<p>When my son started the WP admissions process, to include applying to SLS, I came across this site and have thoroughly enjoyed reading the threads. Actually, I learned much about the admissions process from those who had gone through it before and those still in the process for the Class of 2010. I am a firm believer in sharing information that assists others. So, thank you.</p>
<p>This whole process has been a great father/son “road trip” as we traveled to NY for SLS. I dropped him off at WP and then I spent a week in Ocean City, NJ. sitting on the beach. I then picked him up and we drove to NYC Times Square, had lunch at Olive Garden, then off to Annapolis Summer Seminar. He came home to AK, then he flew to New London, CT for Coast Guard AIM. From these visits, he decided that WP was his first choice. So, the application was completed, essays written, and teacher evaluations done and mailed. Then, the DodMERB exam was completed, which started the constant website check for receipt of exam results, then remedial request, and finally ‘Qualified’. Then, the nomination applications were completed, after securing the letters of recommendation. Then, the mailbox wait began -the everyday wait for the mail truck and a possible LOA. </p>
<p>Well, yesterday the LOA came in the mail. My wife and I took our son to lunch. He called his older sisters. Later, I purchased two ‘Army Black Knight’ caps from the local mall. It was a great day. Certainly the process is not yet over and there are still some things to finalize. But, I could not be prouder of my son for his accomplishments in school and out of school that led to this offer of admission. </p>
<p>The reality is that I only have about eight more months before his R-Day, then this “road trip” will be done. Certainly, this process has taught us about patience and faith. I look forward to being a Dad of a West Point cadet and possibly helping others who are contemplating a similar “road trip” with their son or daughter.</p>
<p>Congratulations to your son for his accomplishment! And please know that your “road trip” will not be over on R-Day. That day is just one of the stops on the road. I can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for my cadet.</p>
<p>Have fun these next 8 months! And please stay with us to keep sharing your stories.</p>
<p>One year ago, I simply could not have imagined the wonderful trip that this has turned out to be. I can only speak of the USNA, but, amazingly, I feel a greater participation with my son’s college experience than I think would have been possible at a civilian college. </p>
<p>The parent’s support network, the public affairs office, and the academy itself have been incredible. Even now, just four months into it, my son’s experience just cannot be compared to the civilian college experience.</p>
<p>AKDad, just hold on, your son will come to appreciate you [and mom, and siblings, and home] more than you can imagine. At the same time, you will appreciate him more than you can imagine. [Sort of like when, before you had children, parents would tell you how they would do anything for their children; you could not really appreciate this comment until you had children of your own.]</p>
<p>Your patience and faith will be tested further. When you realize, however, that your little boy is no more [and wipe away the requisite tears] and, instead, a man is starting to stand before you . . . well, it cannot be described. [Indescribable, as it will be when you receive that appointment letter and look at it over and over and over again.]</p>
<p>AKDad- congratulations, and best of luck to your son (and his proud parents) at WP! I think R-day will just be the start of a very long, hard, terrific, unbelievalbe, short, fast, incredible, difficult, joyful, painful, fantastic and adventurous 4 years at the point…I hope you savor each and every one of them!</p>
<p>OK. Somebody pass me a hanky. Dang ya’ll! Wow. What a truly amazing thing it is to be a parent of a kid going through this journey. We all share your pride AKDad. It is one of the most emotional rollercoasters you’ll ever ride. Tell him to cross all of his t’s and dot all of his i’s and your part will involve wrapping him in large amounts of bubble tape to keep him safe & sound. There are no words descriptive enough to explain your elation over this. We have all tried it with our own kids at academies. Just doesn’t work. But know this…we all here know exactly how you feel! Enjoy this special time and trust me… your heart is just about to double in size. If you think this is somethin’, just wait till he actually is there. Eight months of no sleep and driving friends and family nuts with the excitement of it all. Weeeee! Then they get there and you have this HUGE emotional melt down. Kinda reminds me of being a firework exploding in the sky. Your pride just won’t be able to be contained, so get ready. HA! We just wish you all the very best and look forward to you sharing your “Road Trip” with all of us! Tell your son congrats and that there are cyber people smiling tonight because of him! Get ready world! Here he comes!!</p>
<p>AK Dad, welcome to the Alaska contingent of Academy Parents! We are indeed now well-represented! In preparation for R-Day, do you have any plans as far as acclimating to the heat and humidity? Man, is it difficult for those from our northern, dry (at least here in the interior) climes! We went to MD early to give our son a chance to acclimate to the time zone and the heat before I-Day. </p>
<p>Anyway, enjoy the ride! It is truly a rollercoaster~and occasionally a gut check! Don’t think the worrying is over, it is just beginning! PM me if you would like. Are you going to the All-Academies Ball in Dec? </p>
<p>AKDad: I add my congratulations for your son’s LOA. It is an incredible honor and accomplishment - for both your son and you.</p>
<p>I also extend my sincere thanks to your son for pursuing a career of service to our country- and to you for raising him in a manner than supported that choice. </p>
<p>While there are some academy candidates who complete the application process pretty much solo, I believe they are in the small minority. The conversations I have had with parents of cadets almost always reinforces the statement that “an appointment to a U.S. service academy is a total family affair”.</p>
<p>Enjoy the moment. Pretty soon the “bubble-wrap” period begins when you pray each day that your candidate stays healthy until R-Day.</p>
<p>rants: LOA means a “letter of assurance”…meaning, you will be receiving an appointment for admission, pending anyh outstanding items on your application or nomination. Is is a “very good thing” and something to celebrate when it comes…with another celebration when the actual “appointment” jacket arrives!</p>
<p>By the way, welcome to the academy threads!</p>
<p>yes, the letters start about now- with appointments following sometime thereafter…not everyone who gets an appointment receives an LOA…it is just one way the academies communicate to you early that you are in line for an offer of appointment, to let you know you are “in” in case you are considering early action offers that come out about this time from civilian schools. As a rule, appointments start arriving in January (although some do come earlier)…usually appointments wait for confirmation that you have received a nomination…and mailings are completed by April 1st…but there have been some years where appointments have been received all the way up until I-day for some (and one year where they even arrived up to 9 days after I-day…but that I understand is very unusual)…
nearly all colleges notify students by April 1 of admission decisions…and the academies follow that timetable as well. It is pretty standard that students notify the schools by May 1st if they will be accepting or declinging their offers of admissions (this applies to civilian schools as well as the academies)…and based on this, there are times when “late offers” are made.</p>
<p>Welcome rants! It seems the letters are beginning to trickle in now and yep, they will continue on through April and I’ve even heard of some Academies picking up kids as late as the day before they report (in USMMA’s case, it was July 8th). My son’s appointment to USMMA came at the end of April. Wishing you well with your future!</p>
<p>My son heard yesterday from the senator who gave him the nomination that a letter of appointment would be put in the mail this morning. Now he says he’s nervous even though he’s wanted to go to West Point for years. Any thoughts on how to discuss this with him? PS We live in New Hampshire and talking to others who live near by might help. Nancy</p>
<p>nlang1: I think there are many that have this initial reaction once the reality hits. I agree with MOT- a visit, even for a day although overnight would be better, might be just the reassurance he needs. Best of luck and congratulations to your son!</p>
<p>AKDad - Congratulations to your son. He deserves it, but I’m sure you and your wife helped a lot along the way. We were there 3 years ago and it is true that the real road trip has not even began. My son’s class just passed the 500 night point today and it only seems like yesterday we were taking a boy to visit West Point. Believe me he has came back home a man during the breaks since his R-Day. This past Christmas he surprised me with a mounted Cadet Saber, what a gift! It was the best one I have ever received. He is now looking forward to Ring Day and Graduation '07 will soon follow. If you are proud now just wait.</p>
<p>nlang1: Let me add my congratulations. I concur with momoftwins. Some nervousness is to be expected. </p>
<p>Although our son had attended the summer program, he wanted (and we encouraged him) to make an overnight visit in early March. He said the experience was much different for the summer program since it gave him one-on-one time with plebes who had just experienced the first 9 months of cadet life at West Point. He loved it and felt the cadets he met were the kind of guys with whom he could make friendships - and share suffering. He came home fully commited to West Point even though, as he left, the cadets shouted out the windows “Don’t come to West Point, it sucks”.</p>
<p>nlang, congrats to your family! You had a good idea to let him just talk with someone. The visit (& a re-visit) thing everyone mentioned probably will surprise you & take the edge off now that he’s got appt. in hand. When they see and experience the place, even for a few hours, they usually come out alittle less shaken up about the unknown. Well maybe except in our case… We took him to see his academy (USMMA) and wouldn’t you know it, the Cadre were there training for the upcoming Plebe class. He was the only kid around for miles. All eyes were on him. Pulled his hat way down over his face so he could hide. When we got in the car, he said “OMG! They’re going to kill me.” It had to be scary as heck so pick a day with no training Cadre! Talking it out is good, if you can get them to do it. Pesky little boys. They keep it all inside sometimes. Good good luck. Hope you can find someone in your area to speak with.</p>
<p>Congrats to all of you parents who have been so instrumental in helping your son/daughter into the academy world! From what I can see you all deserve tremendous kudos. Also,Thanks for your many contributions,insights and tips on this site - they are invaluable to floks like us who are just beginning the “road trip” with air force summer seminar application/interview last week. My son got himself up at 12:00 am to do the application on the first day/ first hour because he read somewhere the earlier the better! He is hopeful and excited and we think his academy dream is a good fit for him but we, being adults who know about the funny twists of fate in life, are more cautious about the whole thing. His sister had a very easy road into college last year but we fear his will be a very different story. Sadly, he has worked so much harder than she ever did and it won’t seem “fair” to him. So we are bracing ourselves and him for what could be a long haul. Lots to think about - thanks for your input…</p>
Talking it out is good, if you can get them to do it. Pesky little boys. They keep it all inside sometimes. Good good luck. Hope you can find someone in your area to speak with.</p>