Presidential Nomination?

baileydb

5-Year Member
Joined
May 27, 2014
Messages
636
I submitted my Presidential Nomination request over a month ago but still haven't heard back. I know I qualify; my Dad served for 22 years in the army. I am wondering what to do next. Should I resend it? Should I ask my admissions counselor?
 
My son sent his in a few months ago and just today got the presidential nomination posted to the portal today.
 
My son sent his in a few months ago and just today got the presidential nomination posted to the portal today.

Our son's just showed up on his USMA portal today, too. It took a long time, especially compared to USNA who got it up within a couple of weeks.
 
Good to know! Do you think it will be soon for USAFA candidates as well?
 
Well I just got some great news! I have a nomination from my Congressman! So I guess now the question is is it advantageous to get multiple noms should I receive the presidential? Also, I have two more nominations interviews. Should I tell them that I received a nomination to USAFA so I get can maybe get one to USNA or USMA?
 
Well I just got some great news! I have a nomination from my Congressman! So I guess now the question is is it advantageous to get multiple noms should I receive the presidential? Also, I have two more nominations interviews. Should I tell them that I received a nomination to USAFA so I get can maybe get one to USNA or USMA?

You want as many nominations as possible. Each nomination is actually a SLATE of 10 names. So it's not just that you got a nomination, you got on a nomination LIST. The thing is, they only take 1 name from each list for congressmen/senators and give an appointment. I.e. Your nomination with your congressman is on a list with 9 other people. The academy is only going to give 1 appointment based on that list. The more lists you are on, the more chances you have for an appointment.

If you don't receive an appointment from all the lists that you're on, you still have one more chance. On these nomination lists that are available, with 1 appointment each, (For congressional lists; 100 appointments for the presidential list); only makes up about half of all appointments. (500-600 appointments) Then, all the individuals on these lists who didn't receive one of the appointments for being on the list, are all compiled together into one more giant list. The academy then will choose the remaining 500-600 +/- appointments from the giant list. (National pool).

So get as many nominations as you can. It's like a lottery ticket. The more tickets you have; the more chances you have to win.
 
Good to know! I always thought you had a pretty good chance of getting in if you had a nomination, but it seems like that's not the case. Even with a nomination, I still have a 10% chance...But it's a step in the right direction at least.
 
My son's was for the USAFA, and yes it took 3-4 months. I am certain he sent it during the summer.
 
Parent of applicant must be retired and drawing benefits, or if parent is still active duty, at least 8 years in service.
 
No, It must be your parents.

The thought behind it is many kids that are children of military have had a unique educational background and that can impact them from being as competitive as the kid with a traditional upbringing.

IE. My two oldest kids both went to two different middle schools and two different high schools. 4 different schools from 7th grade. You probably went to just two.

It is hard to become Captain of the FB team if you parent gets orders to move the spring of your junior year in HS. Same with class President or getting ECs. All the things that MOCs look for when submitting a nomination slate. For some it becomes even harder because their parents can be stationed overseas or stationed in AK, but their parents are residents of NC....interviewing is pretty much not an option.

It is their way of saying thank you to family members.

Presidential is considered noncompetitive, in the terms of if you meet the regulations for it you will get it. It has an unlimited slate, but only 100 can be charged.

Hope that helps to explain why it exists.
 
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Another example is an applicant I have currently. They moved here to wyoming this past year. But his parents have maintained their residency in Texas. It's real difficult to get the Texas congressional nomination when you can't go for an interview back to Texas. There are ways around it and some congressmen will work with you. But not all. Especially a very competitive state like Texas with so many applicants. And as Pima said, for the wyoming congressmen to consider the brat, is difficult when there's not a lot of local involvement in school or the community because you've only lived here less than a year.
 
I am curious about the "stats" or status your child has to get an Academy to select to use a Presidential Nomination this early? Both USAFA and USNA have my status and show my DS as "RECEIVED" for the Presidential Nomination and his applications for both were completed in October. My DD is USNA '16 and has several classmates with siblings who have already received LOAs or BFEs. While my DS isn't a 35 on the ACT and top 5% of his class (31 and top 15%, two year captain of the swim team, multiple activities, NHS, Boys State, etc, etc, etc) I am curious if you have to have the really high academics or if they are a recruited athlete? Are the kids getting the early LOAs completing the application in August? Trying to understand what differentiates the candidates so much they choose to use the Presidential Nomination this early. My DD was Top 5%, varsity athlete, captain, 33 on the ACT etc, etc, etc and they didn't offer her and LOA. She didn't have her application done until November however. We are also from a state (Nebraska) with only about 60 applicants completing the process for nominations each year. Just sucks that we have to wait so long to hear.

Thanks for your time.
 
Parent of applicant must be retired and drawing benefits, or if parent is still active duty, at least 8 years in service.
To add to this, the parent can also be a participating reservists with a point summary totaling at least 8 years of service or a retired reservist eligible for retired pay but not drawing yet because they haven't reached age 60 (the year they can draw reserve retirement pay)
 
I am curious about the "stats" or status your child has to get an Academy to select to use a Presidential Nomination this early? Both USAFA and USNA have my status and show my DS as "RECEIVED" for the Presidential Nomination and his applications for both were completed in October. My DD is USNA '16 and has several classmates with siblings who have already received LOAs or BFEs. While my DS isn't a 35 on the ACT and top 5% of his class (31 and top 15%, two year captain of the swim team, multiple activities, NHS, Boys State, etc, etc, etc) I am curious if you have to have the really high academics or if they are a recruited athlete? Are the kids getting the early LOAs completing the application in August? Trying to understand what differentiates the candidates so much they choose to use the Presidential Nomination this early. My DD was Top 5%, varsity athlete, captain, 33 on the ACT etc, etc, etc and they didn't offer her and LOA. She didn't have her application done until November however. We are also from a state (Nebraska) with only about 60 applicants completing the process for nominations each year. Just sucks that we have to wait so long to hear.

Thanks for your time.
This is a big mystery. I don't think anyone, except the admission boards, knows exactly what goes in to who they pick for early Presidential appointments or LOAs. My DS (USNA 2014) and oldest DD (USNA 2016) both rcved appointments under Pres. Nom in October. My youngest DD, a current candidate, hasn't heard anything. On paper she is more qualified then her older siblings, higher ACTs, more leadership/community involvement, more challenging classes, and equal on athletics as brother, but her sister wasn't even a varsity athlete. The main difference is the older two were appointed from Ohio, then we moved to Georgia just after DD1 went to Iday. So in my own household, I haven't seen any rhyme or reason. So, I just have to accept that DD2 has done all she can do, and the rest is in God's hands (and the admissions board's)
 
I am curious about the "stats" or status your child has to get an Academy to select to use a Presidential Nomination this early? Both USAFA and USNA have my status and show my DS as "RECEIVED" for the Presidential Nomination and his applications for both were completed in October. My DD is USNA '16 and has several classmates with siblings who have already received LOAs or BFEs. While my DS isn't a 35 on the ACT and top 5% of his class (31 and top 15%, two year captain of the swim team, multiple activities, NHS, Boys State, etc, etc, etc) I am curious if you have to have the really high academics or if they are a recruited athlete? Are the kids getting the early LOAs completing the application in August? Trying to understand what differentiates the candidates so much they choose to use the Presidential Nomination this early. My DD was Top 5%, varsity athlete, captain, 33 on the ACT etc, etc, etc and they didn't offer her and LOA. She didn't have her application done until November however. We are also from a state (Nebraska) with only about 60 applicants completing the process for nominations each year. Just sucks that we have to wait so long to hear.

Thanks for your time.

My DD was blessed to receive an appointment last week with a Presidential nomination. I have to tell you we were shocked and her ALO seemed equally surprised by such an early appointment. We were honestly not expecting any word at all till January. DD also has an app in with the USNA but no word yet. As for her qualifications: SAT CR750, Math690, Writing680. NHS, 4.9 weighted GPA, Lots of Honors, Dual Enrollment and AP Courses (with exam scores of 5 and one 4), Math and Science all 4 years (AP, Honors and D/E), Captain of Varsity Cheer, Captain of Competition Cheer Squad, some Track and Field time. Lots of volunteer time, predominantly through NHS and church, including a few foreign mission trips. Her ALO interview was solid, she thinks, and her CFA likely average...maxed push-ups, OK to average in others areas. Attended USAFA and USNA summer seminars. Still havent received word from MOCs on a nomination for either academy. Thinking she may have to wait for MOC nomination if she is to hear good news from USNA. So...I don't know what set her apart from some of the others I see here on the forum. Not sure any of us will ever understand the board process on these decisions. We are just thrilled that she has received this honor so early...takes a load off one's mind for sure. Now to find the bubble wrap.....
 
Falconchic is correct that reservists, with the right amount of points, is also eligible for their child to receive a presidential.

As for the stats..... As falconchic mentioned, it is a mystery. We usually consider these individuals to be part of the "No Brainer Club". What is this club? Basically, the applicant that no matter what process they go through, they are going to be the top percentage. Is there a specific number? No, but there's some pretty obvious attributes that most of these applicants have in common.

I will use my son as an example. (Only because he graduated 2 years ago. I never really mentioned him while he was at the academy).

He was in the most difficult academics our school offered. The Full IB (International Baccalaureate) program. He had an unweighted gpa of 4.0. Forever. Since 1st grade always had a 4.0. 30+ ACT scores. Nailed the CFA. He had over 300 hours of volunteer work teaching little children to read and helping the elderly. He was a class officer. He played 4 sports per year. Played varsity sports in 2 of the sports all 4 years of high school. Had letters in football and soccer since 9th grade. Was team captain. Made first team all state in football; won state championship in football. He was also in a number of clubs; as well as the NHS and other clubs. Was selected and attended Boy's State and Summer Seminar.

Basically, there wasn't one area of the application that he couldn't cover with high scores. He was also offered acceptance and scholarships from a number of other universities. Including well known ones like Michigan State and Tulane. I will concede that he was also a recruited athlete at the academy to play football; BUT that came AFTER receiving his appointment at the end of October. So being a recruited athlete didn't have any bearing on him getting an appointment early. Like I said, he had his appointment in hand prior to the coaches recruiting him. Being he already had the appointment, they simply let him be blue chip and call it a day.

I only mention the football and sports accolades to demonstrate the "WHOLE PACKAGE". Athletics, academics, standardized tests, volunteering, leadership, etc... Basically, I have no doubt that had they not had early appointments that year, he still would have received an appointment. His application was most likely stronger that the majority of others in our state applying for MOC nominations. So even without a presidential, I feel confident he would have received an appointment with a MOC nomination. And would have had no difficulty getting the MOC nomination. So this is the type of applicant that would most likely get an early appointment using a presidential nomination. Then again; this is the type of applicant who gets the appointment with a MOC nomination during the regular cycle. When compared to the final 1200 appointees, I don't think my son was all that much better. He simply had the entire package. Therefor there wasn't any need to weigh strong parts vs weak parts.
 
No stats to back it up, but does it feel like there is a little more LOA and Early Action stuff happening this year compared to the past couple?
 
No stats to back it up, but does it feel like there is a little more LOA and Early Action stuff happening this year compared to the past couple?

I was thinking the same thing.

Stealth_81
 
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