<p>My son just received a Principal Nomination to USNA from his COngressman. He has also been notified that he is qualified- scholastically, medically and physically. Does anyone know how long it usually takes to receive his appointment? Also- Is there anything that still needs to be done on his part to get the appointment.</p>
<p>When you say he was notified, do you mean with a specific letter stating that? I have Prin Nom also, told that I had a Q by BGO, and I believe that my CFA scores were OK/good. ..so I'm not sure if we are in the same boat or not. If you did get a letter stating the 3Q, then my research tells me that you are all set. I'd like to think I have an appt. coming, but I didn't get that Triple Q letter, so I'm still unsure. Anyway, to answer your question, I found out last week about my Prin Nom, so I'm waiting also.
I'll be monitoring this thread for the experts to advise us.....</p>
<p>mjh ...that is exciting news. Sounds like he's a slammed dunk. 2 points!</p>
<p>My guess, and it's that as I do not believe there is a definitive answer, is shortly after they review his candidacy file again. Perhaps others know if cases like this one move to the front of the line, simply enter the queue, or otherwise. Furthermore, speculating, I'd guess he'll hear in early to mid Feb, perhaps earlier from your MOC.</p>
<p>Congrats! What a thrill. Keep him healthy and working out. Don't pack his bag. He'll not need it.</p>
<p>Recognizing there are exceptions to every step of the process, triple q letters typically o out earlier in the process -
applications that are sent in early, and are "complete" (i.e.: all recommendations, BGO interview, etc) go before the admissions board. Typically, if "highly qualified" a Letter of Assurance is issued to roughly 100 of the most competitive, somewhat along the lines of a EA model at other schools, although a LOA still requires DoDMERB and a nomination. </p>
<p>Triple q letters typically go out if your initial info qualifies you for admission consideration- it is not a guarantee of admission, and it is different than a LOA. Also, not everyone will receive a Triple-Q letter- for example, if your file is just going before the board about now, there is no need to send out a letter reminding you that you are still in the competition- you will get the decision instead. Also, keep in mind that not all Triple-q's will translate into an Appointment- sadly, many will still be turned away.</p>
<p>Principle noms. If you have been flagged as a principle from your MOC, your file will be reviewed first from that slate. If you meet all the other criteria for admission, including DoDMERB clearance, you should get the appointment.</p>
<p>Best of luck to all!</p>
<p>Son's app was complete mid September. When he and I were on the yard in Nov for CVW, I stopped by Admissions to speak to his regional director to ask if there's anything else we could do, etc. They volunteered the info that he was "Triple Q'd." They said they were modifying the process of sending letters out to candidates. He received a letter dated November 25 saying he was "scholastically qualified."</p>
<p>No letter stating "Triple Q." </p>
<p>I think no news is good news. If your CFA is not up to par, I have heard of some that they contacted and suggested they re-take it. And you can check DoDMERB site to tell if you are physically qualified. </p>
<p>Hey, if in doubt, call Admissions. Or your BGO if you have a responsive one. Or email your regional director. They encouraged us to call anytime. Yes, they are swamped at this time of year. However, they put that phone number, email addresses, etc of those folks out there for a reason. </p>
<p>If you have updates to send in: grades went up, better CFA, etc, do so promptly. I was told by regional director that they can update your file without taking it before the Admissions Board.</p>
<p>If a candidate has been triple Q'd and receives a principle nomination - he wins an appointment. I can't see any need for further "review" of a file that has already been reviewed. The decision has been made. It is the law - the academy must abide by it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'll be monitoring this thread for the experts to advise us.....
[/quote]
please don't. it will only frustrate you. If you want to know the EXPERT answers to your excellent questions - please call admissions. Regardless of how busy they are - they won't be denying you an appointment because you call. </p>
<p>Zackster18 - if your CFA doesn't qualify you physically then you should get notification and an opportunity to retake it from the academy.</p>
<p>Congratulations!</p>
<p>Please post when the appointments are received.</p>
<p>^^^^ I guess I am confused as to why you would "consul" a parent or candidate to not monitor these threads...</p>
<p>Much that can be learned through post by many different individuals, and yes even some who are closer to being experts than others - i.e. BGO's. The BGO's do not claim to know all of the answers but they are one step closer than the rest of us and for that I respect the time and effort that they make to post here.</p>
<p>One thing I do find somewhat odd about SA applicants and their parent - the need to have information disseminated at every step of the way. Do you all call the admissions offices at the other universities or colleges that you have applied to? Do you expect to get a letter from these institutions telling you the status of your app every few weeks? </p>
<p>The system of BGO's is there for a reason. If your specific BGO does not respond - every state has a state coordinator that is listed in the USNA Catalog: <a href="http://www.usna.edu/Catalog/BroadBand/2007-2008admissionsbb.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.usna.edu/Catalog/BroadBand/2007-2008admissionsbb.pdf</a> page33</p>
<p>Call the State Coordinator and ask for their help. If they tell you or your BGO tells you to contact admissions then go for it otherwise try to seek their help first.</p>
<p>My D's appointment arrived almost exactly 4 weeks from the the date of her first nom as posted on the candidate info web site. 2 weeks of that was the Christmas break though. Keep checking Dodmerb too. You will see a status change before you will see your mail.</p>
<p>Not necessarily.....a mom pm'd me on the other forum. Said her son got appt through USPS, no status change on DoDMERB until after the fact.......</p>
<p>
[quote]
I guess I am confused as to why you would "consul" a parent or candidate to not monitor these threads...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>because they wanted EXPERT advice. Such advice can only be found from the EXPERTS and those work in the admissions offices.
The fact is the BGO who attempted to answer the question (or so I thought was attempting) did not in fact answer the question with a correct answer.<br>
True, some BGO do mentor candidates through the process - however, some do not and will not. Those candidates should not shy away from contacting the EXPERTS in admissions - JMHO.</p>
<p>There are very valid reasons to call admissions - this is a complicated process and questions do occur. I am not advocating that someone call admissions weekly to inquire about the progress of their application.<br>
*However, if a candidate receives a letter from either admissions or their congressman and they have questions - it is only prudent that they follow up and make contact. *</p>
<p>I am going down to USNA in a few weeks to do some touring with a Mid that I know. While I'm there should I stop by admissions to see how they are doing with my file? If so, how should I approach it and them. What questions are good to ask and so forth....any information is good.</p>
<p>ahebert1: Sure, stop by Admissions. Ask to see your regional director. I did so while son was at CVW. I intended to ask if there was anything else he could do to enhance his file. They came right out and told me he was 3 Q'd. They were really nice, told me lots of parents stopped by, etc. (I apologized for it being me asking instead of him.)</p>
<p>So, I would go in and ask "My name is ahebert1, sir, and I am a candidate. (Know your candidate number in case they ask). Is there anything else I can do to strengthen my application?"</p>
<p>mjh123 wrote:</p>
<p>
[quote]
My son just received a Principal Nomination to USNA from his COngressman. He has also been notified that he is qualified- scholastically, medically and physically. Does anyone know how long it usually takes to receive his appointment? Also- Is there anything that still needs to be done on his part to get the appointment.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>At this point in my (then candidate) daughter's application process she had the following: a letter confirming that she was triple Q'd; competitive nomination from our ultra-conservative congressman; Principal Nomination from our liberal (yea!) United States Senator from California! It took about a month from the time she received the Principal Nomination letter until the formal appointment arrived. In the meantime, we just waited and monitored our mail delivery like lunatics! Unlike most selfless BGOs, our BGO told my daughter NOT to call him because his only function was to interview candidates, so we couldn't pester him. Candidate daughter only called USNA admissions ONCE to confirm that they had received something she had sent.</p>
<p>Hang in there, sounds like a slam dunk for your hard-working son! Good Luck to all!</p>
<p>
[quote]
If a candidate has been triple Q'd and receives a principle nomination - he wins an appointment.
[/quote]
true
[quote]
Principle noms. If you have been flagged as a principle from your MOC, your file will be reviewed first from that slate. If you meet all the other criteria for admission, including DoDMERB clearance, you should get the appointment.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>also true</p>
<p>
[quote]
I can't see any need for further "review" of a file that has already been reviewed. The decision has been made.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>actually, that is where the two "parts" come together, and where the final "decision" is made. </p>
<p>
[quote]
It is the law - the academy must abide by it.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>yes- at least initially.
no- in that if other things come to light- falsification of information, legal trouble, decline in grades just to name a few- the appointment can ultimately be pulled. Generally, those things come to light after the fact, including the security check. Lastly, one must still get through Medical on I-Day.... usually not a problem for the vast majority, but again, disqualifying conditions that come to light can have a less-than-desired result.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The fact is the BGO who attempted to answer the question (or so I thought was attempting) did not in fact answer the question with a correct answer.
[/quote]
the information posted was correct; I believe more may have been inferred- incorrectly.</p>
<p>
[quote]
However, if a candidate receives a letter from either admissions or their congressman and they have questions - it is only prudent that they follow up and make contact
[/quote]
</p>
<p>true. But one would hope the candidate, or appointee, would abide by the process that has been established. BGO- RD-Admissions. </p>
<p>
[quote]
While I'm there should I stop by admissions to see how they are doing with my file?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>No. While it is good to demonstrate interest, this would not be the way to do it, IMO. With all due respect to rangelady, the person at the front desk is not necessarily in a position to tell you anything more than what is on the CIS system (which you have access to) and the BGIS system (which your BGO has access to). Accordingly, you have sources in which to get information on the status of your application before defaulting to the admissions office.</p>
<p>So what are the possible outcomes.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You are triple-q'd and get that confirmation- ok- but you still will not leave knowing if you have received an appointment- which is, I would assume, what you are really looking for.</p></li>
<li><p>Your candidate file is missing "something," or needs to be "strengthened," which is the suggestion of what one might ask- either one will be communicated to your BGO, and then to you.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So I ask you- other than being reassured at yet another step in the process (where a bit more patience will reveal all) what is the purpose?<br>
IMO- strong candidates will have no need.
Candidates on the fence will continue to try and game the system in the hopes of turning things their way.</p>
<p>Look- the waiting is hard. I understand and fully appreciate that. But please trust the system enough to let it unfold - these folks have been doing this a very, very long time, and they know what they are doing. And with all due respect for rangelady, do your bidding yourself- and only if you absolutely must. Quite honestly, if you haven't strenghened your application by now, there is little else you can do for this go-around.</p>
<p>navy2010,</p>
<p>I totally disagree with your logic in regards to candidates stopping by the admissions office.
I wouldn't use rangelady's logic either. </p>
<p>You want to introduce yourself, tell them you are a candidate, and that you came down to tour with a MIDN. I would even ask for your regional director or in their absence, the assistant for that region. They will probably be more than willing to take 5-10 mins to speak with you. Instead of asking "how is my file doing?" you want to say you stopped by because you were in the area and thought it would be nice to put a face to a name. The RD, most likely, if they don't know you, will look up your information on the spot (without even you initiating it).</p>
<p>Remember, when your file goes to the board, your regional director is briefing it. Your meeting/greeting the regional director could set off a good impression, which you want. Is it going to give you an advantage? Probably not a significant one, but it might. </p>
<p>I would personally take 10-15 mins with a candidate to answer questions or greet them. I would hope that any officer in Admissions would take the same stance and not think negatively. If I knew a candidate came and didn't stop by, I would wonder why they didn't stop by. Let's be honest, there aren't 10,000 candidates that stop by the office, so you most likely won't be "annoying" them. Just don't show up on a Thursday, since those are board days.</p>
<p>Fully appreciate your view.</p>
<p>I guess the difference is that I was looking at it as stopping by to question the status of one's application in terms of a "decision", rather than putting a face to a name and genuine interest.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Instead of asking "how is my file doing?" you want to say you stopped by because you were in the area and thought it would be nice to put a face to a name. </p>
<p>
[/quote]
</p>
<p>much, much better.</p>
<p>jadler...the voice of sanity and real logic.</p>
<p>Of course they should do precisely what you portray. Not only does it offer the opportunity for a first-hand exchange of information and impressions, the process you've recommended communicates about the seriousness and maturity of the candidate. And it even allows a look-see at the candidate, which as we know, is extremely important in the "eyes" of the Navy these days.</p>
<p>I'm baffled by the chronic inappropriate counsel of some to treat the admissions officers as though they were off-limits to phone or other communication or in cases like this one, with a personal face-to-face. Let them do the job they are charged with doing which certainly includes, as Jadler notes, providing the best possible assessment of the candidates they are charged with introducing to the committee. </p>
<p>Among other things, that misleading advice simply illustrates the real truth ...when a candidate or parents really need to know ... get it from those who are authorized to give it. Party lines are great for gossip, and too often thats precisely what they get, it seems. </p>
<p>Thanks Jadler.</p>
<p>My children each found that their RD was more than happy to take the time for an impromptu 15 minute meeting with them when they were "unofficially" visiting the Academy. It allowed applicant and RD alike a chance to get to know one another. The RD is usually able to respond to very specific questions regarding the Academy that an applicant may have. Bear in mind, it is important for an applicant at any Academy to meet with as many representatives of an Academy as possible to determine if that institution will ultimately be a good fit for the individual. Some may find that the Academy they thought was their first choice is not a good fit and that their "second choice" is in fact a better or perfect match. The time to make that determination is BEFORE one accepts their appointment.</p>
<p>Good advice, Jadler. When I was at the various parent sessions at CVW, Admissions urged us to stop by with questions. I did not have a "premeditated plan" to go by there as it is my feeling that my candidate needs to do all that. And recognizing that while they say "Call, stop by, anytime" to some degree they are just saying that because it is what parents want to hear. They don't want all of us calling, stopping by etc repeatedly. </p>
<p>My "dropping in" to Admissions was in early November. That early in the process, I think the question of "Can I do anything to strengthen my file?" was entirely appropriate. Today, I would probably not even stop there, but urge candidate to do so to put a face with a name!</p>
<p>I would not expect ever, at any time in the process, to get a decision from stopping by Admissions. I don't think that is what the original poster was seeking.</p>
<p>
[quote]
it is important for an applicant at any Academy to meet with as many representatives of an Academy as possible to determine if that institution will ultimately be a good fit for the individual. Some may find that the Academy they thought was their first choice is not a good fit and that their "second choice" is in fact a better or perfect match. The time to make that determination is BEFORE one accepts their appointment.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Absolutely, positively.
Thus, the advice to apply to NASS and attend if you are able, ditto for CVW, and visit as often as you can- at all times of the year. If unable/not invited to attend NASS or CVW, consider attending one of USNS's many sports camps over the summer. Find out if the reps from the Admissions Office will be in your area (that can be found on-line) and attend that forum. College fairs- more than likely USNA will be there. There are lots of opportunities to get your name-and face- "known." </p>
<p>But please do not bypass your BGO in the process if you have access to him/her- that is still your best ticket to getting the gouge into your file. If you do not have a BGO that is working for you, then try your RD- perhaps they can hook you up for someone else. I realize that may not be possible for some of you- but make the effort. </p>
<p>
[quote]
When I was at the various parent sessions at CVW, Admissions urged us to stop by with questions.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Please keep in mind you were already, at that point, a "person of interest" to the academy- thus, the invite. Any given year there are 10-12K applications opened- by the time of CVW, that number has been reduced to 5K or so- but still, a lot of interested parties. I would hate to think that a candidate walks away thinking that they have to visit the admissions office to get their face know, or will be behind the eightball if they don't. Again, if you have a BGO that is working with you, there is no need- if you don't, then by all means-</p>