<p>We were told last year and by some on this site that it makes sense to put a deposit on a civilian school as a back-up. We know of someone that received an appointment to WP, lasted 4 weeks and left with no place to go following. Many suggested that a deposit is insurance. </p>
<p>My son probably will not hear from USNA until the last minute at least that's what we expect. He recently received acceptance to a highly ranked University. In their package they enclosed a memo from the NACAC (National Association of College Admission Counselors) indicating that this is not allowed and that you are in jeopardy of losing both places. It does indicate that if you are waitlisted you can accept the WL school but must immediately recind the first admission.</p>
<p>Anyone have any advice on this? Last year many told us they accepted USNA and held a deposit at a University also in case of a last minute injury, issue at the time of I day etc. </p>
<p>We have done nothing at this point and don't plan to. Hope to hear from USNA before May 1st but we realize that doesn't always happen.</p>
<p>I am curious as to the content of the NACAC memo. If you put down a deposit to accept an offer of admission to a civilian university, and then change your mind at the last minute to do something else, or you parents lose their jobs in July, and you accept a local university and commute instead, are they are saying that you are prohibited from doing this?</p>
<p>We had been advised to accept and put down a deposit on the second choice school, and send a letter of decline after I-day swearing in. I know of at least one individual who got hurt 2 weeks prior to I-day and was medically dq'd. He had to start the Academy admission process all over again and hope for admittance the next year. After all, you're not in until after the swearing-in ceremony!</p>
<p>Those with medical waivers are re-examined by the Academy medical staff on I-day prior to being processed, and there is still a possibility that the doctors might not like what they discover, and the candidate is dq'd. Again, that back-up is still needed.</p>
<p>I'm sure that what the schools are trying to is to prevent under-enrolling their freshmen class. If you decline July 1, there is still time to offer your spot to a wait-listed student. I do not think, however, that it is fair to hold your spot until the plebe "decides if they like it". By that time it is too late to offer the place that is being held to anyone else.</p>
<p>Hopefully you will hear from the Academy well in advance of the deposit due date. </p>
<p>Good luck in your decision making!
CM (now Plebemom)</p>
<p>I'm also curious...since the possibility of an injury prior to R-day is a huge issue. Would it be possible to copy the text?</p>
<p>I think another issue here might be an honor issue - if the student is agreeing to attend that school, knowing that the academy is his first choice.</p>
<p>Wow I had never really thought about that. What happens if you have an injury during plebe summer? If you break a bone or something like that, you are out?</p>
<p>I'll copy the memo and post it tomorrow. It's very interesting and something we hadn't thought of. Thanks in advance for the ongoing discussion. JM</p>
<p>Tyleroar - once you've sworn the oath, you're in. But up until that point on R-day (and even portions of R-day), if you're found to be deficient medically, you're out. Every year a couple of kids are sent home from R-day for medical conditions. Break a leg 3 weeks prior to R-day and you've lost your appointment (yep, that's right, whole process again the next year). Break it after R-day and you remain part of the corps. Of course, any permanent medical issues that show up after R-day that prevent you from serving will mean you'll leave too.</p>
<p>We'll wrap our daughter in bubblewrap if she gets an appointment.</p>
<p>I'm virtually positive you don't owe them if it's a disqualifying medical condition. But you'd want to doublecheck with someone that really knows before you sign on the dotted line.</p>
<p>My daughter is at NAPS this year and we found out very very late (mid May). We already had a deposit and roommate assigned at a different university because she had planned on going there. I notified that college at the latest possible date in case something happened to her and then asked for a deferral of the admission so she wouldn't have to go through it all again. I was very very honest as to why the deferral was being requested (specifically said where she was etc.) and they granted one to her for next year if she wants it. It is nice because even at NAPS, if she gets hurt, it could preclude her from the academy. I guess every year one Napster breaks a leg skiing on spring break. They will try to get you healed enough to attend, but if it's bad, you are out for at least a year. Then she asks to go skiing for spring break. LOL Fortunately, that one is out this year. :) I think it's only smart to have a back up plan. Until you swear in the Navy isn't guaranteeing you anything. I find nothing dishonorable about keeping your options open.<br>
NAPS05mom</p>
<p>First, I strongly recommend having a backup school. Each year about 10% of the cadets drop out before I-day. Most, if not all, of those dropouts had been accepted elsewhere and would have gone to those schools if they had not been accepted by USNA or another academy. In our case, each of our son's wrestling matches provides another opportunity for a disqualifying injury (6 more days until his final match, but who's counting).</p>
<p>In addition to avoiding a lost semester of college, you need to protect the thousands of dollars of scholarship money that will be lost if you fail to make a deposit or file the appropriate paperwork. </p>
<p>Is such a backup plan ethical or legal? That depends on the requirements of the school in question and what you have told the school in order to hold your spot. I suggest you read the materials from the backup school to see what, if any, representations you make when you send the deposit. </p>
<p>Our son has put a backup plan in place with one of our state universities. He is willing to invest $250 of his own money ( a much more highly valued asset than parent money) to protect his place (including a dorm room) and thousands of dollars of scholarship money which he would have to replace at his own expense. He has been candid about his plans for the academy. Also, there was no explicit or implicit commitment made when submiting his deposit or accepting his scholarship.</p>
<p>Hope everyone has a healthy spring and summer.</p>
<p>Aspen,
good luck with the rest of the season! Our son finished his season last week and managed to remain uninjured! Big sigh of relief from this mom! We have planned to make deposits also, but haven't talked to anybody from the university about it. Sounds like a good idea.
fm</p>