Estimated timing of 'events' for upcoming class

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>Thanks for all the new plebe parents for sharing your wonderful stories. What an exciting and proud time of your life!! We have just started the process and I'm hoping you can help. </p>

<p>I have scanned through the threads and have gathered a variety of information on when to expect things to happen as my son progresses through the process. I was hoping those with experience could offer up some insight to help set expectations as the information is quite varied!</p>

<p>Here's what I have gathered:
- The admisssion board meets every Thursday, starting in August, to evaluate applications - they don't evaluate your application until everything is in, except medical
- You can receive an LOA anytime between October and February - could someone confirm if that is related to your application submission date or is it just random (I'm thinking it's a bit of both!)
- You have a better chance if everything is in early, but no one has really stated what 'early' means - thoughts on this?
- Nominating committee interviews with your MOC occur between late October and December with nominations coming out in December/January - is there a deadline when nominations must be announced? Paperwork all has a similar deadline in our area (by around the 3rd week in October).
- Appointments come from February through April 15th (or sometimes a bit later if you were on the edge and someone declined?)</p>

<p>Appreciate all insight as we have entered the waiting phase - application 100% complete and all nomination packets submitted...now he's starting on the reasonable and acceptable back-up plan - regular college applications and NROTC college applications.</p>

<p>And on that thought - on NROTC news - any idea when you hear about scholarships - I understand those boards also meet in August and then not again until October or November - he was early for that too but not sure what that means!</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

2

<p>
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The admisssion board meets every Thursday, starting in August, to evaluate applications - they don't evaluate your application until everything is in, except medical

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<p>This is true. However, as the season progresses, backlogs do occur, so don't expect that the record will necessarily be reviewed the Thurs after it's completed.</p>

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You can receive an LOA anytime between October and February - could someone confirm if that is related to your application submission date or is it just random (I'm thinking it's a bit of both!)

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<p>Depends on how many outstanding candidates USNA has, when it receives those packets, how many LOAs it plans to hand out, etc. Not random, per se, but based on lots of factors, many of which are out of your control. Remember, getting an LOA is nice, but the overwhelming majority of folks who receive appointments do NOT get LOAs. As I keep preaching on this board, do not despair if you don't receive an LOA. The key is getting an appointment.</p>

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You have a better chance if everything is in early, but no one has really stated what 'early' means - thoughts on this?

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<p>From what I've seen as a BGO, "early" means Sept./Oct. "Better chance" is, of course, relative. If your packet is very strong, getting it in early helps b/c USNA operates somewhat on a rolling basis. Thus, when you receive your nom, the board has already made its decision and you're more likely to learn of an appt sooner. OTOH, if you have a weak packet, getting it in early doesn't necessarily help, because you may be deferred by the board or they may say you're qualified but wait to see what better candidates come along before offering you an appt. Also, none of this means that if you wait until the Jan. 31 deadline, you won't get an appt. </p>

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Nominating committee interviews with your MOC occur between late October and December with nominations coming out in December/January - is there a deadline when nominations must be announced?

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<p>I believe MOCs must announce by end of January. Most do it after Jan 1. BTW, not all MOCs have interviews; some do it solely on paperwork -- it's at their discretion. </p>

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Paperwork all has a similar deadline in our area (by around the 3rd week in October).

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<p>Deadlines vary GREATLY by state, individual senators, and district. One of our MOCs requires all to be in by Sept. 24. Thus, CHECK NOW on the deadlines and requirements for your MOCs.</p>

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Appointments come from February through April 15th (or sometimes a bit later if you were on the edge and someone declined?)

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<p>I've seen them as early as January, but it's rare. They can indeed come after April 15 for a number of reasons. Remember that, unlike civilian schools, the Academies have strict limits on the number of people they can admit. They can't go over. </p>

<p>
[quote]
And on that thought - on NROTC news - any idea when you hear about scholarships - I understand those boards also meet in August and then not again until October or November - he was early for that too but not sure what that means!

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<p>Can't help you on this; sorry. I'd check the NROTC website; I'm sure the info is there.</p>

3

<p>Appointments have come as early as the week before xmas in the past. Our daughter's arrived around Dec 20. It has much to do with when your nominating source comes through.</p>

4

<p>One thing I should have mentioned about MOC noms. The decisions are usually made no later than mid-December. Candidates may be notified at that time. MOCs must also notify USNA of their selections and this may extend past Jan. 1. Names of nom recipients are generally not published (on-line, in MOC newsletters, etc.) until after the Academy is notified. </p>

<p>Timing depends in large measure on the individual MOC and can be based on the volume of applications. Obviously, MOCs in certain states (CA, TX, VA, etc.) have a lot more work in terms of numbers than MOCs in less populous states. And, some MOCs just move faster than others.</p>

5

<p>I would concur with usna1985 about some MOC's being faster than others--in our D's case all three MOC's that she dealt with in California had their noms in to the academies by the second week of Dec which we thought was pretty fast, considering the interviews were held the first week. We thought that they would be slower given the size of the state but evidently it has more to do with the speed of the MOC's staff!</p>

6

<p>Our MC ROTC scholarship came in early December - as they have both and early board which meets at the end of Nov. and a Feb. board, which usually lets people know in March/April. Our kiddo was selected in the Early Board - so we knew before the USNA Appointment came in mid January - that she could go MC ROTC.</p>

7

<p>so your file is not considered complete and wont be reviewed until everything is in including interview and CFA. I ask this because i have read that LOA's and early offers of appointment are good pending the interview, medical, CFA, and that your grades stay relatively strong. this gives me the idea that the board doesnt use these things in their decision. am i wrong?</p>

8

<p>Per the LOA: Please remember, however, that your guarantee offer of appointment is contingent upon completing all of your remaining addmissions requirements. Please complete the following requirements by March 1 2006:</p>

<p>(check boxes)</p>

<p>Nomination
Medical Qualification
Blue and Gold Officer Interview</p>

9

<p>I think what the question is, what requirements need to be completed before you can even be considered for an LOA. Obviously everything needs to check out in the end, but there must be a point where an applicants file goes before the board to be considered for an LOA.</p>

10

<p>When our D went through the app process, Her LOA's came through in early Oct after she had completed her
1. Blue and Gold Officer interview (in August)
2. The DODMERB exam (cleared in July)
3. Her paper/on line app was in (completed in mid July)</p>

<p>This was two years ago but gives somewhat of an LOA timeline, at least as it applied to her case.</p>

11

<p>In our kiddos case last year - her BGO interview was complete, her DoDMERB was complete and her online app was complete - all by the end of August. We got the LOA as I stated in early Oct....but our Congressman is one of the latest in his scheduling the interviews - hers didn't come until mid December - and we weren't notified until something like Jan. 12th. They contacted USNA before we even knew of her nomination and by the time we got her nomination letter from the Congressman's office, USNA already had her Appointment in the mail so they came less then a week apart. So if this helps, that was our timeline just earlier this year for the Class of 2010.</p>

12

<p>One more comment about timelines and LOA's....don't let the LOA be what you base any timeline on. Focus on getting your app in and complete and then focus on the nomination process. You'll waste your time and emotional energy if you think an LOA is something to weigh into this equation. OK, so we happen to be one who got one - but they really are few and far between and in the end come I-Day next year - no one will care one whit about the LOA anyway. Give the app and noms your best shots.</p>

13

<p>
[quote]
One more comment about timelines and LOA's....don't let the LOA be what you base any timeline on. Focus on getting your app in and complete and then focus on the nomination process.

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<p>Well said. As I keep saying -- and will keep saying -- the overwhelming majority of folks who receive appointments do not receive LOAs. Getting one is great; consider it like winning a lottery. Not getting one does not mean you're not going to get an appt. Of my 4 candidates who got appts last year, 1 got an LOA. All 4 are plebes right now.</p>

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<p>Jersey,</p>

<p>This document has a bit of info about the Nom process.</p>

<p><a href="http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:m...%2520Guide.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:m...%2520Guide.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Thanks momof1 - that was very informative. </p>

<p>And thanks USNA1985 - all very helpful points...on the weak vs strong application I guess it's hard to know where you stand as it is all relative but if I compare my son to the class of 2010 profile, he covers most of the bases on sports, employment, leadership, NJROTC, SATs, ACTs and class rank - he's above average in some areas, so that is promising.</p>

<p>Thanks again for all the info.</p>

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<p><a href="http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:m3zGkrwtD1cJ:https://admissions.usafa.af.mil/RR/Congressional%2520Guide.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:m3zGkrwtD1cJ:https://admissions.usafa.af.mil/RR/Congressional%2520Guide.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>That's the link that works ;)</p>

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<p>
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on the weak vs strong application I guess it's hard to know where you stand as it is all relative

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<p>Weak would generally mean SAT scores significantly below the mean for the past few classes, especially in math; poor GPA, especially in math & science courses; weak courseload (not taking higher level courses); and/or poor performance on the CFA. </p>

<p>Some of things may be improved upon with time -- such as SATs, CFA. Others are what they are and aren't going to change much if at all (courseload, GPA).</p>

<p>If a person's weak area(s) are ones that can be improved upon, it may be worth delaying submission of the packet until the scores improve. Alternatively, you can submit what you have early and then update with improved scores, grades, etc. In the end, it probably won't make much difference when you submit your packet as you're probably going to need those improved scores, grades, etc. to be competitive. </p>

<p>If you have questions about how your record stacks up, your BGO is a good source of information. However, it's important to remember that your BGO can only offer general guidance as he/she does not sit on the admissions board and there can be variance from year to year and within geographic areas.</p>

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<p>Question - if the applicant gets his app in early and the academy likes what they see, do they have any influence on the nominations? I know our MOC app says to notify them if you get an LOA, but beyond that is there any "communication" between the two?<br>
If you don't get an LOA, then an appointment isn't extended until the noms are announced for your state/district??</p>

19

<p>^^^^^
Most MOC will submit an "unranked" listing of 10 candidates per open slot available, allowing the academy to choose from there. Beyond that, in most cases, it is the MOC's nominating "committee" that determines the canditates for nominations.</p>

<p>It is also possible that the MOC's are given a list of candidates from their area that have applied, and that might include information as to LOA's issued, coach preferences, etc....MIGHT is the operative word here. </p>

<p>The candidate should let his/her MOC know that they have received a LOA, or that they are being recruited (if that is the case).</p>

<p>Keep in mind, there will be more nominations given than appointments, and while you need a nomination to be considered, not everyone with a nomination gets an appointment; same goes for LOA, as much can happen to cause it's withdrawal (ie: decline in academic performance, DoDMERB issues, etc., incapacting physical injury right up to I-Day)</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

20

<p>The earlier your file is complete the better chance you have since USNA has rolling admissions. However, it is my understanding that the Board meets to determine your academic eligibility regardless of your physical or medical elgibility. My son received a letter that he was academically qualified early October. He however was medically disqualified by DODMERB in early December for his speech about the same time he received his Congressional nomination. He kept in constant contact with his admissions officer and she strongly suggested that he come out for a Candidate visit the first week of February and she would set up a meeting with the Captain in charge of the Medical Examinations. his meeting went well and he received his LOA three days letter and his medical waiver the end of March. I strongly suggest keeping in touch with your admissions officer and letting it known of how strong your desire is to get into the academy. Sitting by and waiting to see what happens is not what you should do.</p>

<p>With respect to the ROTC, my send received his acceptance from NROTC the first week of October and his application was complete by mid September.</p>