Nominations

FutureNavyPilot

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5-Year Member
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Mar 13, 2010
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I'm from Florida, and today I got a really upsetting letter that I wasn't even chosen for an interview for one of the State Senators, LeMieux.

Does this basically imply that the other Senator and my Congressman also will not choose me for an interview/nom because of the same competition in the area, or does it vary? I'm really very upset because the Academy is all I wanted for a very long time.
 
I really didn't know that you could be turned down from even an interview, but even though that might be the case, it doesn't mean the other two will turn you down as well. In Texas, candidates are not even interviewed by the Senators, only the Congressmen. Is it possible that the two Senators communicate over candidates, and perhaps split the interview load between the two?
 
I must live in a competitive area, and I think the Senators and Congressman pre-screen the candidates before selecting which ones they want to interview. I'm not sure if they deliberate, but I wouldn't think so. Who knows.
 
Last year my congressman had 15 applicants for USNA, the board interviewed 12 of those applicants.

Both my senators selectively interview.

So no this isn't uncommon. On the other hand, from a constitutent service perspective, it's in the best interest of the MoC to interview all candidates.

I maybe lucky if one of my senators interview me, just because Georgia is going to be pretty competitive this year...so I wouldn't stress about not getting an interview with your congressman. I already have an interview lined up with my congressman, won't know about my senators until have the application deadline.
 
I found out that my congressman interviews ALL applicants, so I don't have to worry about that. But I'm just assuming my other Senator also will not choose me for an interview since the competition is the same. I know my area is competitive, I was just discouraged upon seeing receiving the letter I suppose.
 
FutureNavyPilot, you know your credentials and your potential better than anyone else. If you consider yourself to be a strong candidate, than don't get discouraged. Remember, you only need one nomination to get in. Don't assume you will be turned down from the others if you don't have any conclusive evidence. Take it from me, you can drive yourself crazy worrying about how you stack up to others, but it changes nothing. Only hard work and a strong desire can help you improve.
 
Thanks, usnajosh. You're absolutely right. I'm in one of those moods where I think nothing is going to go right, but the Academy is my dream so I'm not going to give up even if I don't get any nominations this year. Thanks again, and good luck with your app too!
 
Hey!

I'm a "lurker" here...being an AFA type, but I have a lot of experience in this area.

I applied from my home state of Florida back "in the day..." And I was a recipient of a letter from one senator (...you're incredibly talented, etc...etc...but you have not been selected for interview, it's really competitive, etc...etc...) and I was invited to interview with the other senator. I also was interviewed by my MoC (Skip Bafalis...that'll date me).

I received a nice letter from my Senator (Dick Stone) saying I was a really strong candidate BUT...

I received a nom from my MoC.

TWO YEARS IN A ROW!

Yes, really. I was not appointed my first year...I went to school for a year and then was offered appointments to USAFA/USNA/USMA the next year.

FYI...Lawton Chiles (Sen) didn't interview me the second year, Dick Stone did, Skip Bafalis didn't, he just re-nominated me.

DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!

I'm proof...if you want it bad enough, you can achieve!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
I was able to nominate my daughter because I'm rated 100% DAV from the Dept. Of Veteran's Affairs. My Chapter 61 Retirement is service connected. I was told because I nominated my daughter, my MOC and Senator would not provide a nomination in order to nominate as many candidates from my state as possible. The explanation provided to my daughter was "All Members of Congress take care not to duplicate nominations to the same academy in order to maximize the number of candidates that get nominations." My opinion is this contradicts the instructions USNA provided where candidates should obtain as many nominations as possible. On one hand, I'm happy I was able to assist her with a nomination, but I'd like to see her compete and earn her nomination with everyone else.
 
Hey!

I'm a "lurker" here...being an AFA type, but I have a lot of experience in this area.

I applied from my home state of Florida back "in the day..." And I was a recipient of a letter from one senator (...you're incredibly talented, etc...etc...but you have not been selected for interview, it's really competitive, etc...etc...) and I was invited to interview with the other senator. I also was interviewed by my MoC (Skip Bafalis...that'll date me).

I received a nice letter from my Senator (Dick Stone) saying I was a really strong candidate BUT...

I received a nom from my MoC.

TWO YEARS IN A ROW!

Yes, really. I was not appointed my first year...I went to school for a year and then was offered appointments to USAFA/USNA/USMA the next year.

FYI...Lawton Chiles (Sen) didn't interview me the second year, Dick Stone did, Skip Bafalis didn't, he just re-nominated me.

DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!

I'm proof...if you want it bad enough, you can achieve!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Ah! This made me feel a lot better, too. I would just hate not to receive a nomination and be out so early in the game, but I know it happens. I'll definitely keep my head up for the other senator coming in a couple weeks and my congressman. Congrats on getting all your appointments a year later! Definitely makes me feel confident about re-applying if I don't get accepted this year too. Thanks so much, Steve!

-Emilie
 
I found out that my congressman interviews ALL applicants, so I don't have to worry about that. But I'm just assuming my other Senator also will not choose me for an interview since the competition is the same. I know my area is competitive, I was just discouraged upon seeing receiving the letter I suppose.

We are in GA. Our congressman interviews everyone who applies (not him, but his committee). The senators communicate with each other so as to not duplicate the noms. Son got a letter like yours from one, and an invitation to interview from the other. Keep an eye on the mailbox; I betcha the "good" letter is on the way! :thumb:
 
As with everything .....That varies from area to area.

In my neck of the woods, I have seen my MOC nominate a person with an LOA. I have also seem him NOT nominate the same.

I have seen him nominate a person with a Senatorial nom and also NOT nominate them.

I have also seen him give a nom to a person with a Presidential or other Service Connected nominations and also not nominate them.

It seems here in Tennessee, there is an agreement amongst the senators and the congressmen that there are to be no double-nominations. At least, that's what Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R) told my sons when she nominated them. Further, both my sons got nice congratulatory letters from each senator where they stated that they were aware that they had received a congressional nomination.

In fact, back in my day (1974), I had received two nominations from both my local congressman and one of the senators. The appointment came swiftly afterwards. Then my senator withdrew his nomination realizing that I no longer needed it - in order to give another candidate a chance for admission.
 
flieger83-

Did you go to a local college the year that you did not get in or what? Would be interested in knowing that.
 
We are in GA. Our congressman interviews everyone who applies (not him, but his committee). The senators communicate with each other so as to not duplicate the noms. Son got a letter like yours from one, and an invitation to interview from the other. Keep an eye on the mailbox; I betcha the "good" letter is on the way! :thumb:

That's great to hear, too! Congrats to your son! I didn't realize they might do it that way, but it makes a lot of sense now that I think about it. I hope so, but if not, MoC is my last option! Thanks for letting me know, guys. Definitely makes me feel less disappointed.
 
Our Senate Committees interview early and late alternately each year. Who goes first and second depends on the year. The candidate is asked that if he/she receives a nomination from the first senate interview he/she withdraw from the second interview process. For Representative nominations all qualified applicants interview so it is possible to get two congressional nominations but not three. I guess it is so they don't duplicte senate nominations?
 
flieger83-

Did you go to a local college the year that you did not get in or what? Would be interested in knowing that.

Hi!

No, actually the AFA "highly recommended" I attend Northwestern Preparatory School which at the time was in Mound, MN. It relocated to SoCal later.

FYI...NWPS is WHOLLY dedicated to helping young men and women gain admission to the various SA's. MOST students there are on a type of scholarship from the SA or an associated "group." USAFA types are typically sponsored (partially) by the "Falcon Foundation."

In MY day...LOOOONG time ago...there were 57 of us there trying to go to USAFA/USNA and a couple going after USMA and USMMA. And ONE was shooting for USCGA (one of my roommates).

FYI...53 folks were appointed out of 57.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Re: post #9

The NA says to seek a nomination from every source for which you're eligible. Only one will be the actual nominating source. She is free to seek nomination from both Sen's and Rep along with your well earned nom. Let the NA decide which one they'll use to admit her.
 
futurenavypiolet what part of florida are you from? i'm from gainesville and i just got my letter today from lemuix that i got an interview.
 
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