When to Contact ALO

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Mccarthy18

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I have done some research and have heard it's best to contact your ALO early. However, I am only a sophomore in high school. Is that too soon to email my ALO? I appreciate your comments.
 
its not a matter of too soon or not. The truth is, you can contact your future ALO now. Just don't be surprised, upset, or disheartened if s/he doesn't reply to you. There are some ALO's who have no problem speaking with future applicants. I myself, I would give them a checklist I wrote up on all the things they can do in preparing for when they are an applicant. And especially what to do in their junior year; so they could actually get the application completed 100% in the summer before their senior year starts.

But there are some ALO's that simply don't have the time, or they prefer to concentrate on the current year's applicants. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I will tell you one thing for sure. Until you're an actual applicant, there isn't 1 thing that your ALO can help with, tell you, recommend to you, etc. that you can't do RIGHT HERE ON THIS FORUM. Nothing at all. And except for the actual ALO interview and being someone to go to if there's issues or problems with your application and the admissions office, there's very little that your ALO is needed for; vs this forum.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not downplaying the importance of the ALO. They are essential. But remember, I mentioned the information, guidance, knowledge, etc. of the ALO VS THIS FORUM!!! You must realize that only about 1% of ALL APPLICANTS come to THIS FORUM. This forum is a very unique place. There's even ALO's on this forum. As well as current/past applicants; Current/Alumni cadets; parents of applicants/cadets; etc. But the vast majority of applicants will never make it to this website/forum. Matter of fact, I said 1%, but even that is high, considering about half of those inquiring on this forum are usually parents and not the applicants themselves. You will also find that the success/appointment rate of those following and contributing to this forum is also quite high. That's what happens when you get so much knowledge and experience in one place.

So I'm not saying you don't need to contact or be involved with your ALO. Simply pointing out, that you NEED your ALO about 90% LESS than the majority of applicants, because you have this FORUM. "Assuming you stay involved and learn here".

So, contact your ALO if you want. Let him/her know you're a sophomore and are interested in the academy. If they reply.... Great. If they don't..... No big deal. Read all the posts you can here. Start with the search engine in the forum and type in SOPHOMORE. I bet you'll find a lot of information from others exactly in the same boat as you. If you can't find answers to certain questions or concerns, ask us. Someone will reply. Start worrying about an ALO when you're apply for summer seminar in the fall of your junior year. Until then..... you don't need to worry about an ALO.,
 
Christcorp said:
its not a matter of too soon or not. The truth is, you can contact your future ALO now. Just don't be surprised, upset, or disheartened if s/he doesn't reply to you. There are some ALO's who have no problem speaking with future applicants. I myself, I would give them a checklist I wrote up on all the things they can do in preparing for when they are an applicant. And especially what to do in their junior year; so they could actually get the application completed 100% in the summer before their senior year starts.

But there are some ALO's that simply don't have the time, or they prefer to concentrate on the current year's applicants. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I will tell you one thing for sure. Until you're an actual applicant, there isn't 1 thing that your ALO can help with, tell you, recommend to you, etc. that you can't do RIGHT HERE ON THIS FORUM. Nothing at all. And except for the actual ALO interview and being someone to go to if there's issues or problems with your application and the admissions office, there's very little that your ALO is needed for; vs this forum.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not downplaying the importance of the ALO. They are essential. But remember, I mentioned the information, guidance, knowledge, etc. of the ALO VS THIS FORUM!!! You must realize that only about 1% of ALL APPLICANTS come to THIS FORUM. This forum is a very unique place. There's even ALO's on this forum. As well as current/past applicants; Current/Alumni cadets; parents of applicants/cadets; etc. But the vast majority of applicants will never make it to this website/forum. Matter of fact, I said 1%, but even that is high, considering about half of those inquiring on this forum are usually parents and not the applicants themselves. You will also find that the success/appointment rate of those following and contributing to this forum is also quite high. That's what happens when you get so much knowledge and experience in one place.

So I'm not saying you don't need to contact or be involved with your ALO. Simply pointing out, that you NEED your ALO about 90% LESS than the majority of applicants, because you have this FORUM. "Assuming you stay involved and learn here".

So, contact your ALO if you want. Let him/her know you're a sophomore and are interested in the academy. If they reply.... Great. If they don't..... No big deal. Read all the posts you can here. Start with the search engine in the forum and type in SOPHOMORE. I bet you'll find a lot of information from others exactly in the same boat as you. If you can't find answers to certain questions or concerns, ask us. Someone will reply. Start worrying about an ALO when you're apply for summer seminar in the fall of your junior year. Until then..... you don't need to worry about an ALO.,
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Okay, that was very informative. Thank you very much.
 
The real purpose of the ALO is to help you understand and navigate the process, which frankly isn't as difficult as some make it seem. Your ALO will also write a recommendation in the end. Do you have a need to contact your ALO?

If you do contact them and don't have any questions, make it clear that you just want to make sure you are on their radar.

My DD had appointments to both USAFA and USNA and had very limited interaction with her ALO or her BGO and she never once spoke to anyone in admissions during the process. If you need them, reach out but they are not an integral part of the process and for the most part are volunteers who live busy lives.

And some point in the application process, you will appear on their radar. They will be notified by the Academy of you candidacy so they will know how/when to reach out to you to do their recommendation work.
 
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DD received her appointment & is now working on her appointee portal. Re: her ALO...we met w/ him & his spouse in their home once about a year ago & DD has text/emailed him a few questions. At what point does he stop being a resource or being her ALO? Now, after she starts at AFA, once she graduates???
 
Interaction between ALO and candidate doesn't have to end after the candidate reports to USAFA as a cadet. The official function of the ALO is to assist during the admissions process, but in many cases, they have become a close and trusted confidant. Many ALOs are USAFA graduates with unique perspective and relevant career experience that could serve as a resource for the student for years to come.

I returned to campus in Sept for a reunion and sought out several of the students I had worked with during their admissions process to check in on them with a familiar face from home. While it is very common for students to have little to no interaction going forward, in some cases, those connections last for years.
 
I talked on the phone with my ALO when I received appointment and we said we’d stay in contact, especially since I don’t come from a military background, he’d be a good resource for me.
 
I contacted my ALO as a sophomore but didn't start asking serious advice and getting solid answers until I was in the midst of the process. After acceptance, the ALO needs to sign the tattoo form.

shiner said:
The official function of the ALO is to assist during the admissions process, but in many cases, they have become a close and trusted confidant. Many ALOs are USAFA graduates with unique perspective and relevant career experience that could serve as a resource for the student for years to come.
Click to expand...

Well said, shiner! That sums it up!
 
Our oldest son’s ALO still keeps in touch with him 14 years after his appointment. She became the head of our state ALO group after my son was appointed and has since retired from the AF. Maybe that’s not typical, but it happens.

Stealth_81
 
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