Nomination Question

When I checked the status of my application on the USNA website under Nominations Received it states: Presidential and the date it was received (my father is retired army) do I still need to continue with my nomination applications with my Senator and Congressman?

TEXAS2010 said:

When I checked the status of my application on the USNA website under Nominations Received it states: Presidential and the date it was received (my father is retired army) do I still need to continue with my nomination applications with my Senator and Congressman?

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While you do not have to, it is recommended. While there are unlimited Presidential noms provided, the SA can only appoint a limited number of students with a Presidential nomination. So if you have a Presidential nom and are not ranked high enough compared to other Presidential noms, you might find yourself without and appointment. Similarly, it also gives the SA a lot more flexibility. The SA can select which of your noms to use, which can provide them with more flexibility in putting together the strongest possible class. I suggest you apply for every nomination source that you are eligible.

Yes, I would in this case have a backup nomination.

I'm going back into my records, but if I'm not mistaken there are unlimited Presidential noms that may be given out, but only 100 of these nominations can be in any one class. Have in the past seen that candidates with this situation and at the lower end of the competitive scale offered Foundation option.

USNA1985, do you know if this is correct?

Thank you for the advice. Now that I understand this I will definitely continue trying for other nominations.

TEXAS2010 said:

When I checked the status of my application on the USNA website under Nominations Received it states: Presidential and the date it was received (my father is retired army) do I still need to continue with my nomination applications with my Senator and Congressman?

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Only if you want an appointment. Seriously, yes. Several years ago, I had a candidate with 1430 SATs, fluent in two Asian languages, varsity lax, taught violin, from a science and tech magnet school ranked VERY high in the country -- didn't get in. When I asked why, one of the reasons given was that the person didn't apply for (and thus didn't get) any MOC noms.

Pres noms are non-competitive. If you are eligible for one, you get one. But, as noted above, only 100 Pres appointments are given out. Some folks with only Pres noms may still get appts, but the odds aren't great.

Applying for MOC noms shows interest and motivation. Getting one means you competed favorably against your peers and gives USNA more flexibility in "slotting" you for an appt. Other than taking a bit of your time, there is no downside to applying and a lot of upside. A Pres may be enough -- but to count on it and do nothing else to help your cause isn't good.