USNA 2026 Waiting and.… Waiting

[OfficerToBe750]

Well I wish I read this earlier today! I had my DS decline his plan B, C and D today. He accepted his appointment about a month ago and felt the other schools needed to know so they could move forward with students perhaps on a waiting list. I hope that wasn’t a mistake!

We actually learned about the importance of Plan B from reading this forum. Not frequently, but things do happen that prevent an applicant from continuing with their appointment. If your DS wanted to, he could reach out to his favorite Plan B's and explain the situation - very likely they would be willing to work with him even though he's declined. Our DS had spoken with two schools initially, and they were both willing to help out however they could. Congratulations on the appointment!

 

[Capt MJ]

Well I wish I read this earlier today! I had my DS decline his plan B, C and D today. He accepted his appointment about a month ago and felt the other schools needed to know so they could move forward with students perhaps on a waiting list. I hope that wasn’t a mistake!

He should probably develop a Plan E. If he is injured or ill before induction such that he cannot start the summer training, he’ll be turned away. All changes to medical history must be reported to DoDMERB, so they can determine if an appointee is still fully Q. Generally, the SAs will do a LOA for the next class and develop a plan for the re-application. Over the years, here on SAF, we have seen broken legs/ankles/collarbones, torn ACL, mono, stress fractures, and various other injuries or illnesses that will not be resolved with enough recovery time before the start of rigorous summer training.

Taking plebe-like courses at the local CC can be a viable plan if the appointment is on hand, especially if local physical therapy and doctor visits are ongoing.

 

[bubbaspud]

I am embarrassed to ask this question as a previous BGO, but it was a while ago....I assume USNA still only reviews candidates and fills slates on Thursdays? Can someone confirm that? If so, what is the likelihood they send out updates to MOCs or candidates Friday? My DS #1 choice is USNA, he is waiting on USAFA and has an appointment for West Point. He is nervous, and I am trying to keep him calm while giving him hope. Also the USMA FLO is inquiring when he will accept and he feels pressure.

 

[justdoit19]

No one here has ever said with certainty that there is a set schedule, to my knowledge. Nor was it presented that way in BGO training (as I recall). So no, cannot confirm. You can look at the DIY appointment thread, for dates of appointments.

Your son shouldn’t feel pressure. He can accept West Point. And change his mind, should a USNA appointment materialize.

It’s just a waiting game.

 

[Dadx4]

I am embarrassed to ask this question as a previous BGO, but it was a while ago....I assume USNA still only reviews candidates and fills slates on Thursdays? Can someone confirm that? If so, what is the likelihood they send out updates to MOCs or candidates Friday? My DS #1 choice is USNA, he is waiting on USAFA and has an appointment for West Point. He is nervous, and I am trying to keep him calm while giving him hope. Also the USMA FLO is inquiring when he will accept and he feels pressure.

Spud, DS is in the EXACT same situation. All they can do is wait. My DS still has hope but nothing ever phases him, and he's prepared for the rejection. He's got good options. West Point is top notch!!!

 

[bubbaspud]

No one here has ever said with certainty that there is a set schedule, to my knowledge. Nor was it presented that way in BGO training (as I recall). So no, cannot confirm. You can look at the DIY appointment thread, for dates of appointments.

Your son shouldn’t feel pressure. He can accept West Point. And change his mind, should a USNA appointment materialize.

It’s just a waiting game.

Interesting thought, I had never heard or thought of accepting an appointment then changing if a 1st choice came through. Is there a benefit to doing so or benefit to just waiting?

 

[IronmanDaremo]

I learned the other day from a little birdie that reviewing and comparing against a slate availability are two different processes. I asked specifically about how the school reviews against a slate for a decision.

Which makes me suspect they are not constrained to one specific review day. With hundreds of applications still under review and a similar hundreds of slates to fill, there is a LOT of work between now and April 15th.

There are a number of factors that go into reviewing nomination slates, but the short answer is yes, for the most part .... Which is why we advise students to seek all sources of nomination for which they are eligible. Essentially, you are competing for an offer to USNA against others with the same nomination as you, if that makes sense.

However, this should not be confused with the admissions board review. The admissions board conducts their evaluation of each individual record based on its own merit of what is submitted in the application (i.e. grades, recommendation letters, candidate fitness assessment, etc.) and has no bearing on the slate review process.

 

[LissaB]

I learned the other day from a little birdie that reviewing and comparing against a slate availability are two different processes. I asked specifically about how the school reviews against a slate for a decision.

Which makes me suspect they are not constrained to one specific review day. With hundreds of applications still under review and a similar hundreds of slates to fill, there is a LOT of work between now and April 15th.

Still as clear as mud. And so we wait.

 

[justdoit19]

Interesting thought, I had never heard or thought of accepting an appointment then changing if a 1st choice came through. Is there a benefit to doing so or benefit to just waiting?

The benefit is the nerves of your son . Seriously though, he could very well come down to his WP deadline, and not have a USNA decision yet. It happens. Or accepting may have some benefit should an injury arise. Other reasons. And candidates do occasionally accept and then change. They aren’t actually committed until they report.

 

[St.Kath]

I am embarrassed to ask this question as a previous BGO, but it was a while ago....I assume USNA still only reviews candidates and fills slates on Thursdays? Can someone confirm that? If so, what is the likelihood they send out updates to MOCs or candidates Friday? My DS #1 choice is USNA, he is waiting on USAFA and has an appointment for West Point. He is nervous, and I am trying to keep him calm while giving him hope. Also the USMA FLO is inquiring when he will accept and he feels pressure.

I’m not sure if this relate to your question. But we were told by Admissions that the waiver physician only comes in once a week to process medical waivers.

 

[TX_USA]

I am embarrassed to ask this question as a previous BGO, but it was a while ago....I assume USNA still only reviews candidates and fills slates on Thursdays? Can someone confirm that? If so, what is the likelihood they send out updates to MOCs or candidates Friday? My DS #1 choice is USNA, he is waiting on USAFA and has an appointment for West Point. He is nervous, and I am trying to keep him calm while giving him hope. Also the USMA FLO is inquiring when he will accept and he feels pressure.

I am in the EXACT same situation, minus waiting for airforce, I only applied to navy and army. I got into armynpretty early in the cycle, but am still waiting on Navy! There really is no way to know when you will find out, some people get lucky and find out early, and some find out later, no way to know! I’m prepared for a rejection from navy, and have been researching tons of awesome careers in the army and have actually gotten super excited about West Point should that be where I end up, I encourage y’all to do the same! I know it’s tough, but it really has helped me to count my blessings. I may not have heard back from Navy yet, but it is a HUGE accomplishment to get an appointment to army, and same for your DS! Keep faith!

 

[Dadx4]

I am fortunate to have a DS who has absolutely no fear of anything and just goes with the flow. Very calm in every situation and makes excellent decisions always. Even if USNA says no, he has extraordinary options. His desire is to attend USNA though. For those of you on SAF for awhile, what are the chances a candidate could hear good news at this late stage in the process?

 

[Heatherg21]

I am fortunate to have a DS who has absolutely no fear of anything and just goes with the flow. Very calm in every situation and makes excellent decisions always. Even if USNA says no, he has extraordinary options. His desire is to attend USNA though. For those of you on SAF for awhile, what are the chances a candidate could hear good news at this late stage in the process?

Glad your DS has a calm and steady demeanor. That will come in handy during his time at a SA.

For what its worth, even though it feels like it, it isn't late in the process.

Others here have had late appointments, I believe @justdoit19 had DS #3 receive an appointment off the waitlist in late May. Hang in there.

 

[OldRetSWO]

For those of you on SAF for awhile, what are the chances a candidate could hear good news at this late stage in the process?

This is not late in the process. Plenty of room left between our current position and our planned anchorage.

 

[OldRetSWO]

I am embarrassed to ask this question as a previous BGO, but it was a while ago....I assume USNA still only reviews candidates and fills slates on Thursdays? Can someone confirm that? If so, what is the likelihood they send out updates to MOCs or candidates Friday? My DS #1 choice is USNA, he is waiting on USAFA and has an appointment for West Point. He is nervous, and I am trying to keep him calm while giving him hope. Also the USMA FLO is inquiring when he will accept and he feels pressure.

You're conflating two very different processes and groups of people. The ADMISSIONS BOARD which includes officers and civilians (professors) from different parts of USNA were the group that meets on Thursdays. They are the ones in the video that some have posted sitting around a big table and using a colored block of wood. In general, all of them have regular full time jobs in the different parts of USNA and thus only meet one day per week to review candidates. The NOMS and APPOINTMENTS folks are within the Admissions organization and are not as "day constrained" as the Admissions Board and they are the ones who work the slates.

 

[OldRetSWO]

This is not late in the process. Plenty of room left between our current position and our planned anchorage.

As a former Ship's Navigator, I'll add that we're continuing on planned anchor track until we reach our "drop bearing" at which point we'll trip the pelican hook (see hammer use) and let go the anchor.

 

[LTBob87]

I am embarrassed to ask this question as a previous BGO, but it was a while ago....I assume USNA still only reviews candidates and fills slates on Thursdays? Can someone confirm that? If so, what is the likelihood they send out updates to MOCs or candidates Friday? My DS #1 choice is USNA, he is waiting on USAFA and has an appointment for West Point. He is nervous, and I am trying to keep him calm while giving him hope. Also the USMA FLO is inquiring when he will accept and he feels pressure.

The West Point guys know the timeline game. They have been trying to lock in my DS for the past few weeks. Still waiting on USAFA for clarity of decisions. Emphasis on Still waiting.

 

[CandidateBH]

Does the application review board review your application without DODMERB being submitted to the academy? I have taken both exams but DODMERB hasn't sent my results to USNA.....

 

[huntjd35]

Does the application review board review your application without DODMERB being submitted to the academy? I have taken both exams but DODMERB hasn't sent my results to USNA.....

If your portal status is “Complete- Pending Review”, it is likely that they have the ability to review your application.

 

[DDHH2026]

My portal is still CPR. 3Q done last summer which is so long ago. My question is - Does the Admission Committee review all the 3Q files ?
Or only some of them which pass the pre-review/screen process ? If my file did not get reviewed in last 6 months with a ready to go status, what is the chance of landing on the big table soon? Assume only 5% slots left. Thanks.