Primary Nomination

thatmom

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Jan 23, 2015
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My daughter received a primary nomination from MOC but got a deferral letter on Jan. 15. Does primary nomination mean an automatic acceptance? I've been reading so much here but I'm confused about this.
 
If she is deemed fully qualified by USAFA, then a primary nom should turn in to an appointment. When did she rcv the nom? It could be that USAFA didn't have her MOCs slate in yet, so therefor the deferral.
 
She needs to verify that she got a PRINCIPAL nomination. Some people are told that they are their moc's primary nominee, meaning they are considered the best by the MOC. But unless the MOC actually presented their slate of nominees stating an individual as their PRINCIPAL nominee, then being the moc's favorite or best nominee doesn't mean anything. The academy would be free to choose whomever they want to. But if she actually received a PRINCIPAL nomination, and it was presented to the academy that way, then yes.... It's an automatic appointment if she has her application 100% completed and she is 100% qualified. But again, she needs to verify the nomination. Many times what they think their nomination is and what it really is, is different. Best of luck. Mike.
 
She needs to verify that she got a PRINCIPAL nomination. Some people are told that they are their moc's primary nominee, meaning they are considered the best by the MOC. But unless the MOC actually presented their slate of nominees stating an individual as their PRINCIPAL nominee, then being the moc's favorite or best nominee doesn't mean anything. The academy would be free to choose whomever they want to. But if she actually received a PRINCIPAL nomination, and it was presented to the academy that way, then yes.... It's an automatic appointment if she has her application 100% completed and she is 100% qualified. But again, she needs to verify the nomination. Many times what they think their nomination is and what it really is, is different. Best of luck. Mike.
Thank you for this. How can she find out how MOC presented their slate? Her letter states PRIMARY not PRINCIPAL. Her application is 100% complete but I do not know for sure what 100% qualified means. I'm assuming since she did get the deferral letter she is 100% qualified?!?!?
 
PRIMARY could mean she's #1 on a ranked slate. The academy will go down that ranked slate in order until they find someone who is fully qualified. Fully qualified, sometimes referred to as 3Q, means the applicant is academically qualified, physically qualified, and medically qualified.

If you have any questions about the nature of the nomination, I would think the best place to ask those would be of the MOCs office.
 
PRIMARY could mean she's #1 on a ranked slate. The academy will go down that ranked slate in order until they find someone who is fully qualified. Fully qualified, sometimes referred to as 3Q, means the applicant is academically qualified, physically qualified, and medically qualified.

If you have any questions about the nature of the nomination, I would think the best place to ask those would be of the MOCs office.
Thank you. I'm wrecking my brain trying to figure all this out, because like everyone else, I'm praying for an acceptance for her. This process has been stressful to say the least.
I appreciate the replies and wish everyone the best of luck in this process.
 
There's only 3 possible ways the MOC presented the slate. And only they can tell you which way that was. The 3 ways are:

1. Competitive: this is the most common. The MOC presnts their slate to the academy, in no particular order (that matters) and tells the academy.... Pick one.

2. Ranked: the MOC presents a slate and the list is ranked #1-#10. The academy must start at #1 and offer that person the appointment, unless their application isn't complete or if they aren't 100% qualified. In which case they must go to #2 and so on. Words like primary don't mean a thing. The academy must start at the top and work down until they find a completed 100% qualified applicant.

3. Principal: a pseudo combination of the first 2 methods. The MOC presents a list where their #1 person is identified as their Principal nominee. The academy must offer this individual an appointment if their application is completed and they are 100% qualified. Just like method 2 above. The difference however is that the remaining 9 are not ranked #2-#10. They are competitive. If for some reason the #1 (Principal) can't receive the appointment, the academy is free to choose whomever they want from the remaining 9.

Hope this helps better understand the selection process. As I mentioned above, the ONLY person who can say which method the slate was presented, as for you finding out, is your MOC. Contact them. Or wait and sweat it out. Best of luck. Mike.
 
There's only 3 possible ways the MOC presented the slate. And only they can tell you which way that was. The 3 ways are:

1. Competitive: this is the most common. The MOC presnts their slate to the academy, in no particular order (that matters) and tells the academy.... Pick one.

2. Ranked: the MOC presents a slate and the list is ranked #1-#10. The academy must start at #1 and offer that person the appointment, unless their application isn't complete or if they aren't 100% qualified. In which case they must go to #2 and so on. Words like primary don't mean a thing. The academy must start at the top and work down until they find a completed 100% qualified applicant.

3. Principal: a pseudo combination of the first 2 methods. The MOC presents a list where their #1 person is identified as their Principal nominee. The academy must offer this individual an appointment if their application is completed and they are 100% qualified. Just like method 2 above. The difference however is that the remaining 9 are not ranked #2-#10. They are competitive. If for some reason the #1 (Principal) can't receive the appointment, the academy is free to choose whomever they want from the remaining 9.

Hope this helps better understand the selection process. As I mentioned above, the ONLY person who can say which method the slate was presented, as for you finding out, is your MOC. Contact them. Or wait and sweat it out. Best of luck. Mike.
Thank you! I greatly appreciate the time you took to explain that. I am reluctant to have her contact the MOC because I'm just not sure if that is proper or not. It may be many more gray hairs and worried days ahead. ahhhhh. Thanks again.
 
There's only 3 possible ways the MOC presented the slate. And only they can tell you which way that was. The 3 ways are:

1. Competitive: this is the most common. The MOC presnts their slate to the academy, in no particular order (that matters) and tells the academy.... Pick one.

2. Ranked: the MOC presents a slate and the list is ranked #1-#10. The academy must start at #1 and offer that person the appointment, unless their application isn't complete or if they aren't 100% qualified. In which case they must go to #2 and so on. Words like primary don't mean a thing. The academy must start at the top and work down until they find a completed 100% qualified applicant.

3. Principal: a pseudo combination of the first 2 methods. The MOC presents a list where their #1 person is identified as their Principal nominee. The academy must offer this individual an appointment if their application is completed and they are 100% qualified. Just like method 2 above. The difference however is that the remaining 9 are not ranked #2-#10. They are competitive. If for some reason the #1 (Principal) can't receive the appointment, the academy is free to choose whomever they want from the remaining 9.

Hope this helps better understand the selection process. As I mentioned above, the ONLY person who can say which method the slate was presented, as for you finding out, is your MOC. Contact them. Or wait and sweat it out. Best of luck. Mike.
Thank you! I greatly appreciate the time you took to explain that. I am reluctant to have her contact the MOC because I'm just not sure if that is proper or not. It may be many more gray hairs and worried days ahead. ahhhhh. Thanks again.
Another question: IF her MOC did submit her as PRIMARY as in scenario 3, shouldn't she have heard from the Academy already? Her portal was updated on 01/14/15 to reflect the nomination rec'd. She rec'd the deferral letter on 01/15/15.
 
My guess is, since the timing is so close, the board met and decided her deferral prior to the 14th when it posted.
 
thatmom, I would not be reluctant to call the MOC's office for clarification. The Congressperson (and their staffs) work for you and you are a constituent with a problem and one easily answered. I would have your daughter call, though, as it is her question. I have worked with congressional staffs for years on academy affairs and they are always delighted to be able to help a voter (for obvious reasons).
 
It appears that many in this thread are confused, thinking the words "primary" and "principal" are interchangeable when they are not.

Each has a specific (and very different) meaning when it comes to the appointment process.
 
It appears that many in this thread are confused, thinking the words "primary" and "principal" are interchangeable when they are not.

Each has a specific (and very different) meaning when it comes to the appointment process.
When our son received a letter from his congressman, it used the term "primary" instead of "principal". It took a phone call to his office and the admissions office to confirm that it was a principal nomination. That was on Jan 10, 2012. He received his appointment on Feb 7, 2012.
 
It's not uncommon for even a MOC to get the two words mixed up. Fortunately, they aren't providing their slate handwritten on the back of a bar napkin. When they present their slate of 10 names, it's pretty clear. Plus, let's be real. Most MOC offices have aids and admin folks doing all this and they know which is which. Matter of fact, there are many nominees who met the MOC staff and maybe even a selection panel with some retired military personnel on it, and never actually met with the senator or representative. Sort of like a presidential nomination. The president doesn't actually meet with the applicants.

Not to say that some MOC members aren't directly involved. Many are. Many aren't. But many people do interchange the words primary and principal. That's why you have to call and clarify it. You can be the primary choice of a MOC. You could be their favorite and most standout applicant. But if you weren't listed specifically as the #1 ranked or principal nominee on the slate, then it doesn't mean anything when the academy gives out the appointments. Best of luck.
 
It appears that many in this thread are confused, thinking the words "primary" and "principal" are interchangeable when they are not. Each has a specific (and very different) meaning when it comes to the appointment process.

When our son received a letter from his congressman, it used the term "primary" instead of "principal". It took a phone call to his office and the admissions office to confirm that it was a principal nomination. That was on Jan 10, 2012. He received his appointment on Feb 7, 2012.

Good point. Even the MOCs offices don't understand the terminology.
 
My daughter called her MOC office today and it is confirmed that her PRIMARY nomination was submitted as her being the PRIMARY choice. The person she spoke with confirmed PRIMARY/PRINCIPAL is interchangeable. Thank you all for your input and advice. Now to keep waiting, which seems to be the norm here.
 
YAY! Congrats on confirming it was a principal nom! Appointment should be right around the corner!
 
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