<p>Okay we received the long awaited step two application packet. What should be simple is complicated. Does anyone have any incite on the following:<br>
Activities - do you list 4 years (to include this year) or only 3 years participation i.e. sport/club whatever. I don't think we should list letters
that are not earned yet but we are definately participating at present.
Do they want a certificate for every award (that will never fit in that envelope)?
Can we just attach a list to the "supplementary page" that comes with the instruction book? We have a lot of award/participation/leadership etc not specifically addressed on the check the box form...or does it have to be hand written in the space?
Any good ideas about how to make this concise but not short our son on his accomplishments? I favor the list idea.
Thanks for all the wonderful ideas/encouragement - I read a lot but don't post much.</p>
<p>Application for which academy ? You might get better response if you post your question on the thread of the specific academy .
CM</p>
<p>A list should work just fine. Remember - "A Cadet does not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do." There should be a statement that says something to the effect that the applicant must certify the application is accurate. Do not stretch the truth or it could come back to bite your son. Also, he can add to his application until the deadline date if there are honors/awards, or activities that come later. For fall sports and he is currently participating, then it should be acceptable to list participation in that activity.</p>
<p>I have a question regarding recommendations- is it ok to recycle my rec's for MOC applications? Can I just make copies of the 3 or 4 I plan to get?
CCR</p>
<p>re: activities/athletics: they would have never "fit" in the space allotted, so our son wrote something to the effect of "see attached athletic CV", etc, and then he attached that to the application iteself. He ended up putting together seperate CV's- one listing his athletics, one his activities. He listed those sports he would be competing in during senior year, however noted "season pending" as the only item under that entry. He did not list letters for the final year as they had not been earned at the time he submitted his application, although listed the sport as he knew he would be returning for varsity (which he did). He did send in an updated athletic CV at the end of the fall season to the coach, and then at the end of winter season for that sport (specifically to report all conference, new records, etc)</p>
<p>As both his athletic and activity CVs were long, he did a 1-page summary just listing highlights from the two (actually, a recommendation from one of academy coaches who commented on the CVs he sent)... considering the number of applications that get reviewed, and the amount of paperwork to wade through with each one, it was a suggestion gladly appreciated and really helped to summarize things nicely- would have been hard to summarize everything listed on the CVs in the short amount of time they get looked at (i am assuming this to be the case)</p>
<p>Lastly, attached to the activity CV his guidance counselor suggested giving a brief description of the activity and his level of participation. </p>
<p>as for letters of recommendion, for the most part he did not see the letters sent, nor did he request to see them. He did recieve copies of 2 letters that were written on his behalf, one from the head of a progam he was involved with for several years and the other an unsolicited letter from a former (retired) state senator he happened to work on a summer project with, who heard he was applying to the academy and wrote a letter on his belalf...he sent a copy to our son as well. Our son used those 2 letters for both MOC and the academies. </p>
<p>For the 2 letters that were requested, he asked a coach and a teacher to write on his behalf....he did not see these, he simply requested that the letters be sent to each MOC and to each school he was appling to ...he made a packet for each person complete with a stamped, addressed envelope- he also included in the packet a copy of his CV's as well as a copy of his personal statement. While I cannot attest to what the recommendations contained, it would seem a reasonable conclusion each wrote one letter and sent it wherever it needed to go. </p>
<p>Lastly, I would have to agree that honesty is the best-and only- policy; it would be unfortunate to have an application dismissed for something silly or represented in some way that would lead to an inaccurate assumption...while the academy did not request a copy of any certificates received, you never know- so be prepared to produce if asked would be my suggestion....the candidate is asked to affirm that all the information on the application is correct, and the school also had to verify his activities....if unsure, check with your BGO or admission regional director rather than make an error...</p>
<p>best of luck-think I addressed all the questions-
best of luck to all~</p>
<p>While it may involve slightly more work for the person that writes the letters, it would be better to have a recommendation letter addressed to each MOC rather than have copies of a letter from Senator XXX included in the application for Senator YYY and to Representive ZZZ. At the end of the day it could be viewed as an application from someone that did not care enough to get the proper recommendations. Also, some nomination application instructions may request that the recommendation letters be submitted in sealed envelopes with the signature of the writer across the sealed flap. Take the initiative and make it easy for the persons that you ask to write the letters. Type up the names and addresses of the various nomination sources, what is expected to be in the letters (consult with the various academy websites, candidate handbooks, etc.), and a resume. Give them copies and e-mail all of the information to them. Then they will have all of your personal information at hand and when the letters are prepared and they can cut and paste the individual addresses into the letters.</p>
<p>I certainly hope that one was not planning to send their MOC a "to whom it may concern" type of letter.</p>
<p>My son did as you suggested, writing in his cover letter to the persons he was asking for a recommendation what his motivations were for applying, why he wanted to attend, and what types of issues that my son thought the Academy wanted to see in an application. Some references were comfortable writing their own letter. Others asked for more assistance in developing an appropriate letter. All were honored to fulfill the requests. Each person that he asked, spoke with him to see what it was my son thought the reference should say.</p>
<p>In one case, a reference actually returned his letter to us for proofing prior to his sending it. [Actually, I think they returned the sealed envelopes to us and we included them in the nomination packet application.] We made some corrections that emphasized certain things; he agreed and signed it.</p>
<p>Just to further assure those that have no political connections: We have a long-time personal friend that is a field office manager for one of our Senators. We asked for his help. He politely said that he was largely unable to influence the process; that the Senator used a nominations board that made recommendations on who should receive the nominations. In the end, this particular Senator did not nominate our son [so much for connections]. The other Senator did nominate our son [as did our member of congress] to the Academy. </p>
<p>While I still believe that some influence [i.e. contributions] might matter from time to time, in large part, it REALLY is based on candidate's background, grades, recommendations, and interview.</p>
<p>The second step application is for USMA.</p>
<p>just to clarify: never, ever, send a "to whom it may concern" letter....
and I think the teachers/etc that write these letters address them as the candidate requests....however, I can't help but think that in these days of word processing, the same "body" of the letter is used and "tweaked" for each- with the address and salutation changed--I know the teachers at our son's school spend a considerable amount of time on each letter (or so they said)....so to write a different one for each school applied to (our son applied to 5), and then each MOC (thats 3 more)...times that by the number of requests they get that have anywhere from 3-10 schools of their own (the average in our school last year was 7)...well, seems to me they used the same "body of the letter" and just changed the heading-at least that would be my guess. </p>
<p>what our son did do was to followup on making sure the letters got written and sent out by the date he requested- followed by a letter of thanks-
and yes, be sure the right letter gets into the right envelope- doubt the congressman wants to read a letter addressed to your senator,or vice versa!
best of luck to all!</p>
<p>When our son did his interview for the Coast Guard Academy, the retired Coast Guard Captain he spoke to advised us afterward that some of the most important recommendation letters were from "John Smith", the kid's boss that may be working at the local ice cream shop or video store. He said these were more real in the eyes of admissions. Just thought I'd post that little bit of info here for food for thought. Can only repeat what we were told and hope it helps.</p>
<p>I would echo JAMZMOM the letters of recommendation to the MOC would best be written by someone that really knows your son/daughter. Such as employer, Scoutmaster, Sunday School teacher, Coach, etc. If they really know a teacher that will work also. However, in big school districts form letters tend to be generated due to the volume requested each year from all of the students. Perhaps the most important advice is to be sure that the person asked will not say anything negative about the prospective candidate or the academy. What I have heard from several sources is that in the end the letters do not play such a huge part in the nomination process, as it is expected that any received will be positive about the candidate. However, if a negative letter is received, it will really stand out.</p>
<p>Try to use a mix of persons that know your child. We used a family friend that has "known him since he was a child." A friend, more of an adult friend, that is a university professor that has "known him for several years" and counseled with him about his educational plans, etc. Finally, an orchestra teacher that has seen him "grow through the past four years" to positions of leadership.</p>
<p>As mentioned, many recommendation letters, especially from English/Math teachers are somewhat formulaic. Seek out the persons who can REALLY write about your child. I disagree somewhat, it isn't about an absence of negativity it is about someonw who will be passionate about YOUR child. The competition is too intense. Help the person you are asking write the letter, give them some suggestions as to what you want in the letter; most people do not have experience in writing this kind of letter and will welcome your suggestions. This is not the time to be shy.</p>
<p>I probably did not explain my response very well. Recommendation letters typically give glowing accounts about the potential candidate, deserving or not. I was passing along some comments I have heard from the Admissions Office representatives from both USMA and USNA. I believe, I have seen similar discussions in the prospective guidebooks from these two academies. Good recommedation letters are important and can provide information on the candidate. Perhaps of more importance is the resume of accomplishments and how the candidate presents himself/herself in the interviews.</p>