Waiting for the bus...

Dadx4 said:
Yes, this 25% is the "middle zone" in the promotion board. Two lines are drawn. Everyone above the upper line is promoted. Everyone blow the lower line is rejected. Everyone in the middle zone is haggled over for a few promotion opportunities. Indeed, during promotion boards, you will see red laser beams from board members in the tank circling all over the middle zone trying to figure out how who to select (the funnel). However, at this point, most selections have been made. I'm not saying academy boards work like promotion boards. Just trying to construct a model. From a video that was posted showing a mock board, it seems as though there is some similarity.
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At this point, I'll go with anything that leaves a shred of hope that he'll get into one of the SAs!!!
 
There it is. Hence why there are threads like this.

It is like the waiting room in a Doctor's office. You can read an old magazine or talk to people (if they feel like talking). Whatever you do, it takes your mind off the waiting.
 
I don’t disagree wit dadx4’s assessment of the process. I do disagree with the timing...as in most are decided. The only reason I disagree is bc we have no way of knowing. It would be silly to think work hasn’t been done. Piles haven’t been made. But there IS still a good chunk of decisions to be made, imo. And I say that bc the application period isn’t over, slates arent due yet, college re-applicants have to send grades, there is the whole naps/preparers group.

The puzzle is coming together. Pieces are sorting into similar color piles. Perhaps the boarder is complete. Bc of the reasons I stated.

We are starting to see what the puzzle is!
 
Candidate_Dad said:

USAFA Class of 2024 Appointment Thread

First appointment sighting leads to the annual self-reporting thread! HOW TO ADD A NAME: This is self-reporting, self-updating and DIY. Mods don't update the list (kindly posters occasionally do, but the burden falls on posters). Copy the most recent list, paste into a new post, add a number...
www.serviceacademyforums.com

you should read this post. I found it very interesting. March seems to be the largest month.
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DS (USNA '23) received his MOC nomination 2 Jan 2019 and his LOA 13 Mar 2019. The waiting is hard, but think of it like Plebe Summer. Each day seems to last forever, but it's over before you know it!
 
Sorry, I should have been clearer. If you click on the link it takes you to a post which graphs when appointments were received and self-reported on this forum over a number of years. Not saying it's representative of the sample at large, but the huge jump in March is consistent year over year and significantly higher than any other month.

USAFA Class of 2024 Appointment Thread

First appointment sighting leads to the annual self-reporting thread! HOW TO ADD A NAME: This is self-reporting, self-updating and DIY. Mods don't update the list (kindly posters occasionally do, but the burden falls on posters). Copy the most recent list, paste into a new post, add a number...
www.serviceacademyforums.com
 
amcollier said:
I know the pressure must be getting to him and he's doing his best to hold up.
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I swear...I was about to post the same thing, 2 hours ago. 3q'd to USAFA, USNA, USMA. We keep trying to reinforce the positive. DS has had nothing but positive feedback along the way, but I think it actually hurt. Mention of LOA after winning the "most outstanding candidate" at NASS got his hopes up for early positive news. White male, not a recruited athlete...(but will SLAY in intramural soccer), no quals for any legacy or parental service. We vacillate between what credible sources have said to us about how he presents...and the daunting statistics. Family agreement last week : no more talk of portals, noms, appointments. We are focusing on a spring break cruise. His good friend who has zero connection with any of this is coming with us....a very wholesome soccer friend who will get him out of his head. They are on a workout/ clean eating plan so that they have "ripped abs" on the beach/decks. Refreshingly, basic 18 year olds getting ready to impress girls. That feels good after too much stressing about the next 10-15 yrs of his life. Mantra: He will be fine, He will be fine, He will be FINE....whatever happens.
 
Therese_In_Denver said:
I swear...I was about to post the same thing, 2 hours ago. 3q'd to USAFA, USNA, USMA. We keep trying to reinforce the positive. DS has had nothing but positive feedback along the way, but I think it actually hurt. Mention of LOA after winning the "most outstanding candidate" at NASS got his hopes up for early positive news. White male, not a recruited athlete...(but will SLAY in intramural soccer), no quals for any legacy or parental service. We vacillate between what credible sources have said to us about how he presents...and the daunting statistics. Family agreement last week : no more talk of portals, noms, appointments. We are focusing on a spring break cruise. His good friend who has zero connection with any of this is coming with us....a very wholesome soccer friend who will get him out of his head. They are on a workout/ clean eating plan so that they have "ripped abs" on the beach/decks. Refreshingly, basic 18 year olds getting ready to impress girls. That feels good after too much stressing about the next 10-15 yrs of his life. Mantra: He will be fine, He will be fine, He will be FINE....whatever happens.
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PERFECT!!! Enjoy that break!
 
Data point (no speculation to get parents’ blood pressure out of wack): we had 20% of our state’s appointments for USNA come out on the same day - last day of Feb. The noms from our two senators didn’t come out until Jan 30. That’s not to say that the speculation that the appointments weren’t already “cued up” (that certainly makes sense) but the fact is that the appointment notifications took a while.
Do not lose heart. Make sure that your son or daughter’s plan B is a good one, in place (as much as possible), and prepare the mental ground that plan B will be plan A. For our son, beginning to visualize himself at his very good plan B school with NROTC scholarship made this time much better (and the appointment a glorious surprise).
 
+1 to @ders_dad. The buildup of anxiety is generated by your perspective. What’s helped me in these cases is the mantra “hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” So shift your perspective to this: Plan on hearing from the SAs — good news or bad — in late April. Plan on attending Plan B or maybe Plan C. Anything sooner, any good news from an SA...that would be a bonus.
 
To give a little perspective... my area of the state that I am a BGO in has 25 candidates that have completed their apps. Over the last 5 years we have ranged from 8-12 direct admits to USNA. We have had in the mid 20s to low 30s for completed apps each year. So over a 5 year period things have remained fairly consistent. Not a single applicant in this area has heard a final decision yet.

It’s a marathon. It’s mid race. I know the wait is hard and everyone is speculating. Hang in there folks and best of luck to all the candidates.
 
concur with 'Hoops. in my area i have a number of 3q w/ nom candidates, and the other BGOs do as well, and none of them has received an appointment yet. nobody from our MOC districts has been appointed, and our senators haven't yet issued noms. in fact, i still have candidates who's records have not yet been reviewed by the board. it is far too early to feel like you've missed the boat.

appointments will start coming out in droves beginning in Feb then slow to a trickle around mid March or so. if you're still waiting by late March, then yes, odds are getting long at that point - though you are certainly in the game until you are notified one way or the other.

the first big wave of TWEs will come around the end of March, followed by another one a week or so after. By mid-April, there will be a number of candidates on the waiting list but most years there are very few or zero appointed from that list.

stay positive, resist the urge to check the mailbox, and try to stay off these forums - for your own sake!
 
This soooo perfectly describes my life right now! My DS is a Northwestern Prep/ self prep re-applicant. "Waiting for the bus" is a great analogy.
 
Therese_In_Denver said:
Cape Canaveral to Bahamas and back. Apparently, "Carnival" is the best cruise for families with teens on spring break, with opportunities to be independent, but safe (islands owned by the cruise line). And, they have essentially a parents' refuge deck, 21 and over for peace and quiet!
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A quick segue off-topic here (I am blaming @Devil Doc). If you’re not familiar with Cruise Critic, go there, make an account (free), find The Roll Call for your ship and cruise dates, chat as you would here. And - see if Carnival is offering a Meet & Mingle for Cruise Critic members for your cruise. If they get a minimum number to sign up, the cruise line does a private cocktail party for you. Great way to quickly meet fellow cruisers. I’ve done this for our last several cruises on another line, and we are still in touch with a New Zealand couple (open invitation to visit) and several others.

Cruise Reviews, Cruise Deals and Cruises - Cruise Critic

Complete guide to cruises, cruise lines and exclusive cruise deals. Over 150,000+ cruise reviews, ship ratings and the largest cruise forum.
www.cruisecritic.com www.cruisecritic.com

Now back to topic.
 
Therese_In_Denver said:
Cape Canaveral to Bahamas and back. Apparently, "Carnival" is the best cruise for families with teens on spring break, with opportunities to be independent, but safe (islands owned by the cruise line). And, they have essentially a parents' refuge deck, 21 and over for peace and quiet!
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(I'm also from Denver) we just did a Carnival cruise over Xmas. I'm happy to share my thoughts/observations. I have a 14 and 17 y/o and they were none too impressed.
 
Capt MJ said:
A quick segue off-topic here (I am blaming @Devil Doc). If you’re not familiar with Cruise Critic, go there, make an account (free), find The Roll Call for your ship and cruise dates, chat as you would here. And - see if Carnival is offering a Meet & Mingle for Cruise Critic members for your cruise. If they get a minimum number to sign up, the cruise line does a private cocktail party for you. Great way to quickly meet fellow cruisers. I’ve done this for our last several cruises on another line, and we are still in touch with a New Zealand couple (open invitation to visit) and several others.
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My USNA class has organized a cruise in a couple of months. Over thirty couples are going and the cruise line has set up some special receptions, etc along with VERY decent pricing. The presence of a classmate in the Senior Exec suite might also have something to do with some of it.
 
OldRetSWO said:
My USNA class has organized a cruise in a couple of months. Over thirty couples are going and the cruise line has set up some special receptions, etc along with VERY decent pricing. The presence of a classmate in the Senior Exec suite might also have something to do with some of it.
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I think I may start a cruise thread over in off-topic, so I don’t interfere with the wait-waiting-more waiting topic. Sea you there.
 
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