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So I would conclude from the **“if necessary” that there will be some candidates that are asked to take them (the necessary group), and some that will not (the ** if group) The question I would be asking is what makes it necessary. If it were me, I would be working hard to be in the “not necessary” category.</p>
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<p>With all due respect, they should research it out for themselves. No one… not me, not you, not USNA69… NO ONE here is sitting at that admissions table. We all have our “views,” limited and based only on our own experiences. Even USNA69- with all his intimate knowledge of USNA- even he is corrected by current mids who point out that the academy of today is not necessarily the same one he experienced decades ago! Does that mean his input is not valuable? Hardly! I will be the first to admit I have learned much from his insights- he has given me, on more than one occassion, much food for thought! On the same token, it does not mean that I cannot hold to another opinion, or that “one of us is right, so the other one must be wrong” mentality! Nevertheless, the point stands- it does not excuse poor behavior! Most times it is not what is being said as it is **how **it is said!</p>
<p>We have our fair share of other BGO’s amongst us that manage to impart information without causing this level of controversy! Candidatemom has been posting on here far longer than I have- and I have never once witnessed her posts to be anything but helpful and respectful. It can be done! </p>
<p>Instead of chastizing me for sharing our family’s experience, might I suggest sharing yours? A “friend whose son was a USNA Foundation prep” is information, but it is still second-hand and hearsay!!! </p>
<p>The smart candidate will sift throught the information- formulate their questions- then seek out the proper authority to get them answered. That “proper authority” is not here on CC, no matter how good a service we think we are providing, BGO, parent, “friend of a friend” or otherwise!</p>
<p>IMO, this forum is ideal for pointing out the similiarities, the discrepencies and the varience inherent in this process! It should support and stimulate inquiry- not stifle it.</p>