Confused...

baileydb · Jan 7, 2015

Boozebin said:
Sorry Baileydb you night have misunderstood what your ALO said. Out of the four SA that require a nomination (Remember Coast Guard does not) only the USMMA allows you to receive nominations from other Reps within your state. For the other three you can only receive a nom from the Rep of your home of record district.

Okay, thanks for the clarification there. It is kind of hard to watch the end of my friend's dream, but he has a nomination to USNA, so at least he can still attend a Service Academy (assuming he can secure an appointment there!). Thanks again for your help

Boozebin · Jan 7, 2015

baileydb said:
Okay, thanks for the clarification there. It is kind of hard to watch the end of my friend's dream, but he has a nomination to USNA, so at least he can still attend a Service Academy (assuming he can secure an appointment there!). Thanks again for your help

No problem, but remember not receiving a nom is not the end of a dream it just makes you take a different path. My DS did not secure a nom but he got offered a Prep slot and now he's happier than a pig with a fresh pot of slop. And like you said he has what looks to be his second choice with USNA.

kinnem · Jan 7, 2015

And then there is always the ROTC Programs, PLC, OCS and other ways to commission as well.

baileydb · Jan 7, 2015

Boozebin said:
No problem, but remember not receiving a nom is not the end of a dream it just makes you take a different path. My DS did not secure a nom but he got offered a Prep slot and now he's happier than a pig with a fresh pot of slop. And like you said he has what looks to be his second choice with USNA.

Oh, yeah, I had kind of forgotten about the prep school being an option! He also applied for a CAP scholarship that will admit cadets into the Prep school, so that may be a real possibility for him. Thank you Boozebin and kinnem for your insight!

Christcorp · Jan 9, 2015

Also; don't forget that applying to the academy is NOT a "1 Time Special Deal". Many people who didn't receive an appointment one year, went on to attend college; whether 4 year or community college; and they applied the very next year. Pretty much the same process, except you are now adding college transcripts to your application. And your GPA is weighted DIFFERENTLY because you are now taking "College Classes". MOST MOC's and the academy itself are "Very Impressed" when they see an individual "COME BACK" to try again. They realize the individual really wants the academy.

If you get a Prep slot; that's great. But you CAN'T APPLY to the prep school. Also; if your grades are TOO GOOD, you won't get into the prep school. And there's also nothing wrong with ROTC. There's also some in ROTC who STILL REAPPLY to the academy. Point I'm trying to make is: Just because you didn't receive an appointment; whether it's because you didn't receive a nomination or it's because your application didn't make the cut; that doesn't have to be "The End". You don't have to subjugate yourself to believe that your dream or goal of attending the academy is over. Some states literally have hundreds of individuals applying to get one of the 10 nominations. Some states are so competitive that it's less likely to receive an appointment than to not receive one. If you don't get in this year..... TRY AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

MedB · Jan 9, 2015

Christcorp said:
MOST MOC's and the academy itself are "Very Impressed" when they see an individual "COME BACK" to try again. They realize the individual really wants the academy.

To tag onto this point, I can tell you that I know of at least one state where this is absolutely the case..... The MOCs in this state talk, and nearly every year the senior senator (who chooses first) will pick the outstanding re-applicant for his principal nomination (guaranteed appointment), then the other MOCs choose from the rest of the pool.

So if you don't make it in year one, don't give up! Stick with it, work even harder, and reapply... you might be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

Pima · Jan 9, 2015

I know that there are some in VA MOCs (congressmen) that have given the principal for a 2nd time applicant in the past.

Additionally, it might be that the reapplicants tend to be in ROTC, and carrying a true college course load compared to HS applicants.

The AF really does love reapplicants...it is not just USAFA.
~ look at how many CSOs become pilots later on!

baileydb · Jan 9, 2015

Thank you all for the encouragement! It is good to hear this both for my friend and for myself, as well. As Jan 15 gets closer and closer, I become less and less sure of my chances. I hope beyond hope that I will be part of the class of 2019, but if not, you can bet anything I will be an applicant for the class of 2020!