Will we hear one way or the other?

Mom1655

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5-Year Member
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Just curious...I know when you apply to other schools, they notify you if you don't get in. Does West Point do something similar, or do you only hear if from them if it's good news? My son's got a nomination, passed his CFA, etc....just waiting to hear, and the suspense is killing us!
 
You will hear. eventually. I know it takes a while. My suggestion is to give it a few weeks - if he doesn't hear anything then give his Regional commander a call.

Has he/Can he schedule a visit?
 
It is early in the process. You will hear something by May 1. :biggrin: I know that does not help - mybad. Waiting is hard, I know. You are not alone...there are many SAF members who are waiting, too.

When my son was waiting to hear I joined this forum and started reading some of the books the members mentioned. This thread is a nice one: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=1117&highlight=books

You can use the search feature and find lots to keep you entertained here while you wait. :wink:
 
thanks so much...I've actually been 'lurking' here for a while--you all have been a great source of info! I'll definitely check out the book thread-

Mom1655
 
BTW - has your son gotten any correspondence - i.e. a letter of encouragement telling him that he is triple qualified?

While waiting - please remind your son to keep updating his file. He should send in his 7th semester transcripts as soon as they are available. Also any other awards or accomplishments that he may have received.

If he had an interview with his MALO then it would not be out of order to send this person an email asking about status and expressing his continued interest.

Keep us posted! Good Luck!
 
He's been in touch with his regional rep (can't remember exactly what her title was)...she's been very encouraging, those he hasn't gotten a 'triple qualified' notice...AND, she let him know last week that she was changing positions and someone else would be his contact...he figured he'd wait a week or so to see if that person gets in touch; if not, he'll try to establish contact.
 
...he figured he'd wait a week or so to see if that person gets in touch; if not, he'll try to establish contact.

My 2 cents worth .... pro-active is good. I suggest he call the new person and not wait for them to call him. They are so busy now that I suspect he will not get a call from the new person... He should tell that person that he was given his name as his new contact and he wanted to take a moment to introduce himself as he had been working closely with (insert prior name) and express his sincere interest etc... maybe toss in a comment about a new accomplishment ...
 
UPDATE!!!

DS got his 'fully qualified' letter today. :smile:It stated that they could not offer him admission without a nomination...BUT...he has a nomination! It apparently hasn't shown up in his file yet, but he's got a letter from our Senator's office confirming it....so, I'm taking this as good news...it's obviously not a sure thing, but it's looking better all the time!
 
I suggest your son check his admissions web page & see if his nom has shown up. Once they are submitted they are reflected on the web fairly quickly. Though your son got a letter notifying him of the nom, it does not need to be submitted by the MOC to the SA until 1/31 so it is conceivable that they don't have it yet, though typically the MOC would send the letter to your son concurrently to sending it to the SA.

The SA cannot award an appointment without a nom. However, having a nom & being QQQ does not guarantee an appointment. Each MOC can submit up to 10 nominees for every open slot at each SA. They can nominate less than 10 but they cannot nominate more than 10 (per available slot). They will submit their slate of nominees in one of three ways.

1) One nominee selected as "principal" & the rest in rank order selected by the MOC. In this case the "principal" will get the appointment unless they are not QQQ. If they are not QQQ (or turn it down) the others on the slate will get the appointment in the order designated by the MOC.

2) One nominee is "principal" & the others are listed randomly. The SA is to select the principal but if not QQQ (or turns it down) the SA selects the runner up based on the SA computation of the WCSs on the slate. The most competitive gaining the appointment.

3) All 10 are on the list randomly (often alphabetical) & the SA is asked to select the one they feel to be most qualified based on the WCS of the nominees.

In your sons case, perhaps the MOC letter tells him what type of nomination is given (principal with ranked alternates, principal with un-ranked competitive alternates, or as an un-ranked competitive list).

There are numerous other factors in converting the nom & QQQ into an appointment. I don't want to get too detailed and confuse you! Suffice it to say, however, that if your son doesn't make the first level, he will end up in the national pool & can still obtain an appointment from there, depending on his WCS. Because his WCS impacts appointments tremendously, it is always good for candidates to continue updating their files with any new information that may add points to their file. I know of situations where the difference between an appointee & a non-appointee was extremely small & an updated file made the difference. It always behooves a candidate to be certain their file is complete & any substantive updates are made.

A substantive update is anything from new test scores / transcripts to becoming president of a club or a new award. I know of people who updated files at the end of the sports season to indicate their teams achievement (1st, 2nd in league etc) or to add things that show some leadership in church activities or school ... many winter or spring sports assign captain around now and that would be an appropriate update. If a student decides to tutor others this is a leadership role & can be added (it should be more formal than sitting at lunch helping a friend with homework once or twice!). Providing verification of these items is good, too. For instance, if made captain, have your coach vouch for it and send it in, or have your pastor vouch for your integral role in whatever activity your organized etc. The number of things that may add a point here or two points there is phenomenal.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!
 
Congratulations!

When the Senator submits the nomination to West Point it will show up on his candidate portal.
The letter means your son is eligible to compete for an appointment! He should definitely touch base with admissions. He can call his new MALO or his Regional Commander.
It's ok to act "dumb" here - have him convey how thrilled he is to get the letter and also ask what exactly it means. He should also add that he has a nomination and they will be looking for it.

Time to schedule a visit if he has not already done so!
 
Just want to check...at this point he can only schedule a 'day' visit, right? He needs to actually get an appointment or at least an official LOA to do an overnight one, doesn't he?

He and hubby actually went as 'tourists' a couple years ago, when he first started showing interest--I think at this point he'll wait until (hopefully!) he can do the full overnight trip.

Thanks again for everyone's encouragement--you guys are great!
 
Just want to check...at this point he can only schedule a 'day' visit, right? He needs to actually get an appointment or at least an official LOA to do an overnight one, doesn't he?

He and hubby actually went as 'tourists' a couple years ago, when he first started showing interest--I think at this point he'll wait until (hopefully!) he can do the full overnight trip.

Thanks again for everyone's encouragement--you guys are great!

You are correct. Only once he is offered an appointment or has an LOA can he do an overnight visit.

Since we were coming from the west coast and could not afford more than one trip, I told my son that I would take him on a visit to USMA if he got a nomination. I was hoping by then his medical would be cleared and he would have an offer of appointment -- no such luck. We visited in March of his senior year just for the day visit. It was worth the trip though. I would recommend at least the day visit so your son can go to class and lunch with a cadet. Parents get a nice walking tour of post while your son is with the cadet. You will meet up again after lunch.
 
HE'S IN!!!

My son got home today to find an LOA waiting for him! It was dated last week and said they've "reserved a cadetship for you contingent upon receipt of a nomination and continue excellent work in school." And his nomination had just shown up online this morning...so it looks like he's in!

Wow. I can't believe what a wonderful feeling it is--he's wanted this so badly--it's terrific to see his dream come true!

Looks like I'll be spending a lot more time on the forums in the months to come--woohoo!
 
Wow that is great! Congrats!

He can do the overnight visit now. :thumb:
 
My son got home today to find an LOA waiting for him! It was dated last week and said they've "reserved a cadetship for you contingent upon receipt of a nomination and continue excellent work in school." And his nomination had just shown up online this morning...so it looks like he's in!

Wow. I can't believe what a wonderful feeling it is--he's wanted this so badly--it's terrific to see his dream come true!

Looks like I'll be spending a lot more time on the forums in the months to come--woohoo!

Congratulations!!!!!
 
Thanks everyone!

Of course, I've been walking on air all day...:biggrin:

My son just emailed that his JROTC Commander told him to play it safe and hold off on the celebrating until he has his appointment certificate in hand...so I guess I won't tell anybody other than the 200 people I've already bragged to today!:wink:
 
It really is hard not to brag. When my son got his nomination my husband was telling people at work he got into West Point. I had to explain to hubby that getting a nom does not mean he is automatically in. :redface:

You can always tell people that barring some unforseen circumstance your son is in.
 
I didn't let myself think my son was really in until the certificate came -- then we had a celebratory cake and sent out an email picture of the certificate to grandparents and such...it was a fun day. Up until that moment, it didn't seem like an acceptance letter had been received -- just another step in a truly long process...
 
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