Do we have to send the everything at once?

I am applying for nominations from the Texas Senators and John Culberson. I was wondering if it mattered if we sent everything at once or if we sent it piece by piece? I have many teachers filling out letters of recommendation on my behalf and I originally gave them ready-to-mail envelops and told them they could mail them whenever they were done. Should I instead ask for them to give me the letters when they are done so I can send my whole package together?

Each state is different, of course, however, I am sure everyone would appreciate not having to match up all the many parts of your app as they slowly came in. My son put together a folder and sent it all at once. It was a very nice bound type thing from an office supply store. He had dividers sectioning off the different parts. He started with the letter asking for the nomination. He had sections for teacher recommendations, community people recs, transcripts (he had an open one in the body and a sealed one in a back pocket), copies of CFA, the essay section, etc.... It was very professional looking, and I think our MOCs appreciated that. Take your time and do this right. My son's app arrived the day before the deadline, but everything was all together. He did not decide to apply until mid Sept of his senior year, so the whole process was a sprint. He is now a happy Yearling!

I sent most of the parts out at once with the recommendation letters being sent by the teachers. It's all up to you if it isn't specified. Sending it separate does increase the chances of one part becoming lost in the mailing proccess.

The Texas Senators give pretty clear instructions for the evaluation forms/letters of recommendation:

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison -
Application Requirements-
6) Evaluation Forms: "...When completed, it should be returned to you in a sealed envelope with the evaluator's signature across the seal." The applicant is then responsible for ensuring that the forms, along with signed acknowledgment form and transcripts, are received in her office by the deadline. My son sent these documents all together in one mailing envelope.

Senator John Cornyn
On the Personal Recommendation Form, instructions to the recommender, it states: "...return this form to the applicant, along with any additional pages or letters, sealed in an envelope and signed across the flap." Again, son sent these letters to the Senator's office along with the other required documents (application form, resume, transcripts, etc...).

Our congressman, however, required that letters of recommendation, transcripts, physical fitness exam, etc... be sent to him directly by the person who filled them out. My son supplied a stamped addressed envelope for each of these.

As you see, each of the MOC have different requirements. You just have to read all the fine print!

Follow the instructions EXACTLY. Each is different, so take care to fulfill the requirements as stated! If you do not understand the instructions, that is NOT the kind of question to ask here....call the MOC's office and be armed with pen and paper to take notes!

Is it important to include a letter asking for a nomination with the application?

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have that letter as your cover to the whole package you are delivering to them...There are sample letters on the academy websites. You might want to consider organizing your request into a folder with all of the information bound together (w/ pockets in the back for the sealed documents).

Wow. I was about to seal my envelope and take it to the post office until I remembered I had asked that question. Thanks so much. And none of my instructions included mentioned including a copy of my CFA. Is this optional, or something that varies by MOC?

They do not care about the CFA. They are really looking at you and other candidates in terms of being the best candidate to represent the district/state. The CFA is nothing to them.

mom3boys said:

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have that letter as your cover to the whole package you are delivering to them...There are sample letters on the academy websites. You might want to consider organizing your request into a folder with all of the information bound together (w/ pockets in the back for the sealed documents).

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As someone who has sat on a nomination board I would NOT bind all your information together. For most MOCs they will be copying the information to form packets for each member on the interview panel.

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS to the LETTER! Do NOT add information that is NOT requested. Each Senator and Congressperson has their own, individual methods for their nomination packet (ex: some want a photo, some want a resume, some want a cover letter, some request specific information on the front of each envelope, some require a signature across the back of a recommendation).

Take their directions seriously. In our state it specifically states, "Do not bind information or make additions to the packet. Additional recommendations will NOT be considered." Our Senators also have ALL of their applications online as well as the candidate's essay; so in the case of our candidates no cover letter is necessary.

Most important: Have your packet to the office before the deadline; late entries are NOT considered.

PS: If they ask for the PFA, then send it. If it's not requested, don't send it.

But is it still important to include a letter requesting a nomination with the application?

Yes, it just looks professional. MOCs have receptionists, that letter immediately says, pass it on to the nom committee.

O.K I will try to have my Senator's app in the mail tomorrow thanks everyone for the help.