Is it acceptable...

Is it acceptable to ask your MALO or RC where you rank based on the applicant pool in you area? MOCs in my state only give one nomination per candidate so for applicants that are pursuing two academies the selection of your top preference is critical. Without a LOE or LOA from either academy it makes it hard to tell where you have your best shot. I was told early in the process that I am a strong candidate, but I really need to figure out where I have my best shot since only one nomination is likely. Any help is appreciated.

goaltoserve said:

Is it acceptable to ask your MALO or RC where you rank based on the applicant pool in you area? MOCs in my state only give one nomination per candidate so for applicants that are pursuing two academies the selection of your top preference is critical. Without a LOE or LOA from either academy it makes it hard to tell where you have your best shot. I was told early in the process that I am a strong candidate, but I really need to figure out where I have my best shot since only one nomination is likely. Any help is appreciated.

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You can ask whatever you want but what is it that you expect to hear?
It would be really nice if we can be made aware of what lies ahead but IMHO,
you submit your requirements, put in your best effort and let the panel do their job. Once you've made the effort to line everything up and complete the requirements, the next step would be to do the same with your contingency plans just in case...
"may the odds be ever in your favor"

How am I listed...

This is the difficult part now. Waiting. Your RC will not tell you where you are on the list or if there is even a list. This is the great mystery of the selection process. Time and time again, applicants are encouraged to prepare a Plan B and Plan C. If you want to commission in the Army you also need to apply for ROTC and other plans. Because they too have deadlines for applications that coincide with Plan A. Remember this year the competition for a slot will be high.

Push Hard, Press Forward

I would contact your FFR and ask for their opinion on your competitiveness in the District and statewide.
The FFR can see the files of all the candidates in your District.
He/she will know who has a Pres nom (which may make a difference to some MOCs as some won't give noms to those with Pres noms).
They can see who has completed their file and who hasn't.
They can see who has LOEs.
They can see if there are recruited athletes and under-represented minorities.
They can also talk to the state co-ordinator and the RC to get the feel of where you stand. Nothing wrong with that.
FFRs and RCs won't hold it against you for considering another academy. They understand and want you to be at the best place for you.

Would you be equally happy at either SA that you are considering?
If you are sure you would be happy at Academy A and not so sure about Academy B, choose A. Nothing worse than going to Academy B and being miserable and regretting your choice.

I think the selection of your top choice of academy should be based on which one best meets your needs. You sound as if you are trying to 'game' the system and plan to indicate your top choice is the one where you are ranked higher by the academy. I don't believe any of the academies publish information about a specific candidate's rank relating to the 3Q's, which is based on everyone applying in a given year (and not region specific), so I am not sure you will ever be able to obtain such information.

Your MOC ranking and therefore your NOM, which is a separate process, will be based largely on your in person inteview. No one can estimate how you will do before having the interview.

A MOC has access to a candidate's WP file so they will know how competitive the candidate looks on paper. MOCs do not want to waste a nom on a candidate that is not competitive. Hence, that is one reason for a candidate to complete their file early so that WP can 3Q candidates prior to MOC interviews.
If a MOC knows that a candidate is 3Q'd, they are more likely to give that candidate a nom knowing that WP has said that this candidate is qualified for admission to WP. MOCs want to get as many of their constituents into the SAs as possible so they do not want to nominate folks who are not qualified and thereby wasting noms.

Candidates are competing for a MOC nom with other candidates in their district and state, not nationwide. So knowing how you compare to the other candidates in your district/state is a manageable question.

time2's advise is spot-on. Don't game the system. Apply for a nom to the SA that YOU want most.