<p>I agree wholeheartedly. Does seem a few things could be done to make this situation better. For example, if there are 200 in the alternate pool, as you said, if an email or something went out in mid-April to those to ask if you wanted to remain on the alternate list and say 50 people said, "no," then you could narrow things down a little further. And how about contacting those who have appointments out there and checking to see if they know what their intentions are. I just wondered if the reason they don't give our more information is because then if someone felt like they were really close to the top and then were not offered an appointment, would the academy then have to deal with irrate people who would say they turned something else down because they thought they were going to get an appointment.</p>
<p>I think if kids were told they were in the top half or the bottom half, that would help a lot.</p>
<p>I have had some experience with another type of "waiting list" ordeal and it seems like admissions people rely a lot on past year's "yields." I think they must know approximately how many kids they need to keep on an alternate list at any one point because they don't want to fall below the numbers they need. I hope that makes sense. </p>
<p>But again, it still doesn't make any of this easier for those who are waiting and don't know where you stand in the "rankings" that supposedly don't really exist...or do they?</p>
<p>The West Point AO my son worked with was almost adamant about getting a go-no go decision from him for their prep school. It was like, "I need to know soon because I have someone else in mind to offer your spot!" Not sure if that was a standard sales strategy, 'choose or lose', but it worked.</p>
<p>If some of the CGA's early action appointees are waiting until the deadline to accept or reject, one has to ask (1) how strong is their desire to attend/serve and, (2) why doesn't CGA use its leverage to force a decision earlier in order to fill the class with those with the strongest desire?</p>
<p>no news today</p>
<p>same here no news! thanks again for all the detailed posting</p>
<p>Perhaps the USCGA could implement the same thing that is on the USMMA application - "Early Decision candidates agree to withdraw applications from all other institutions upon notification of unconditional appointment to USMMA".</p>
<p>Do you know anything more in depth about the scores they used for direct appointments? I found that interesting.</p>
<p>Hardball, what I heard about scoring was sketchy at best. The only substantive part was the numerical ranges and outcome; above the ~3900 level you were eligible for a direct appointment, below that and you were either placed in the Alternate pool if your score was good but not good enough or dropped. As I understood it (and they spoke directly to this during the candidate briefing we attended) they develop/calculate a "whole person score" based in part on the things you would expect; SATs, with the math portion counting for 20%, class rank etc. How they factor in the rest of a candidates profile especially the subjective stuff; Varsity sports and other EAs I haven't a clue. I would expect there are some additional points awarded for misc things like legacy candidates etc.</p>
<p>Another misc thing might be if you are from an under-represented state. Most admissions offices like to be able to show that they draw from every state or close to it. I know that was on a pamphlet for AIM. I don't know if that carries over to regular academy admissions.</p>
<p>It seemed like from the post last week on the academy's bulletin board that they were really going to try to get as many appointments out as possible before May 1st. Maybe this week will be the charm.</p>
<p>Good luck!!</p>
<p>Greetings to all you "fellow" waiting alternates and families out there. Could this process possibly get any MORE stressful? Flew with our son to Kings Point last Monday for final look at MMA and returned last night from NO to visit Tulane where he has NROTC scholarship. One of these two will be his "back-up" if he doesn't hear from CGA by 5/1. I am exhausted and I know my son is, too. Mental anguish, stress, wonder, doubt...it will be over soon???</p>
<p>Subject: Class of 2011 </p>
<hr>
<p>Hi , My name is Jordan Kellam and I'm from Monument, Colorado. Just got my full appointment in the mail, very exciting. Can't wait until swab summer, I'll see you all July 2. </p>
<hr>
<p>Posted: 20 Apr 2007 01:53 PM
Originally Posted: 20 Apr 2007 10:51 AM</p>
<p>early mail today no news...................</p>
<p>wanabuscgamom, best of luck to your son obtaining a place at the USCGA. We had a boy in last year's HS senior class who was an alternate to the USCGA and did not receive an offer for appointment until the 1st or 2nd week of May. Couldn't believe he turned it down because he already had his mind set on NROTC scholarship at a major univ. He had never visited the academy, so he really missed out. If your son has an appointment to Kings Point and ends up there, he will not be dissapointed. Several KP grads a year go on to Coast Guard, but with a sea licence.</p>
<p>USMMA did away with Early Decision this past year.....but they do have rolling admissions.</p>
<p>suzannegra, not precisely sure what you meant by KP not having "Early Decision" this year. I know of students who were offered early appointments - some as early as last September, pending a nomination (which was not a problem). Last years' class(2010), it was basically the same. From reading this forum, it appears that further offers continued to roll out later in the winter. Although the appointees could have given an initial decision to the school, the letter really did not press them for their final decision until 1 May. The USCGA earlies seem to have a similar deadline and process, with the exception that they do not need a congressional nomination. With May 1 looming, the logjam will begin to move again for some of the alternates.</p>
<p>From what I understand in previous years USMMA did have "early decision" whereby you agreed to withdraw all apps to other academies and universities if offered an appointment. This year, we were told that the "early decision" was abolished, but that they still had early action whereby you would get the offer and had until 1 May to accept. My son finished his application the end of September, received Sen. George Allen's nomination mid November and was offered his appointment on 7 December....of course it was non binding at that point and he was not required to withdraw his other applications. So guess that's the difference.</p>
<p>No mail today....My S has pick his second choice school reply card sent!!
He is still hopeful that an appointment will come his way.....</p>
<p>On "another" board a mom says her son got an email today asking if he was still interested in an appointment and that they would be offering 20 more spots in the class of '11.</p>
<p>We got the e-mail, too. Confirms there are 200 "non numerically ranked" alternates. And, that they expect to select 20 more appointments from the alternate pool in the next two weeks. Encourages the alternates who have chosen another school to please let CGA know and asks alternates to inform CGA of degree of interest in CGA appointment at this date and if they'd be willing to accept a "late" appopintment AFTER May 15. Longrun, my son is struggling with his "back-up" choice and needs to decide before May 1 deadline. Glad your son is over that hurdle. I will feel better once mine commits to the back-up and then, I guess we will continue the hopeful waiting for a CGA appointment. We've been waiting since he sent in early action application in August...8 months. I guess we can wait another month or two.</p>
<p>DD probably has this one too but she hasn't gotten home yet. Sounds like they are trying to weed out some kids who aren't interested any more. Will be interesting the next couple weeks.</p>