<p>Question for those who have gone through this. Currently, my son’s online application page says Status:Candidate and Application: Incomplete. The only 2 things missing were the medical review board results and the Form 146 Personal Data record. The 146 shows submitted on 6/23/2007 but awaiting processing. (That’s 4 weeks ago). The medical review we received in the mail today saying congratulations, qualified, bla bla bla. The DODMRB site also shows complete and qualified.</p>
<p>So, assuming the onlineapplication page ever updates, Will it show then complete? Reason for asking, was that in the Kit (online) when first emailed to my son, it emphasized that if it could be completed within 45 days, then he could be considered possibly for the early selection in Oct-Nov. So, do they even see the onlineapplication page, or can we rest, assured, that as far as the academy goes, they see my son’s application as “Complete” and just haven’t updated the website. The 45 days kicks in next week. Hate to be not considered for the early selection because of an online admin SNAFU. Anyone with experience with this. Thanks a lot. Mike…</p>
<p>i think, and others can support/contradict me, but i'm pretty sure that as long as everythin is in before the panel starts meetin in october, his file will be reviewed. the whole 45 day thing is just advisory, not necessarily a deadline.. i've also got 2 forms that are pending processing, and have been for over a month now..</p>
<p>I'm sure you're fine. I remember there being a signigicant lag time between knowing everything was in, including the nomination, and it actually being posted.</p>
<p>I agree with KysMom. One of us checked the online app frequently and it seemed to take forever to update. If you really have a question/problem check with your son's advisor. He/She should be listed. My son's advisor preferred talking with him - yes she said so - so they often left each other phone messages, but she was very helpful when we needed it. My son had a space of two years w/o being on an organized sports team, she told us that was a problem and so we found him sports teams to play on. He was home-schooled so he did not have a school team to play on.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips. My son's ALO has been very helpful. When we or she sees something that looks conflicting, she has called down to the advisor. The ALO has a screen to look at similar to the one we can see. Her's doesn't get updated that often either. She's been on vacation the last week or so, so some things have changed since then. I think she'll be back next week. I'll call her so she can check on it. This way it doesn't appear to the counselor like we are being a "PITA". </p>
<p>I'm sure than my son has everything he needs. Unfortunately at this point, if there's something that would make him non-selected, there isn't anything we can do about it now. Just make sure all of his backup plans are in place with ROTC and the other schools he is interested in applying to. </p>
<p>The Air Force academy is definitely what he's wanted for a number of years, but we have to be realistic. No matter how good your grades are and no matter how much of all the other stuff there is, they could still pass him over. We realized this when we looked at stats from some big name Universities and found out that some of the students they didn't accept were 4.0 students with a lot going for them too. The AFA isn't really any different. There will be kids with great grades, tests, extra-curriculum activities, and other attributes who won't get selected. Just have to stay positive no matter what. Thanks again. Mike....</p>
<p>Parental involvement is actually a great plus in a USAFA application even though I'm sure it can be overdone. We always encouraged our son to contact his ALO himself just to make the point that he was self-motivated, but when I had a question for an admissions counselor, I would just call the academy myself. They seem to expect parents to call, and it's really important for a cadet to have a strong family support system - especially during the first year.</p>
<p>Last years page went through about three or four different phases Applicant, Candidate, and Appointee I believe. Will ask daughter in a few days at acceptance day. The biggest thing a Parent can do is stay on top of DoDMerb. Each Applicant is different, but everyone will tell you they have to be doing it for themselves. You are still very early in the process and admissions can answer the website questions best. The counselors are great and will be very helpfull.</p>
<p>well, my son got a letter in the mail today from DODMRB stating he is qualified and all is good. The online application website still shows medical as "Missing", but I assume they will eventually update it all. If they were to update the medical and the form 146 Personal data record, then there wouldn't be anything left to worry about. Other than waiting for a Letter of assurance or appointment. Of course, we will still press on with submitting nomination packages with our Rep and 2 senators just in case.</p>
<p>On a side note, until recently, the Candidate Fitness Assessment showed: Received and Processed by USAFA. Now, there are two of them listed. </p>
<p>USAFA Form 0-158 - USAF Academy Candidate Fitness Assessment #1
USAFA Form 0-158 - USAF Academy Candidate Fitness Assessment #2</p>
<p>Both show: "Received and Processed by USAFA", just wondering why there would be 2. We only submitted the information once. Matter of fact, once you submit it, a check mark appears and you can't resubmit it. You can take the test as many times as you like, but you can only submit the scores once.</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm sure it's just typical web page boo boo's. Thanks for all the great information. Later.... Mike.....</p>
<p>Occasionally the academy will ask an applicant to take the CFA a second time if the scores are marginal. I'm not implying that's your case, but it would show that the website is set up to include two CFA reports. You've probably noticed that USAFA computers contain lots of gremlins and a fair amount of downtime. Nevertheless, just to be ultra sure, you might call an admissions counselor and ask them what's going on with the two CFA scores. If there's a mistake in logging yours on, you probably want to straighten it out now. The only potential problem I can think of would be if they added someone else's score to your son's file and it wasn't a very good one.
On another note, you might be sure to have your son take another administration of the SAT and/or ACT as early as possible in the fall. His scores will likely be even better (SAT scores normally improve 30-40 points per semester). If they aren't better, it won't hurt his application, but any improvement in any area will strenghthen his application. There is good reason to believe that SAT/ACT scores are a huge factor in the computerized weighting system that assigns an overall score to each candidate before their file goes before the admissions committee. Scores in the mid 600's are certainly fine, but scores above 700 really set the bells and whistles going off.</p>
<p>GreatAmerican, thanks for the post. At least it means we aren't in this boat alone. I'll probably have a chat with the ALO and see what her screen says. If it's the same as the online app page, then we'll see about contacting the councilor. </p>
<p>As far as my son retaking the SAT and ACT, I think he's pretty much made up his mind that the scores are about as high as they are going to get. He's taken the act 3 times and there wasn't much difference in each time taking it. Composite score was 29. I'm sure that taking them again could improve on them, but I think he has to come to that decision on his own. He thinks he's done about as good as he can on that test. Same with his 1930 SAT. Yes, it would be nice to get over 2000, but that has to be his decision.</p>
<p>He feels that his test scores, GPA, class ranking, difficulty of his classes and curriculum, etc... is going to have to stand on it's own merit. Along with his sports, EC and the rest of his resume. There's already a number of schools very interested in him. The Air Force Academy however is his #1 choice. No matter what the others offer, if this comes through, then he'll choose the Air Force. </p>
<p>I know the fitness test has to be a glitch. There's no way with the scores he got on the test that they could be requiring a 2nd test. You are correct however that it could be someone else's scores incorporated into his somehow. We will definitely be checking into that.</p>
<p>As much as he really wants to go to the academy, even the Air Force recognizes the need to be a well rounded individual. Not just academics, not just sports, not just community time. Our main goal for completing the application this early was to free him up once August comes about. In another week, he starts 2- a-days for football. School starts the 27th of August. We want him to concentrate on those two things right now as a priority. Of course there's his social life to also consider and the paper work for AFROTC and applying to colleges. I know the Air Force Academy is a very difficult school to get into. I've worked there and at Peterson. We have done pretty much all we feel we can do. Time now just to wait and see. Thanks for all the input. Later.... Mike....</p>
<p>There are two spots for the CFA on the page because if you miserably fail the test the first time, they will tell you to take it the second time. It happened to my friend and he is in our class. He retook it around Feb. I think.</p>
<p>Just don't fail miserably the first time and you won't have to worry about it.</p>
<p>He didn't fail it miserably. Matter of fact, he did quite well on it. I'm sure that it's just a SNAFU. While he didn't "Max" out the events, he had some pretty high scores. Either way, I'll get with his ALO and see what she can find out. later... mike...</p>
<p>Thanks falcon. Glad to hear it. GreatAmerican's daughter seems to have the same issues. Double posting of CFA and personal data record not processed yet even though they've had it for more than a month. I'm hoping that everything is processed, and that they just don't have it updated on the website. Thanks again for the info. Later.... Mike.....</p>
<p>texas_falcon - I always smile when I see your posts. I spent many happy years growing up in Lubbock. Not the prettiest place - but truly the nicest people.
Falcons '11 mom</p>
<p>Well, I checked with my Son's ALO, and her computer screen shows basically the same 2 missing/incomplete items. The 146 not processed (Received 6/23/07) yet and the medical as missing. (We received the letter for the DODMRB stating qualified.</p>
<p>Anyway, our ALO is going to try and contact the advisor at the academy today to see what she is showing. We really want to meet the 45 day requirement to make my son eligible for the early consideration. Hope to hear something back today or tomorrow. Later... Mike....</p>