Changing Academy Preference for Nomination

Usna1212

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Apr 27, 2015
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I had spent the majority of my life determined to become a Marine. I had it set in my head since a very young age that I would attend USNA then follow through after graduation into the Marines. Lately though, that life-time goal is starting to fade. The past few weeks I have been in touch with both an athletic coach at West Point and the Officer helping me out with the application process. They are both positive and encouraging with my application and hope I continue through with it. West Point just FEELS right to me. Over the spring I was able to make a visit and liked it very much, but I was still so focused on USNA to take it into account. I believe it meets everything I'm looking for in an academy. Only problem is.....I already submitted my nomination essay literally stating in every sentence how great the Marines are and why I want to be one. Where do I go from here????Should I call the office at tell them I changed my academy preference???? If I explained this to them would they understand or would I lose credibility because they would assume my essay was a lie???Does this lessen my chances in gaining a nomination????
 
First, you want to pick the service you want to serve in after graduation and NOT the academy you wish to attend. The school is just 4 years. You'll be serving 5 or more years after graduation so you want to make sure you'll be happy with it.

Second, I don't think anyone here can answer your questions about how it looks especially as that could quite well vary by MOC. You really ought to wrestle with what service you want to be in before taking the plunge and calling the MOC. I get the sense you're enamored of West Point as a campus and perhaps an institution, but do you really want to be in the Army vs Marine Corps? There is no right answer but think about it.... or make certain you have done so.
 
I have thought about this some more and feel I have some things to add. This is not to tell you what to do... that's your decision and you need to be true to yourself as that's the most important thing here. I will say that in my opinion this looks pretty bad. It shows a lack of planning, introspection, and consideration on your part. I'm confident your nomination application is not due for a few weeks yet, but you sent it in before you needed to, and before you had really made a decision. You should have completed exploring all the academies, if that's what was driving your decision, prior to mailing in the nom application. This is a case where I still like IBM's motto - THINK!
 
I have a different perspective here. It is not uncommon for 17 or 18 year olds to change their minds. I would not find fault with getting MOC apps in early as in almost every thread it is stressed and pounded to be ahead of the game and don't waste time. Turn them in early so you can work on plans B, C, and D. I commend the OP's initiative and accomplishment in getting over that hurdle.

With that said, you are not the first to change your mind. As Kinnem said, do some hard soul searching about where you want to be after the academy. I say call your MOCs and request to send a replacement essay talking about this very dilemma and how you want to open your options and put them all on the table. When the time comes for your interviews you can explain your desires and the conflict of your thoughts. You don't have to make your decision about which academy to attend until you get an appointment. Apply to all that you feel you can fit in and serve.

You are talking about a situation that will affect the rest of your life. IMHO, if you do nothing to change it because you are afraid it will look bad, you may regret it for a very long time. Sometimes you have to be bold and courageous. I certainly think that your nomination does not rest solely on your essay, but also on many other factors. If you are competitive, it should not ruin your chances. Good luck.
 
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My DS ranked his SA's with his congressman as USMA first and USNA second. Then after visiting both institutions in his rising senior year, changed his mind, just saying it "felt right" at Annapolis. Shortly after the visits , of course then his MOC promptly nominated him for USMA instead of USNA. When his congressman called him to congratulate him on the nomination, he explained his change of heart. The congressman said he would fix it. We didn't hear back from the MOC, but then saw in the newspaper press release DS name listed as USNA.

Of course your mileage with your MOC may greatly vary.
 
DS was AF all the way through high school. His JROTC unit was AF. His SASI was an incredibly positive mentor whose footsteps he wanted to follow. We have family in all branches of the military, but wife had great uncle who was a pilot and retired Col. Like I said, all signs pointed to Colorado Springs. See my screenname? LOL.

Went to West Point SLS on a whim and fell in love with it. Came home and researched and told us he was going to change his primary to USMA. USAFA was a close 2nd, but he just felt a calling to WP. During his Med Review, he had to get a remedial exam due to a (slight) curvature of the spine. When his qualification was in doubt, that's when he came to us and said, " I know I want to go to West point because if I don't qualify medically, it is going to crush me. I want it so badly!"

Well, he did pass the exam and qualified. He still loves West Point and has never wavered in his feeling that the Army is where he belonged the whole time. Like others have said, don't make your whole decision based upon the academy, but it is a factor. each branch has its own distinct culture, but the big picture matters most. Where are you going to fit in the best, and how do the opportunities fit in with your aspirations?

You can be successful at either academy. Which career path fits you best?
 
Thank you all for your input. Do you suggest calling the office ahead of time to inform them of this conflict or talking about it in my interview?
 
If you have the time, write a brief letter explaining your feelngs. Contact the MOC coordinator and explain the situation and advise him or her that the letter is forthcoming.

Bring multiple copies of the letter to your interview and be prepared to make your case.

Good luck!
 
Thank you all for your input. Do you suggest calling the office ahead of time to inform them of this conflict or talking about it in my interview?

I would contact the MOC ahead of time. In our district, you can only interview for one academy since they have so many requests for nominations. If it's the same in your district and you wait, you might not get to interview for the SA you want.

I'll add that my daughter had listed USNA as her first choice and after visiting USAFA and doing additional research, she decided that she wanted USAFA. She called the MOC and was able to switch her interview and got the nomination.
 
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