When should I turn in my transcripts?

[matt123456]

Do I have to wait till the end of my Junior Year before I can send in my transcripts for applying to any Service Academy or nominations? I know I can start early by doing the essay and simple recommendations but ultimately do I have to wait till I have my transcripts for the end of the Junior Year before I mail my application for anything? I see some people already apply to the academies and I don't know how they already started unless their school year ended early, mine ends June 4th.​

 

[USAFAHopefulMom]

Yes, you need to have a transcript through the end of your junior year so you'll have to wait until June. For service academies (at least AFA) it will need to come from your HS counselor, along with a form that the counselor will complete and a HS profile (how many kids go to college, what are the AP classes offered, etc.). If you applied for Summer Seminar or already completed the pre-candidate questionnaire, you'll be contacted in late June/early July with all the directions (its a 50ish page online booklet) for completing your packet. Only part of it actually gets mailed in--most is done online (again, AFA).

Don't be concerned if you hear of others working on their packets. There is no benefit to turning everything in in June/July. You want to take the time to make sure you are submitting the best possible package. Things like the CFA especially shouldn't be rushed--make sure you are training to be able to max or come as close to maxing out all the events that you can. The only thing that you should jump on is getting your DoDMERB medical exam as soon as you get info on doing that (again, that won't happen until summer) in case there are any issues that need to be resolved. If you are a top candidate (high unweighted GPA, lots of AP/honors, great ACT/SAT scores, plenty of activities with leadership positions, varsity sports, etc etc) then it would be a good idea to get your packet completed by early fall (Sept./early Oct) so you could possibly be considered for an LOA (letter of assurance). So please don't worry about getting everything done right now--you have time.

 

[pinkharley99]

I agress 100% with Mom, you don't have to rush. There is plenty of time to get everything together. Get the DoDMERB stuff rolling and the MOC nomination paper work ready to go by August. You'll be fine.

Good luck.

 

[Pima]

Everyone understands your excitement, but those who have gone through the process will tell you it is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Many submit in August and only a few weeks ago in April did they learn their fate. SA's are not like the traditional college with rolling admissions, first in does not equate to first answer.

You should get everything together to be ready, but so much more goes into the equation than you can ever imagine.

For example: you stated SA's, but not any particular SA. USAFA is known to be the stingiest when it comes to LOA's, only about 10-15% of the entire pool will get that LOA and they offer it all fall.

Most MOC's will not close their files until mid October. No nom even with an LOA = no apptmt. Even if you don't have an LOA you still will not be apptd without a nom. Presidential noms are usually the first apptmts, and that is still end of October because the boards don't meet until October.

You will not only need recs from teachers, but also the GC. As a former educator we are off during the summer, and GC's also disappear. Plus the transcript must be sealed. Talk to the school about administration hours for summer before the yr ends.

Honestly, many candidates wrap themselves up in this issue and lose sight of the other issues. DodMERB is a biggie if you have medical history that may be a waiver. Get that paperwork in order ASAP.

CFA is an issue, you can be that kid with a 4.0 uwgpa and 2400 SAT, but not get an appointment because you can't do a pull up or you run a 10 min. mile.

It is called Whole Candidate Score (WCS) for a reason. You need to pay attention to everything at an equal level.

Finally, I will say for the AFA you can have everything put together for the 1st day it opens, BUT another aspect is your ALO is part of that WCS. They write recs for each candidate, or in AF terms rack and stack. It would behoove you to wait until you meet your ALO, MALO or BGO. Their advice and experience is worth their weight in salt.

They are not informed until July of the candidates that the SA's have approved off of that PCQ list.

Please do not read into this post as wait until October. That is not my intention. My intention is to illustrate that there are many parts to the pie and you need to submit when you have created the best pie. Don't rush it for the sake of getting in first.

 

[matt123456]

Thank you, its still nice to know I have time. Even when applying for an ROTC scholarship, they ask me to mail in my transcripts, I should wait till the June 4th before I send anything thing in then.

But at the moment, what could I be working on while the school year ends?

I know I can work on the CFA at the moment, and some congressional essays, presidential essays, and senator essays that require me to write one in order to get a nomination. I can write and have finished by the time my Junior year is over. What else can I do besides those two things?

 

[AFAYahoo]

Matt, you can start asking people to write letters of recommendations--you'll need 3 letters for AFA (probably similar for other academies), some for your MOC's and maybe ROTC. Check all requirements as some will want certain people (HS counselor, principal, one of my son's MOC's wanted a peer). You don't need 15 people, just pick 4 or 5 that you feel will be able to write a good letter that can speak to your character, leadership abilities, etc. Each letter can then be used (addressed appropriately of course) for more than one academy/MOC/etc.

You can also start requesting medical records from doctors/hospitals/etc. if you know you have a medical condition or had something in the past (surgery, dislocated joint, allergies, eye problems, etc.) that could raise a red flag with DODMERB (not just the sniffles). If you Google DODMERB remedial codes, you should be able to locate a list of remedials. Just don't assume the worst, though, if you see something on the list that you've had in the past. Many things just require documentation of problem, treatment or therapy, and current status. Other things may require more testing. DODMERB remedials can take time to clear up, so if you have the medical history paperwork already on hand when you take your DODMERB physical this summer, you'll be able to send it in right away when requested.

Also, you can start putting together a resume of all your activities, honors, sports, volunteering, etc. during your HS years. The AFA, MOC's, and AFROTC all requested one when my son applied. Keep updating it, though, over the summer/fall as you continue to do new things, get awards/recognition/etc. for something.