Do I HAVE to apply for a nomination from BOTH senators?

9

(916) Nate

5-Year Member
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Jan 20, 2011
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I know I'm a little late getting these, but I haven't had the time to find all the documents required. I'm not sure, but do I have to request a nomination from both of my senators, or can I choose which one? I do understand that having both increases my chances of a nomination.
 
It is not mandatory that you apply to both. However, it is highly, highly, highly, highly recommended. I don't know of anyone who has applied to just one of their Senators. If you really want a nom, it is in your best interest to apply to both, as well as your district representative. It does not require much more work.
 
I know it normally isnt much more work, but one of my senators requires information the other doesn't. Unfortunately, it needs to be retrieved from a school I used to attend that sends you through on a goose chase across the city to all of their offices.
 
(916) Nate said:
I know it normally isnt much more work, but one of my senators requires information the other doesn't. Unfortunately, it needs to be retrieved from a school I used to attend that sends you through on a goose chase across the city to all of their offices.
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Simple ALO question here:

"...How badly do you want this?"

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
(916) Nate said:
I know it normally isnt much more work, but one of my senators requires information the other doesn't. Unfortunately, it needs to be retrieved from a school I used to attend that sends you through on a goose chase across the city to all of their offices.
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How badly do you want an appointment? I know some applicants that would do almost anything for an appointment. They'll apply to both senators and their representative. If they have to write a 5000 word essay, they'll do it.

You don't have to do anything. That's the good thing about college applications and the academy applications. You can put in as much or as little effort as you want into the process. You can take the ACT once and call it a day, or retake it numerous times to improve your scores. You can take traditional high school classes or all the IB or AP classes available. You get to make all the choices. No one is forcing you to do anything. Isn't America wonderful.
 
Last year, DS decided that all he needed to do was apply for a Congressional Nomination....(despite the urgings of his know-nothing dad...). He made it as far as a QNV. Afterwards, he said "I should have applied to the others." As bad as I wanted to rub it in, it sometimes is best to let them beat themselves up to a point. Now he is applying through all channels and is joining ROTC. An extra year of maturity doesn't hurt either...
 
Don't forget the vice-presidentia application in addition to the senators and representative. Try to cover all channels if you want to go.
 
We've applied for: Both Senators, our Rep, a Presidential, and a Vice-Presidential. Also ROTC.

Really not much to do, but it does take a while to chase down the documentation and finish essays. Well worth the time IMHO...

Romad
 
Romad said:
We've applied for: Both Senators, our Rep, a Presidential, and a Vice-Presidential. Also ROTC.

Really not much to do, but it does take a while to chase down the documentation and finish essays. Well worth the time IMHO...

Romad
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EXCELLENT! :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Thank you all for your helpful answers. I understand this is something I have to put effort into, and will do what I can to apply for both nominations. I was simply unsure of whether or not it is allowed to only have a single nomination, just in case.
 
Are you short on time/resources such that you will be unable to apply to both senators?
 
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Nate,

I am assuming you are applying for the class of '16. You still have plenty of time to get both done. I am currently doing both, running around town since it is the summer and school's out.

For the nomination process you need at least one, but can have multiple-and you are then looked at on multiple different slates. An older guy I knew went to West Point and graduated, and he received 5 nominations...(Rep, senators, VP and Presidential). He only needed one to get in, but having more than one never hurt anyone.
 
Bottom Line answer: Since you MUST have a nomination to get in, you want to have as many nominations as possible.

Each Senator and Congressmen/women can only have 5 cadets they personally nominated at the Academy at one time. You're not really sure just how many they may have available or are willing to use each year -- you may be competing for only one slot if you only ask for one nomination. You may have been number two on that Senator's list, HIGHLY competitive on the national pool. But but without another nomination source, you're left outside looking in because the Admissions Board has no nomination to put you against.

If you really want this, spend the time and get as many nominations as you can. Give the Admissions Board as many opportunities to select you as you can.
 
Bullet said:
You may have been number two on that Senator's list, HIGHLY competitive on the national pool. But but without another nomination source, you're left outside looking in because the Admissions Board has no nomination to put you against.
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It is the numbers two thru ten on the Senator's list for whom the national pool exists. Successful DoDMERB and he is in. No other nomination necessary.
 
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Mongo, of course, even with DODMERB and a nomination the academy still needs to accept him. The nominations are the easy part, being accepted is more difficult, and graduating of course, is the most difficult. (then the difficulty changes once you hit the real USAF).


I applied for a nomination from one of my senators (Bill Frist) and my congressman. I received nominations from both. You don't NEED more than one, but it's a great idea to apply to more than one. Don't discount your congressman either.
 
This is going to be a very competitive year to get in.

So do everything you can to get as many nominations as possible. There has already been some great advice given by others. But I would like you to consider the thousands of QNV (Qualified No Vacancy) candidates from last year who would have given literally anything to be a member of the 2015 class.

Also consider this trend:

Class of 2013 : 1667 appointments offered, 1368 admitted (17 Turnbacks & international)
Class of 2014 : 1566 appointments offered, 1294 admitted (25 Turnbacks & international, 5.4% less)
Class of 2015 : 1372 appointments offered, 1137 admitted (target of 1120, 19 Turnbacks & international. 12.1% less)
Class of 2016 : Target of 1050 (70 less than this year, 8% less than 2015)

This year was the first year in the memory of the cadets and the cadre that an incoming class of appointees were fewer in number than the Junior (2nd class) cadets. My advice, apply for EVERY nomination you can possibly get.

Good Luck.
 
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LineInTheSand said:
Mongo, of course, even with DODMERB and a nomination the academy still needs to accept him. The nominations are the easy part, being accepted is more difficult, and graduating of course, is the most difficult. (then the difficulty changes once you hit the real USAF).
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A caveat of bullet's example was "HIGHLY qualified" which, I would assume, meant high enough ranking in the national pool to be accepted if a nomination exists. Number two on the Senator's list is that nomination.

Of course, the rule of thumb has always been to apply for all nominations eligible. Bullet's was just an incorrect example to a good procedure.
 
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Mongo said:
A caveat of bullet's example was "HIGHLY qualified" which, I would assume, meant high enough ranking in the national pool to be accepted if a nomination exists. Number two on the Senator's list is that nomination.

Of course, the rule of thumb has always been to apply for all nominations eligible. Bullet's was just an incorrect example to a good procedure.
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Obviously you missed my point. If this candidate's only nomination he applied for was from this particular Senator, with no other nomination sources, and this Senator has only one slot to give, you risk putting yourself on the outside looking in, no matter how high you rank.

Bottom Line (as you yourself have stated multiple times): give the academy as many options as possible by applying for as many nomination sources as available to you.
 
Bullet said:
Obviously you missed my point. If this candidate's only nomination he applied for was from this particular Senator, with no other nomination sources, and this Senator has only one slot to give, you risk putting yourself on the outside looking in, no matter how high you rank.

Bottom Line (as you yourself have stated multiple times): give the academy as many options as possible by applying for as many nomination sources as available to you.
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Not at all. I understood you perfectly. A candidate who is national pool competitive only requires a single aloternate nomination. He will not be left on "the outside looking in". Not a good example. The problem is that no candidate can ascertain for certain whether he is indeed national pool competitive. And, at AFA, this pool is becoming extremely small. Hence, one of the necessities for obtaining all nominations for which one is eligible, hoping for a principal nomination. The other reason, as you state, is to give the academy options.
 
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Mongo said:
Not at all. I understood you perfectly. A candidate who is national pool competitive only requires a single aloternate nomination. He will not be left on "the outside looking in". Not a good example. The problem is that no candidate can ascertain for certain whether he is indeed national pool competitive. And, at AFA, this pool is becoming extremely small. Hence, one of the necessities for obtaining all nominations for which one is eligible, hoping for a principal nomination. The other reason, as you state, is to give the academy options.
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I think to Bullet's point, a candidate with a nomination on a particular MOC's slate will compete with those on the slate. The notion of entry from the national pool is very iffy at best, now you are in a situation of competing for what ever slots remain open after the MOC's, Vice Presidential, Presidential, Prep, turnbacks, international student have taken slots in the class. This year, there appeared to be very few appointees given offers from this group. There will even be less next year. Any candidate stands a better chance competing within their MOC's slate.
 
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