Semi-Good news

Thunderbolt

10-Year Member
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Aug 5, 2007
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I got a call from my congressman today, and I had a short 30 minute interview. I'm not sure if they were trying to make me happy, but he told me it looks like I'm on the top 5 for West Point, but they didn't quite go through the process... They were very impressed with the fact I lived overseas military all my life. They asked one question though. "Is it about military heritage, and the pressure to go, or do you truly want to go?" I talked non-stop about how it was a perfect match for me.. from what I experienced.
 
but they didn't quite go through the process...

not quite sure what you mean by this.

The rest sounds like great news for you. Excellent question for you by the way - It is important that you go for yourself and not for your family.
 
That's exactly what I mean. I don't know where he's coming from. He admitted that this was his first year doing this, and that there were other members of his board. When he said this, it could've been opinionated. He said that the interviews just started today. When I questioned him about the receipt of my Sat scores for November, he said they didn't go through those yet... so obviously, his opinion was judged only on my resume, and probably my transcript...
 
Congrats:smile:

Now go and get back to studying and raise that SAT. Remember the nom is only 1 part of the equation, you still need the other parts.

Never give up you don't know what might be down the road. (talking about how you thought the nom wouldn't come)
 
If I don't get that nomination, I think I'm going to apply ED II to one of my schools. They notified me that I will have to wait several weeks for official nominations to go out, and I only have till January 1 to do ED II. I want to at least feel secure that I can make it somewhere if USMA fails me...
 
You are making me crazy........................

You HAVE a nomination. USMA has the legal authority to offer you an appointment if they so choose to.

So what does getting a congressional nomination do for you?
 
EG,

JAM is right, you have a nom. A presidential isn't counted differently than an MOC. I hope you realize ED is different than EA. I am pretty sure that most colleges have past their EA date. So why are you waiting to apply for ED?
 
How can USMA fail you? I thought they were waiting for you to meet their standard?
 
So what does getting a congressional nomination do for you?

JAM is right, you have a nom. A presidential isn't counted differently than an MOC.

I thought a MOC nomination would allow him to compete in a different, smaller pool of applicants (only from that Congressional district, 10 for each opening) then he would if he only had a Presidential nom, which has a huge pool (nationwide, unlimited numbers).

:confused:
 
Yes you are right, but what I meant by my statement is that EG has a nomination, unlike others who have to rely on an MOC or VP
 
He has a presidential - father's in the Army.

This is confusing - on the one hand we tell kids with presidentials to pursue congressionals and on the other hand we tell them a nomination is a nomination.

First keep in mind - the academy wants the best class possible and they try hard to get that.
So - say you are in that group that makes up "the best class possible" - they need the legal authority to appoint you - through a nomination.
"Easiest" way is to be the top pick on your MOC's slate. These kids get in as long as they are 3 q'd.

With a presidential - the academy can only appoint 100. About 400 apply. So you need to be a top presidential. Keep in mind some of these 400 will not be 3 q'd and some will get appointments through their MOC's.

After the MOC's are filled the academy goes to the NWL (national waiting list) and will appoint others with nomintation - those who got a congressional but were not the "top pick" can get appointments.

So, obviously, the more "pools" you are in and can be chosen out of the easier it is for the academy to offer you an appointment if they so choose.

In EG's case, he has a nomination - a presidential. If he were to get a Congressional and be the top pick in his district - that's a no-brainer. He gets an appointment and doesn't use the presidential.

Without a Congressional nomination, it is not the end of the world. The important thing to remember is - if he falls into that group that the academy deems is part of the "best possible class" he still has a nomination.
 
EG - one more thing....

Aren't you in JROTC? Did you apply for a ROTC nomination as well?
 
If I don't get that nomination, I think I'm going to apply ED II to one of my schools.

It is always smart to have a backup plan no matter how qualified you are. Things can happen -- like breaking your leg in the spring. I'm not an expert on civilian college admissions but, if there is no commitment required on your part until the spring, I think it is prudent to complete one or more civilian applications.

They notified me that I will have to wait several weeks for official nominations to go out, and I only have till January 1 to do ED II.

If you have a Presidential nom and/or are told my a MOC that you have the nom, I think you can count on it even if you don't have it on paper. I'm not aware of anyone ever being told he/she has a nom and then having it fall through (although I'm sure it's probably happened at least once).

I want to at least feel secure that I can make it somewhere if USMA fails me...

Again, you should have a backup plan. Even highly qualified candidates may not receive an appointment for various reasons. Assuming most of them do want to attend college, a backup plan is a must. No one should assume he/she has an appointment until the letter is received and, even then, things can happen (usually medical).
 
If I don't get that nomination, I think I'm going to apply ED II to one of my schools. They notified me that I will have to wait several weeks for official nominations to go out, and I only have till January 1 to do ED II. I want to at least feel secure that I can make it somewhere if USMA fails me...

Just a comment on following ED guidelines for "regular schools". Most of the time this means withdrawing your applications to other colleges- that would include USNA/USMA. My D had to consider this as well as it involved giving up a scholarship to one of her schools. Early Decision and Early Action are different treated very differently so read the fine print carefully. Might be best to apply under a regular decision and just send in your application early. That's what we ended up doing so we aren't bound by the ED guidelines.
 
Just a comment on following ED guidelines for "regular schools". Most of the time this means withdrawing your applications to other colleges- that would include USNA/USMA.

I don't know why this would be - the SA's are different. If the ED school found out you were being considered for an appointment they might not be too happy - but they won't be going to Beast and dragging you out of your bunk.
I am not a fan of ED anyway - nothing but a scam, IMO, but that is a topic of another conversation.

I look at an appointment to an SA as a military assignment - you are on Active Duty, assigned to study at USXA.
 
I see. One of the schools I was thinking about doing ED to has only 14 4 year army ROTC scholarships, and the PMS told me there were 118 applicants. He also said by applying ED it would probably boost your chances in getting one of these. Worst case scenario: if I applied ED, and didn't get one of these scholarships, I would have the right to drop the ED agreement because my family would clearly not be able to pay that ridiculous 50,000 dollar annual tuition/room and board
 
Basically.. college admissions is a gamble. I want West Point, but then again, I don't want to loose both West Point and my chances for an ROTC scholarship.
 
With regards to your nomination, I am at liberty only to tell you that Presidential nominations are still be handed out. Nominations from ****** will likely be sent out in a few weeks. Sorry, wish I could tell you more.

-Patterson
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