Multiple Nominations to a single Academy?

Alexw079

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Would putting all my nominations to a single Academy be a good choice? I have the coaches support, and possible recruitment at the AF, and I was thinking about putting all my nominations to the AF as I've been told having more than one board approved me makes a better imppresion in admissions.
 
Don't try to game the system. I've seen people get nominated to an academy they didn't want to attend by doing so. I think you tell your MOC committee which academy is your first choice. If you are willing to serve in another branch then by all means let them know that. I certainly don't think having multiple nominations to an academy impressed the admissions board at all. Some kids can only get one nomination because of where they live and it wouldn't be fair to them to award extra points.

Where multiple nominations can come in handy is that it gives you more slates to compete on. Sort of like 1 lottery ticket vs. 3 lottery tickets.
 
Thank you for the reply!

I'm not completely sure what you mean by gaming the system.
Currently, I plan on selecting the USAFA for all my nomination packages, as I believe I have the best chance there (possible recruitment) and (I've been told by my AF ALO) it may help my application. Discontinuing my other applications to USNA and USMA would also help me focus on AF, ROTC and other standard colleges. A friend of mine that applied but only got to ROTC says that boards will sometimes question my willingness to serve if I do so. What are your thoughts?
 
As long as you have an answer to the question "Why only AFA" then you'll be fine. Plenty of people have only applied to one academy.

By gaming the system, I mean doing things you otherwise would do, in order to get an appointment somewhere. You could get an appointment to USMA, say, but if that's not something your fine with then you've sort of screwed yourself. Only you can answer if you're gaming the system.
 
If you want to attend USAFA, then rank it first on your nomination packages.

Some candidates will rank USAFA #1 on one nomination app, USMA number #1 on another app, and USNA #1 on their third app.

I believe that is what kinnem is referring to.
 
If you want to attend USAFA, then rank it first on your nomination packages.

Some candidates will rank USAFA #1 on one nomination app, USMA number #1 on another app, and USNA #1 on their third app.

I believe that is what kinnem is referring to.

Correctomundo!
 
Would putting all my nominations to a single Academy be a good choice? I have the coaches support, and possible recruitment at the AF, and I was thinking about putting all my nominations to the AF as I've been told having more than one board approved me makes a better imppresion in admissions.

Bad idea. I know of one case where a kid only applied for one academy, got one Nom for it but then didn't get in because his congressman already had his full allocation of 5 in that academy. He was screwed.
 
If you want to serve in the USAF, then that is what you put down. Every year we see a few kids from SAs and ROTC ask about transferring, changing services, cross commissioning, because they put down a service they didn't want. They went a SA because that is the one they got into or their #1 school they got an AROTC but NROTC scholarship and picked school over service. If you don't want to serve on boats, don't put USNA down. If you really don't know then apply to multiple SAs. But the goal shouldn't be a SA, its the commission in the service you want to serve in. A SA is a great path, but if you you really want to be a jet jockey, USMA isn't a great pick.
 
Bad idea. I know of one case where a kid only applied for one academy, got one Nom for it but then didn't get in because his congressman already had his full allocation of 5 in that academy. He was screwed.

Then how did the kid get a nomination? If the congressman had his five slots filled at that academy then he wouldn't have even had applications or interviews.

Stealth_81
 
If you want to serve in the USAF, then that is what you put down. Every year we see a few kids from SAs and ROTC ask about transferring, changing services, cross commissioning, because they put down a service they didn't want. They went a SA because that is the one they got into or their #1 school they got an AROTC but NROTC scholarship and picked school over service. If you don't want to serve on boats, don't put USNA down. If you really don't know then apply to multiple SAs. But the goal shouldn't be a SA, its the commission in the service you want to serve in. A SA is a great path, but if you you really want to be a jet jockey, USMA isn't a great pick.

Exactly. Apply for the nomination to where you want to go. My son only applied for nominations to USAFA because that is where he wanted to go. He ended up with both senators and our congressman's nominations.

Stealth_81
 
Then how did the kid get a nomination? If the congressman had his five slots filled at that academy then he wouldn't have even had applications or interviews.

Stealth_81

I can only imagine that the congressman had his head where the sun doesn't shine and didn't realize he already had 5 slots full. Other than that scenario it seems to me you have to be correct. Just because they were elected to congress doesn't mean they are the sharpest tool in the shed, at least at some things.
 
Going to post this to get your thoughts.

I read earlier in this thread that multiple noms to a single SA is like having additional lottery tickets - it increased your chances of being selected from the MOC/Senators' available slots for that academy. Is this an accurate statement?

Also, when an SA admissions board reviews the candidate and sees multiple noms, what impact does that have on their impression of the candidate,if any? I'm sure it's a data point just like other data points but does it have any extra bearing or merit?
 
It is an accurate statement because you first compete with the other nominees on the slate. Theoretically, being on multiple slates increases your chances.

If you 'don't win' the slate(s) then you are competing from the national list and multiple nominations don't help because you either are or are not in that pool.
 
Also, when an SA admissions board reviews the candidate and sees multiple noms, what impact does that have on their impression of the candidate,if any? I'm sure it's a data point just like other data points but does it have any extra bearing or merit?

I think multiple noms just gives the Admissions Team more potential options where to slot you. I don't think multiple noms actually means a lot in terms of your pecking order or your whole candidate score. In some states, usually the more competitive areas, the senators and representatives coordinate their picks and avoid giving multiple nominations to a single candidate in order to provide maximum opportunity for a large number of qualified applicants.
 
My DS was 3Q with 2 nominations to USMA and did not receive an appointment so, not sure how beneficial additional nominations are.
 
I think it also depends on where you are from.

Some states don't double nominate so if you have one the other 2 state sources will give their noms to someone else. This is usually in the states with lots of very competitive candidates. Some states want to "spread the wealth."

Some states have less candidates (not necessarily less qualified) but they can more easily afford to give multiple noms.

The SAs know the nomination patterns from the different sources.

Bottom line, the nom only keeps you in the game. You can have a single nom and get an appointment because the board deems you a good addition to the class or multiple noms and not get an appointment because there are others that fit the profile the board is looking for better.
 
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