How many appointments are awarded per Region?

[buff81]

Originally Posted by tug_boat

A southern California county, very competitive, sent 35 to the Class of 2016. The Class of 2015, 24. The Class of 2014 19. The math does not add up from an area that has 8 MOCs. The secret is unused seats from other states go to very high competive areas. The candidates are some of the best in every aspect.

It may appear that way, but what it sounds like you are describing is illegal.
You have to be a legal resident of the district to get that district's slot.
The unused seats from other districts are used as slots for the NWL.

In general, those on a MOC slate that do not get the MOC's slot will go on the NWL (if fully qualified) and compete for a slot from there (unless they get a slot from another source, like a Presidential nom).

There are about 15-20 MOCs who don't nominate for various reasons.

[Vista123]

Originally Posted by buff81

There are about 15-20 MOCs who don't nominate for various reasons.

What are some examples of various reasons?

[BigNick]

Unfortunately there are some congressmen who do not nominate anyone. It is difficult to know exactly why they do not nominate anyone - every congressman probably has their own reasons. However, I think their reasons are either they have poor (or no) candidates or in most cases because they are anti-military. They probably are reacting against some war or some military policy etc. The young men and women in these districts are being denied a great opportunity due to the political beliefs of their congressmen.

These slots go to to the National Waiting List and are awarded to highly qualified candidates on that list- the slots are not wasted.

[buff81]

Ditto what BigNick said as to why some MOCs don't nominate-
1) no candidates in their district applied for a nom
2) candidates that did apply are not qualified
3) political reasons (anti-war, anti-military)

I've heard of some MOCs that repeatedly don't nominate and did a little Google search and found this: http://tinyurl.com/ycvozac. Note: this is from 2009.

While some anti-war/military MOCs nominate few to the SAs - is it for reasons #1 and #2 stated above and not for #3 solely?

In reality - probably a combo of all as some of these MOCs who nominate few, do little to spread the word of the wonderful opportunities that the SAs offer a young person - which is a disservice to their constituents.

MOCs should educate their constituents about the opportunities that the SAs offer with such events like Academy Days and then let the kid decide if that it what they want to pursue.
Some kids have never heard of West Point. They don't even know that it is a possibility for them. There are college counselors in our high schools who have never heard of West Point.
I can't speak for the other SAs, but West Point has an extensive outreach program to spread the word to underrepresented areas.
West of the Mississippi tends to be the least knowledgeable about West Point.

How sad would it be for a potential great officer to be in a school or Congressional district that did not educate them on what SAs are and the opportunities that they offer.

Just my .02 ~

[MemberLG]

Originally Posted by tug_boat

A southern California county, very competitive, sent 35 to the Class of 2016. The Class of 2015, 24. The Class of 2014 19. The math does not add up from an area that has 8 MOCs. The secret is unused seats from other states go to very high competive areas. The candidates are some of the best in every aspect.

always have to account for Presidential nominations (sons and daughters of military service members) and recruited athletes.

[buff81]

Originally Posted by MemberLG

always have to account for Presidential nominations (sons and daughters of military service members) and recruited athletes.

And also LOAs - which require that you only need a nom and don't have to win the vacancy to get an appointment.

[tish@campustrips.net]

How does this process go for a recruited athlete with a verbal commitment with the coach?