<p>Just a quick question for all candidates who have been placed on the National Waiting List. How did you find out that you are on the NWL? Since receiving a letter in December saying that I had passed the admissions board, I have not received any written communication about my status. I applied in October, so its not like I just made the deadline. </p>
<p>I have two nominations (one from a Senator and one from a local congressman). My MALO, while saying "the final tally is still out," also wants me to starting thinking about ROTC. Everything seems pretty vague. What are your best guesses to what's going on? Any help would be appreciated.</p>
<p>My son received a letter last month telling him that he was fully qualified but had been placed on the National Waiting List. The regional admissions officer hasn't volunteered much information - i.e., where my son stands on the list. But he also hasn't discouraged my son. I don't think that USMA will really know the situation until May 1 - when acceptees have to let USMA know whether they are coming. Applications were down 16 percent this year and I assume many parents will be pushing their children to go to civilian schools while we are at war in Iraq. But who knows?</p>
<p>My son has several ROTC offers - and the longer this drags on the less interested he seems in USMA. He's very interested in biology and the biological sciences - as far as I can tell USMA has only three real biology courses. So, if he does get in, he'll have to choose between following a more specific and broad and deep major - or focusing more on the military side and a more general education.</p>
<p>Not much help. You can drive yourself crazy - so just assume you're not in, make your choice of civilian school and then re-think if you do get in. Good luck.</p>
<p>West Point won't officially notify you regarding where you are on the waitlist - people find out typically from their RD's. I wouldn't expect any more correspondence until a spot opens up.</p>
<p>Thanks, KateLewis - now it makes more sense re: position on waiting list. I think different admissions officers handle it in different ways. Ours won't tell us the position on the list. But he also hasn't sent a discouraging note to my son either (as I've read on other posts). My son will be doing his Eagle Scout Review Board next week - will acheiving Eagle still make a difference? Will it add to his whole candidate score? Does updating the file really make a difference?</p>
<p>Your son should update his file with his new status as an Eagle Scout. USMA loves Eagle Scouts and it would help his leadership score and move him up the list. Any new honors should be reported. He should email his Regional Commander with the news and follow up with a letter. Congratulations to your son and good luck.
Mom of an Eagle Scout and USMA 08</p>
<p>Based on what I've read, the relative waitlist scores keep changing based on new file additions...until it's time to pull people off the list. That's one of the reasons ALO's are reluctant to discuss where a candidate is on the list - because it changes daily. And Eagle Scout's worth a lot, I believe.</p>
<p>NWL Candidates: As hard as it is might be, try to keep focused on the goal for a little while longer - and keep updating your files. Here's why:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>A lot of reshuffling will take place after May 1st as the deadline for acceptance passes. A number of candidates with multiple appointments(several on this forum) will make their choice, and some candidates with single appointments will decline. I may be wrong, but I am predicting a higher than normal declination rate. I think there will be more candidates this year seeking the prestige of an appointment but not wanting to make the sacrifices needed to become(and remain) a cadet.</p></li>
<li><p>Your ranking on the NWL list is important but may be less important than your relative ranking among the candidates nominated by your MOC. My understanding is that if a candidate declines an appointment, the appointment goes to the next highest ranked candidate from that MOC's district. Therefore, in theory, the last candidate on the NWL could get an appointment if they are next in line on his/her MOC nomination list.</p></li>
<li><p>Keep updating your information since a few extra points might make the difference in your relative ranking.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Finally, remember that everyone on the NWL is an exceptional person. Only about 20% of those applying to WP earn the designation "fully qualified". </p>
<p>Well, there is a bright spot here for all of you on the NWL. I too was placed on the NWL, to come home yesterday and get a call from my congressman's aide telling me I will be receiving an appointment. I don't know what happened...if I was taken nationally, or someone with my same nominations said no, but I got one. Can't wait to get the folder in my hands.</p>