MoC Nomination-what is "ranking"?

[Hoff2012]

I have seen a lot of people reference that their MoC does or does not "rank" their nominations. I received a nomination to USAFA from Sen Heller and also received a Presidential nomination. Could someone please explain what ranking is exactly? Does anyone know how I can find out if Sen Heller "ranks" his nominations?

 

[pilot2b]

MoC have 3 kinds of "slates" they can submit to the academies.

1. Designate a Principal nominee with unranked alternates.
2. Designate a Principal nominee with ranked alternates.
3. All nominees are unranked.

As long as a candidate who was given a principal nomination is qualified scholastically, medically, and physically, the academy is required by law to offer that person an appointment. If that principal nominee turns down the appointment or is not qualified, then the academy would choose the next person on the list if the congressman ranked the alternates, or the academy would get to choose if the congressman did not rank them.

If the congressman did not rank any of the nominees to begin with, the academy gets to choose at least one of their choosing that is the most qualified.

To find out which kind of slate your senator used, you need to call his office. I don't know how to find it now, but about a month ago I saw a page on USAFA's site that said that 74% of MoC use a totally unranked slate, 14% designate a principal nominee with unranked alternates, and only 12% designate a principal nominee with ranked alternates.

 

[chiromed0]

From Dean Heller's website I sniped this:


"No. You will be placed among a select group of nominees, and the academy of your choice will make the final decision. If selected, you will receive an offer of admission (an appointment) directly from the academy."

So it sounds like he does unranked and not principal nom w/ranked/unranked. If I'm reading it right. Call his office, I'm sure they would help you understand.

Good luck.

 

[Pima]

Pull out the congrats letter, in there they will state what method they submitted the list, at least the 3 MOC's that our DS stated it right after Congrats!

The Presidential nom is submitted as unranked, as others have stated the AFA will determine who the 100 will be appointed from this source.

The reason why the WCS plays such a big part is because that is how they appoint most of the candidates. As pilot2b stated @70%+ just submit the slate and allow the SAs to determine who is the appointee.

There is no way to find out how you rank out on the slates if they submit un-ranked. You can chase your tail all day long, but the MOC will not know and the way the AFA works is regional and alphabetical, so if your last name starts with a T, your RD has no clue of the WCS for anyone that starts with the letters A through M or whatever letter it is.

 

[DGS]

I have a somewhat related question.

If the MOC does not rank, and a candidate has received an appointment because they are a recruited athlete, does this count as the MOC's candidate? Or does it count as the Academy's?

 

[2bornot2b]

It is important to remember that every candidate must meet requirements or minimum standards in all the categories: 1. Academic Composite 60% (GPA, SAT/ACT, Class Rank, Curriculum), 2. Admissions Panel 20% (Fitness, Interview, Writing Sample, Medical) and 3. ExtraCurricular Composite 20% (Leadership, Athletics, Community Service).

 

[Dad]

I have a somewhat related question.

If the MOC does not rank, and a candidate has received an appointment because they are a recruited athlete, does this count as the MOC's candidate? Or does it count as the Academy's?

It depends on how the Academy wants to "spend" the nomination. If the recruited athlete has a high WCS he/she may be charged to the MOC. Otherwise they may be taken as a "qualified alternate" from the national pool.

Unfortunately, you do not know your competition for your MOC. All you can do is put your best foot forward with your application/interview and see how it all pans out. Good luck to you.