Nomination Status Update?

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yankeefan8182

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approximately two weeks ago i sent out several letters to my respective respresentitive, congressmen, and the vice president. i used the template from the west point candidate portal for the nomination request to my representive and senators found here: http://admissions.usma.edu/prospectus/step_02bs.cfm
i have not received any contact from any office either granting me the nomination or rejecting my request. firstly, was this an appropriate means of requesting nomation? secondly, how long does it typically take for a congressional response? i have found alternative "templates" for nominations with slight deviations and others more thorough...any insight/assistance would be greatly appreciated. thanks!
 
Yankeefan,

I believe this was not an appropriate means, I believe those are just examples that West Point shows. Your representitves should have a pfd(or whatever its called) file that gives their application forms out. For example, my senator, Bill Nelson gives out his nomination application file if you go on his website and click on the link of "service academies" (now I know it's different for other representitives, but I dont think it deviates that much).The vice president has his nomination app on his website(which i dont know off the top of my head).

As far as congreesional response comes, I'm not sure. I sent my file on July 1 and got confirmation about 5 days later that my file was complete. But then again, I live 10 miles from the office where the app goes, so the mail arrived at the office a little faster. Hope this helps!:thumb:
 
Yankeefan, from what I've read on this forum and elsewhere, most MOCs have a link on their websites to a form requesting a nomination.

That was the case w/ our two US Senators when my son applied a couple years ago, but not our Representative. It took multiple phone calls and even personal visits to get the one-page application from our Congresswoman. Months later, it took son a couple phone calls to find out he'd received a nomination!

So check websites, and then don't be shy re: calling if you need to. There's a lot going on in MOCs' offices, and @ least some of them don't seem to treat the subject of Service Academies as a high priority.

Good luck!
 
Yup these are both right. Both Sens should have forms on their websites and same for your rep.
 
I know you are excited, but there are some facts that you need to realize.
1. You should only use the MOC's format that they have on their site.
2. FOLLOW THEIR DIRECTIONS TO A TEE.
3. Understand the nom process.

Most MOC's will not even acknowledge the receipt of your application, it is up for you to contact them for verification, and when I say you, I mean you, not the folks. Only acceptable if you work 8-6, and even then call them on your lunch hour and leave a message.

Next, it does not matter if you are the 1st or the last to get your nom application in, they are not rolling. The MOC has the cut off date and they will not hand out one nom until after that date. Typically it could be even 2 or 3 mos later. DS's nom applications were due NLT 10/15, Dole announced her slate Dec 21st, Burr did not even have his interviews until the 1st week of Jan., the nom was announced the end of Jan. and his Cong. never sent a letter until Mar, except we knew from the file that he had it in the end of Dec.

The MOCS also do not make the decision, they have a committee made up of many people from their constituency.
 
This might be a geat opportunity to contact your liason officer. He/She can help you understand the nomination process better. It can be a very complicated procedure. It usually involves an application from MOCs website, sending transcripts and SAT/ACT scores, and sending in Letters of Recommendation and/or Recommendation forms, a personal essay and a photo. Each MOC (member of congress) is different, so unfortunately a blanket letter won't do the trick.

Find your senators' and your congressman's website. Usually under "services" there will be something about academy nominations. Most MOC will have an instruction booklet to download and appropriate forms. Make a list of what each MOC needs. Figure out what you can do to cover similar MOCs requirements at the same time.
example:

each MOC needs a transcript. okay, go to your school and request all three to be sent at the same time.

each MOC wants SAT scores. Okay, log on to college board and request those scores to be sent at the same time.

1 senator might want 2 letters of recommendation (coach and teacher), 1 senator wants three letters and three forms of recommendation (coach, teacher, community member), 1 congressman wants three letters (coach, teacher, community member). Figure out who can satisfy these requests, and give them instructions. You may have 1 coach writing 3 letters. Let the recommenders know how many letters you need, who they are sending them to, and give them a copy of your resume. Also it would be a good idea, to give them an envelope, addressed with the appropriate member of congress. Have them put the letter/forms in that envelope and have them sign across the back of the envelope seal. Then return the letter to you so you can mail them all at once. This way you'll know that all the letters of recommendation are complete.

Son sent everything fedex, even to the congressman in town, so he had a tracking number and date of receipt.

As you can see, it can get very involved. But it's very easy once you have all the information that you need.
 
each MOC wants SAT scores. Okay, log on to college board and request those scores to be sent at the same time
Click to expand...

It is important to look up the MOC's actual name at collegeboard, don't think that if you send it to the SA that they will forward it. Each MOC has an actual collegeboard number like every college.

Son sent everything fedex, even to the congressman in town, so he had a tracking number and date of receipt.
Click to expand...

We sent ours registered with return receipt required, cheaper than Fedex and you can follow up on the usps site. What is more important is that you have some way of tracking it besides calling the MOC office. You can make a follow-up call and say I noticed that it was signed by so and so, I am just calling to verify that nothing is missing from my file. The return receipt at least gives you a name to speak to, although this will most likely be a receptionist, it still is someone you can start with.
 
thanks so much everyone! haha i apologize for my ignorance...all of this information definitely helped...i was unaware how specific each MOC's requirements were...i'm making great progress now in getting my info together to send out complete nomination requests...thanks again to all and good luck to those seeking an appointment
 
one final question that isn't addressed on my MOCs' websites, do i personally send the letters of recommendation to their office or should i tell the writers of the letters that they have to send it themselves?
 
I would send them personally, along with everything else that they require. That way, you can be certain that they're all sent, and you know that one piece of it isn't missing.
 
^^^ I concur, but have the recs be placed in a sealed envelope, they sign along the seal to ensure that it has not been opened and place it in your packet
 
yankeefan8182: How those letters of rec go to the MOC's office is likely detailed in their instructions. Here in Texas, both Senators wanted everything, EVERYTHING, delivered to their office in one single package. They absolutely did not want stuff to dribble in for the hundreds of candidates that apply each year. One specifically asked that the letters of rec be in sealed envelopes with the person who wrote the recommendation's signature over the seal. Senators had evaluation forms with specific questions they wanted evaluators to answer. After checking with Senator's offices, Son typed these forms into a Word doc, gave CD to evaluator, then they could "fill in" the questions and print out the evaluation.

Read their instructions very carefully. Print them out and highlight them. Follow them to a tee, just as Pima says. The first bar an applicant must pass with each nominator is following instructions EXACTLY. If you don't, you don't make the first cut to be considered for a nomination.

We found the two Senators and our MOC to be each at least as harrowing as the actual USNA application. We set up a long table in an unused room to keep track of all the piles for each nominator.

When you ask someone to give you a recommendation letter, provide them with your resume and a stamped envelope to mail to you or the MOC, however the MOC wants it done. Make it easy for them to write and get delivered! And make sure they are aware of the deadline. If it must be returned to you before being mailed to MOC, be sure to allow adequate time.

The deadlines for most MOC's are in the fall: Oct-Dec. Some have interviews. They will not issue a nomination until they evaluate all applicants. Often at the last minute in late January.........

Read on this forum and College Confidential about various nomination methods the MOC may use.
 
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