Does anyone know whether MOCs in Virginia (Warner, Kaine & Rigell) will nominate a candidate for multiple academies or only one? DS is extremely interested in both USAFA and USNA and would be ecstatic to receive an appointment to either. So I'm wondering if he'll have to "pick" one over the other during the nomination process or if there is a chance he could be nominated for both. Posting the same question in the USNA forum.
Virginia MOC Nomination Question
- Thread starter asixbn
- Start date
Pima
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2007
- Messages
- 13,900
You should ask the mods to consolidate your post and move it to the noms section of the forum.
As far as VA goes, VA is one of the most competitive and in fact most of the MOCs typically talk. IOTW very few will get more than one nom., let alone 2 to 2 different SAs.
As far as VA goes, VA is one of the most competitive and in fact most of the MOCs typically talk. IOTW very few will get more than one nom., let alone 2 to 2 different SAs.
Pima
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2007
- Messages
- 13,900
I didn't know where you were located, but I googled it, and this is from his biography.
I would have thought Connolly in 11 was larger, and I can tell you in No VA. it is insanely competitive for 2 reasons.
1. Many military kids
2. Close distance to USNA.
I would think Hampton Roads would be like 11. You will have many military brats and they will apply for every MOC too. Additionally you have kids growing up near a base and living in awe since they were 6.
The Sen. MOCs are not going to want the majority of the noms only coming from 11 and 2. They will want to share the wealth across the state. It is not uncommon for them to have hundreds and hundreds of applicants for any MOC. I believe I read here several yrs ago that Connolly alone had over 350. I do not know if that was for the 4, or just 1 SA, but even so it meant only 9% got a nom from the pool. If you extrapolate that number and add in all VA districts, it is probably close to 750-1000 for all 4 SAs for the Sens.
Yet, again in total, they can only nom 10 candidates per slate. If both Sens have 2 charges available, the total would be still @15%. (4 X x 2 Sen Kaine, 80 noms, and 4 X 2 Sen Warner). It would be unusual that both have 2 charges available for 1 yr. Best to go on the premise they have 1. That means 80 candidates between the 2 will get a nom.
By talking and not duplicating any name at all they allow more candidates to have at least 1X shot.
VA is not the only state to do this. NY, CA, and TX also tell applicants that if you get a nom from one source don't expect us to award you a nom. Many times there are cadets that get 2. I believe PA, CO and FL also talk and spread the wealth.
In the end this is why ranking the SA needs to be thought of long and hard for a state lie VA. If USNA is ranking higher than the AF, i.e. AFA is his 2nd choice, but he tries gaming it with all 3 by placing AFA on 1 and USNA on 2 of them, than he better be happy with the AFA if that is his only nom.
I would also contact Rigell to see if they do Principal. I know Cantor does. If they do, than that also should be placed into your decision on how to rank it out.
Hope that helps.
I would have thought Connolly in 11 was larger, and I can tell you in No VA. it is insanely competitive for 2 reasons.
1. Many military kids
2. Close distance to USNA.
I would think Hampton Roads would be like 11. You will have many military brats and they will apply for every MOC too. Additionally you have kids growing up near a base and living in awe since they were 6.
The Sen. MOCs are not going to want the majority of the noms only coming from 11 and 2. They will want to share the wealth across the state. It is not uncommon for them to have hundreds and hundreds of applicants for any MOC. I believe I read here several yrs ago that Connolly alone had over 350. I do not know if that was for the 4, or just 1 SA, but even so it meant only 9% got a nom from the pool. If you extrapolate that number and add in all VA districts, it is probably close to 750-1000 for all 4 SAs for the Sens.
Yet, again in total, they can only nom 10 candidates per slate. If both Sens have 2 charges available, the total would be still @15%. (4 X x 2 Sen Kaine, 80 noms, and 4 X 2 Sen Warner). It would be unusual that both have 2 charges available for 1 yr. Best to go on the premise they have 1. That means 80 candidates between the 2 will get a nom.
By talking and not duplicating any name at all they allow more candidates to have at least 1X shot.
VA is not the only state to do this. NY, CA, and TX also tell applicants that if you get a nom from one source don't expect us to award you a nom. Many times there are cadets that get 2. I believe PA, CO and FL also talk and spread the wealth.
In the end this is why ranking the SA needs to be thought of long and hard for a state lie VA. If USNA is ranking higher than the AF, i.e. AFA is his 2nd choice, but he tries gaming it with all 3 by placing AFA on 1 and USNA on 2 of them, than he better be happy with the AFA if that is his only nom.
I would also contact Rigell to see if they do Principal. I know Cantor does. If they do, than that also should be placed into your decision on how to rank it out.
Hope that helps.
usna1985
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2006
- Messages
- 7,854
This is Kaine's first year. Thus, there is no way to predict how he will approach noms. In the past (with Sen. Webb), it was rare for someone to get 2 noms to one SA but it did happen.
As Pima says, northern VA and the greater Norfolk areas are highly competitive for USNA especially. Thus, you do need to think through rankings.
You may also be asked in an interview whether you would accept a nom to a SA that was not your first choice and/or wasn't even a ranked choice. You should think through how you will answer that question. There isn't a "right" answer. Sometimes, saying no will means you won't receive any nom. Sometimes, you may be more likely to get the nom to your 1st choice SA. It really depends on the MOC's committee, how your stack up against your "competition" for noms for each SA, etc. But the above is a common question in super-competitive areas, so be ready ahead of time.
As Pima says, northern VA and the greater Norfolk areas are highly competitive for USNA especially. Thus, you do need to think through rankings.
You may also be asked in an interview whether you would accept a nom to a SA that was not your first choice and/or wasn't even a ranked choice. You should think through how you will answer that question. There isn't a "right" answer. Sometimes, saying no will means you won't receive any nom. Sometimes, you may be more likely to get the nom to your 1st choice SA. It really depends on the MOC's committee, how your stack up against your "competition" for noms for each SA, etc. But the above is a common question in super-competitive areas, so be ready ahead of time.