Congratulations to your midshipman!
Indeed! That’s awesome! Happy for your family! Good luck!
I read all of your posts in this thread. My son was deferred. The problem with comparing stats to a prior year's enrolled cohort is that without knowing the makeup of those who were denied, it's impossible to really know how one stacks up in the entire pool and, thus, the relative "fairness" of not being accepted. And they will never release that information. I suspect it falls under the adage that it's best not to see the sausage being made (or so it is believed).
The trouble with that is it only measure fitness and the ability to take tests. It completely fails to consider things like ‘character’.
...or leadership ability, integrity, grit, compassion, toughness, empathy, and dozens of other characteristics that truly make a successful officer.
At an admissions event when my DS was a freshman what I remember the most was when discussing ACT/SAT and GPA and coursework expectations EVERY single academy rep (from all 5 academies) said that accomplishing the tops of these academic measures DID NOT guarantee you a spot ... that a SA is a privilege and they are looking for a variety of attributes. On individual discussion with admissions reps it became apparent to us that they really were looking for the right fit! The reality is CGA is a small service that means there’s only so many spots. I’d suspect every year there are candidates that on paper are over qualified that fall on the side of rejection. It just is what it is. One thing my son always respected so much about this process is the encouragement that if it’s a no this year and you know in your heart CGA is the place for you self prep and reapply! He returned from AIM saying “that’s where I want to be and if it’s a no can I self prep and reapply”
Same story here. My DS wasn't exactly chomping at the bit to go to AIM. He'd already been to Naval Academy summer seminar and was feeling like summer time fun was passing him by. But he went and and although he came back a bit haggard he felt certain that CGA was for him. (so my prodding paid off.
) Now we just have to get that pesky waiver.We re also awaiting a waiver to solidify sons spot in CGAS ...Same story here. My DS wasn't exactly chomping at the bit to go to AIM. He'd already been to Naval Academy summer seminar and was feeling like summer time fun was passing him by. But he went and and although he came back a bit haggard he felt certain that CGA was for him. (so my prodding paid off.
I would agree if there were a reliable way to measure it. But I don't know how that can be reliably measured, particularly in an 18-year-old. IMO, the best you can do is rule out based on things like criminal offenses, academic transgressions, etc.
Two different things there. I don't disagree that those characteristics are vital in making an officer. I'm very dubious, however, that they can be reliably assessed in a college application process. Rather, they are developed and revealed over a long period of time. Places like the academies are meant to develop them. But the idea that they can be reliably measured, as if they were a finished product, at 17 or 18 strikes me as a stretch.
You might want to read the RAND report concerning USAFA's admissions process, which is discussed elsewhere in this forum. RAND found that letters of recommendation and similar were inversely proportional to success performance at USAFA and beyond. They are singularly unreliable, not least because they are entirely reliant on the ability of the author to write a letter that will catch the attention of the reader, which often has little to nothing to do with the subject of the letter.
And that is exactly why USCGA asks that references be supplied so that they get a view of the character of individual from someone who has known them over a longer period of time. Also why interviews are often requested for candidates. I can't think of a more retrograde step than to change the admission process to the one you suggested.
Two cents? No way. That was at least a whole dollar.A Real life "Whole Person" perspective:
On this forum, there is a lot of whole person vs. test score perspectives thrown around. I wanted to offer a real life example of how important the "Whole Person" perspective can be. I volunteer to teach communication skills at an inner city public school. The school is known for its gang problems, violence, and hardened kids. My particular group of kids is chosen by the district as those at greatest risk of not graduating. My job is to arm them with some communication skills so that they will be employable one day. The greatest hope we, the volunteers and teachers, have for this group is that they graduate. In a few cases, we dream about the kids being able to go to the local community college. For those of us who help them, that is top of the dream. With all that they have to endure on a daily (worrying about food, clothes, housing, parents getting arrested, etc.), the thought of college is almost too much to hope for. Every time I am there, our class is interrupted by drug searches or some type of fight/arrest, etc. I always find myself thinking, "How are these kids ever supposed to make it in life? We can't even get through ONE class. " Most are in foster care, or homeless, or some crazy situation. Sometimes, it seems impossible that any one of them will be able get out of the mess they were born into.
Four years ago, when I was doing freshman introductions, this scrawny little 9th grader stood up and said his goal was to go the Air Force Academy so that he could "fly jets". While I was taken aback by his comment, so very different from all of the other young folks in the room who said they wanted to play Pro Sports or "be famous", my first thought was sadness. Despite their dreams, life always seems to reach in and suck these kids out from under us. The violence, the drugs, the poverty. It is the enemy of every kid who walks into my room as a 9th grader. I had no reason to believe that kid would be different.
Fast Forward. While he has been with me, he has witnessed his best friend get shot, other friends have gone to jail or dropped out, his own father was arrested for beating up his mother. He has endured things that most of us would never encounter ONCE in a lifetime, let alone multiple times in a short span. And, yet, he stayed the course. All on his own, he did the best he could with what he had to work with. He has NO access to computers, ACT/SAT test prep, AP's or College Credit. He never heard of an Admissions Partner (or the Air Force version) or Summer Seminars. He had no idea the competition for slots, or what a nomination was. He was too busy trying to survive and thrive. He never had a tutor or a academic mentor. He ate lunch in a teachers room every day so that he could focus on his homework and not get caught up in nonsense that plays out EVERY DAY in the hallways. He plays three sports to keep himself busy. He is captain of each one. He started two clubs to help kids stay out of trouble. He began a movement against gun violence that has now grown into other schools. He has been awarded multiple community and state awards for his perseverance, vision and leadership - all this at only 17. He has had ZERO help from Adults. Though it was not my place to get involved with the kids personal lives, I finally intervened. I was in the middle of helping my own kid apply to a SA (one year older than he is) and I just couldn't sit by and not help him. I knew that he didn't understand the process at all and if he didn't meet some deadlines, he would never even have a chance to try.
I arranged for him to meet with an Academy graduate that I knew. The Air Force officer was blown away. He even sent me a text thanking me for the introduction and promised to get the young man connected to those who could help him. Just a few weeks ago, that officer arranged for him to speak at an Academy event. They sent me a video of the speech. It was magnificent. I saw people in the audience literally wiping tears away. That kid, who had zero help up to that point in his life, no guidance for years and was armed with nothing more than a dream after watching a movie as a kid - brought the ENTIRE audience of Academy Graduates and Air Force Officers to their feet for a standing ovation.
And, yet, ya'll, He does NOT have a great ACT or SAT. It's just average. What he does have, though? An undeniable track record of unshakable focus, leadership, grit. Who would NOT want him on their side if the **** hits the fan? Who would NOT want that kid, who could stay focused even as his best friend lay dying after being shot, to be with them in time of chaos? He has been at battle his entire life. And, yet, he thrives. He is exactly what our Military needs. So, next year when the admissions board will have to chose between he and another candidate who will probably have better scores but less real life proven "grit"? They would be foolish not to choose him - even if for Prep? Is he "better" than the other kid? Not necessarily. They are different. He brings something totally different to the table. And, wouldn't it be a shame if an ACT score is what kept him out? He will be a GREAT Air Force Officer and, quite frankly, they will be lucky to have him. ANY College would have been lucky to have him. I tried to talk him into the CGA - LOL - but his heart stayed true to his dream.
At the end of the day - stories like these are more common than most people realize. We, on these forums, have no idea what someone's entire story is. The "Whole Person" perspective is critical. The "life" playing field is not always even and if we only had one measuring stick of success, our Military would be missing out on some incredible potential Officers and leaders of our amazing enlisted ranks - like that amazing young man.
Just my two cents - whatever that is worth.
Beautiful story... impressive young man... hope his USAFA dream come true!A Real life "Whole Person" perspective:
On this forum, there is a lot of whole person vs. test score perspectives thrown around. I wanted to offer a real life example of how important the "Whole Person" perspective can be. I volunteer to teach communication skills at an inner city public school. The school is known for its gang problems, violence, and hardened kids. My particular group of kids is chosen by the district as those at greatest risk of not graduating. My job is to arm them with some communication skills so that they will be employable one day. The greatest hope we, the volunteers and teachers, have for this group is that they graduate. In a few cases, we dream about the kids being able to go to the local community college. For those of us who help them, that is top of the dream. With all that they have to endure on a daily (worrying about food, clothes, housing, parents getting arrested, etc.), the thought of college is almost too much to hope for. Every time I am there, our class is interrupted by drug searches or some type of fight/arrest, etc. I always find myself thinking, "How are these kids ever supposed to make it in life? We can't even get through ONE class. " Most are in foster care, or homeless, or some crazy situation. Sometimes, it seems impossible that any one of them will be able get out of the mess they were born into.
Four years ago, when I was doing freshman introductions, this scrawny little 9th grader stood up and said his goal was to go the Air Force Academy so that he could "fly jets". While I was taken aback by his comment, so very different from all of the other young folks in the room who said they wanted to play Pro Sports or "be famous", my first thought was sadness. Despite their dreams, life always seems to reach in and suck these kids out from under us. The violence, the drugs, the poverty. It is the enemy of every kid who walks into my room as a 9th grader. I had no reason to believe that kid would be different.
Fast Forward. While he has been with me, he has witnessed his best friend get shot, other friends have gone to jail or dropped out, his own father was arrested for beating up his mother. He has endured things that most of us would never encounter ONCE in a lifetime, let alone multiple times in a short span. And, yet, he stayed the course. All on his own, he did the best he could with what he had to work with. He has NO access to computers, ACT/SAT test prep, AP's or College Credit. He never heard of an Admissions Partner (or the Air Force version) or Summer Seminars. He had no idea the competition for slots, or what a nomination was. He was too busy trying to survive and thrive. He never had a tutor or a academic mentor. He ate lunch in a teachers room every day so that he could focus on his homework and not get caught up in nonsense that plays out EVERY DAY in the hallways. He plays three sports to keep himself busy. He is captain of each one. He started two clubs to help kids stay out of trouble. He began a movement against gun violence that has now grown into other schools. He has been awarded multiple community and state awards for his perseverance, vision and leadership - all this at only 17. He has had ZERO help from Adults. Though it was not my place to get involved with the kids personal lives, I finally intervened. I was in the middle of helping my own kid apply to a SA (one year older than he is) and I just couldn't sit by and not help him. I knew that he didn't understand the process at all and if he didn't meet some deadlines, he would never even have a chance to try.
I arranged for him to meet with an Academy graduate that I knew. The Air Force officer was blown away. He even sent me a text thanking me for the introduction and promised to get the young man connected to those who could help him. Just a few weeks ago, that officer arranged for him to speak at an Academy event. They sent me a video of the speech. It was magnificent. I saw people in the audience literally wiping tears away. That kid, who had zero help up to that point in his life, no guidance for years and was armed with nothing more than a dream after watching a movie as a kid - brought the ENTIRE audience of Academy Graduates and Air Force Officers to their feet for a standing ovation.
And, yet, ya'll, He does NOT have a great ACT or SAT. It's just average. What he does have, though? An undeniable track record of unshakable focus, leadership, grit. Who would NOT want him on their side if the **** hits the fan? Who would NOT want that kid, who could stay focused even as his best friend lay dying after being shot, to be with them in time of chaos? He has been at battle his entire life. And, yet, he thrives. He is exactly what our Military needs. So, next year when the admissions board will have to chose between he and another candidate who will probably have better scores but less real life proven "grit"? They would be foolish not to choose him - even if for Prep? Is he "better" than the other kid? Not necessarily. They are different. He brings something totally different to the table. And, wouldn't it be a shame if an ACT score is what kept him out? He will be a GREAT Air Force Officer and, quite frankly, they will be lucky to have him. ANY College would have been lucky to have him. I tried to talk him into the CGA - LOL - but his heart stayed true to his dream.
At the end of the day - stories like these are more common than most people realize. We, on these forums, have no idea what someone's entire story is. The "Whole Person" perspective is critical. The "life" playing field is not always even and if we only had one measuring stick of success, our Military would be missing out on some incredible potential Officers and leaders of our amazing enlisted ranks - like that amazing young man.
Just my two cents - whatever that is worth.
