When to start nomination process?

Rojo17

Rojo17

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
104
Hi all,

I'm a junior and I was wondering when I should start the nomination process. I have files open at USNA and USMA and soon USAFA, so is now the time to start? Any answer is appreciated! Thanks!
 
I started mine in Aug. just before my senior year. The deadlines my congressmen set were in early November for my representative and the end of November for my senators. I also applied for a vice-presidential nomination, which has a deadline of January 31 if I remember right. Good rule of thumb is though, when it comes to service academies, earlier is better.
 
Each MOC runs things differently. I would check your MOCs' websites as they generally provide information about when the noms open and -- most importantly -- when they close. As a general rule, the nomination "season" usually opens in early summer and closes as early as September (some as late as November). If no info is available on-line, you can always call the MOC's office and ask to speak to the nomination/SA coordinator. Be sure you do it and not your parent.

I think Presidential and VP noms open when the SA admissions process opens for each SA. Check the SA websites for information.
 
MOCs do not follow the college selection process of "rolling". In other words, submit June 1st, (1st day) or Sept. 30th (last day) you both will find out the same day. When they state this is the deadline, that means no nom will be announced or awarded until after that date.

The Sept. 30th candidate may have an edge because they had 90 days more to place more in their resume.

First In does not equate to First Out.

Presidential is different.
 
Presidential noms are non-competitive. They are based solely on whether a parent has the required time in service and everyone who is qualified for one gets one.

Pima is correct re MOCs not selecting on a "rolling basis." However, most if not all MOCs will allow you to augment your files so, if you want to submit them early, there is little downside.

Whatever you do, don't miss the deadline. It is the single, easiest way for MOCs to knock out candidates from the running, especially when they have far more applications than nominations.
 
Whatever you do, don't miss the deadline. It is the single, easiest way for MOCs to knock out candidates from the running, especially when they have far more applications than nominations.

I place this comment in bold because 4 yrs here without a doubt a poster or two or three will post next yr }"Will they take me if I FEDEX a day late?"

Seriously that is a common question.

Answer? NO!

SA's and MOC's look to see if you can follow instructions to the T. Miss a date you illustrate a negative.

Same with the character/word limit. If they say 2500 characters or 250 words, it means you need to be in those parameters, 275 is not allowable. They may scan it and draw a line at 250.
 
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Pima said:
MOCs do not follow the college selection process of "rolling".
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that MOCs were also on a rolling basis. That helps a lot. So would it benefit me to inform my MOCs of my desire to attend a SA now and build a rapport with them? That way they have something to refer to when I actually do apply for a nomination, or would it be better if I just left it until I can actually apply?
 
Rojo17 said:
I was under the impression that MOCs were also on a rolling basis. That helps a lot. So would it benefit me to inform my MOCs of my desire to attend a SA now and build a rapport with them? That way they have something to refer to when I actually do apply for a nomination, or would it be better if I just left it until I can actually apply?
Click to expand...

Every MOC is different. The senators in our state were very organized -- DS sent a letter in the Spring asking to be placed on the mailing list for service academy nomination information and virtually by return post received an application (due in early Nov.). The congressman was a completely different story -- took DS almost 6 months of unsuccessful calling/faxing/e-mailing before the office finally said they had an application ready, DS drove to office to make sure there were no mix ups, and then only had three weeks to complete (by end of November).

Good luck!
 
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