<p>Hey everyone, so it says they will get back to us no later than the 24th, anyone know when the earliest we might hear back from them might be?</p>
<p>if it is like last year, the earliest you will hear is 24th</p>
<p>They try to make the best decisions possible and with as many applicants as they get it takes a very long. Suffice it to say that is probably the earliest you will hear anything give or take a few days. Admission boards have just started convening as of last week I was told so it will be a while still. Just stay in touch with your adviser. Its frustrating having to wait and it was for me last year too but its out of your hands now. Update your profile anytime something new comes up. Also if you do not get in early action do not stress, go and try to reevaluate your file and make it stronger with more letters of recommendation and any new awards and such. Its a long grueling process but stick with it.</p>
<p>I want to second what hardball mentioned. If you get your letter in late December and it tells you you are an alternate, be sure that you continue to send in any information or scores to make your application stronger. Keep your grades up. It is a GOOD thing to be an alternate; much better than a "no" answer. It obviously is not as good as getting that outright appointment, but there will be a ton of alternates who will be offered appointments later in the spring. This comes once some of those who applied EA who were offered appointments decide to turn them down (they have until May 1 I believe, which makes it a long spring for those waiting), and also once the regular admission process closes and appointments again start to go out. I cannot begin to tell you how hard the wait is, especially if you don't get your appointment until spring and everyday you are wondering if it will ever happen. It may not come until early or late May. The main point I wanted to make was that you should keep in contact with the admissions office, making sure they continue to hear your name/see your name, and see how much you want to attend the academy.</p>