Principal Nomination

keg

5-Year Member
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Feb 26, 2011
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I got the principal nomination for the AF Academy!!! I'm medically qualified, have above average test scores and a decent CFA. Looking forward to meeting all the other 2018ers out there :D
 
After receiving a principle nomination, what is the next step? Do you still have to wait until April to get acceptance?
 
As long as you're 3Q, you get an appointment. In my letter it said "if you meet the academy's standards, you are reserved a spot in the class of 2018." I'm still waiting for my portal to update my nomination status, which should take about 2 weeks (guessing from when they received/processed test scores etc.)
 
I got the principal nomination for the AF Academy!!! I'm medically qualified, have above average test scores and a decent CFA. Looking forward to meeting all the other 2018ers out there :D

Enlighten me on what a "principal" nomination is. Are you talking about Presidential nomination?
 
Principal is not Presidential.

Principal is when the MOC says this my pick! If they are 3Q the SA must appoint the candidate.
 
Enlighten me on what a "principal" nomination is. Are you talking about Presidential nomination?

A principal appointment has nothing to do with presidentials. A senator or representative is allowed to make their slate of 10 nomination, 1 of 3 ways.

1. Competitive: Most common. The senator or representative makes their list of 10 names of nominees. They simply give that list of 10 to the academy and say: "Here's 10 names..... PICK 1". In "THEORY", the academy is "SUPPOSE" to pick the most Qualified individual on the list of 10. That individual receives an appointment against that senator or representative's slot. The remaining 9 go into what is commonly called the "National Pool" where OTHER appointments come from.

2. Ranked: This is where the senator or representative gives the academy their list of 10 names, and the names are RANKED in order: 1-10. 1 being the PRINCIPAL nominee. 10 being the LEAST. In this scenario, assuming the PRINCIPAL nominee is qualified according to the academy's standards, the academy has NO CHOICE. They MUST give that individual an appointment and they are charged against that senator or representative's slot. If the PRINCIPAL individual is NOT QUALIFIED, the academy MUST go down the list and take #2 if they are qualified; and so on. Once the appointment is made, the remaining names go to the "National Pool" just like in scenario #1.

3. Hybrid: Basically, it's a combination of the first 2. The senator or representative presents the academy their list of 10 names. The 1st individual is their PRINCIPAL. The remaining are just 9 additional names. The academy MUST give an appointment to the PRINCIPAL if qualified; (As in scenario #2). If the individual isn't qualified for whatever reason, the ACADEMY can choose from the remaining 9. Again; supposedly based on the MOST QUALIFIED. The remaining goes into the "National Pool".

I prefer the RANKED method. If forces the senator or representative into taking their responsibility seriously and being the one who chooses who gets the appointment instead of being able to blame the academy. Plus; even if every senator/representative used the RANKING method, on average, that would only be about HALF of the appointments. (There's only 535 senators and representatives). Average 1 each per year. That still leaves the academy with approximately 500-700 appointees that THEY get to determine who receives the appointment.
 
Ah thank you for the in depth explanation. I never knew that much about congressional nominations and thought that all congressmen gave the Academy their ranking list and then let the Academy decide from there.
 
So if one received a primary nomination, they will get their "official acceptance" a lot earlier than others?
 
So if one received a primary nomination, they will get their "official acceptance" a lot earlier than others?

Our son received a principal nomination on December 28, 2011. He was 3Q and received his appointment package on February 7, 2012.
 
Will you're portal tell you if your nomination is principal? I haven't received my letter yet, just saw the update on the portal...
 
Congratulations Keg!! See you in June :thumb:

Will you're portal tell you if your nomination is principal? I haven't received my letter yet, just saw the update on the portal...

Usually your MOC will tell you. Because I have no experience with principal nominations someone else will have to let you know if it shows in the portal or not.
 
Will you're portal tell you if your nomination is principal? I haven't received my letter yet, just saw the update on the portal...

I also saw my nomination on my portal before I got my letter. I don't know if you can tell if you got a principal nomination from your portal, but the letter from your MOC should be pretty clear. Also, most principal nominees are called by their MOC before they get their letter, so they can congratulate them and take pictures and whatnot.
 
I received a principal nomination as well and wondered if it shows up on your portal as "Principal Nomination"! But I guess we'll just have to wait and see. My admissions rep said I should know by December 26th! Crazy. Good luck to you!!!!
 
I received a principal nomination as well and wondered if it shows up on your portal as "Principal Nomination"! But I guess we'll just have to wait and see. My admissions rep said I should know by December 26th! Crazy. Good luck to you!!!!

What will you know on December 26th?
 
All EA will hear by 1/15 of either LOA/Deferred to regular or rejected.
 
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