DS was denied but determined to self-prep and come back strong. He reached out to AO for feedback on what he could have done differently or better, but based on experience I’m not holding my breath that AO will be very responsive. I’ve heard GREAT things about another AO and wondering if it’s a bad idea or would somehow be frowned upon to seek his advice and feedback instead. DS is concerned about chain-of-command and I do think that ought to be a consideration, just wondering what some of the more experienced and insightful posters think about that.
Feedback from AO
- Thread starter CHS2NL
- Start date
An anecdote. My son was denied an appointment to one of the "Big Three" last year and called a high-ranking admissions person for feedback. It was a lengthy conversation, and afterward, when my son told me what the person said, I figured he would choose not to self-prep. It was pretty pessimistic; I'll just say that. Nevertheless, my son persisted with self-prep at MMI and received an appointment to the academy in question last month. Let me also say that the read of my son's future chances (based on some notional items he thought my son would need to do to have a chance for appointment) turned out to be too pessimistic by a considerable amount.
Bottom line, I believe academies value persistence, so if your son wants to persist, he should, regardless of what an AO says. And you didn't ask, but I'd recommend MMI in particular.
Bottom line, I believe academies value persistence, so if your son wants to persist, he should, regardless of what an AO says. And you didn't ask, but I'd recommend MMI in particular.
Crickets from AO last cycle after DS reached out for application advice (2 emails sent).
Recruiting Branch Chief, LCDR Tony Borruso (anthony.r.borruso@uscga.edu), was recommended to us for application counseling, although we had already ended up speaking to someone else in admissions for advice.
I would give it a little time and at least send 2 emails. This is a busy time of year for them, but I would think things are slowing down now that decisions are out. We didn't get signed up for GMC until end of April/early May - but it's my understanding that we could have signed up even later. If your DS is thinking of state/private college, I know there are sooner deadlines for deposits.
Recruiting Branch Chief, LCDR Tony Borruso (anthony.r.borruso@uscga.edu), was recommended to us for application counseling, although we had already ended up speaking to someone else in admissions for advice.
I would give it a little time and at least send 2 emails. This is a busy time of year for them, but I would think things are slowing down now that decisions are out. We didn't get signed up for GMC until end of April/early May - but it's my understanding that we could have signed up even later. If your DS is thinking of state/private college, I know there are sooner deadlines for deposits.
My main question was whether stepping away from his assigned AO would somehow be frowned upon, which you and a previous poster addressed. DS has only sent the first email, so wasn't expecting a response for some time. My "based on experience" comment was in reference to previous interactions with his AO, which in one instance bordered on snarky, while also being incorrect (thank you Mr. Beckwith for giving the correct info).
I will let DS know that it seems to be not unacceptable to reach out to other AOs to get the best feedback and recommendations available.
Thanks all
Still a very busy time in admissions as candidates accept, decline, and decisions made on who’s next candidate up. In addition, could be hundreds of people asking for feedback for reapplying. Those email request could easily get lost in the shuffle. Wait a couple weeks and contact admissions then. They will have more time to help.
Curious what district. We had an AO switch 30 % of the way in…. Very little communication when initiated
We have a similar story. 2 years of rejections, and not much positivity from AOs about how to improve,
what to do, etc. DS decided for one more round of apps anyways. 3rd time applying he self-preped at MMI, and received 3 appointments, to ea of the 3 SA'S he applied to.
I hold MMI, and Colonel Bowen at MMI, in the highest regard. The entire experience was EXCELLENT. Any reasonably qualified, or nearly qualified candidate, will have an objective advantage in gaining SA appointment(s), provided a true maximum effort/performance is put forth.
MMI is very professionally run, by qualified, experienced people. They did everything they said they would, and more. It was, by far, the best decision we've ever made for our son.
gspremington
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- 14
Jetbill,
That's awesome persistence and happy for your son. Beyond just the structure provided at MMI, are you willing to share and elaborate on how your DS's application changed between his first/second and ultimately successful application cycle? Did he have actionable feedback from his AO or specific areas he was recommended to focus on and to address? Did he enroll in regular college for his second attempt before MMI? Or do you generally attribute the final successful result to being able to demonstrate and prove his worthy candidacy in an environment the SAs know?
Totally understand if you prefer not to share as well. DS is still waiting application feedback so does not know if he was close or far from an appointment and is working through his options.
That's awesome persistence and happy for your son. Beyond just the structure provided at MMI, are you willing to share and elaborate on how your DS's application changed between his first/second and ultimately successful application cycle? Did he have actionable feedback from his AO or specific areas he was recommended to focus on and to address? Did he enroll in regular college for his second attempt before MMI? Or do you generally attribute the final successful result to being able to demonstrate and prove his worthy candidacy in an environment the SAs know?
Totally understand if you prefer not to share as well. DS is still waiting application feedback so does not know if he was close or far from an appointment and is working through his options.
Jetbill,
That's awesome persistence and happy for your son. Beyond just the structure provided at MMI, are you willing to share and elaborate on how your DS's application changed between his first/second and ultimately successful application cycle? Did he have actionable feedback from his AO or specific areas he was recommended to focus on and to address? Did he enroll in regular college for his second attempt before MMI? Or do you generally attribute the final successful result to being able to demonstrate and prove his worthy candidacy in an environmentIt's a bit of a drawn out story, with some twists and turns. Better told with a phone conversation. (If you PM me, I'd be happy to share my contact info with you, as well as our experiences/advice).
But, overall, DS did not get much "actionable feedback" from the SAs at all. Was told "your well qualified keep trying". Or in two cases, no feedback at all despite repeated attempts for communication.
However, our Congressman's SA committee chairperson was extremely helpful! And by the third app cycle, was on a first name basis with him. (She knew him in person, as well as recognizing his voice over the phone).
We live in a N.TX district that is notorious for being incredibly competitive for Appointments. AND produces a plethora of high level Football recruits and other recruited athletes, which the SAs naturally love.
Overall, my Son had to take an honest self appraisal of areas that could be improved upon for a "well rounded canidate" And be willing to accept that while he was definitely well qualifiedfor any SAs, was he really the "Best Qualified in our Congressional district"??? It was not easy for him in his second year applying from a different SA prep program, to watch numerous obviously less qualified kids from less competitive districts nationwide, gain appointments, while he did not. "FAIRNESS" or a perceived lack thereof, was a topic of several heart to heart, "come to Jesus" type Father/Son discussions.
In HS, DS lettered in three sports for all 4 years, and captained in two of them. He played Select Sports as well. So, he understandably didn't have as much time for other extracuriculars while in HS. And his "complicated path" the second year applying to SAs was not conducive to extracuriculars nor ROTC either.
So, by the time we were considering MMI and GMC, we had surmised that possibly he was "weak" in military experience. (No HS ROTC, etc...), and extracuriculars in general. (Test scores, grades, recomendations, athletics, and community service hours were all very strong, but limited extracuriculars).
MMI seemed the best fit where he could join ROTC, join multiple quality extracuricular clubs, and just be in a corp of cadets. [I've heard nothing but positivity about GMC in these areas as well].
After speaking with Colonel Bowen, my Son and I both agreed that MMI was the best path forward for him. And it was primarily his choice to be made. Several traditional University approches were in the running too. Especially Norwich University, and Texas A&M. But we figured one final push for SA appointment would be best made with SA prep program at Marion. The SA experience was his top priority before attending Civilian U/ROTC. And MMI provides transferable College credits AND transferable to any branch ROTC experience simultaneously.
gspremington
Member
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- Nov 27, 2023
- Messages
- 14
We are from N TX and I 
agree with how competitive it is and how they heavily recruit athletes from this area. My son was extremely lucky to catch the eye of the baseball coach from AFA, USCGA, and USMMA. He got 2 LOA’s for being a recruited athletes - which also helped him get 2 congressional nominations. In the end he chose CGA but we know the coach helped so much along the way.
agree with how competitive it is and how they heavily recruit athletes from this area. My son was extremely lucky to catch the eye of the baseball coach from AFA, USCGA, and USMMA. He got 2 LOA’s for being a recruited athletes - which also helped him get 2 congressional nominations. In the end he chose CGA but we know the coach helped so much along the way.