Triple Q'd versus Scholastically Qualified

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>I've searched these boards and have yet to find a definitive answer to this question: my son received today a letter informing him that he is scholastically qualified (top 5 percent of a class of 700, 3.97 unweighted GPA, ACT 30 verbal and math, all recommended core and AP courses including calculus and physics). But the letter says nothing about whether he is triple qualified. Now, we know he is medically qualified because we have the DODMERB results. Those results have been in since October. His PFA results went in two weeks ago (it was the last thing needed to complete his application package). He was near the mean for all the events except shuttle run, in which he turned in a much better score than the mean. I would think that means he passed the PFA. So why no notice that he is triple-qualified? Will that come later?</p>

<p>We were hoping for an LOA, but we think he still has a good shot. He has three nominations so far: presidential, JROTC honor unit, and senator. We were assured that he would be receiving a nomination from his congressman, too. Is there anything else he can still do to improve his chances? Can he take the PFA again and if he does better, will that help?</p>

<p>Thanks again, all. It's been great reading the threads here.</p>

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<p>I was wondering the same thing as I also got my scholastically qualified letter today in the mail. If I am now scholastically qualified, have a nomination, am almost done with dodmerb, and completed the CFA months ago (at both west point SLS and annapolis. at wp i got a "no risk" ranking and then did better the next week at NASS), then what exactly is left in the process?</p>

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<p>What is left is the wait.</p>

<p>Some candidates never receive a "triple qualified" letter and are still offered an appointment, so not recieving that particular notification is not a reason to worry.</p>

<p>I would suggest contacting your BGO to inquire about the PFA to find out if retaking would help candidacy.</p>

<p>Many candidates do not recieve a LOA, and still are offered an appointment. It is my understanding that the number of LOA granted are very limited.</p>

<p>Regarding nominations, all nominations must be received by the Academy by Jan 31, and generally notification is made to a candidate at the same time as Academy notification, via the nomination source's office.</p>

<p>Good Luck to all. The wait is very difficult.
Candidatemom</p>

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<p>Thanks, candidatemom. I made the suggestion to my son (to call and ask his BGO). I'll leave it up to him to follow through. My son is serene about it and always has been. He decided when he was 13 that he wanted to attend the academy and he methodically put his own plan into gear to make it happen. All I have been able to do is mentor him "around the edges" and fret on his behalf because it isn't in his nature to worry excessively. Put him in the middle of an apparent panic and crisis and he cuts the temperature and disorder by two-thirds. Remarkable for a 17 year old.</p>

<p>One thing I have done is insist that he seek as many nominations as possible. My son and his AFJROTC teacher (a great guy) were satisfied when my son had presidential and JROTC honor unit nominations in hand. They thought it would be greedy to go for more. I wasn't satisfied. The admissions materials advised to go for as many nominations as possible so I made sure the MOC applications went out as well. </p>

<p>None of our MOCs makes nominations before mid-January and the first one to do so has given my son a nomination, albeit to the Air Force Academy. We haven't received official notification; we've just seen it on-line so far. I suspect other nominations are coming (we have heard informally that our congressman will be sending a Naval Academy nomination).</p>

<p>All things considered, the wait is harder for me than for my son.</p>

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<p>The hardest part is the wait.</p>

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<p>As far as I know from all the posts no one has ever received a 'triple qualified' letter. If you have completed the minimums on the CFA, qualified on DoDMERB and recieved the 'scholastic' qulaified letter, you are triple q'd. Last year there were 1,888 applicants who were triple q'd with a nomination. I am not sure if those applicants receiving waivers are a part of this number.</p>

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<p>USNA will notify you if you fail the CFA. The BGO does NOT know (is not told) if a candidate has passed or failed his/her CFA, so no point in asking your BGO. However, as noted, USNA will definitely tell you if you failed the CFA, so no news on that point is good news.</p>

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<p>A few comments:</p>

<p>Scholastically qualified vs. triple q'd: the former addresses qualification based on grades only; triple q'd adds in DoDMERB and physical testing (CFA). You might get a letter for the first; it is doubtful you will get a letter for the latter.</p>

<p>LOA's: generally, those getting LOA's will have gotten them already- they are issued around Oct-early Dec, and are used as the academy's robout for "Early Decision" and "Early Action" programs offered at other highly competetive schools. Keep in mind, in the big scheme of things, only a handful of candidates will get a LOA....most will not, and the lack of an LOA does not mean an appointment will not follow. As posted, most offers of admission will come without an LOA.</p>

<p>CFA: if you think you can SIGNIFICANTLY improve on your performance, do so.... do it quickly and send the results to the admissions office if this is still for the class of 2011. The key word is SIGNIFICANTLY.... if you improve your basketball throw by 3 feet, that is not significant. A guide to "significant" would be a 10% increase over your previous result.....although a 5% increase across the board in all categories I would forward.</p>

<p>As socaldreamers posted, out of 1888 "triple q'd" candidates, about 1500 were offered appointments, to yield a class of 1240. Too many great kids, not enough seats. What makes the difference? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm</p>

<p>
[quote]
. He decided when he was 13 that he wanted to attend the academy and he methodically put his own plan into gear to make it happen. All I have been able to do is mentor him "around the edges" and fret on his behalf because it isn't in his nature to worry excessively. Put him in the middle of an apparent panic and crisis and he cuts the temperature and disorder by two-thirds. Remarkable for a 17 year old.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>what is remarkable is that there will be 1800 other triple-q'd candidates with the same dreams and desires......... how the admissions board decides amongst them is beyond me, and a job I would never, ever want. If it were left up to me, I would build 3 more extensions onto Mother B and let them all in!!! </p>

<p>You have done what you can. You provided your son with opportunities.
He has done with them what he can.
Now comes the hard part. Waiting.</p>

<p>What I would suggest is the council someone passed onto me when we were at this same point.... which was to "downplay" the academy, and keep thoughts focused on the job at hand: completing school. While chances are good that a fat letter will arrive in the mail, there will be 300 or so triple-q'd candidates that are turned away...and what to do then is the question. Think about a plan "just in case"....hopefully you won't need it....but have one. We told our son that "in the event" it didn't work out, there was always next year to try again....and an extra year of maturity goes a long way at the USNA....</p>

<p>Lastly, the USNA is the slowest of the academies to get their offers out, but they all go out by March 15th.....try and not drive yourself crazy in the process, and remind your son to enjoy what is left of his high school years.... he will appreciate it when his world gets "rocked" come I-Day!!! :eek:</p>

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<p>^^^^ but they all go out by March 15th
Not true: Most candidates will be notified of their final status by April 15.</p>

<p>When we went to CVW last year in January Admissions stated that they were still issuing some LOA's. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/steps10.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/steps10.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>March 15th....April 15th..... heck, some candidates only found out the day prior to I-Day that they would be reporting!!!!</p>

<p>Irregardless, waiting is the toughest part of the whole process!</p>

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<p>My gut feel is that with 3 noms and his other qualifications, there's really no point in retaking the CFA UNLESS your son feels he did poorly overall or terrible in a particular category. Averages that BGOs are encouraged to share with their candidates are: Males: 1 mile run- 7:08, 63 crunches, 48 pushups; Females: 1 mile run 8:25, 60 crunches, 25 pushups. Note that these are averages. If your son was in this range (or at least not terribly below it), I don't think that improved socres will make the difference one way or another. If his scores were significantly lower (even though passing), he may want to retake -- again, only if he expects significant improvement. </p>

<p>Echo all the comments on LOAs. The overwhelming majority of those receiving appointments don't have LOAs. Last year, 3/4 of my candidates receiving appointment did not. </p>

<p>Also, although most appointments are offered by or on April 15th, one of 4 last year came in May. </p>

<p>Waiting is hard. But, as you know, this is but the first of many waits your son will endure in his lifetime.</p>

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<p>Thanks, everyone, for the comments. Great insights!</p>

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<p>One thought and a few observations.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Scholastically qualified is more than academics. It's the "whole person". Here's a link that will shed some light. Note it's dated (2002) and USNA, unlike NROTC, does not use the Strong Inventory for admission purposes any longer, although apparently it is administered post I-Day. </p></li>
<li><p>We were informed by the Dir of Admissions @ the Oct CVW that receiving the scholastically qualified letter is a very important step. And to keep going though.</p></li>
<li><p>Also indicated that it was most unlikely a "triple Qed" letter would be received, in addition to that letter. In fact we never did, altho son became triple Qed in early October. </p></li>
<li><p>Never got an LOA, nor did son's pal, both of whom got one nomination each in late Nov, and appointment offers in Dec.</p></li>
<li><p>So based on case study of 2, most certainly statistically insignificant, aside from your later timing AND reality of USNA rolling admissions, with spaces simply fewer than in Oct or Nov or Dec, it would seem you should be encouraged at this point. </p></li>
<li><p>While not pertinent to your situation now, it seems the simple admonition of a great many here and other sites is simple, profound and true. Get the application done early, as soon as possible. While it can make the "waiting" longer, it also provides the best, or should say "most" possible opportunities. Unlike other highly selective places that put 'em all into the same barrel and draw out the top # of applicants essentially 2X ... ED and RD. Not the case @ the SAs.</p></li>
<li><p>And while I don't know for a fact, others more knowledgeable have noted that the SAs value early birds AND they get both the earlier and most file reviews. Until they get all the info, there's "nothing" they can do. Overstated, but some truth. LOAs of course disprove the absolute truth to this. But as many have noted and SEEMS to be validated, darn few of them, and for sure LOA days are history for the Class of 2011.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>For 2012 folks, pts. 6/7 may be 2 of the most powerful lessons, impossible to be overemphasized. The earlier the better because of statistical advantage AND USNA perception that candidates are on the ball, attend to ALL details ASAP, and it's the highest and most important priority.</p>

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<p>When I asked my BGO a few months ago about what I needed to to do to submit another CFA, he said not to stress over that because I had already "Passed" it. I really hope he wouldn't have said that if he didn't know 100%...</p>