Principal Nomination

Husky

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
64
Hello, I know this topic has been beaten several times so I'll keep it brief.

I had an interview with my Congressman the other day and he assured me that there are very few applicants (less than 10) and assuming nothing drastically changes I will receive a nomination. However, I am interested in trying to get a principal nomination. But when I asked him about it, he said that he gives out 10 unranked nominees because the academies barely take principal nominees into consideration. I said how I was under the impression that if you get a principal nominee they by law they have to accept you. He said that wasn't true. Could anyone show me where it states that principal nominees are a shoe-in (usually). I would like to send a respectful e-mail and let him know it is indeed possible. I'm confident I could beat the other six candidates, especially since I was the only one who scheduled an interview.

However, say he still decides to give out just 10 unranked nominees, won't the academy still take in their opinion the top candidate? They won't ignore a whole district correct?

Thank you,

Husky
 
Hello, I know this topic has been beaten several times so I'll keep it brief.

I had an interview with my Congressman the other day and he assured me that there are very few applicants (less than 10) and assuming nothing drastically changes I will receive a nomination. However, I am interested in trying to get a principal nomination. But when I asked him about it, he said that he gives out 10 unranked nominees because the academies barely take principal nominees into consideration. I said how I was under the impression that if you get a principal nominee they by law they have to accept you. He said that wasn't true. Could anyone show me where it states that principal nominees are a shoe-in (usually). I would like to send a respectful e-mail and let him know it is indeed possible. I'm confident I could beat the other six candidates, especially since I was the only one who scheduled an interview.

However, say he still decides to give out just 10 unranked nominees, won't the academy still take in their opinion the top candidate? They won't ignore a whole district correct?

Thank you,

Husky

Husky,

You are correct that a principal nominee must be accepted by the academy provided he or she is fully qualified! If the nominee is not fully qualified then they will skip that nominee and take someone else who is qualified off the slate.

For an unranked slate, they will pick the highest scored candidate, who is fully qualified!

I doubt there is much to be gained by "arguing" with a MOC. He or she certainly has access to resources who can explain the process to them if they are unaware of it.
 
Kinnem,

Okay good to know. Maybe I'll send a simple email. Does it say that anywhere on West Point's website? I haven't found anything on their site about it, only USAF's.
 
Husky,

I think Kinem is politely trying to tell you that it will not look good for you to email the Congressman letting him know that he was wrong. I would just leave it. :thumb:
 
Husky...

How would you feel if one of the other applicants lobbied and tried to convince the MOC to give them the principal nomination?

If your qualifications are indeed as amazing as you indicate then the academy should have no problem in recognizing you as the superior candidate.

I'd imagine though that the parents and the other nominees might just be thinking the same thing about themselves.

You are treading dangerous waters when you try to manipulate nominations.:thumbdown:
 
Only one interview?

I'm always AMAZED at how different this process can be for every candidate, depending on where you live. I hear stories on here about some insanely competitive districts back East. My son has applied two years now - both years he interviewed with all three MOCs, or I should say he interviewed with members of their interview committees. For his last Senatorial interview, he was one of 140 candidates scheduled for that weekend, and that office is conducting more interviews today. I have no idea how many students actually applied for an interview. Can I ask what state you're in? It's just so surprising to hear that there were less than 10 applicants! :eek:
 
True True. I guess if West Point still has to take one candidate from my district regardless, then it doesn't matter. Thanks for the advice. Wasn't trying to be manipulative haha!
 
True True. I guess if West Point still has to take one candidate from my district regardless, then it doesn't matter. Thanks for the advice. Wasn't trying to be manipulative haha!

I'm sure you weren't. You high school kids are still too inexperienced to pull it off. :shake: My real concern with contacting the congressman on this is jeopardizing your nomination. Who wants to nominate some obnoxious kid who keeps trying to tell me I'm wrong and don't know my job? No matter how qualified you are and how few applicants there are, there is nothing to say he has to nominate you.
 
Competitive

"I have no idea how many students actually applied for an interview. Can I ask what state you're in? It's just so surprising to hear that there were less than 10 applicants!"
My DD interview only seemed to have @6 applicants for USMA. It also looks like the MOC had two slots this year and put my DD in both. FL-14, Tampa, is our area
 
Husky,

Every MOC is briefed twice a yr, not only of the nom system, but how many charges they have available. At the Pentagon there is an office that deals with this. In July and January they walk across the river to the Hill, and briefs them.
~~~ My twist on it, was their way of being polite saying that they would be using the unranked Many MOCs feel that it is in the best interests of the SA to pick the candidate, not them forcing the SA's hand.

Also, I think people are confusing a congressional district with Sen. slates. In every state they can see some Cong. have very little noms, while another has a huge amount of applicants, and that also does not mean that the Sen. slates will not be competitive.
 
Yes it would have been extremely difficult for me to compete for a senator's nomination.
 
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