Rejection and improvement

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Wooda

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Dec 10, 2023
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I’ll make this post as many others are most likely wondering the same thing. A lot of people got rejected today, me as well. If anyone here knows, other than excelling at freshman year college academics or potentially improving my SAT score, what things can I do to further improve my application for the class of 29? Do honors college classes look better than general college classes? What about studying abroad? One of the colleges that I am considering has a study abroad program in which the honors college classes are sometimes taken in foreign countries such as Japan or Italy. Would this be something that the admissions board would look highly upon? What about a research project with a professor? Any specific major that would look better than others? Also anything outside of the classroom I could add to my resume as well? Thank you all.
 
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@Wooda It’s important to remember that appointments are based on a whole candidate selection process that not only includes academics but also leadership and physical fitness. In top of academics, if you feel that you can improve on your leadership, volunteering and CFA, those would be important to work on as well. Best of luck !!
 
Have you thought about being a “self prep” at one of the five prep schools they use (nmmi, gmi, rmc, etc). Probably the best way to be well rounded (athletics, classes, leadership, volunteering, sat/act, etc).
 
ALK100 said:
Have you thought about being a “self prep” at one of the five prep schools they use (nmmi, gmi, rmc, etc). Probably the best way to be well rounded (athletics, classes, leadership, volunteering, sat/act, etc).
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I talked to an admissions officer from the Academy. I asked them whether an ROTC route or a prep school was a better chance. As I’m sure you know, because I did not get offered prep through the academy, it isn’t the same “guarantee” as if you get offered through the falcon foundation or direct from USAFA. The lady on the phone said that ROTC and self prep are both excellent paths, but the biggest thing she said was effort and excelling at freshman academics. My takeaway from what she said is that for the most part, where you go to “prep” for the academy doesn’t really matter as long as you do well in it and put in demonstrated interest. In addition, if I decide to go ROTC, I will then be on track to commission even though I will be reapplying for USAFA, whereas self prep at one of the military institutes does not offer me commissioning opportunity if I don’t end up getting an appointment for the following year.

Hopefully this makes sense, I am open to criticism of my ideology above if it isn’t necessarily accurate.
 
There are pros and cons to both paths, ROTC and self-prep. Much depends on what needs work in your application, and one of the paths may be a better fit.

Taking classes that mirror the SA freshman year classes, first semester, and excelling in them, is critical for either path.

ROTC offers uninterrupted momentum to toward a commission, leadership training and opportunities aligned with the military service, and a chance to obtain an ROTC nom. The SAP at prep schools targets academic weaknesses and are focused - quite literally - on all-around prep for the SA.

Do your research at primary sources - first, see if you can get specific feedback on your application. Were you academically qualified or not? Scour the ROTC and college websites, call and visit the units to learn more. Research the prep school websites, call, visit and talk to the SAP coordinator - they will understand you. Create a strategy for comparative analysis, and don’t forget the cost element. Find what feels right to you and commit. Don’t forget to project a “what if” scenario for this time next year. If you do not make it into the SA again, where are you, and are you happy with that.
 
Capt MJ said:
There are pros and cons to both paths, ROTC and self-prep. Much depends on what needs work in your application, and one of the paths may be a better fit.

Taking classes that mirror the SA freshman year classes, first semester, and excelling in them, is critical for either path.

ROTC offers uninterrupted momentum to toward a commission, leadership training and opportunities aligned with the military service, and a chance to obtain an ROTC nom. The SAP at prep schools targets academic weaknesses and are focused - quite literally - on all-around prep for the SA.

Do your research at primary sources - first, see if you can get specific feedback on your application. Were you academically qualified or not? Scour the ROTC and college websites, call and visit the units to learn more. Research the prep school websites, call, visit and talk to the SAP coordinator - they will understand you. Create a strategy for comparative analysis, and don’t forget the cost element. Find what feels right to you and commit. Don’t forget to project a “what if” scenario for this time next year. If you do not make it into the SA again, where are you, and are you happy with that.
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When I talked to the admissions person from USAFA on the phone, she said that my application was great and that I wasn't "lacking" anywhere, but that I did not receive an appointment because my district/state was extremely competitive. I also talked with an admissions person at Marion Military Institute and New Mexico Military Institute and they both were shocked I guess that I did not get in this year. I believe the guy from MMI described my situation in football terms as being at the "three yard line" and "in the end zone". He said that based off of what I told him my EC's were and test scores, that admissions at MMI would accept me. He also said that if I come there, that he is confident that they can make me very competitive for next year's cycle.

I am leaning more towards the ROTC route, partly because I do want the path to commissioning, but also because if I am as close to an appointment as he says I am, wouldn't I have almost identical chances/opportunity during my re-application regardless of where I went? Just my thoughts. Let me know what you think.
 
Wooda said:
When I talked to the admissions person from USAFA on the phone, she said that my application was great and that I wasn't "lacking" anywhere, but that I did not receive an appointment because my district/state was extremely competitive. I also talked with an admissions person at Marion Military Institute and New Mexico Military Institute and they both were shocked I guess that I did not get in this year. I believe the guy from MMI described my situation in football terms as being at the "three yard line" and "in the end zone". He said that based off of what I told him my EC's were and test scores, that admissions at MMI would accept me. He also said that if I come there, that he is confident that they can make me very competitive for next year's cycle.

I am leaning more towards the ROTC route, partly because I do want the path to commissioning, but also because if I am as close to an appointment as he says I am, wouldn't I have almost identical chances/opportunity during my re-application regardless of where I went? Just my thoughts. Let me know what you think.
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Comes down to what you want. If you don't care about how you commission I would go ROTC and reapply. You could get in and "lose" one year or you can get rejected again and be on track with ROTC. Going to MMI would get you a year behind regardless. HOWEVER, I do believe you will have a higher chance of getting accepted out of MMI than ROTC.
 
If I were advising my own, I would say to join an ROTC program. And take a STEM based education.

*STEM allows for a cadet/plebe like course load that will show the SA you can handle that.

*ROTC allows for a potential additional nomination when you reapply.

*ROTC allows for receiving a side load scholarship.

*ROTC allows for a commission, should an appointment not be obtained upon reapplying.

*ROTC is a wonderful alternate path to commissioning….you may find your people and decide to not reapply to a SA.

That’s how I would advise my own.
 
Comes down to what you want plus your life circumstances.
My DS was also rejected on 4/17. Our district is very competitive, especially for USAFA. According to the feedback he received on his application, it was not particularly lacking on anything. So, we had a family meeting and evaluated all his options. Since he is determined to re-apply to SAs, it was the choice between ROTC in his plan B college (engineering major) or self- prep in one of the prep schools.

The main argument against ROTC path was that it will be quite difficult to substantially improve his application in order to be well ahead of the competition in his district next year. He will have to maintain straight As, excell in leadership and at least maintain his physical fitness at the same level as it is now while hoping that his professors will write him letters of recommendations emphasizing qualities needed for SAs.

SA prep schools program is designed to do just that: prepare for the academies according to the requirements provided by the academies. Teachers there know how to write recommendation letters specifically for SAs and counselors review applications and address weaknesses. SAT /ACT prep classes are built into the schedule and there are options to take tests multiple times. Same goes for CFA. Also, all prep schools except for NWP, have ROTC programs.

Ultimately, he chose New Mexico Military Institute for the reasons stated above plus its location. It is the closest to us, have similar climate and elevation level as our location. Being accustomed to a high altitude gives some advantage if one wants to go to USAFA.

Last, but not least, the financial impact. For DS attending his plan B college for a year will cost twice as much as to go to NMMI and we all feel that he will have better chances after NMMI.
 
Wooda said:
I talked to an admissions officer from the Academy. I asked them whether an ROTC route or a prep school was a better chance. As I’m sure you know, because I did not get offered prep through the academy, it isn’t the same “guarantee” as if you get offered through the falcon foundation or direct from USAFA. The lady on the phone said that ROTC and self prep are both excellent paths, but the biggest thing she said was effort and excelling at freshman academics. My takeaway from what she said is that for the most part, where you go to “prep” for the academy doesn’t really matter as long as you do well in it and put in demonstrated interest. In addition, if I decide to go ROTC, I will then be on track to commission even though I will be reapplying for USAFA, whereas self prep at one of the military institutes does not offer me commissioning opportunity if I don’t end up getting an appointment for the following year.

Hopefully this makes sense, I am open to criticism of my ideology above if it isn’t necessarily accurate.
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My husband is also saying rotc might be the better option too. But I know the prep schools would do everything they can to get you in there. It’s a tough decision but everyone seems to have great advice on here. The one thing I can say, not sure if it will help or not but, we were told (by a brigadier general) that what really gave my DS a leg up was his volunteer and leadership. He started a virtual volunteer tutor club during the pandemic that continued and became virtual and/or in person after the pandemic (still going strong after he graduated). As you know they want very well rounded students (grades, SAT, sports, CFA, essays, extra curriculars, nomination, leadership, volunteering). Volunteering and leadership are huge!
 
For anyone who might have knowledge on this I have another question: Other than getting great grades in college during your freshman year, does your SAT have as big of an effect on your application when you are a college re-applicant vs when you are applying out of high school? I plan to continue to improve my application over the summer but I was considering retaking the SAT again. Currently, I have a 1440 SAT (730 Math) (710 EBRW), but im not sure if improving it to, for example, 1480-1500 would be worth the time commitment as opposed to using that time to do other important things during the summer. The rejection letter I recieved this year said that if I choose to reapply, they recommend improving SAT scores if they are below the published average or something like that. I know that my current score is above the published average which I believe is around the mid 1300's, but I dont know if getting a 1500+ would make me SUBTANTIALLY more competetive or just a little bit more competetive.

TLDR: What is the best way I can spend this next year to improve my application the most as a college reapplicant for C/O 2029?

Thank you all for your help.
 
Looks like for extremely competitive districts improvement in any area will help. USAFA evaluates "Whole Candidate Score", so if anyone in your district will have this score higher even by 1 point, they may be chosen instead.
Even for CFA is not enough to just pass it, the better results, the higher that score.
That's essentially my DS goal for the next year: to improve every aspect of his application as much as possible.
Thit includes evaluator ALO interview outcome as well. His /her opinion alone may tip the scale either way.
 
Wooda said:
For anyone who might have knowledge on this I have another question: Other than getting great grades in college during your freshman year, does your SAT have as big of an effect on your application when you are a college re-applicant vs when you are applying out of high school? I plan to continue to improve my application over the summer but I was considering retaking the SAT again. Currently, I have a 1440 SAT (730 Math) (710 EBRW), but im not sure if improving it to, for example, 1480-1500 would be worth the time commitment as opposed to using that time to do other important things during the summer. The rejection letter I recieved this year said that if I choose to reapply, they recommend improving SAT scores if they are below the published average or something like that. I know that my current score is above the published average which I believe is around the mid 1300's, but I dont know if getting a 1500+ would make me SUBTANTIALLY more competetive or just a little bit more competetive.

TLDR: What is the best way I can spend this next year to improve my application the most as a college reapplicant for C/O 2029?

Thank you all for your help.
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Message me if interested in reapplying and ROTC as I’m in AFROTC right now.
 
My son applied after his first year of college. The academy suggested that he retake the SAT, his score was a 1390, but he decided not to retake and was admitted.

Spend your time improving the weakest area of your application. Get to know your professors as they will have to write letters of recommendation. Consider exploring ROTC as that could open an additional nomination source if you are in a competitive district.
 
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