<p>My son had submitted that form on June 16th, and today it said it was not there. It was there, but the only thing incomplete on the form were the parent names. He re-entered the names and re-submitted the form.</p>
<p>It now shows that he submitted the form on August 9. Other than that, nothing else changed.</p>
<p>Yes, just got home and my son said he received an email that said to go back online and resubmit the form after adding back in the parent's names. We did and it's back to submitted. Unfortunately, I need to now call the counselor again tomorrow to see about the FS Form 240. (My son was born overseas). As soon as the 146 was submitted, it said that we needed to send the birth overseas form. We sent that to them months ago and they copied it and sent the original back. Hopefully they can manually go back in and redo that part. Hate to have to send them that paperwork again. Oh well, it makes life interesting. Probably beats the hell out of sitting around and waiting 3 months to see what happens. Later.... Mike.....</p>
<p>I may be wrong but... I wasn't aware that there is an online application. I thought there was a precandidate questionnaire, and that candidate kits were mailed during august? Am I missing something? Is there an app online?</p>
<p>^^^^^
MS, you are confusing the Air Force Academy with West Point.</p>
<p>Yes, when you get the candidate kit, it provides you with a link to do the application. It's all online. The only thing that is done manually with paper is the medical exams and depending on how you answe the personal data form, they may need some confirming paperwork. In our case, my son was born abroad to U.S. Citizens so there's an FS Form 240 that has to be sent to the academy. It's like a birth certificate. If you are a naturalized citizen, there are other forms. If you are prior military, other forms. etc... Other than that, it's all online. Later... Mike....</p>
<p>2010 was the last class to do the paper application. But it was originally the way you say.</p>
<p>Oh yes, West Point is so devoted to its proud history that the application is still stuck in the stone age. :) Go Air Force! Beat Army!</p>
<p>And in case you all didn't know, there are 85 days left until the Air Force beats Army.</p>
<p>indeed, this is true, all of it. :)</p>
<p>It still blows my mind that the Academies cannot get together and just create a common application.</p>
<p>No academy wants to simplify the application process. It becomes part of the selection itself. Anyone who makes it through that jungle has to have at least some motivation. Making less work for applicants ultimately makes more work for admissions personnel, because they have to deal with more people. Just think how many people look at the PCQ and give up right there!</p>
<p>Quite true RTBdad. When you think about how there are close to 10,000 that do the initial online form showing interest in the Air Force Academy. Those are called Prospects. Out of those, it drops down to about 6000 who make it as far as candidate. That's where the online application comes in, medical, recommendations, etc... If you get through most of this and the academy considers you competitive and/or you receive a nomination, you can move on to being an actual candidate. From the numbers I've seen, which could be wrong, that drops the numbers down to about 2500. From there, about 1700 will be offered appointments/assurance. Of which about 1300 will accept.</p>
<p>Remember the saying; "Of course it's hard. If it wasn't, everyone would do it". Related to sports, but the competitive nature of getting an appointment is the same. </p>
<p>I personally like the online application. This is only their 2nd year using it, so there are still some bugs to work out. For my son, it has been quite easy. There are really only 4 parts of the application process that can't be done online. The school transcripts/profile/schedule, The medical exam and forms, The nominations, and if you fall into some of the special categories when filling out the personal data form; like my son did; then you have to send in some additional paperwork. Other than that, I think it's a pretty balanced application. Later... Mike....</p>
<p>OK, well it looks like they got the "Personal Data" form 146 taken care of again. Everything on the application for my son is back to showing 100% complete. Now it's back to the hurry up and wait stage and hope for the early selection in Oct-Nov. </p>
<p>At least with all the "Glitches" in the system, it gave us something to work on and concentrate our efforts. But, 2-a-day football started so my son has that now to concentrate on. ALbeit coming home each night totally exhausted. LOL!!! The ALO and Counselor is still checking into how athletics fall into the application process. Basically, is there some part of the process that we don't see that shows if the applicant is being considered for IC sports at the academy or if it's pretty much all a "Walk-on" type of situation. Any IC's on the forum if you have any insight on how that is monitored, checked, etc..., your input would be appreciated. Thx... mike....</p>
<p>^^^^^
My daughter's online application shows the same thing. The IT folks at Air Force must have been busy lately correcting the computer glitches.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>My son's "application status page" is also (finally!) showing COMPLETE.</p>
<p>What's ironic to me is that his USAFA and USMMA applications are completely done, but his USCGA application hasn't even begun, it's not available until "early September".</p>
<p>Well, considering there aren't quite as many people who apply to the coast guard, and the fact that you don't need a congressional nomination, might make their time line a little easier.</p>
<p>However, them waiting so long to post their application and the process I think hurts them. IMHO. If you read some of the other academy posts, you will see that the Army can actually do a pretty extensive preliminary review of an individual and offer an LOA a lot sooner. While the Air Force Academy offers LOA when there's only the nomination or medical review left, it seems the Army offers with other information still being needed or at least needing to be verified officially. I'm sure there are a lot of people who apply to more than one academy and will become excited about the first offer they get. It's only human nature. </p>
<p>We had an applicant in our state a couple years back who was accepted to the air force academy, but turned it down to go to West Point. He had received their LOA/appointment much sooner, so it kept him excited and pumped up. So, he went with what excited him.</p>
<p>I'm not saying that the Air Force Academy should change anything. THEY SHOULDN'T. Personally, I think the Air Force and the Air Force academy set the standard for which the others compete against. (Hee Hee, sorry. Have to maintain pride in my alma mater branch of service). So, if the Army can snag a few applicants away from the Air Force, so be it. With the coast guard, it could also be that they require so few applicants, that they can process them so much faster and get more than enough. Nothing against the coast guard, but there are plenty of people who apply to them because they don't require a nomination. They like that. For them it's easier.</p>
<p>Anyway, you son is complete now. That's all that matters. Many applicants will apply to all of the different academies. That's a good thing. My son didn't want to have anything to do with that. It was Air Force or nothing. That's cool. He has started the process for the Air Force ROTC as a back up if he doesn't get into the academy. Luckily he's got plenty of colleges interested in him. But his passion and interest is in the Air Force academy. He said if he can't go to the air force academy, he doesn't want to go to any academy.</p>
<p>Anyway, good luck and welcome to the "HUAW" Club. (Hurry-Up-And-Wait). A tern your son will become intimately accustomed to in the Air Force or military in general. You definitely learn patience. Anyway, congrats. Later... Mike....</p>
<p>
I've heard that as well. I read in the USMA section here at CC that LOA's have been given out, yet the application was only mailed this week. I'm not sure if that is the best way to do it, IMHO. Seems that they might be trying too hard, "coming on too strong". But they (USMA) seem to be successful in attracting and keeping high-quality candidates as well, so they must know what they are doing. (As do all of the SA's.)
<p>He's sounds very decisive and dedicated, traits that will serve him well.</p>
<p>My son attended SS#1 and fell in love with Colorado Springs and the AFA. He came back very excited about his time there. He also went to AIM at USCGA and was very impressed with it too, as was his mother and I when we visited. Something about a "small service/small school" appealed to him. I think he will have to do some serious soul-searching if an appointment comes from each of them.</p>
<p> [quote=Christcorp] ...who apply to the coast guard... ...Nothing against the coast guard.....
</p>
<p>PS - I'm sure you meant no disrespect to the people in this fine service, but I think "Coast Guard", just as "Army", "Navy", and "Air Force", should be capitalized. ;) :D</p>
<p>One bad habit I have on the 342 different forums I am on; OK maybe not quite that many; is I have a total disregard for spelling and some general rules. e.g. capitalization. </p>
<p>There is no disrespect to the coast guard (Coast Guard), just like there isn't any when I write air force, army, navy, or marines. I write all day long at work. Contacts, orders, reports, computer code, etc... All of which has to be perfect or it doesn't fly. Forums are my sanctuary to get away from it all. Most people on the many different forums like here, computers, voip, home theater, erc...; I always use the same screen name, all know I do this. Now you do also. Out of habit, I am usually pretty good at spelling, grammar, punctuations, etc.... by default. But on the forums, I don't/won't spell check or proof read beyond making sure my point was made and any obvious fubars. Thanks though for bringing it up. Later.... mike.......</p>
<p>P.S. On the other hand; not to by a hypocrite; there are some young men and woman who have had the occasional post about; "What are my chances" type posts. Not necessarily on the military academy forum, although there have been some, but also on many of the other College Confidential forums. Their use of the english (English) language is terrible. I hope they don't write that way when they present themselves for a nomination, letter of recommendation, or other correspondence to the school or academy they are looking at attending. (I'm not looking at attending the military, I already did my 21 years). I guess I could be a good role model on how "NOT" to submit a document without proofreading it. LOL!!! Later... Mike....</p>
<p>As an English teacher (among other things), Christcorp, I think your prose is impeccable - and rather abundant! I enjoy your posts.</p>
<p>Thank you for the compliment RTBdad. I haven't heard that word; (Prose); in a long time. I think it is important however. Too many people try and SOUND educated or sophisticated by using $10 words. People see right through that. Which is also a very important word of advice for those preparing for their ALO or nomination interviews. Relax and speak in common every day language. Don't use fancy words to impress them. </p>
<p>On the other hand, this is not a green light to use slang such as "Yea; Ummm; You Know; Like, like, like you know what I mean; etc..." There is a 99% chance that anyone interviewing you has at least a college degree. (Undergraduate). It's also possible, especially for nominations, because they are senators and representatives, that they have law degrees. They are fairly educated people. They will see though all the high dollar words that you may try and use. Using "Fancy" words is something that has to fit; like poetry. You can't speak with "Average everyday words" and then throw in a $10 word. It may be grammatically correct, but they will see it as an attempt to impress. Anyway, thanks for the compliment and good luck to everyone getting your apps in. Later... Mike...</p>
<p>I read somewhere that people who speak to impress are usually perceived as less inteligent than those who speak simply and get to the point.</p>