Timeline

[JohnPaulJones]

Most of my Congressmen and Senators do not have deadlines for their service academy nomination applications until late October. Would it benefit me to complete the applications in the next couple weeks or should I not rush to get it done?

 

[18'er]

Most of my Congressmen and Senators do not have deadlines for their service academy nomination applications until late October. Would it benefit me to complete the applications in the next couple weeks or should I not rush to get it done?

I certainly wouldn't "rush." But I wouldn't dally either. Common wisdom around here is to start knocking out things that won't change between know and then such as letters of recommendation, gathering up transcripts, etc. and then waiting until you know you won't have any more school activities to add to your resume, e.g. a leadership post election, before the deadline.

Each office is different, but some won't let you update your file once it has been turned in. And they won't start reviewing files and setting up interviews until the deadline has passed and all the packets are in.

Now is definitely the time to be working on the packet so you aren't rushing around in October, but there is no real need to turn it in early.

 

[Pima]

One reason it doesn't matter if you submit later on, but before the deadline is that MOC noms are not on a rolling selection. They collect all of applications in a pile and will not give any noms out until after the deadline. Thus, you can submit today or the last date, either way it won't get you a nom any faster.

Many people will say if you intend to take an SAT/ACT prior to the deadline than wait. The reason behind this is when you submit an application in piece meal, you take a higher risk that it can be lost, and thus your file maybe incomplete or they may not be using the most up to date information.

In the end submit the strongest application you can.

 

[JMS]

Assuming your senior school year will begin in late Aug/Sept you may find you are very busy with school stuff then and time to do an application will be a problem. Get it done now. Use your limited time in Sept /Oct to re-read, edit, and fill in updates. Request your letters of recommendation now, too. Leaves you with plenty of time to follow up.

 

[Pima]

I agree with JMS. Get your packet ready, use this time not to submit early, but to edit/re-edit/edit again your essays.

When our DS was going through the process, he met with his ALO 3x over the summer to work on his essays for the SA and the MOCs.

His applications were due Sept 30th. He sent them out @2 weeks prior via USPS with a signature request receipt. He called the office 1 week later and asked to verify that his packet was complete.

In the military it will always be up to you that they have the paperwork. Never assume that everything is complete until the other end says yes, it is complete.

 

[Christcorp]

As JMs mentioned; you're senior year is going to be busy. Hopefully, the academy isn't the only place you are applying to for college. You are going to have other college applications; redoing ACT/SAT; then all the normal school stuff; and the excitement of being a senior.

I'm totally in favor of getting your entire academy application and your MOC nomination applications done immediately. And if you are physically fit and will have no problem with the CFA, then I suggest you get it all done early. When I have contact with applicants in the spring of their juniro years (April-May), and they are interested in applying to the academy, I have them line up everything prior to school getting out for the year. Teacher's email addresses, admin mailing school profile, transcripts, etc... I try and get them to get their entire application; including MOC nomination, Medical and CFA, all completed before school starts again at the end of August. This frees them to enjoy school and apply to their other schools.

Plus, if you're one of the first MOC applications going to your senator/representative, it can't hurt to show you have some initiative and motivation.