USAFA does it. It's not the end of the world to not get the certificate, but Army and Navy (both on the service academy side and the ROTC side) have all sent the BFE within maybe 5 days max of the decision being made. They have the same evaluations and hard work to do to review slates, evaluate candidates, etc., etc. I don't think anyone is fretting about receiving the appointment certificate if they've received one, but that also doesn't mean that it's not something that should be addressed by USAFA.

My opinion only, but USAFA has the worst portal, the interactions throughout the process have been the least engaging, no opportunity for CVW...I'm sure there's more I could point out... but from my perspective, their processes and communications seem to me to be the least robust/mature.

My son doesn't fret about getting the glossy folder with the appointment certificate and it's most definitely not an entitlement mentality, but it's a minor symptom among many of the same problem that was recognized by @TheToast and others. It's an easy crutch to say get used to waiting for the military/government or your priorities are misplaced if you care about receiving a certificate, but they need to understand most of these kids have a lot of awesome options. If a kid has options of some of the top civilian schools in the country and also has their pick of any of the service academies, they start looking at the minutiae to make their decisions, and the things that I've pointed out are definitely things that make you wonder whether the disparities in the admissions process carry over to cadet/midshipmen life. To use an oft-used analogy, the USAFA experience has been more like the JV team of the service academies.
 
People need to start changing feelings instead of how things work in the military, and in every other aspect of our lives. If USAFA sends an envelope or not, it does not affect the appointment, it just affect someone's feelings. Be happy for the appointment, the certificate is just a piece of paper that will be placed in some drawer forever 😄😄
 
bballdad said:
I also find it weird how USAFA does it. It's not the end of the world to not get the certificate, but Army and Navy (both on the service academy side and the ROTC side) have all sent the BFE within maybe 5 days max of the decision being made. They have the same evaluations and hard work to do to review slates, evaluate candidates, etc., etc. I don't think anyone is fretting about receiving the appointment certificate if they've received one, but that also doesn't mean that it's not something that should be addressed by USAFA.

My opinion only, but USAFA has the worst portal, the interactions throughout the process have been the least engaging, no opportunity for CVW...I'm sure there's more I could point out... but from my perspective, their processes and communications seem to me to be the least robust/mature.

My son doesn't fret about getting the glossy folder with the appointment certificate and it's most definitely not an entitlement mentality, but it's a minor symptom among many of the same problem that was recognized by @TheToast and others. It's an easy crutch to say get used to waiting for the military/government or your priorities are misplaced if you care about receiving a certificate, but they need to understand most of these kids have a lot of awesome options. If a kid has options of some of the top civilian schools in the country and also has their pick of any of the service academies, they start looking at the minutiae to make their decisions, and the things that I've pointed out are definitely things that make you wonder whether the disparities in the admissions process carry over to cadet/midshipmen life. To use an oft-used analogy, the USAFA experience has been more like the JV team of the service academies.
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If getting a shiny folder is the deciding factor on whether to go to a civilian school instead of a SA, they would have washed out of the SA in short order anyway.

Oft used analogy? This is the first time I’ve ever heard it.

If your kid is lucky enough to receive an appointment and chooses to attend a SA, any SA, he or she is going to quickly find out that no one is going to pat you on the back, hand you shiny certificates, and tell you how great you are. If that’s what a kid desires, then they would be much happier choosing a civilian option. Maybe USAFA is preparing them for that experience more than USNA AND USMA. The CGA and USAFA admission experience are pretty similar. I can’t speak to USMMA, but from what I have read on this board, they are pretty similar to USAFA as well. So maybe it’s USNA and USMA that are the outliers.
 
Service Before Self is one of the Air Force's core values. Cadet/midshipmen life isn't easy, especially the first year, and it certainly isn't like a civilian school. These kids are writing a blank check, up to and including the cost of their lives. If they are really looking at the minutiae between "a top civilian school" and when they receive their BFE, I suggest they turn down their appointment and go to said top civilian school. It will be better for everyone.
 
I just printed out my paper saying I got in 😂. My dad was the one who accidentally opened my package. At that point in may ( don't get me wrong it was cool) but when I had it? I cared more about my butt getting kicked in a few weeks lol. Look it's nice, but gotta agree small things aren't always praised here. You have to learn to celebrate them yourself.

Speaking of which my nwp teammate from last year? Oh yea, he got in this year, boom! That's what I celebrate even as I enter the truly dark days, rec is 66 days away and for those that know....yep "those" days leading up start soon, but I'll always find something to celebrate and for this week it's my 27er I get to bully- cough I mean tough love on for the next 3 years.
 
Korab said:
If getting a shiny folder is the deciding factor on whether to go to a civilian school instead of a SA, they would have washed out of the SA in short order anyway.

Oft used analogy? This is the first time I’ve ever heard it.

If your kid is lucky enough to receive an appointment and chooses to attend a SA, any SA, he or she is going to quickly find out that no one is going to pat you on the back, hand you shiny certificates, and tell you how great you are. If that’s what a kid desires, then they would be much happier choosing a civilian option. Maybe USAFA is preparing them for that experience more than USNA AND USMA. The CGA and USAFA admission experience are pretty similar. I can’t speak to USMMA, but from what I have read on this board, they are pretty similar to USAFA as well. So maybe it’s USNA and USMA that are the outliers.
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Sorry you haven't heard of someone called the JV team when it doesn't seem like they have their stuff together. I certainly didn't make it up.

You seemed to miss the entire point of my response, though. It's not about patting anyone on the back, and I certainly didn't focus on anyone getting all up in their feelings about not getting a shiny folder or pat on the back and being a sad kid about it, it's about all of the administrative aspects of the admissions process. If you don't think recruiting is important to the SAs, I don't know what to tell you - should probably look into what their budget is to attempt to attract top tier kids. If you think my family's perceived shortcomings of USAFA's administrative application processes are actually part of a design to prepare and harden the applicants and make sure they're tough enough for a SA, that's an interesting take. It seems more likely their execution of their admissions program could be better.

First, second, and third impressions matter, especially when kids are deciding between SAs and top schools in the country. It certainly doesn't mean the kids are soft when they recognize one of the schools seems to be less mature in the administrative side of the application/recruiting process. My son has chosen to go with another SA and made his decision tree of his preferred academy a long time ago before these things were even noticed, but these things have been a topic of conversation around our dinner table. To suggest someone is looking for some daily affirmations for noticing them is lame.
 
bballdad said:
Sorry you haven't heard of someone called the JV team when it doesn't seem like they have their stuff together. I certainly didn't make it up.

You seemed to miss the entire point of my response, though. It's not about patting anyone on the back, and I certainly didn't focus on anyone getting all up in their feelings about not getting a shiny folder or pat on the back and being a sad kid about it, it's about all of the administrative aspects of the admissions process. If you don't think recruiting is important to the SAs, I don't know what to tell you - should probably look into what their budget is to attempt to attract top tier kids. If you think my family's perceived shortcomings of USAFA's administrative application processes are actually part of a design to prepare and harden the applicants and make sure they're tough enough for a SA, that's an interesting take. It seems more likely their execution of their admissions program could be better.

First, second, and third impressions matter, especially when kids are deciding between SAs and top schools in the country. It certainly doesn't mean the kids are soft when they recognize one of the schools seems to be less mature in the administrative side of the application/recruiting process. My son has chosen to go with another SA and made his decision tree of his preferred academy a long time ago before these things were even noticed, but these things have been a topic of conversation around our dinner table. To suggest someone is looking for some daily affirmations for noticing them is lame.
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That’s a very interesting take and no doubt warranted from your perspective. For my DS and us USAFA was always the dream, as it is for many others. Yes there will be some that will be on the fence about which SA to choose and those that are lucky enough to have that option. My guess however is that the large majority of cadets at USAFA are there regardless of how smooth their admissions / recruitment process was when compared to the other SAs. I Can tell that USAFA never recruited DS, he had to let them know he wanted it and wanted it with all his heart.
 
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