Question about the length of time for a nomination to be received...

PJay

5-Year Member
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Sep 9, 2011
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I've been nominated by two state representatives: one of my state's senators (Kay Bailey) and my texas representative Henry Cuellar.
I received a call from Kay Bailey's office about a week and a half to two weeks ago asking if I still wanted to attend (obvious answer, yes) and I was to be nominated. The letter in the mail said "You will hear from the academy in a few weeks."
On the other hand I received a nomination from Henry Cuellar through mail just a few days ago. I haven't necessarily expected it to reach the academy yet.

My concern with this whole waiting game is that its been two weeks and my candidate file still hasn't been updated to say I've got a nomination yet. Should it be updating soon? Also, I don't know too much about the statistics of people who have gotten in but does having that additional nomination pretty much seal me in? My parents and family have been celebrating but I don't want to let it get my hopes up too high unless I get that admission offer.

Thanks :smile:
 
Two noms is better than one but it doesn't seal the deal.

I assume you're three Qd but if not then the following doesn't apply.

Each MOC can nominate up to 10 people on their slate. The are two types of slates. For one there will be a principal nominee. That nominee will receive the appointment, the othets will go to the NWL. The other type of slate is competitive. For this slate the academy will pick the nominee from the 10, and the rest go to the NWL. So with two noms on competitive slates you have two chances to win a smaller competition before proceeding to the national competition.

I wouldn't worry about your portal not being updated. Just because you were informed of the nomination doesn't mean the MOC has sent in their slate yet. They have until the end of the month. I think applicants have until mid Feb. to complete their apps. They won't start reviewing a slate until all apps are completed.

Be patient.
 
Thanks for clearing that up. I wasn't quite sure how having another nomination would help. I know nothing really is set in stone until the appointment comes in but I know its definitely a boon. I've been keeping close tabs on the application since mid summer (SLS attendee) even knowing there's little that can be updated. Its pretty much been self-inflicted torture on the patience game.
 
I fully understand. We went thru it last year with an NROTC application. Just a suggestion, rather than use the energy fretting, work on alternate plans and scholarships... or go to a movie.
 
You may want to call Sen. Hutchinson's office to clarify. She publically states she doesn't like to double nominate anyone who has already received a congressional nom. If you already have a nom you don't need two, it doesn't do anything but take away from another candidate. If they are different nom's for different academies you want to make sure and keep the one you want. Also, this may be the reason for the delay as they cross check eachother's lists. Call and find out.
 
You should try to keep both. You're not taking anything away from anybody. If perchance you can only keep one, keep the congressmans. You stand a better chance in the congressmans pool than the Senators statewide pool.
 
Whether or not a candidate "keeps" a nomination has no bearing on their appointment. It takes 1 nomination to be considered to any academy, having two does not do/mean anything. It is common policy for many MOC to not double nominate for a single academy, if it's for different academies then there is a point to be made. Saying it does NOT take anything away from another candidate is simply incorrect. Otherwise, why do they even have the policy?

It's not about racking up nominations, it's about getting the one you want. You need to call and clarify. Again I'll say "clarify". It may be that the Senator does not double nominate PRINCIPAL nominations and not the rest of her slate which would mean you do not have to do anything else but wait. However, if her policy is to not double nominate anyone at any level then you should make the call.
 
You should try to keep both. You're not taking anything away from anybody.

This is not true. If you take two nominations when you only need one, you are taking a nomination away from another hopeful that needs it.
 
This is not true. If you take two nominations when you only need one, you are taking a nomination away from another hopeful that needs it.

though my words may come off as harsh, nominations are given to those who deserve them. If one hopeful candidate did not receive a nomination because another received two, it is extremely unlikely that the candidate in question would have been competitive for ultimate acceptance.

Also, perhaps I am misinformed, but I believe having two nominations is advantageous. If you receive a nomination but another candidate under that MOC has a higher WCS, then that candidate will receive the appointment and not you. So having that second nomination gives you another stab at direct appointment as the candidate charged under your MOC; otherwise, you would be placed on the NWL and have to hope to be near the top quartile or so.
 
though my words may come off as harsh, nominations are given to those who deserve them. If one hopeful candidate did not receive a nomination because another received two, it is extremely unlikely that the candidate in question would have been competitive for ultimate acceptance.

Also, perhaps I am misinformed, but I believe having two nominations is advantageous. If you receive a nomination but another candidate under that MOC has a higher WCS, then that candidate will receive the appointment and not you. So having that second nomination gives you another stab at direct appointment as the candidate charged under your MOC; otherwise, you would be placed on the NWL and have to hope to be near the top quartile or so.

I agree with you whole-heartedly and you are correct about the advantages. It is not the OPs job to coordinate nominations. It's the job of the MOCs to do so if they wish. Nor is it the moral obligation of the OP to give others a shot at a nomination. It's their job to earn one. The OPs job is to do everything possible to increase the chances of an appointment and "complete the mission"
 
Multiple nominations improve your chances of receiving an appointment because you will compete on each MOCs slate of 10 to win the slot that will be charged to the MOC. If you do not win either slate and end up in the national pool multiple nominations have no further effect on you chances.
 
Multiple nominations improve your chances of receiving an appointment because you will compete on each MOCs slate of 10 to win the slot that will be charged to the MOC. If you do not win either slate and end up in the national pool multiple nominations have no further effect on you chances.

Am I correct in my understanding that a candidate who possesses a Letter of Assurance (LOA) needs one, and only one, nomination, and that nomination can be from any single MOC, and the candate need only be listed anywhere on that MOC's list of nominations, whether as princial or alternate on a slate that's done using the "principal/alternates" method, or anywhere among the 10 names on a slate done using the "competitive" method?

In other words, does (LOA) + (one nomination of any flavor from any source) = appointment? This is what I thought.
 
That is true only if that candidate is triple qualified (3Q). If that candidate has passed his/her CFA, is DoDMERB Qualified, has a nomination and a LOA in hand, then that candidate should receive an appointment!
 
Am I correct in my understanding that a candidate who possesses a Letter of Assurance (LOA) needs one, and only one, nomination, and that nomination can be from any single MOC, and the candate need only be listed anywhere on that MOC's list of nominations, whether as princial or alternate on a slate that's done using the "principal/alternates" method, or anywhere among the 10 names on a slate done using the "competitive" method?

In other words, does (LOA) + (one nomination of any flavor from any source) = appointment? This is what I thought.
LOA + 3Q + any nomination = Appointment
 
As was stated before and certainly no offense to this deserving candidate; call and clarify. We can debate differing opinions all day long but the stated public position of Senator Hutchison is clear. See for yourself.

http://hutchison.senate.gov/?p=academy_nominations

There is a reason and perhaps this should be discussed with the candidate and the proper MOC's offices, not here.
 
As was stated before and certainly no offense to this deserving candidate; call and clarify. We can debate differing opinions all day long but the stated public position of Senator Hutchison is clear. See for yourself.

http://hutchison.senate.gov/?p=academy_nominations

There is a reason and perhaps this should be discussed with the candidate and the proper MOC's offices, not here.

I'm not clear on how this supports your opinion about noms.
While it is true that you only need one nom, having more than one is beneficial. The more noms you have, the more opportunities you have to be the vacancy winner.
 
That is true only if that candidate is triple qualified (3Q). If that candidate has passed his/her CFA, is DoDMERB Qualified, has a nomination and a LOA in hand, then that candidate should receive an appointment!

LOA + 3Q + any nomination = Appointment

Thanks VonFritz and Packer. I started to panic because I do have a LOA in hand, and I am 3Q'd, but I have not heard yet about a nomination. You at least confirmed my belief that I do not need to "stack" nominations. All of my MOC's know about the LOA, so I assume they may have coordinated so as to not give me more than one. Either that, or I'm not getting one.

One thing is for certain: This aspect of the cycle is out of my hands at this point, so I will wait and hope for the best ... thanks again for the replies.
 
It might sound harsh but I agree with Kinnem.
It is an advantage to have two nominations and it does keep another person from being nominated. However, this is the "big time' real, competitive world. Each person must compete for these nominations and is responsible for winning their nomination. In many ways this is a contest to ID the best and most determined candidates for West Point.
I do not think the selection system is perfect - many great people fail to get an offer every year - but I do think the most derserving get in the vast majority of the time.
 
I'm not clear on how this supports your opinion about noms.
While it is true that you only need one nom, having more than one is beneficial. The more noms you have, the more opportunities you have to be the vacancy winner.

Opinions need no support as it is just that; an opinion. Otherwise it would be a fact, not an opinion. And as we all know everyone is entitled to their own facts. :rolleyes:

However, as I've said it's the publically stated policy of this particular US Senator so all other opinions are moot. Even her counterpart, Sen. Cornyn has a different policy. I don't doubt that subjectively it may have it's merits but until someone from admissions at West Point says that it's a benefit (which we have been told numerous times by our MOC's contacts it's not) I don't agree.

So...drop it. Different opinions but to help this candidate with "their" issue....make the call. Reading board posts all day w/o making the call will not result in your concerns being addressed.
 
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