I was given 1 of 10 noms from my Senator and an unranked competing alternate nomination by my congressman.Terminology isn't always used the same way which tends to create confusion. If you mean he has 1 of the 10 NOM's being issued (regardless of what it is called), then if he is also 3Q would put him in the running for an appointment. Some MOC chose to rank their NOM's while others do not. Having a NOM is what really matters. You can read older posts that goes into more detail on that.
By no means an expert but sounds like you are unranked in both Congressional and Senate noms. But the bottom line is you got 2 which is fantastic...I was given 1 of 10 noms from my Senator and an unranked competing alternate nomination by my congressman.
Yeah I suppose that's the bright side. It just eats at me that only roughly 25% of those who get a nom get admitted. Especially when I felt that I had the primary nom in the bag.By no means an expert but sounds like you are unranked in both Congressional and Senate noms. But the bottom line is you got 2 which is fantastic...
I felt that I had the primary nom in the bag.
Haha. That "confidence" I have is usually perceived as arrogance by my peers, though it isn't unearned. Hey if they like it hopefully some of it bled through into my application and will help me get an appointment.That's the kind of confidence that our service academies are looking for! Being humble is way down the list.
Sir,I'm pretty sure Maplerock was using sarcasm. Your so-called "confidence" is indeed arrogance. You have absolutely no way of knowing the stats and evaluations the other people on your congressman's slate. So, to say that you would have had the primary nom wrapped up if it existed is just ridiculous.
The 25% of people who get appointments are the ones who win the competition. They are the winners of the contest. Why would it "eat at you" that there are winners and losers in a competition?
Stealth_81
If I truly felt superior and that I had nothing to learn why would I bother applying? I aspire to be more than I am and the very fact that the cadets and staff at WP eclipse me in experience, aptitude, knowledge, et cetera is precisely what makes WP so appealing to me. That's why I am motivated and have dedicated a lot of time to my application at the expense of a social life.BSCAR, everything about plebe year is designed to break you down, to show you that you are a part of something bigger. A very small part.
Just wondering how you think you'll fare when orders and critiques are being barked at you by people that are obviously less smart and motivated than yourself?
I just worry that the slots will be taken up by prior service, combat vets, sports stars, females, ethnic minorities, etc and the remaining will be highly competitive between the rest of us white guys as there are so many of us who apply every year. But I guess I'm unfamiliar with exactly how the nomination pool works.I think you still have a good chance even if you're not the primary nom if you a competitive candidate. Isn't there something about the national pool that you would get into?
I appreciate the advice. I have other alternatives mapped out (VMI for one), but an opportunity such as a SA is simply second to none. Congrats to your daughter.BSCAR, don't look at it as being a loser. My DD attended the NASS and opened the USNA portal in early June. She completed every item by mid July. Back up for a few years... She wanted to serve as a U.S. Marine since she was 8 years old. Until today, it has always been about serving in the Marine Corps. She said to me USNA or not, I am going to be a Marine. Are you a loser if you don't get an appointment? Not in my mind and not in hers. Her back up plan is NROTC and on Dec 24, her portal indicated that she received a 4-year NROTC scholarship. Appointment or not, she found another path to her dream. Regarding the USNA, she received her LOA back in August and received a congressional nomination on Dec 21. Is it a sure thing? No. She hasn't received an appointment yet. Life goes on.
Keep at it, be humble, and remember one thing... Don't let your "confidence" crosses into the A-H line. It's all about teamwork. My 2 cents as a dad.
I figured I had that nomination locked up mostly because I was one of the few candidates not escorted by their parents to their interview; that's indicative of a lack of independence and a lack intrinsic motivation to succeed. That, and I like to stay optimistic rather than die the same death twice or create a self fulfilling prophecy of defeat. Confidence is key in leadership and people can sense it. Say what you want about my immodest nature, but self confidence has almost completely evaporated with respect to my generation--a rather disconcerting trend. Particularly when the only person who will ever serve as your advocate is you.
I just worry that the slots will be taken up by prior service, combat vets, sports stars, females, ethnic minorities, etc and the remaining will be highly competitive between the rest of us white guys as there are so many of us who apply every year.
But I guess I'm unfamiliar with exactly how the nomination pool works.