No nomination... End of the road?

lef9820

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Jul 26, 2015
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Hello,

I completed my application to USAFA for my November 1st deadline and had my file labeled as "competitive". However, I received one Senatorial nomination to Navy and the other to West Point. I was hoping to be able to receive more than one nomination from my rep, but unlike years in the past, he had an unusual number of applicants and was only able to nominate each person to one Academy. When I had to choose, I opted for a second nomination to Navy. Does this mean that this is the end of the road for me at Air Force? I did apply for the VP nom but know that that is a major long shot.
Thank you
 
Ugh. It can't hurt to call your MOC's SA coordinator and ask if there is another nom that would be willing to trade USNA for USAFA.

My DS's first choice originally was USMA. After vising both USMA and USNA he preferred Annapolis. He changed his request at the MOCs office at his panel interview, but still was nominated for West Point. When the congressman called my son to notify him about the WP nom. DS explained to him his predicament and the MOC said he would look into switching it. A week later his nom to Annapolis was announced in the local paper.

Sometimes you just gotta ask.
 
Ugh. It can't hurt to call your MOC's SA coordinator and ask if there is another nom that would be willing to trade USNA for USAFA.

My DS's first choice originally was USMA. After vising both USMA and USNA he preferred Annapolis. He changed his request at the MOCs office at his panel interview, but still was nominated for West Point. When the congressman called my son to notify him about the WP nom. DS explained to him his predicament and the MOC said he would look into switching it. A week later his nom to Annapolis was announced in the local paper.

Sometimes you just gotta ask.

That's the thing... USNA is also my first choice, so I'm not really willing to trade my second Navy nomination, since it definitely helps my chances of getting in significantly. I was really hoping he would be able to nominate me to more than one. I was just wondering if the Academy could hypothetically speaking "find" me a nomination if I were competitive enough. If not, I guess that's life. I made a choice and now I gotta just hope for the best.
 
Yup, end of the road for USAFA unless the VP nom comes through.
 
There are other sources for noms (Superintendent for instance, but that one is really rare). I think you should focus on your first choice at this point. Oh! And congratulations on your noms to USNA and USMA!
 
If your application catches their eye, the academy can make it happen. Some may tell you otherwise, but it definitely does occur.
 
I'm in the same boat, just got a nom to the Naval Academy but the AF is my first choice. I live in Colorado Springs so basically the most competitive area in America which is probably didn't get that nom to the Air Force Academy. Still holding out hope for the other Senators though.
What are other ways the Academy will try and get you a nom? I applied for VP although it is a long shot, and I know Superintendent is a slim chance too. Do you think they would be more willing to help out someone in an ultra competitive district?
 
Looks like you have already done your research. You will be competing with everyone else that has applied. If your application is a stand out you have a slim chance.
 
MY DS has LOA for Navy but a Nom for USAFA. Same boat only reversed. Waiting to see what will happen next.
 
Have to second Spud here. It's almost as if some candidates want to have noms (and maybe even LOAs) to every SA so that THEY get to make the choice (and, in a few cases, I suspect, brag about this fact). In this hyper-competitive world -- and especially those who live in highly competitive districts and/or states -- that's unlikely to happen for all but the most highly qualified applicants.

MOCs want to make you happy. If you indicate you would accept a nom to a SA and they give you that nom, they assume you're happy. If you aren't interested in attending that SA, don't put it down as an option.

You're going to have to make a choice eventually. The MOC nom process in many areas essentially forces that choice early in that the MOCs will only give you one nom -- so whatever nom they give is the one option you have. Candidates who try to garner noms to multiple SAs often end up in the situations you see above.

Here's the question to ask yourself: If offered an appointment to Service Academy X, will I happily accept (even if it wasn't my first choice)? If the answer isn't a resounding "yes," don't even apply for a nom to that SA in part b/c that may well be the nom you get. If the answer to the question is "yes" (even if that SA isn't your first choice), then take that appointment, be happy (b/c thousands of kids would love to be in your shoes), and move on with your life.
 
Spud and USNA1985 are right on point. If you listed your choices in order and you got a NOM for one of your them, it is a gift. Just imagine if you did not get a NOM for any of the academys. That is exactly why my DD listed USAFA as her only choice. She knew she would not be happy as an officer in any other branch (such a traitor ;)). She was given one NOM from her rep, and was told by her senators that they only give one NOM per academy to each candidate in the state delegation in order to give other candidates a chance.
 
I see where you are coming from. Yes I do agree that it is a gift, however I do not agree that some kids apply to all possible noms simply due to pride or to say they did. It is important to have backup plans in place which is why most of us put the other academies there. I am not crying that I got the wrong nom, I am very grateful! However i would be lying if I said I would be as happy with the naval academy, that's why it's a plan b, not a plan a!! But the military is all about adjusting and having backup plans just in case one fails, so I am willing to do whatever even if is not my ideal situation. Again, not "crying" just looking at the facts and seeing where I can go from here.
 
and here is the truth.... until you are actually in that academy or that service, you can only "guess" as to which one you would really be happiest with. I would be willing to wager that there are not many USNA Grads serving in the fleet that look back and wish they would have gotten in the USAFA or USMA or USCGA or vice versa... you will almost always learn to love the one you are with, pride and personal friendship bonds will quickly trump your high school beliefs :)
 
Have to second Spud here. It's almost as if some candidates want to have noms (and maybe even LOAs) to every SA so that THEY get to make the choice (and, in a few cases, I suspect, brag about this fact). In this hyper-competitive world -- and especially those who live in highly competitive districts and/or states -- that's unlikely to happen for all but the most highly qualified applicants.

MOCs want to make you happy. If you indicate you would accept a nom to a SA and they give you that nom, they assume you're happy. If you aren't interested in attending that SA, don't put it down as an option.

You're going to have to make a choice eventually. The MOC nom process in many areas essentially forces that choice early in that the MOCs will only give you one nom -- so whatever nom they give is the one option you have. Candidates who try to garner noms to multiple SAs often end up in the situations you see above.

Here's the question to ask yourself: If offered an appointment to Service Academy X, will I happily accept (even if it wasn't my first choice)? If the answer isn't a resounding "yes," don't even apply for a nom to that SA in part b/c that may well be the nom you get. If the answer to the question is "yes" (even if that SA isn't your first choice), then take that appointment, be happy (b/c thousands of kids would love to be in your shoes), and move on with your life.

I chose to apply to USNA, USMA, and USAFA because I would be happy at any of these Academies and because my overarching goal is to serve as a military officer, regardless of branch. Yes, I do have a first, second, and third choice, but I tried to acquire multiple nominations so that I can maximize my chances of going to a Service Academy next year, especially since I don't have an LOA.

I am not the least bit unhappy about my Senatorial nominations -- I got one to my #1 listed choice and and another to my #2. I am absolutely thrilled. I was only asking the question to verify that without a nomination to Air Force, there is no chance that I could be accepted. At the end of the day, I agree 100% with you -- I am going to go wherever I get in and be happy about it!
 
Maybe call the offices and see if you can get it switched somehow. Tell them you have an loa from the AFA. Also, did you list af as your 3rd choice? Maybe that's why you didn't get a nomination.
 
Just received LOA to USAFA... uh oh.
Congrats, it does increase your chances of maybe getting a supt. Nom.

Good problem to have. You must be an excellent candidate, best of wishes.

So if I read this correctly, AF was your 3rd choice?
 
Interesting discussion. My son applied to USMA, USNA, USAFA, and he sees mostly pro's, but a few con's with each. He has been asked by me and others, very frequently, which one he wants most, and he always struggles answering. His typical answer is that he would be delighted with any one of them, and I am certain he is genuine with that answer. He has a nomination for each, and is trying hard to get an appointment to each, but he has confessed to me several times that he is kind of hoping he gets only one offer so he isn't compelled to choose. I think he may have a preference once he does an overnight at each academy, if he is given the opportunity at each. He wants to fly, and prefers fixed wing, at least at this stage, but knows so much happens before now and graduation that his opinion is subject to change several times. USNA has so many options, with the Navy and Marines, which keeps everything open. No jets in the Army probably is the only thing that interferes with WestPoint being his top choice (after being on WestPoint's campus twice, he and my wife and I all just felt something special there. It really is something else).

Bottom line, he is hoping and praying for any one of them. PS: we both rooted for Army last Saturday. LOL.
 
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