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<p>I believe that the ones who apply to other schools are just as "driven and goal minded" as the candidate who doesn't have a backup plan ("one school and one school only"), perhaps more so.</p>
<p>KNOWING what you want does not always equal GETTING what you want.</p>
<p>Being "not interested in other options" is poor planning, imho.</p>
<p>Your scenario could be disastrous if their dream is unfulfilled.</p>
<p>Since I now have my appointment I am no longer applying to other schools, even though it is likely i will get a NROTC scholorship. I want USNA...that being said.....</p>
<p>If what PaulRevere was saying was how 2012mom? interpreted it than I disagree. If a kid has an appointment he still has a right to consider his options for as long as he wants. Like lugi said, wanting and getting are different. Just because a kid may want to be at the academy more than another kid doesnt mean they deserve it more...</p>
<p>If I have read into your post wrong PaulRevere, i apologize</p>
<p>Not everyone is 100% on a particular academy. My son knows he wants USMA or USNA...but each has a particular draw for him. He has not visited Navy yet..decision will be made after that visit. He is also applying to backups in case of injury, etc that would keep him from SA. I envision sitting around the table in Feb. with all the offers and making a spread sheet as to pro's and con's of each. It is a hard decision. I wish each candidate could have a totally clear vision, but that is not always the case.</p>
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Your scenario could be disastrous if their dream is unfulfilled
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<p>depends on your definition of "disastrous"</p>
<p>jpr and mom3boys - agreed - I don't begrudge kids who keep their options open at all. heck my daughter opened applications to 3 SA's - mostly at my insistence.<br>
All I am saying is for some kids - if this is what they want and don't want to consider other options - power to them! They most likely will find a way to get there - maybe not the first time around but the second or even third.....
this is the beauty of the SA's, you get more than one shot.</p>
<p>my litmus test for "was this the right decision" always came at thanksgiving time- after they had been at their "dream school" for a few months, adjusted to the roomate(s), got a taste of the academics, and STILL wanted to go back after coming home to a good Thanksgiving meal!!!</p>
<p>for usna- it happens a bit more often- when each and everytime our Mid comes home, I wait to see if he is packing up to go back to MD the night before! And when he comes down the stairs with his seabag all packed and ready to go, my heart swells all over again and the waterworks start! </p>
<p>It always amazes me how some kids seem to know what they want all along- and others struggle with the decision right down to the wire. For each, however, it is prudent to expose them to all the options available to them- not push, or sway- but "inform." Wether or not it is civilian schools, ROTC, service academies or "other," the more informed they are the better choice they can make. Even if their heart is set on one place, that will only be confirmed when compared/contrasted to the other options available.</p>
<p>Then again, I am a shopper- I have to try on every dress within a 20 mile radius before deciding on "the one." In contrast, hubby goes into Macy's, pulls the first shirt he sees off the nearest rack, does a 5 second check to make sure it is the right size (forget color and cut)- and he's done. Go figure. Our daughter looked at 26 schools- did overnights at 5- then made her decision. Our son looked at 6- did overnights at 5- narrowed his choice down to 2- and then lost a few nights sleep deciding from there..... another last-minute visit back to each one of those helped him to make his decision. </p>
<p>Even with all the planning and consideration, there will be some that, despite arriving at their dream school, wake up to find themselves in a nightmare. It is at that time that we get to mentor and support in ways we never imagined possible. And while I have not expereinced that with my own children, I have seen it happen to many of their friends who have returned home only to start the process all over again.</p>
<p>So IMO, it is wise to hedge one's bet, and to do that, visit, visit, visit, go to information sessions, take the tour, speak to current students, visit and visit again, and if given the opportunity, RUN to accept an overnight stay........ what better way to see things from the "inside", seperate and appart from all the glossy catelogues!!! It's the stuff they "don't" tell you on the tour that often comes back to affect one's level of happiness!!!</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>I received a letter today from USNA it stated that it "guaranteed an offer of appointment" as long as i receive a nomination. Does this make this a Letter of Assurance?</p>
<p>Yep, it does. Congratulations!</p>
<p>You got the Golden ticket! congratulations</p>
<p>Good discussion.</p>
<p>My attempted original point was simply that it is unfortunate that some USNA-focused, fully qualified candidates (with nominations) are not offered appointments because some students deemed 'more qualified' have filled Admissions' numbers. Obviously many appointees do not accept because 'something better came along', or they had never intended to accept in the first place, or had second thoughts when it was time to **** or get off the pot. For those students who are not totally committed before appointment, it makes complete sense for them to wait, reflect, and evaluate before accepting.</p>
<p>It's really just a matter of statistics and trending. Let's say trending indicates 300 will not accept. If 1200 are expected or needed by Navy, Admissions will offer 1500. Fully qualified number 1501 (non-appointee) may have been chasing this dream for years, only to be denied by someone in the 300 that may have never intended to accept.</p>
<p>The point therefore, is that number 1501 will only get her shot if 301 or more do not accept. What about numbers 1550, 1600? Etc...</p>
<p>It's just an unfortunate part of the process that there are fully qualified dream-chasers denied by some who decide to pursue other options, or worse, never intended on accepting. It would be interesting to get honest statistics on the 300.</p>
<p>Now, closer to home - my son's primary focus is to become a naval officer (has been for 5 years). He has a 4-year NROTC in his hip pocket, but his dream commissioning source is USNA; his only SA application. Although he is triple Q'd, his numbers aren't off the charts, so he does not expect a LOA. He might end up being that Number 1501, and that would be a shame, because there can be no doubt at least one of the 300 never intended to accept in the first place. That's my point.</p>
<p>Of course the flip side (and a nightmare for USNA I'd imagine) is if all 1500 were dream chasers and accepted. Oooops :-)</p>
<p>PaulRevere -
The admissions process is really quite fluid - IF all appointments are given out on a specific day - e.g. April 1st and candidates had until May 1 to respond - then they would appoint 1500 to get a class of 1200 as in your example.</p>
<p>But - appointments are given out on a rolling basis. As candidated accept the class is filled. Clearly all candidates will not accept - some apply to more than one SA or have a change of heart, other will have medical issues that crop up. As appointments are rejected others are appointed to fill the spot.</p>
<p>For instance - in your congressional district you congressman submits a slate of 10 candidates. #1 is offered an appointment in January but declines to attend another SA. Candidate #2 has a medical issue that won't be waived, Candidate #3 is offered the spot - if fully qualified. The academies try to work down the slate of candidates.</p>
<p>When it is all said and done there may have been 1500 appointments offered but not all at the same time.</p>
<p>Rest assured - the academies strive to create the best possible class. I don't know for sure but desire to attend based on showing interest does count somewhat in the whole candidate score. It could be enough to tip the scale.</p>
<p>Also, most of those fully qualified candidates with nominations who don't get appointment the first time around stand a really good chance the next time around. Most don't reapply though. Keep in mind - about 30% of the class at USMA is NOT straight out of high school - they come from active duty or college.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reminder, JustAMom; I oversimplified my example in an attempt to drive home a point. I guess I was thinking more national pool rather than Congressional-district-specific names.</p>
<p>Wow, I didn't realize the % not coming from HS was so high. Is it ~30% for USNA, too?</p>
<p>^^^^^
Approximately a third of each entering class at USNA does not come directly from High School.</p>
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<p>But #1501 would still be #301 no matter when the other 300 declined their appointment, right? If those 300 declined on Jan 1, the next 300 would move up, leaving out #301 just as if those 300 declined on May 1st.</p>
<p>Your original post seemed to say that the sooner the "fence-sitters" declined it would be better for #1501, but I believe it may be better for #1501 (or #1550 or #1600) the later it gets. As the deadline approaches, many of those candidates #1201-#1500 may have given up and accepted civilian college offers while the dream-chasers would still be patiently waiting for the mailman. (Just an opinion, not a fact).</p>
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<p>I disagree. The "fence-sitters" are not denying the dream-chasers anything. By their stats, achievement, and hard work, they have earned their early appointments, along with the right to ponder and reflect on their decision. I also find it hard to believe that any applicant would undertake the rigorous admissions process without having any intention on accepting it. That seems to be too much work for nothing.</p>
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<p>Yes, it is unfortunate for them, but preferring "more qualified" people is not just for the USNA, it could apply in almost any part of life. The "more qualified" will always be preferred in every situation, right? </p>
<p>How would you change it, or would you even want to?</p>
<p>National Pool - (also called national waiting list at USMA) - after the MOC's appointments are filled - the remaining candidated are ranked according to the WCS -
They are offered appointments strictly based on their ranking. This, I believe is federal law.</p>
<p>Reading this forum would have you believe that SAT's are 90% of your WCS - and that is obviously not true. One's WCS is much more than class rank and SAT's it encompasses your demonstrated leadership, athletics etc.....
<strong>This is just my opinion from observations</strong> But I believe that showing interest in your desire to attend can impact your WCS - it can make a difference.</p>
<p>The point being that being "more qualified" is more than academics. When stats are posted here you rarely know the whole story.</p>
<p>Anyway - it is way too soon to start worrying - nominations are just coming in and appointments really don't start to go out until next year. It ain't over 'til it's over ;)</p>
<p>^^^^^
The appointments won't go out in bulk util February. There will be additional LOAs in January while the appointments are being prepared.</p>