<p>I applied to USAFA and received an appointment. It is definitely my first choice.
I was also in the midst of applying to USNA when I received the appointment. Now I don’t know whether or not to continue applying to USNA or if it is pointless now.
Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Only you can answer if it is pointless. Since you have an appointment to your #1 choice, assuming that you are medically qualified, why would you apply anywhere else unless you are having second thoughts?</p>
<p>Having said this, it is always nice to have options - you can always turn them down. What are you going to do if you decide the AFA is not for you? What are you going to do if you become injured and cannot attend an academy?</p>
<p>What do most people do if they become injured and cannot attend the Academy?
I mean, you have to let colleges know yes or no by May 1 I think. What if you become injured after that?</p>
<p>I don't know what everyone else is doing, but here is what our son has planned. Out of the colleges that he was accepted at, he is picking one that he could be happy at for a year if he were to be injured before he reports to the Academy. It is a middle-cost school, and he was awarded a scholarship to it for approx 2/3 tuition. He will pay the $200 housing deposit out of his own pocket before the May 1 deadline to hold a spot in case he needs it. He will lose the deposit when he goes to the Academy, but he feels it is worth the insurance policy. This plan was suggested to him by his HS admission counselor, so I am hoping it is a sound choice. Son has done the whole thing with the Academy himself so far, so I guess I have to trust his plan for this.</p>
<p>Hate to waste that $200, but it is definitely a good idea considering the alternatives.
Thanks. This was helpful.</p>
<p>It is certainly a wise idea to have contingency plans and backups -- that sort of forethought is probably a great factor in being accepted to the academy in the first place. Still, the number of medical turnbacks in a typical BCT is about 25. That's less than 2%. Some of those will be turned back too late to even use their backup plan. That actually should be quite encouraging. Your chances of becoming discouraged or disillusioned and resigning are far higher than your chances of being injured. Proper mental, physical and emotional preparation is by far the best contingency plan.</p>