Have Pres nom but am skeptical of receiving MOC/SEN

navdep

5-Year Member
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I am a candidate for the USNA class of 2016 and would like some advice regarding nominations. I grew up as a Navy dependent and when I was 14 I moved overseas. during my time overseas -roughly six years-, I have completed the equivalent of high school and have held numerous positions in the workforce to include a few at the American Embassy. Early this year I decided I wanted to return to the US to go to college. My grades from my school overseas weren't to crash hot so I enrolled in a community college to get my feet on the ground. Towards the end of the Spring semester I started to consider seriously pursuing a path to USNA. After frantically researching information on courses, nominations, etc. to catch up with other candidates, I have secured a spot in a service academy prep program at New Mexico Military Institute in order to make grades and test scores for USNA. This past week I found out I received a Presidential nomination to attend the Naval Academy. I have also received nomination packets from my Senators which I am hesitant to complete. Here is the question... I feel that with my unique background I am not the ideal candidate for MOS/MOC nominations as they ask for class rank in high school so on and so forth and standardised test scores to be submitted by October 21st. The entire packet is designed to be filled out by a senior in high school which, I have not been since 2007. Moreover, the next time the SAT is available to take is October 1 of this year. I'm not too familiar with the expediency of standardised test results but I doubt its within two weeks. I tried to raise this point with the senator's staff in an attempt for a suggestion as to what I should do and I got the "DC two-step". Is it worth the time and effort to submit packages that will be out of the ordinary for the selection boards when standardised test scores and other information -high school ranking, etc.- can't be provided?

Any information pertaining to this issue will be greatly appreciated.
 
Congrats on receiving a Presidential nomination. Whether you are in college or not you should fill out an application for EVERY nomination source possible -> Vice President, both Senators, and your Congressman. The VP nomination app is by far the easiest. It is online and actually goes to the Academy. As far as being in college, a good percentage of every incoming class is not straight out of high school. I think somewhere in the neighborhood of 20-30% are not recent high school grads (prior enlisted, prep school, college, ROTC, etc). So don't stress that the form looks high school focused.

Also contact the office for each of your MOC (members of Congress) and discuss your situation with getting your ACT/SAT scores submitted. If you really want this, you need to pull out the stops and do everything possible to earn that appointment.

And welcome to the Forum!
 
DO ALL OF THEM!

I chair my MOC's nomination board...and we see MANY college applicants...and you know what? We look at the entire picture! Do well at NMMI...that will carry a LOT of weight as you're now in college! Not High School...

Be ready to answer questions about your performance in HS but don't shy away from ANYTHING just for that reason!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Here is the question... I feel that with my unique background I am not the ideal candidate for MOS/MOC nominations as they ask for class rank in high school so on and so forth and standardised test scores to be submitted by October 21st. The entire packet is designed to be filled out by a senior in high school which, I have not been since 2007. Moreover, the next time the SAT is available to take is October 1 of this year. I'm not too familiar with the expediency of standardised test results but I doubt its within two weeks.

The ACT is offered at the beginning of September and score reports are mailed 3-8 weeks after taking the test. Might be worth a call to see if you can pay for them to expedite.
 
navdep, are you a Foundation Scholar or are you attendiong NMMI on your own nickel?
 
The ACT is offered at the beginning of September and score reports are mailed 3-8 weeks after taking the test. Might be worth a call to see if you can pay for them to expedite.

No expedite option on the ACT. Our experience is that the results of the September exam were available right at 3 weeks but the October exam is more popular and therefore the results came later (4-5 weeks in our case).
 
Thank you

Thank you to everyone who has offered information regarding this question, it has been a great help to me.
 
You have two issues, a nomination and, of course, acceptance.

First, a nomination. The Academy tells you to apply for all nominations available. Do so. Don't forget the VP. And don't lose sleep if you don't receive a nomination from the MOCs. If the Academy wants you, the Presidential will suffice.

Hopefully NMMI took your probability of success into effect when they offered you an opening. They will do SAT prep to help you do the best possible so I would not worry about SATs/ACTs at this time. As a 'college' applicant they only want to see at least 600/600. The Academy will look at both their recommendations and your first, and maybe even second, semester grades. So your primary concern now is to hit the ground running as soon as you get there.
 
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