"Please Apply" Letter in November (!?)

Colleges & Universities United States Military Academy - West Point
1

<p>My son decided not to apply to the academies last year. This was his choice after visiting Annapolis for a Boy Scout event and talking to a representative of our Congressman. He loved Annapolis, by the way, but was scared/put off by the discipline required of a Middie.</p>

<p>Anyway. About two days ago we received a “have you thought about applying to the Military Academy?” letter. We were really surprised to get something like his so late in the academy-application cycle. I would think that by now the apps would be in, the appointments would be made, and someone starting now would pretty much have no chance.</p>

<p>So, do you all imagine that this means anything? Are admissions to West Point down during the Current Unpleasantness in Iraq? It would be interesting to know whether this is true, and, if so, if it is true at all three of the military service academies.</p>

<p>Just wondering…</p>

2

<p>Yes apps are down, if you check the website the # of applicants for the senior class is about 2,000 more than the current class.</p>

3

<p>That surprises me in a way; I would expect the numbers to be higher with the conflict in Iraq. It seems like people would want to make a difference now that we have a war going on. The war in and of itself (and the need for people to be solid leaders in the face of so much cynicism and weakness in America) is one of the reasons why I first got interested in the service academies.</p>

4

<p>I don’t think the letter means anything. My d got one, too, and the military is definitely not the life for her.</p>

5

<p>“Yes apps are down, if you check the website the # of applicants for the senior class is about 2,000 more than the current class.”</p>

<p>I couldn’t find that information; could you supply a link or more specific directions?</p>

6

<p>Hmm… that’s interesting. I believe back in August or September West Point was saying that applications were UP. Or maybe important applications were up-- you know, the qualified ones.</p>

7

<p>“Hmm… that’s interesting. I believe back in August or September West Point was saying that applications were UP”</p>

<p>That’s how I remember it but unfortunately I don’t have a source.</p>

8

<p><a href=“http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060831/NEWS/608310320/-1/NEWS[/url]”>http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060831/NEWS/608310320/-1/NEWS&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>West Point applications up 14 percent
By Greg Bruno</p>

<p>Times Herald-Record
August 31, 2006
West Point — A new leadership team and beefed-up recruiting efforts are fueling a surge in applications to the U.S. Military Academy, West Point insiders say.</p>

<p>After a wartime dip, the number of applicants for the incoming freshman class is up 14 percent from last year’s number, admissions data show. The increase includes a 24 percent spike in Hispanic applicants.</p>

<p>“We have had increased numbers in every demographic for the Class of 2011,” said Michael D’Aquino, a West Point spokesman. “Our numbers are above where they were pre-9/11.”</p>

<p>As of this month, West Point had processed 7,870 applications for admission. By the end of February, the Academy hopes to have as many as 12,000 candidates for about 1,100 openings.</p>

<p>The numbers mark a significant turnaround for the nation’s oldest war college.</p>

<p>Following a brief spike in applications after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the nation’s service academies saw a significant drop-off in candidates.</p>

<p>Academy officials credit parental weariness about the war in Iraq as a leading factor in the decline. The drop mimicked a downward trend in U.S. Army recruiting numbers, as well as mounting death tolls in Iraq and Afghanistan.</p>

<p>It’s not entirely clear what’s driving this year’s rebound at West Point, however.</p>

<p>Admissions staff have developed a mailing campaign targeting seventh- and eighth-grade students, and recruiters are expanding their search criteria. Both programs have “generated more leads,” D’Aquino said.</p>

<p>As for West Point’s competition, the verdict is still out.</p>

<p>A spokesman for the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., said he didn’t have current application numbers for the Class of 2011, but expected general trends to mimic pre-Sept. 11 levels.</p>

<p>At the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., applications are up 12 percent from last year’s numbers, but a spokeswoman said it’s unclear why. “Our focus is less on the total number of applicants … and more about attracting, admitting and ultimately graduating the very best qualified individuals,” she said.</p>

9

<p>Sorry I meant freshmen class not current class if that confused some peeps. Here’s the links, direct from WP: <a href=“http://www.usma.edu/Class/2010/profile.asp[/url]”>http://www.usma.edu/Class/2010/profile.asp&lt;/a&gt;
thats the freshmen one, and here’s seniors:<a href=“http://www.usma.edu/Class/2007/profile.asp[/url]”>http://www.usma.edu/Class/2007/profile.asp&lt;/a&gt; </p>

<p>Also SAT sent me my results and for WP it says app deadline is 2/28, is it really that late?</p>

10

<p>Applications peaked in the 3 years or so following 9/11. They are back to more normal levels. What’s interesting is that the war has not caused a drop in applications below those pre-9/11 levels.</p>