<p>I've been told that one of the keys to remember is: never let the academy forget about you, be in their ear. Some might call it nagging, but if it works you have reason to be happy. Also, for everyone on a waiting list, I just got a sponsorship from the Naval Academy Foundation, I was on a waiting list too for a few weeks. Now i'm looking forward to a year of prep school and then hopefully an appointment. So look for alternative methods into the academy. From what i hear from alumni, a lot of guys/girls do a prep school year b/f getting accepted to the academy. If you ever give up, you will regret it. I was ready to go to another college as a criminal justice major, I was excited but it wasn't what i really wanted. When i got the call from the foundation I dropped all thought of other schools and accepted the sponsorship.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Good to hear, but does this also apply when 'switching' (recieving late notification of appt. to USNA) from one service academy to another)?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>i believe this was posted elsewhere, but will post again- once you accept an appointment at one service academy, you are obligated to withdraw your application to any other service academy you have applied to. It's in the fine print, so be sure to read carefully.</p>
<p>^^^^That is not in any fine print on the paper work that I have received from USNA.</p>
<p>Mine states that if I accept the appointment the I "must inform any other institution to which you have ACCEPTED an offer of ENROLLMENT to contact that institution and let them know that you have now accepted USNA" It says nothing about contacting any school and withdrawing an outstanding application or withdrawing waitlist positions. You are just not supposed to have two acceptances out there.</p>
<p>I saw a listing on the parents listserv about a kid accepting another Academy, I think Air Force and then getting the USNA call and then switching to USNA while the other Academy filled the now vacant position from their waitlist. My B&G has told me that there is nothing wrong with accepting the academy while staying on the waitlist for another institution. I believe GA has also said the same thing. Nothing is necessarily cast in stone until you take the Oath of Office. </p>
<p>USNA tells you to committ to Plan B while accepting your spot on their wait list. Again why would they tell you that if their was something "unethical" about it? Why would they even have a waitlist if you could not stay on it past May1st? I was waitlisted at my first choice school while being accepted at USNA and two other very good California schools. You bet I am going to accept one of these while I stay put on the waitlist for my first choice. My B&G knows this and has encouraged me in this plan. I just need to decide about which is my second choice. Also if my witlist position never clears, I am ready to embrace my second choice as the institution I will be attending, If I accept USNA then my waitlist position at the other school will be withdrawn after the oath of Office on June 27th.</p>
<p>Rechecked the files....</p>
<p>our son's WP acceptance card (for class of 2009) clearly states that "applications to other service academies must be withdrawn following acceptance of USMA appointment."</p>
<p>Perhaps things may have changed for class of 2011????
check carefully-</p>
<p>i think it has changed. my B&G officer said it would be ok to stay in the running for USNA after accepting an appointment to CGA, and an admissions officer from CGA said i could later decline after accepting should USNA come through.</p>
<p>could it be that the USCGA, which does not require an appointment, differ from the "big brother" academies that do in determining if one must "committ" as a "final decision?"</p>
<p>my daughter has an appointment to AFA but is holding out for USNA. BGO told her it is ok to accept AFA now and if
USNA comes thru she can withdraw from AFA and accept USNA.</p>
<p>
[quote]
our son's WP acceptance card (for class of 2009) clearly states that "applications to other service academies must be withdrawn following acceptance of USMA appointment."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>There is no way that West Point could ever enforce the foregoing requirement. They might be able to intimidate the faint at heart but that is as far as it goes. The service academy admissions offices do not share databases so how can they enforce withdrawal of applications? What the candidates are being told by their BGO's is just common sense.</p>
<p>
[quote]
could it be that the USCGA, which does not require an appointment, differ from the "big brother" academies that do in determining if one must "committ" as a "final decision?"
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination but does require an offer of appointment for admissions.</p>
<p>Thanks, GA, for interjecting some common sense. I can't imagine WP instilling this ruling. There are enough highly qualified candidates on all the wait lists that no one should be forced to attend their second choice when their first becomes available. Additionally, it would be impossible for them to enforce.</p>
<p>^^^^ sorry, it should have read "USCGA does not require a nomination-" obviously they require an appointment.</p>
<p>My point still stands: check carefully before signing anything! I can only "speak" from our own expereince, which was printed on the "acceptance card" from USMA. Sorry folks- only posting what is written on the card- put whatever spin on it you will. If it was my kid (and it was, not to one other academy but two)...you better believe we checked it out first hand. Then again, having said that, perhaps the process is different with recruited athletes considering NCAA regulations- ??????</p>
<p>As for "faint of heart".... my perspective is totally different-
either you are COMMITTED or you aren't. If it is the latter, don't sign. If it is the former, sign and be done with it, and be proud of whatever line you are joining, be it gray, blue or otherwise.</p>
<p>I am not sure "accepting" an appointment at one academy, only to recind it later should another appointment come through, is entirely ethical- IMO-and especially at institutions that value "honor" above all else. I am not sure how "honorable" it is to sign on the dotted line, knowing you will jump ship if a "better offer" comes along, "common sense" or otherwise. I am sure West Point would not like to find itself "second best" should an offer of USNA come through- and I doubt USNA would feel any differently. </p>
<p>As for "comparing databases"---- who is to say what goes on. Every application, including those for the service academies, asked specifically to "what other institutions have you applied to" ....most likely to access the competetion pool, but who really can say. In our case, son was a recruited athlete- you better believe the coaches from each academy- and civilian school for that matter- knew exactly what the other one was doing and who was on their list of "most wanted."</p>
<p>As with everything else in life, the devil is in the details- so my advice, for what it is worth, is to read the fine print carefully- and before signing anything... and when in doubt, as much as I value the sound advice we received from our very knowledgable BGO (who has BTDT), this is a call I would make to the admissions office directly, and before accepting anything that is other than the "first choice" institution.</p>
<p>hmmm.... i wonder if the same rules apply: "do you take....
choose "a" for "until death do you part,"
and "b" for "ok for now, until a better offer comes along".....</p>
<p>no wonder kids get screwed up.
chaulk it up to common sense.</p>
<p>" . . . this is a call I would make to the admissions office directly." </p>
<p>I agree. We can talk amongst ourselves but the admissions office has the answer - all we really have is speculation and anecdotal information. I would make the call. </p>
<p>If you make the call - post what they say, please - not in the situation here, Just curious of the reply.</p>
<p>i cant say i agree with your post Navy2010. if we could only live with one Academy then we would only apply to one Academy. in my case and in the cases of a few others, more than one Academy fits, but one is just a "better fit". why should a minor conflict in appointment notice time not allow us to see the application process all the way through? Its not a "I want this, but if i have to I'll settle for this" situation. its a "i want both badly, but just feel that one is a better fit."</p>
<p>as far as ethics you are not taking anybody's spot. thats why the Academies have wait lists. if someone decides they dont want to go, or a better fitting offer comes through, the next best candidate gets their offer.</p>
<p>and to Momof2011. I know for sure that with CGA you can do this. I posted this question on the CGA bulletin and the responder is an Admissions Officer.</p>
<p>br2011- and i understand where you are coming from, which is not to say that I agree with your perspective- on the contrary, I would suggest to you to wait it out if your first choice is still a possibility, before committing to your second choice..... committment is just that.... </p>
<p>
[quote]
as far as ethics you are not taking anybody's spot. thats why the Academies have wait lists. if someone decides they dont want to go, or a better fitting offer comes through, the next best candidate gets their offer.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>really!!!</p>
<p>Actually, they have wait lists for those who decline the appointment first hand, and perhaps for those unable to report for some unforseen reason. </p>
<p>Not sure if you would feel differently if the "appointment" (aka, committment from said service academy) was suddenly withdrawn because a stonger and more appealing candidate came along- abet, after the deadline- but heck- if you can recind a committment and not lose any sleep, why shouldn't the same hold true for the admissions office? The problem, IMO, is the very idea of "committment".... it seems to have lost it's conscience along the way......</p>
<p>To bring it directly back to the question that was asked-
my advice still stands- which is quite simple, really-
it is to call before you sign-</p>
<p>that's it in a nutshell.</p>
<p>And it is not based on conjecture, but from our experience, which is what I shared. Things change all the time- and from what is posted, things may have changed from 2009, which is when our son had to decide between appointments to 3 academies. One a better fit than another? Can fully appreciate that- but then again, you owe it to yourself to pick the best fit for you..... and not settle....</p>
<p>maybe I'm getting too old- but life is too short to be doing something that your heart is just not into- service academies just one example- each one is hard, and I can't help but think that they get even harder if they are not first and foremost in what you want to do, or where you want to be- they are hard enough when they are your first choice, let alone your second.</p>
<p>Again, please don't think I do not understand your position- I do, more than you think, but where we differ is on the notion of "committment" and what it means, and the value that is placed on it. </p>
<p>Our son got his choices down to 2.... and it was difficult to decide between them.... 2 academies offered direct appointments, and USNA offered the foundation program---- in the end, USNA was a "better fit" and "worth" the extra year if that is what it took- and now, foundation year done and plebe year drawing to a close, it was the right choice for him!</p>
<p>No doubt each will decide the "best fit" for themselves- all I can say is that he had to take a deep breath when the USMA card said to "withdraw applications to other service academies"..... that is a direct quote from the acceptance card.... and it was hard waiting for the decision from USNA to arrive- but since it was his first choice, wait he did.......... he did not "committ" to USMA with the notion that he could withdraw it should Navy come through.... frankly, I would have been dissapointed had he done so. "Committment" means something different in our household.</p>
<p>in light of things changing all the time, again I would advise to CALL BEFORE YOU SIGN.... obviously you did......... which is my point- EXACTLY.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you.
Hope you are committed to your squad when you arrive at USNA, and your troops when you earn your commission. If you are not, you will be "found," that I can almost guarentee.</p>
<p>Agreed with your call before you sign, but I believe the main contradiction between our points and yours is that all we would <em>like</em> is to have the same opportunity to fairly decide between all 3, because unlike your son, others dont have the luxery of having all 3 (or two) on the table at once. </p>
<p>You contradict your own statement, because by allowing your son to apply to all 3 academies, he delayed appt to 2 other qualified candidates, the exact same thing that would happen if one of us were to decline an appt. - it simply goes to the next best a little later than it should have.</p>
<p>No, not a contradiction at all. You have until May 1st to make your decision; that is very different from jumping the gun and then wishing you had left it in your holster.</p>
<p>My position is quite clear, really. Apply to any and all schools that you can see yourself at. Weigh the offers carefully. Make your decision and committ to ONE. </p>
<p>What I advised is that IF you are considering accepting an appointment to one academy, KNOWING that you will recind should another academy offer come in, to CALL FIRST to MAKE SURE YOU CAN DO THIS.</p>
<p>Honestly, I don't see what is so hard to understand.</p>
<p>That was the advice posted.</p>
<p>Our personal advice to our son....which I posted AFTER THE FACT, concerned committment.... and what factored into HIS decision.....</p>
<p>In 2009, the card said to "withdraw application"....
someone posted that changed in 2010 to "notify other service academies of appointment"
who knows what 2011 card says....</p>
<p>CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Honestly- this is not rocket science!!!!!!!</p>
<p>and if it is, good luck with calc and chem- you are going to need it!!!</p>
<p>br2011,
That took some courage to post your question on USCGA message board like that. Good Luck</p>
<p>Navy2010, respectfully, I have to disagree.</p>
<p>The paper work that my son signed for USNA class of 2010 only asks that you let any institution that you have already accepted an offer of admissions know that you are now accepting an USNA appointment. The paper work never says that you are committing to USNA either and it certainly never asks you to withdraw placements on waitlists or applications at other institutions. GA and USNA69 make a valid point that there is no way another institution, be it a Service Academy could enforce such a policy. May 1st is the deadline to ACCEPT an offer of admissions. The paperwork never implies that this is a binding commitment.</p>
<p>Given that if you are not a recruited athlete who signed on signing day, there is no NCAA rule preventing you from accepting an offer of admission to an institution and actually enrolling in another. Your eligibility is dependant on the date you enroll in an institution.</p>
<p>It is very unfair to a candidate to ask them to make a binding decision with not all of the facts on the table. There is a reason that there is a waitlist, so that if a position becomes available that the next qualified applicant is offered that spot. It is not intended to be for the next qualified applicant who has not accepted another institutions offer of admissions. There is nothing unethical about this. Every highly competitive institution in America employs this system. What the institutions find unethical is if you put deposits down on 2 institutions concurrently and give the impression that you will be attending both. It is a simple process; accept a position at your first choice school or Academy that you currently have an offer of Admissions to by May 1st (your second choice institution). You accept the spot on your First choice Institutions wait list - USNA. If you never get the call...you are set to go. If you are fortunate to get the Call to join the Brigade of Midshipmen, you call institution xyz and respectfully with draw your acceptance.</p>
<p>i would just like to clear up one thing, then i say we drop it, this arguement is obviously going nowhere.</p>
<p>when you say we are "jumping the gun" it makes me think that you think we are just antsy to commit somewhere and arent thinking it all the way through. the reason this question has come up is because the USNA wait list letter says we wont hear anything until at least the 3rd week of May. All we want to do is just see the process all the way through.</p>
<p>if you had not already realized that and it changes your opinion, good. if not, to each his own belief.</p>
<p>You're correct br2011, this should be droppped. You are very wise. :) However a couple things the 'Mamma Bear' in me is compelled to address. </p>
<p>"Hope you are committed to your squad when you arrive at USNA, and your troops when you earn your commission. If you are not, you will be "found," that I can almost guarentee."</p>
<p>"Honestly- this is not rocket science!!!!!!!</p>
<p>and if it is, good luck with calc and chem- you are going to need it!!!"</p>
<p>Honestly- these comments are completely condescending and rude, especially since they are aimed at candidates <kids!> who are seeking information. Isn't this supposed to be a support and information forum? </kids!></p>
<p>Sorry kids, I couldn't help myself from stepping in!</p>
<p>we have a lot of kids here at USMMA that got into other academies but as soon as they were accepted here (before the others) they accepted, wait, don't be a nipplehead</p>