Primary Nomination Question

kgriff6998

10-Year Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2012
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I am a candidate from TX (using my mother's account here lol) and I wanted to ask advice from a few knowledgeable people who are familiar with the workings of the Academy.

I found out a few days ago that my ALO, being the chairman of my congressman's nomination board, was able to get me the primary nomination for my congressional district (TX-16)! I am still unclear on the significance of the primary nomination but I do know enough to know that it is a huge boost to my competitiveness.

In addition to my primary nomination, I am medically qualified (finished DoDMERB a while ago), I have a 1930 SAT and 30 ACT, my high school GPA is 3.89 and my college GPA is 4.0 (I have been taking dual credit classes, and advanced ones at that). I am homeschooled, so my ECs aren't as numerous as other candidates' may be but I have been in CAP for 6 years (C/LtCol) and I lettered in Varsity Track in 2010. I've also been swimming competitively and made a few age group times and I have a few volunteer activities on my resume.

My question is: what is the likelihood that I will be offered an appointment to the USAFA? My ALO told me when I did my interview that my credentials are fairly competitive, but how much does the primary nomination help?

Thanks!
K. Griffing, TX
 
kgriff, I am not that knowledgeable when it comes to the nitty-gritty of nominations so I will let someone else answer that. However, your other stats look very good and I would assume you are very competitive for an appointment. Your exact chances though, no one can tell. There is no way to possibly know every set of circumstances that goes into the final decision. I would say you have a better chance of yes than no (based on what you have put down here) but again, there is no way of knowing until you either receive an appointment or a rejection.
 
I am a candidate from TX (using my mother's account here lol) and I wanted to ask advice from a few knowledgeable people who are familiar with the workings of the Academy.

I found out a few days ago that my ALO, being the chairman of my congressman's nomination board, was able to get me the primary nomination for my congressional district (TX-16)! I am still unclear on the significance of the primary nomination but I do know enough to know that it is a huge boost to my competitiveness.

In addition to my primary nomination, I am medically qualified (finished DoDMERB a while ago), I have a 1930 SAT and 30 ACT, my high school GPA is 3.89 and my college GPA is 4.0 (I have been taking dual credit classes, and advanced ones at that). I am homeschooled, so my ECs aren't as numerous as other candidates' may be but I have been in CAP for 6 years (C/LtCol) and I lettered in Varsity Track in 2010. I've also been swimming competitively and made a few age group times and I have a few volunteer activities on my resume.

My question is: what is the likelihood that I will be offered an appointment to the USAFA? My ALO told me when I did my interview that my credentials are fairly competitive, but how much does the primary nomination help?

Thanks!
K. Griffing, TX

If you are a primary nomination and are qualified, the Academy HAS to appoint you.
 
Just wondering if your ALO told you that he/she was chairman of the Nominations Committee... Did he / she sit in on your interview?
 
If you are a primary nomination and are qualified, the Academy HAS to appoint you.

I thought that was principal, not primary, but you are probably right because as I said, the whole nomination lexicon leaves me confused. :smile:
 
I thought that was principal, not primary, but you are probably right because as I said, the whole nomination lexicon leaves me confused. :smile:

You are correct. Principal + 3c (medical, CFA, academic) = AFA must offer you an appointment. The question is why did your ALO use the term Primary?


Good Luck!
 
You are correct. Principal + 3c (medical, CFA, academic) = AFA must offer you an appointment. The question is why did your ALO use the term Primary?


Good Luck!

Because it's possible that the ALO isn't using the proper terminology either. Also, i have seen this before, whereby a MOC submits a list of 10 names, NOT RANKED; AKA "Competitive List"; but the ALO, staff member, etc... happens to see a name listed at the top, and "ASSUMES" that means there is some priority given to that person. In other words, there are even MOC's and staff members who aren't 100% up on the difference between 1)Principal + Competitive; 2) Principal + Ranked 2-10; and 3) Competitive. I've actually had a MOC question WHY a particular individual didn't receive an appointment, because he was their #1 choice. When in fact, the MOC sent a competitive list of 10 names. I have dogged a couple of representatives and senators in my time, for not being as knowledgeable about the system or taking MORE control over the power they have; and instead giving away that power to the academies.

Not saying ANY of this is what is happening here. Simply saying, that there's a lot of POSSIBILITIES in this thread and that the truth probably lies somewhere in between.
 
DS got the same thing from a MOC... He was told he had the "primary" nomination. Both verbally, and I believe in written letter as well.

In his case it was indeed a "Principal" nom.

This was an experienced nomination committee, so at least some of them do use the terms interchangeably... which only adds more to the uncertainty!

Hang in there and good luck!
 
hi, mom here, lol!
I talked to the local liaison a few weeks back. He conducted DS's interview and also told me our former congressman (whom DS got the nom from) ranks his noms and DS was ranked in the #1 spot.
 
Congratulations!

hi, mom here, lol!
I talked to the local liaison a few weeks back. He conducted DS's interview and also told me our former congressman (whom DS got the nom from) ranks his noms and DS was ranked in the #1 spot.

Sounds like you'll be getting a BFE soon! Hope to see you June 27th! :yllol:
 
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