Choosing 1st and 2nd Choices

USNA2020

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Apr 8, 2015
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Hi all,

I'm really split 50/50 on which academy I want as my first choice, USNA vs USMA. I want to apply as if they are both my top choice, however the nomination process is tricky in MD. Last year, 68% of candidates in MD selected USNA as their first choice and only 13% put USMA as their first choice. As 10 candidates can be nominated for each slot at each academy, would it probably be better for me to select USMA as my first choice, at least for my Senators? Would my district congressman have less slots than my senators, or is it easier to get a nomination from a congressman because you're competing against only people from your district?

These questions have always floated around in my mind and hopefully someone has answers! As of now, I would accept an appointment to either academy without hesitation- I just want the best chances for a nomination, especially
because MD is so competitive. Thanks in advance!
 
Yes, living in Maryland makes it very competitive for nominations to USNA. In your case, I would apply for the nomination to USMA, only if they are both equally what you want. Some Congressman and Senators may allow you to put USNA as your second choice and that is what I would do. After that, do not list any of the other academies as your third and fourth choices as you do not want to go to them. Good luck!
 
Need to contact your Senators and Congressman's office to see what their nomination policy is. I know one MD senator sent out "I would have given you a nomination but you already havea a nomiation, so I am not" letter last year. I believe one Senator limits your choice to one SA. I know one Congressman has no double nomination policy, so if you have any nomination, no nomination how qualified you are.

This is an advice I am very hesistant to give, but the ulitmiate decision is your. There were several discussions on similiar situation in the nomation topic. If you Congressman has no double nomination policy, you should consider not applying to Senatorial nomination(s). If you are not a Congressiona vacancy winner, a way you could get an appointment is the National Waiting List (for USMA and I am not sure what USNA calls it). Since the Nationa Waiting List is a nationwide competition, competition level is very high. Say you got a nomination from one of the MD senators, which means this could exclusde from other Senator and your Congressional nomination (as stated earlier, need to check with your Senator/Congressman office). Since the Sentorial nomination is competitive, it's likel that you will be lower in the Senator's nomination ranking than your Congressman's nomination ranking (i.e you could #5 on the Sentor's nomination pool but #2 on the Congressman's nomination pool). Higher your place is within the nomination pool, higher your chances are.

It's unfortunate that candidates have to worry about the nomination process, but it is what it is.
 
Md Sen. Cardin only allows you to pick one and states that on his web page- there is no second choice. Pick one and done. Sen. Mikulski however does allow multiple choices. As we live in MD-03, Congressman Sarbanes, also allows multiple choices. I guess it comes down to your MOC and their policy. I would agree with USNA Hopeful 20, in regards to listing your Academy choices. For me growing up with USNA in backyard, it is the only SA for me.
 
For me growing up with USNA in backyard, it is the only SA for me.

Hope that you will have more reasons than the "backyard" for wanting to attend USNA. Ulimatley, your accomplishments will determine if you will get a nomination or not, but in close cases not being able to answer "why Navy" or "only Navy" better could hurt you. I serve on a Congressional nomination panel and "USNA in backyard" is a passable answer, not a good answer on "why Navy" or "only Navy."
 
I strongly recommend you apply to all noms for which you are eligible. For USNA, if you don't "win" your slate and end up in the National Pool, you compete against others in the Pool. USNA decides who is most qualified. Thus, (for those MOCs who rank), your MOC may have ranked you #9 on his/her list but USNA may decide you are THE most qualified person in the entire national pool. IOW, being on a slate and not winning it sends you to the national pool. How highly you are ranked on the slate by the MOC -- if you're ranked -- is irrelevant.

If you apply to all MOCs, you have three shots to win your slate and, if not, three shots to get to the national pool. If you only apply to one, you are putting all of your eggs in a single basket.

Also, every nom committee sees things slightly differently. You may hit it off with one and not with another. If you limit yourself to applying to only 1 or 2 of your MOCs, you are significantly reducing your chances of an appointment.

If you would truly be equally happy at USMA and USNA, then put USMA as your only/#1 on all MOC slates. Yeah, you're seriously limiting (if not eliminating) your chances of a USNA appointment but that should be ok if you would truly be happy at USMA.
 
USNA2020
DS was split between USNA and USAFA a few years ago. He split his #1's between our two US senators, and went USNA #1 and USAFA #2 for our US Rep. Our state is somewhat competitive but not as competitive as Maryland. Not sure what I would have told my DS if he was in your shoes. I agree with 85 in that if your goal is to go to USNA or USMA, and you like them equally, than I would say go USMA #1 on two or all three of the nominations as that would give you your best shot to get in. We had a local kid who applied to both USNA and USMA and got in to USMA and we are very excited for him - great kid. The best to you.
 
One thing I would NOT do is try to 'game' the NOM system in an effort to increase your chances. The entire application process IS competitive, so I wouldn't get wrapped up in last years %/stats/averages as a way to improve your chances. During your MOC interview, you should be able to clearly state what you chose and why. If you end up with only 1 NOM to a SA you really didn't plan to attend, then what?????
 
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