Only Academics considered for Nominations

S

spinza27

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Jan 2, 2023
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I posted last week that we learned that all three of the nominations that my DS received were completely ranked--principal nomination and then ranked alternates #2-#10. I spoke to the MOC staff member today and I'm wondering what to do with the information he told me besides fume and wait. I feel like this information should be brought up to the academies so that it does not continue to happen in my state, but I'm not sure if that is possible.

The applications for the MOC nominations were much less thorough than the academy applications. They consisted of a one page cover letter on why they want to go to a service academy in general, forms for teachers to fill out, their HS transcript, and SAT/ACT scores. They did NOT interview the applicants or meet them. The MOCs obviously had considerably less information about the applicants than the academies have. So I asked the MOC how he ranked the applicants #1-#10. He said he only used objective measures--their grades, SAT scores, and classes taken. (He also said they considered their medical status. If they knew they were medically DQed, then that was a heavy consideration in whether they should receive a nomination.) He said they do not interview the candidates because that would be subjective information. They rank them on their academics alone. He said all of the MOCs in our state follow the same method. Shouldn't the academies know this is what is happening? Are the MOCs ever trained on the implications of their decisions? From our state, the academies are basically bound to follow a ranked list based only off of the students' SAT scores and HS transcripts.
 
Did the MOCs violate the law? Isn’t it their prerogative to set their own rules up?

If you have a nomination and the academies want you, can’t they charge the appointment elsewhere?

It is disheartening. But stay optimistic.

Edit: I read your previous posts. Are you sure now that they use principal noms? Last week it appeared you weren’t. Go read old threads with Capt MJ who explains everything well. USNA is not required by law to select the principal noms - they have discretion.
 
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Outsider perspective but I feel your frustration is misguided. Your DS received 3 noms? This is fantastic news and should be celebrated. He is IN the game. How many families did not receive a single nom? Your DS is very much in the mix still -regardless of the ranked slate. The ranked slate is simply round 3 of the Hunger Games we call the SA admissions process.

Prelims Round 1 - complete the paperwork to get in the game. Low barrier to entry but MANY are eliminated here because they could not complete a form.
Prelims Round 2 - obtain a nom
Prelims Round 3 - compete against your slate. In a principal nom situation, #1 is the assumed winner but are not always fully qualified and this the rest of the list could be used to be the round winner, secure a bye in the next round, and go straight into the final round for consideration to receive an offer of appointment.
Prelims Round 4 - Qualified Applicant Pool - this is where you compete with other applicants who have a nom (a smaller pool) for an at-large bid to the final round for an appointment. In this round, they evaluate the Whole Candidate Score or full application of the applicant. Bottom line - they really know what they are looking at.

SO - let's not flame a congressional staffer for defining their process. You actually got what you needed from it if you secured 3 noms. Celebrate and be happy - you have the ticket into the next round and that is ALL that is important at this phase of the competition.
 
All valid points. Thanks. The academies obviously give the MOCs the freedom to do whatever they want for a reason. We will move on and hope for the best.
 
I have two that have gone through the process. Only the Rep interviewed in our state, both cycles. Our Senators did not.

It’s not uncommon, at all, for them to not interview.

And personally, I am a big fan of the SA picking the right person. And NOT the REP/SEN. The SA’s know what they are looking for.

Your son is fortunate to have 3 slates to compete on. Congrats. He may win a slate. He has 3 of them to compete on. And even with a ranked slate, the others may, or may not, be fully qualified.

Many Sen/Reps don’t disclose their method of presenting slates.
 
The first thing the MOC staffer said is "I'm sure I made a lot of mistakes." He was very nice to talk to me and explain the process. I definitely appreciated that. My son is disheartened because he started seeing on social media this past weekend kids in our state get appointed, and they usually only have one nom from the state, so it is pretty easy to figure out what most likely happened (I do understand things can still be moved around). It appears the principal noms only got one nom from the state, because you don't need to be on multiple lists if you are first on one! His congressional representative's spot appears to be taken. But there are other routes as others have pointed out, so it isn't over until it really is over.
 
spinza27 said:
The first thing the MOC staffer said is "I'm sure I made a lot of mistakes." He was very nice to talk to me and explain the process. I definitely appreciated that. My son is disheartened because he started seeing on social media this past weekend kids in our state get appointed, and they usually only have one nom from the state, so it is pretty easy to figure out what most likely happened (I do understand things can still be moved around). It appears the principal noms only got one nom from the state, because you don't need to be on multiple lists if you are first on one! His congressional representative's spot appears to be taken. But there are other routes as others have pointed out, so it isn't over until it really is over.
Click to expand...
I also don’t know if you are right about your analysis.

Were there any d1 athletes? Did anyone have LOAs? Did their files get reviewed first?

You never know until they tell you. Good luck!
 
Building on the great explanations above: There are 535 MOCs and therefore up to 535 different ways of nominating candidates. The MOCs are given wide berth to do as they please. Noms are their prerogative, and when you apply, you’re tacitly agreeing to play by their rules. Such is life.
 
The elected officials have wide leeway to conduct the process as they see fit - including what they consider, interview or not, etc. Not within the SA’s purview to interfere, and they have no power to direct otherwise. Not their laws. The SA doesn’t let them do anything; is is the way Congress has set it up.

Dive into the link below with your highlighter. Read for detail, including footnotes.


Do not forget Admissions can come back to those slates and offer appointments to any fully qualified nominee on there, and charge that appointment to other nom authorities they manage.

Three noms?! How fortunate and blessed your son is, when we have seen many posts already where LOA holders have not been given a nom or the state collaborates to give no more than one nom to any candidate regardless of how many SAs they have applied to or the sole nom that was given is to a school the applicant didn’t even apply to.

As far as not being the principal nom on those slates, the principal might not be found fully qualified or choose to go elsewhere. Someone on that slate will get the appointment charged to that elected official, but fully qualified others have their shots too with Admissions’ ability to choose others. Others on that slate may have Presidential or service-connected noms, and that’s where their appointment is charged. Your son has 3 count ‘em 3 “nom buckets” to compete in, along with VP and any other nom.

And @shiner “The Hunger Games” - priceless.
 
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I am not clear on your concern/issue. Every MOC gets to define their own process for issuing NOM's. The fact someone who was apparently the principal NOM has gotten an appointment does NOT mean the others on their list will get rejected. Your son got a NOM (well actually 3 according to what you posted), so that puts him in the RUNNING for an appointment if he is also 3Q. You are in the running for an appointment until you get a TWE that says otherwise. USNA works their process of those who are 3Q and have a NOM to issue offers of appointment (and determine where to charge that NOM) which will continue the next few months. Many other factors can impact when someone is issued an appointment as described above.
 
In our state only one of the two senators does interviews. The other determines based solely on the application details. This senator said that he confers with the other senator and the state's representatives where feasible to not double nominate a candidate so as to nominate the most candidates. Mathematically it makes sense and is fair - imo. My DD's congressman did do interviews and this is where she earned her nom.
 
All I would like to add is that my congressional district currently has at least 7 appointments given out so far (for USMA). As long as you have a nom then you are in contention for an appointment. No point stressing over something that is outside your control.
 
Your DS received 3 nominations. Lucky DS. My DS got 1 because in our state if you get one you can't get the others. You're ahead of the game...
 
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