Nomination with incomplete application

M

mebedad

5-Year Member
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Mar 19, 2013
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The unthinkable has occurred. My son was nearly complete with the application, only needed to complete some of the "essays."
He hd been re-writing them several times over, off line, so he could get them just right with the strict character limitations.
He had his interview with his congressman's nominating committee about month ago, and came home so excited because all the feedback he received was over the top. Two weeks ago he received a call from a friend who works with the congressman, (though is not involved in the nomination process) and was told unofficially that my son was not getting the nomination, that another candidate was being selected.
My son was disappointed, but immediately focused on his other school selections, made an inquiry through the football coach at his first choice, and within a week learned he would be accepted there. As luck would have it, today he received a letter from the congressman awarding him the nomination. And his application still stands incomplete, the deadline having passed 5 days ago.
My question: is there any chance he'd be able to complete his application? I seem to recall reading long ago that late applications are considered on a case by case basis. I realize it does not look good, but he plans to contact admissions tomorrow and see what they have to say. Anyone have any first hand knowledge of what his chances are for having a chance at completing his application?
 
I am by no means the expert here.... but I would suggest calling the Admissions dept ASAP as well as your Blue and Gold officer. You never know until you ask. Be prepared to answer the question of why the application was not completed.
Best of Luck to you !
 
Concur with mjm here. He should have completed it. There are other Noms like Supt Noms or even be in the running for NAPS or other prep schools. Dont' be surprised if they say sorry, try again next year.
 
I would also be ready to explain why he waited to the last minute, many of the candidates had their packages done starting as early as last Sept. (That is what I mean by last minute). I understand the nom., but the fact is he could have applied for a VP nom., thus, he didn't have to throw in the towel if he had applied for a VP.

The MOC friend may have meant not that he didn't get a nom., but he wasn't the principal. That is usually when they say the selected someone else. A competitive slate they would probably have said something on the lines that he didn't make the cut because most slates have ten people.
 
If...

If his goal was USNA then he should have been on top of this. Many completed the essay portion (and entire app) before school started this past fall.

There are kids that live, eat, and breathe USNA. I would hope that every timely completed app would take priority over a late one.

Sounds like a great life lesson for your son, but what kind of lesson would it be for the others not selected that followed all directions if he was given special consideration?
 
Maplerock said:
If his goal was USNA then he should have been on top of this. Many completed the essay portion (and entire app) before school started this past fall.

There are kids that live, eat, and breathe USNA. I would hope that every timely completed app would take priority over a late one.

Sounds like a great life lesson for your son, but what kind of lesson would it be for the others not selected that followed all directions if he was given special consideration?
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I hear what you're saying and actually agree with you. Nevertheless, as a parent you do what you can for your kid. It's part of the job description. I add this from the USNA web site.... emphasis mine.

Except in very unusual circumstances, candidate files not completed by January 31 will not receive further consideration.
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mebedad said:
and was told unofficially that my son was not getting the nomination, that another candidate was being selected.
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By your own admission, it was "unofficial" that your son was not nominated. Further, the fact that the phrase "another candidate was being selected" should have been highly suspicious because there are ten on a slate. At a minimum, your son should've been told that "ten other candidates were being selected."

That's all water under the bridge now. The damage has been done. You must go into damage control mode now. Yes, as others suggested, call admissions and tell them that your son was told that he was not going to be nominated (granted, a slight misrepresentation) and that he received a last minute notification that he was nominated. Meanwhile, finish the application process. Then - cross your fingers.
 
Memphis9489 said:
By your own admission, it was "unofficial" that your son was not nominated. Further, the fact that the phrase "another candidate was being selected" should have been highly suspicious because there are ten on a slate. At a minimum, your son should've been told that "ten other candidates were being selected."

That's all water under the bridge now. The damage has been done. You must go into damage control mode now. Yes, as others suggested, call admissions and tell them that your son was told that he was not going to be nominated (granted, a slight misrepresentation) and that he received a last minute notification that he was nominated. Meanwhile, finish the application process. Then - cross your fingers.
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Your SON should be the one to call...not the parent. Mebedad did say that his son would contact admissions, but I say this for others who may be reading this thread.
 
As others have said, I hope it works out for your son. However, if it does not, don't be surprised! As part of the application for a nomination by my congressman, one of the essay questions was "What at consequences should be issued for those who miss application deadlines?" We are all aware of the phone call that he received, however he could have had his application completed months prior to receiving that call! If I were in admissions, I would note a clear lack of motivation...
 
Unless the applicant absolutely walks on water otherwise, I would hope and expect that CGO will say NO. One of the first things taught during Plebe Summer is "No Excuse Sir...", and there is simply no excuse. It's not an issue of missing the deadline --if the candidate was motivated, he would have had the application long before hearing anything from MOC.

Also, I agree with the comment that the applicant should call CGO him/herself. I don't know how CGO feels about the issue, but one of my pet peeves is parent's getting involved in these matters. The applicant should always take the lead in dealing with his/her application --they have to grow up sometime !
(Yes, I am a parent, and have sent two kids to college -- they did their own applications )
 
I just would like to chime in and say as the others have already, he should have finished this months ago if this was truly his first choice. My DS has had the dead line for his application engraved in his mind since his freshmen year if not sooner. I personally think that this is not an extreme case and due to his lack of motivation he should not be given special consideration. As already said, its a life's lesson.
 
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