Hello. DS received a nomination for one specific academy and a LOA from another. Can he opt to go to the academy for which he received the LOA using that nomination or does it not work that way and he has to go where he was nominated if selected? Nomination was for USNA and LOA was to the USMA. Thanks.
Nomination and LOA question
- Thread starter military9
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You have to be nominated to the academy that you wish to attend. He can not 'use' the USNA nom for WP.
Have all the MOC noms that he applied for turned in their slates yet?
It would be surprising for a MOC not to nominate someone to the academy that gave them a LOA.
Have all the MOC noms that he applied for turned in their slates yet?
It would be surprising for a MOC not to nominate someone to the academy that gave them a LOA.
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My DS applied to USNA (first choice) and USMA (second choice). After MOC interview where he touted his desire to become a Mid, he was surprised to receive a call at school from the congressman congratulating him on receiving a nom for USMA. After graciously showing gratitude for the honor, DS asked him about his first choice, and the congressman said he would check into it. Two days later he found out that the Congressman switched his nom to USNA.
So bottom line, it doesn't hurt to ask!
So bottom line, it doesn't hurt to ask!
usna1985
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OP, you didn't indicate whether your DS "split" his nom applications -- i.e., put USNA first for one MOC and USMA first for another.
This is fairly common tactic, but occasionally it "backfires." MOCs want to make as many constituents as possible happy. If a candidate lists USMA as his first choice and the MOC gives him that nom, the MOC figures the candidate is thrilled. Meanwhile, the candidate with the USNA LOA lists USNA as his first choice with the other MOCs but doesn't get a nom. He now has an LOA from USNA without a nom and a nom to USMA with no LOA.
In this hypothetical, a lot depends on the candidate's desires. Which SA does he really want to attend? If he does nothing, he may end up with an appointment to USMA even without the LOA. So all is good if he wants USMA. If his preference is USNA, then he'd best call the MOC who gave him the nom to USMA and try to "switch" it b/c it's very unlikely he will be appointed without a nom, even with an LOA.
The OP's situation is made more difficult b/c they haven't heard from one MOC so there is a possibility the situation will resolve itself. However, once a slate is submitted to a SA, it's harder for the MOC to change it than before it's submitted.
Finally, for the OP, if your DS listed USMA first for the MOC who gave him that nom, a call requesting to switch to USNA may not go over well b/c the MOC's staff may wonder why he didn't put USNA down as his first choice if that indeed was his first choice. Conversely, if he listed USNA first (even if USMA was second), things are made much easier.
Not an easy situation to be in . . . and the OP's approach is probably the best but not ideal (in a world where there isn't an ideal solution).
This is fairly common tactic, but occasionally it "backfires." MOCs want to make as many constituents as possible happy. If a candidate lists USMA as his first choice and the MOC gives him that nom, the MOC figures the candidate is thrilled. Meanwhile, the candidate with the USNA LOA lists USNA as his first choice with the other MOCs but doesn't get a nom. He now has an LOA from USNA without a nom and a nom to USMA with no LOA.
In this hypothetical, a lot depends on the candidate's desires. Which SA does he really want to attend? If he does nothing, he may end up with an appointment to USMA even without the LOA. So all is good if he wants USMA. If his preference is USNA, then he'd best call the MOC who gave him the nom to USMA and try to "switch" it b/c it's very unlikely he will be appointed without a nom, even with an LOA.
The OP's situation is made more difficult b/c they haven't heard from one MOC so there is a possibility the situation will resolve itself. However, once a slate is submitted to a SA, it's harder for the MOC to change it than before it's submitted.
Finally, for the OP, if your DS listed USMA first for the MOC who gave him that nom, a call requesting to switch to USNA may not go over well b/c the MOC's staff may wonder why he didn't put USNA down as his first choice if that indeed was his first choice. Conversely, if he listed USNA first (even if USMA was second), things are made much easier.
Not an easy situation to be in . . . and the OP's approach is probably the best but not ideal (in a world where there isn't an ideal solution).
falconchic88
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A few years ago, my son's girlfriend had USNA 1st choice (my son was already there) on all MOC applications, and USAFA 2nd, then she rcvd an LOA to USAFA after apps went in. She rcvd 2 noms to USNA and NONE to USAFA! She was given TWE to USNA in March, and still no nom to USAFA. Luckily she found out about a candidate in her district that was on the USAFA slate that was medically dq'd and no waiver was granted, so USAFA was able to contact her Representative and asked him to switch her name with his. But that was in April, so she was sweating it out for a while. She is a Firstie this year and on Wing Staff! So proud of her, even if she is now the exGF!
batorthopa
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So my DS put AFA as first choice and USNA as second. He does not have an LOA. He received a nom for NA from Congressional rep but did not get a nom for AFA from either Senator. I was under the impression that AFA was now off the table since he did not have a nom. But his ALO tells me it is not completely ruled out. I am told that if the Academy feels he has a competitive enough package, then they can find him a nom from an underrepresented area. That sounds like national pool to me and I thought you had to at least have a nom from your MOC to be considered for that. I guess we will just have to wait until April and sweat it out too! Plus he still has shot at NA. Either is awesome but being AF myself, I would like to see him at AFA.
usna1985
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Well, then your odds with your MOC are better. It could be that one of the folks on his/her USNA slate has been medically rejected, has changed their mind about completing the application, has accepted an appointment to another SA, etc. Definitely worth asking if the Senator doesn't come through. Here's hoping you do get good news from that MOC!