One of my senators has opened up the application for the class of 2014, it says they dont even look at applications that dont meet minimum ACT scores. I meet them but he has a minimum for the ACT writing which i havent taken yet i am planning on taking the April ACT , should i wait till i get those scores to send in the application, his deadline is October 31st for the postmark.
ACt Writing
- Thread starter Riv-Rod
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Here was the advice given to my son from his Navy BGO. He was advised to NOT send in the congressional packets until at least completing his Junior year--preferably late summer before Senior year. The reason he gave was that there was a lot to accomplish before then, which could be added to the packet/resume, etc. Also, the congressional panels generally review the packets altogether after they are all due. So, other than a brief review to make sure it is complete, it won't be reviewed any earlier.
I don't know what your requirements are--my son had several essays to write for each senator and our congressman. He wrote them early, then just kept working on them. He submitted his packets about three weeks before their due dates in the fall.
I would think that if you submitted it now you would then be in the position of having to continually update it, instead of providing a complete packet. This also gives you more time to retake the ACT/SAT many more times before the packet is due. While our senators did not require copies of CFA and Dodmerb qualification, they did request that information if available, and it was nice to include that with the packet, too.
Great job on starting early and good luck to you!!
I don't know what your requirements are--my son had several essays to write for each senator and our congressman. He wrote them early, then just kept working on them. He submitted his packets about three weeks before their due dates in the fall.
I would think that if you submitted it now you would then be in the position of having to continually update it, instead of providing a complete packet. This also gives you more time to retake the ACT/SAT many more times before the packet is due. While our senators did not require copies of CFA and Dodmerb qualification, they did request that information if available, and it was nice to include that with the packet, too.
Great job on starting early and good luck to you!!
yes i am
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Take your time on the MOC nominations... just send them in on time, and not at the last minute.
Also I would recommend applying to every nomination source you are eligible for. You have 3 MOCs representing you, so take it easy, review your essays and do your best.
Also I would recommend applying to every nomination source you are eligible for. You have 3 MOCs representing you, so take it easy, review your essays and do your best.
Just_A_Mom
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My advice -
Sending in applications now is way too early - you want to wait at least until after your 6th semester transcripts are ready which may be June or even July.
Complete and submit the application in October. It may be helpful to get your letters of recommendation secured before you leave school for the summer.
When you take the ACT/SAT you can have the scores sent directly to the US Senator/US Rep's office. They will receive them quicker that way. It's also good to check with your guidance counselor and make sure they are on your transcripts.
Reduce the chance of pieces of the application being lost by submitting it all at one time vs piecemeal.
Disregard the Congressman's "minimum" test score policies, especially if you are close. Our US Senator had such and policy but my daughter was granted an interview anyway.
Pima
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First of all I am assuming that you have not even heard back from the SA yet, thus, you do not even have a file opened, nor have you been deemed an applicant, let alone candidate.
I know you are excited, but the next yr will be the rollercoaster of your life. Fill out your PCQ, get your MALO/ALO/BGO assigned to you and then hook up with them. They will be your greatest asset and will assist you through this process. Their experience is very detailed for your area and they can give you more definitive answers to your particular MOCS.
Next, like everybody else said, don't hand it in until the end. It is not a system that they make a decision as they come in, instead they are put in a file and noms will not be given out until AFTER the close date. You don't want to be calling an MOC an updating the file every month with new scores, there is no guarantee that they will update. Also, meeting the mins is typically not good enough to earn that nom from a state like Florida. If you look at any incoming class for the AFA on the ACT min is 25 for Verbal to be deemed competitive, but the class median is 29 (or it might be 28). Notice that is the median and not the avg, thus you want to be above those numbers to give yourself a better chance. I believe the median for the SAT is @1300 out of 1600. The SA's give a high %(60) on the WCS for your PAR (which includes ACT or SAT), having the mins will hurt the score and could be your deal breaker. The reason you will see some appts in late Oct, is because they are typically a Pres nom. and not an MOC. The earliest I can recall for an MOC appt is @ Thanksgiving, for your MOC the appt won't come until at least Xmas, and that is if everybody on the slate has a completed file...if somebody waits until March to hand in their CFA than you will not know until about this time next yr.
Take the SAT and ACT again. Meanwhile download the CFA and spend the time practicing that so you can it it out of the ballpark. Many guys have a problem with the bball (max is 100) and pullups (max is 18). Also start thinking about your essays, write them and re-write them, share them with your MALO/ALO/BGO and let them assist in editing. If you show up for your 1st meeting with the prelim essay and say here are my CFA's, and before I left school for the summer I got the personal emails of my 2 teachers to send recs as soon as they assigned me a file number, you will shine. Don't contact the teachers without getting his input, b/c he might have different opinion on which teacher should write it. I.E. you chose your french teacher, and he says the APUSH teacher will look better.
Remember your MALO/ALO/BGO will be a part of the WCS, even though it is a small % it is still important that he/she ranks you as the best of his candidates.
Good Luck
I know you are excited, but the next yr will be the rollercoaster of your life. Fill out your PCQ, get your MALO/ALO/BGO assigned to you and then hook up with them. They will be your greatest asset and will assist you through this process. Their experience is very detailed for your area and they can give you more definitive answers to your particular MOCS.
Next, like everybody else said, don't hand it in until the end. It is not a system that they make a decision as they come in, instead they are put in a file and noms will not be given out until AFTER the close date. You don't want to be calling an MOC an updating the file every month with new scores, there is no guarantee that they will update. Also, meeting the mins is typically not good enough to earn that nom from a state like Florida. If you look at any incoming class for the AFA on the ACT min is 25 for Verbal to be deemed competitive, but the class median is 29 (or it might be 28). Notice that is the median and not the avg, thus you want to be above those numbers to give yourself a better chance. I believe the median for the SAT is @1300 out of 1600. The SA's give a high %(60) on the WCS for your PAR (which includes ACT or SAT), having the mins will hurt the score and could be your deal breaker. The reason you will see some appts in late Oct, is because they are typically a Pres nom. and not an MOC. The earliest I can recall for an MOC appt is @ Thanksgiving, for your MOC the appt won't come until at least Xmas, and that is if everybody on the slate has a completed file...if somebody waits until March to hand in their CFA than you will not know until about this time next yr.
Take the SAT and ACT again. Meanwhile download the CFA and spend the time practicing that so you can it it out of the ballpark. Many guys have a problem with the bball (max is 100) and pullups (max is 18). Also start thinking about your essays, write them and re-write them, share them with your MALO/ALO/BGO and let them assist in editing. If you show up for your 1st meeting with the prelim essay and say here are my CFA's, and before I left school for the summer I got the personal emails of my 2 teachers to send recs as soon as they assigned me a file number, you will shine. Don't contact the teachers without getting his input, b/c he might have different opinion on which teacher should write it. I.E. you chose your french teacher, and he says the APUSH teacher will look better.
Remember your MALO/ALO/BGO will be a part of the WCS, even though it is a small % it is still important that he/she ranks you as the best of his candidates.
Good Luck
Just_A_Mom
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The AFA must do things a little differently. A MALO interview does not add to a candidates WCS. I have never heard of a MALO editing a students essay - this is to be the students work. Also, the MALO will not suggest whom to pick for recommendations. For the WP application, the student doesn't pick the academy asks for teachers recommendations from specific classes.
Students should follow the individual guidelines from the Congressmen for Congressional Nominations.
Keep in mind - while tests scores are important for a competitive package, they do not tell the whole story. Don't shy away because your test scores are a little bit "low". There is always the option for prep school, if the academy sees test scores as your only "weakness".
Pima is right about not handing in the application until the deadline. It is much better to mail in an application that is complete in one package than to risk the office losing parts by sending it in piecemeal.
Pima
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ALO's rec is worth 10% of the 20%, it is not alot, but many also rack and stack for their candidates. Every point counts.
Our ALO assisted in every aspect, including reviewing his essay. I think this is more a part of how the ALO views their position. Ours was very hands on. Meetig several ties during the summer, about every other week, taking him to Daedalian Dinners, calling after every nom, etc. etc.
Our ALO assisted in every aspect, including reviewing his essay. I think this is more a part of how the ALO views their position. Ours was very hands on. Meetig several ties during the summer, about every other week, taking him to Daedalian Dinners, calling after every nom, etc. etc.
thanks im deff. going to wait to send in my that application. i'm not worried aboutmy scores just that i ahdn't taken the ACT with Writing. I was accepted to the USNA summer seminar, it said if you apply theres no need to fill out a preliminary application is this the same as the pcq?
I agree that you should wait until your packet is complete. MOC's usually have designated staff that will maintain the SA files. A lot of trickling in papers are easy to misplace. At my son's MOC interview--his file was complete but another candidate's ACT scores were in his file folder. What a mess for the other guy.
Also, make sure that your completed packet will arrive before the deadline. Some MOC's will not accept any packets or info past that date and will close your application for nomination.
As far as BGO,MALO, etal assisting with essays--that's a new one to me. USMA makes a point on its application that the essay is to be written solely by the candidate and can be only proofread for corrections, ie spelling or typos.
Also, make sure that your completed packet will arrive before the deadline. Some MOC's will not accept any packets or info past that date and will close your application for nomination.
As far as BGO,MALO, etal assisting with essays--that's a new one to me. USMA makes a point on its application that the essay is to be written solely by the candidate and can be only proofread for corrections, ie spelling or typos.
If you are going to NASS a lot will be explained there. No need to rush.
The only advice I would give you is to working on the teachers recommendation NOW (it took my sons english teacher did not send her rec. until almost the last day).
Enjoy NASS and work out everyday.
The only advice I would give you is to working on the teachers recommendation NOW (it took my sons english teacher did not send her rec. until almost the last day).
Enjoy NASS and work out everyday.
Just_A_Mom
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Yes! Do NOT ask your English teacher, or anyone else to edit or assist you in a re-write. This needs to be YOUR writing, YOUR words and come from YOUR heart!
As far as teacher's recommendations go - be persistent and nice. I suggest you spend a few minutes with each teacher talking about where you are applying, what the academies are, the process and how important it is to you. Be gracious and offer many thanks! Please don't ask while passing in the hall and expect to get a timely and positive recommendation and give them plenty of time - a couple of weeks.
If your teacher is procrastiating then perhaps the GC can intercede.
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Must agree with Shellz.
Start working on your essay now and have someone you trust check the final product for errors before you send it in.
Also talk to the people that you want to write recommendation for you NOW, so they have a lot of time to work on it.
Lastly be prepared to explain what is the USNA (or other academy) is about in detail, you will be surprised at how many people do not know what the Academies are about.
Good Luck.
Start working on your essay now and have someone you trust check the final product for errors before you send it in.
Also talk to the people that you want to write recommendation for you NOW, so they have a lot of time to work on it.
Lastly be prepared to explain what is the USNA (or other academy) is about in detail, you will be surprised at how many people do not know what the Academies are about.
Good Luck.