Getting a nomination late in the game

peppypea

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Feb 2, 2017
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At the urging of another USMMA parent my DS is considering applying for USMMA before the deadline (end of February, I think?) He has completed his apps for USAFA, USNA and USCGA- however, after he read up some more on the possibility of working with NOAA and the USMMA band opportunities he is VERY interested in applying to USMMA.

Since he has done his CFA and DODMERB and all of the other compulsory things he feels confident in the rest of the application process....except finding a nomination. With his applications to MOC for the other SA's the nom requests were due in early November. Is there any way that one could or should try to garner a nomination this late in the game? Would a personal letter to MOC's gently requesting consideration be an idea to pursue? Do you have any suggestions on how to broach the subject?

I hate for you all to consider his application as an afterthought- while it is a bit of a surprise, he is committed to the process, we just didn't really know much of anything about USMMA until a couple of days ago!

Thank you all for your time and consideration!
pp
 
At the urging of another USMMA parent my DS is considering applying for USMMA before the deadline (end of February, I think?) He has completed his apps for USAFA, USNA and USCGA- however, after he read up some more on the possibility of working with NOAA and the USMMA band opportunities he is VERY interested in applying to USMMA.

Since he has done his CFA and DODMERB and all of the other compulsory things he feels confident in the rest of the application process....except finding a nomination. With his applications to MOC for the other SA's the nom requests were due in early November. Is there any way that one could or should try to garner a nomination this late in the game? Would a personal letter to MOC's gently requesting consideration be an idea to pursue? Do you have any suggestions on how to broach the subject?

I hate for you all to consider his application as an afterthought- while it is a bit of a surprise, he is committed to the process, we just didn't really know much of anything about USMMA until a couple of days ago!

Thank you all for your time and consideration!
pp

I think it is going to depend on several factors; the MOC, the State, your DS desire to be a licensed Mariner.

1. Complete the application for USMMA ASAP! If he is this late and reaches out and there isn't an application on file, that would stop it dead it tracks.
2. I would have your DS contact every MOC in state and see if they are open to consideration. USMMA is different from other SA in that you can obtain nomination from any of your State Rep/Sem, including the ones he already interviewed with. He is going to have to drive it.
A. Phone call
B. Hand written letter to Nomination Committee POC
C. Hand written letter to MOC
D. Letters of recommendation to MOC specically about USMMA
3. Tell MOC that DS would be willing to do NMMI.

Good luck.
 
At the urging of another USMMA parent my DS is considering applying for USMMA before the deadline (end of February, I think?) He has completed his apps for USAFA, USNA and USCGA- however, after he read up some more on the possibility of working with NOAA and the USMMA band opportunities he is VERY interested in applying to USMMA.

Since he has done his CFA and DODMERB and all of the other compulsory things he feels confident in the rest of the application process....except finding a nomination. With his applications to MOC for the other SA's the nom requests were due in early November. Is there any way that one could or should try to garner a nomination this late in the game? Would a personal letter to MOC's gently requesting consideration be an idea to pursue? Do you have any suggestions on how to broach the subject?

I hate for you all to consider his application as an afterthought- while it is a bit of a surprise, he is committed to the process, we just didn't really know much of anything about USMMA until a couple of days ago!

Thank you all for your time and consideration!
pp

Similar story for my DS last year! He received multiple nominations to multiple academies and became aware of USMMA late in the process as well. Reach out to your local/state/region USMMA contact person (usually an alumni or parent of an USMMA alumni) as they helped him a lot with the process. DS reached out to one of his nominating sources and requested a USMMA nomination in February and the congressman was happy to provide a nomination given that he had already been interviewed by the nom committee and had been well thought of.

As @FatherofFour mentions, a key point is #2: USMMA is unique in that the candidate may receive a nomination from ANY nominating source in the state. For our state of AZ, there are a lot of nominations available as KP isn't as well known as the others. Have your DS get on this and seek that nomination and yes, get that application in NOW!

Best of luck and let us know the outcome... Oh, and DS is very happy to be in USMMA Class of 2021. :)
 
At the urging of another USMMA parent my DS is considering applying for USMMA before the deadline (end of February, I think?) He has completed his apps for USAFA, USNA and USCGA- however, after he read up some more on the possibility of working with NOAA and the USMMA band opportunities he is VERY interested in applying to USMMA.

Since he has done his CFA and DODMERB and all of the other compulsory things he feels confident in the rest of the application process....except finding a nomination. With his applications to MOC for the other SA's the nom requests were due in early November. Is there any way that one could or should try to garner a nomination this late in the game? Would a personal letter to MOC's gently requesting consideration be an idea to pursue? Do you have any suggestions on how to broach the subject?

I hate for you all to consider his application as an afterthought- while it is a bit of a surprise, he is committed to the process, we just didn't really know much of anything about USMMA until a couple of days ago!

Thank you all for your time and consideration!
pp

I still believe that the application deadline is March 1 which goes along with what last years was and to go along with what @FatherofFour said:

1: Call USMMA admissions and tell them that you would be interested in attending NMMI if you are not able to find a nomination. I believe it would show them that you are willing to take the long road to achieve your DS goal of attending USMMA. You might also want to explain the situation to them because they might be able to offer added information or advice.
2: Reach out to MOCs in your state starting TOMORROW as time is running out.
3: Have your DS reach out to the MOC in written means, electronic means, and through the telephone, not you since he is the one applying and asking for the Nom.
4: Send in your application ASAP since parts 2 and 3 are on paper and the mail can take a while. I used UPS certified mail with a signature just as an added precaution so I could prove it was delivered if something happened.
5: If possible visit KP so your DS can get a sense of the campus and environment.

KP is really a unique school and if your DS does come here I do believe he would be happy. Good Luck!
 
We are from the Upper Left USA- so maybe less folks from the Pacific Northwest showing interest- that may help some!

You all are awesome- I dearly appreciate you helping us.
 
At the urging of another USMMA parent my DS is considering applying for USMMA before the deadline (end of February, I think?) He has completed his apps for USAFA, USNA and USCGA- however, after he read up some more on the possibility of working with NOAA and the USMMA band opportunities he is VERY interested in applying to USMMA.

Since he has done his CFA and DODMERB and all of the other compulsory things he feels confident in the rest of the application process....except finding a nomination. With his applications to MOC for the other SA's the nom requests were due in early November. Is there any way that one could or should try to garner a nomination this late in the game? Would a personal letter to MOC's gently requesting consideration be an idea to pursue? Do you have any suggestions on how to broach the subject?

I hate for you all to consider his application as an afterthought- while it is a bit of a surprise, he is committed to the process, we just didn't really know much of anything about USMMA until a couple of days ago!

Thank you all for your time and consideration!
pp

I think it is going to depend on several factors; the MOC, the State, your DS desire to be a licensed Mariner.

1. Complete the application for USMMA ASAP! If he is this late and reaches out and there isn't an application on file, that would stop it dead it tracks.
2. I would have your DS contact every MOC in state and see if they are open to consideration. USMMA is different from other SA in that you can obtain nomination from any of your State Rep/Sem, including the ones he already interviewed with. He is going to have to drive it.
A. Phone call
B. Hand written letter to Nomination Committee POC
C. Hand written letter to MOC
D. Letters of recommendation to MOC specically about USMMA
3. Tell MOC that DS would be willing to do NMMI.

Good luck.


Erm, super new here: what is NMMI? (Didn't see it in acronym list)

DS is a class of 2018 HS Sr- #1 in his class, 4.0 all 4 years, cfa passed, dodmerb passed, SAT 1210- not the highest but workable, leadership up to his ears, varsity letterman and team captain Cross Country, Mr. All-American. Oh, and plays French Horn and Trumpet both and has since 8th grade. *I* happen to think he's awfully spiffy...
 
At the urging of another USMMA parent my DS is considering applying for USMMA before the deadline (end of February, I think?) He has completed his apps for USAFA, USNA and USCGA- however, after he read up some more on the possibility of working with NOAA and the USMMA band opportunities he is VERY interested in applying to USMMA.

Since he has done his CFA and DODMERB and all of the other compulsory things he feels confident in the rest of the application process....except finding a nomination. With his applications to MOC for the other SA's the nom requests were due in early November. Is there any way that one could or should try to garner a nomination this late in the game? Would a personal letter to MOC's gently requesting consideration be an idea to pursue? Do you have any suggestions on how to broach the subject?

I hate for you all to consider his application as an afterthought- while it is a bit of a surprise, he is committed to the process, we just didn't really know much of anything about USMMA until a couple of days ago!

Thank you all for your time and consideration!
pp

I still believe that the application deadline is March 1 which goes along with what last years was and to go along with what @FatherofFour said:

1: Call USMMA admissions and tell them that you would be interested in attending NMMI if you are not able to find a nomination. I believe it would show them that you are willing to take the long road to achieve your DS goal of attending USMMA. You might also want to explain the situation to them because they might be able to offer added information or advice.
2: Reach out to MOCs in your state starting TOMORROW as time is running out.
3: Have your DS reach out to the MOC in written means, electronic means, and through the telephone, not you since he is the one applying and asking for the Nom.
4: Send in your application ASAP since parts 2 and 3 are on paper and the mail can take a while. I used UPS certified mail with a signature just as an added precaution so I could prove it was delivered if something happened.
5: If possible visit KP so your DS can get a sense of the campus and environment.

KP is really a unique school and if your DS does come here I do believe he would be happy. Good Luck!

Part 3 of the application is critical. USMMA Admissions is adamant about letter of recommendation from your DS high school counselor. It can't be an administrator, it has to be his guidance counselor. If he doesn't have one from counselor already the first thing he needs to do tomorrow is bring Part 3 to school and ask counselor for letter of recommendation and complete part 3.
 
We are from the Upper Left USA- so maybe less folks from the Pacific Northwest showing interest- that may help some!

You all are awesome- I dearly appreciate you helping us.
There is likely some truth to this. I went to KP from Washington, I got nominations from my congressman and both senators without the best credentials.

Reach out to the Representatives from the districts farther away from the coast and you are more likely to find success. You should be able to get some information from their local offices regarding any nominations that are still available.

I live in VA now and one of my neighbors kids asked me what is the best thing he could do to increase his chances of getting a nomination, I told him to move to Nebraska.
 
Rep Larson, WA 2nd district, is on House Transportation Committee and House Armed Services. DOT provides oversight to MARAD (USMMA), plus US Navy Reserves commitment falls under DOD.
 
DS reached out to one of his nominating sources and requested a USMMA nomination in February

Oops, just looked back on last year and see that it was in JANUARY that DS requested and received a USMMA nomination. I believe all nominations are due from nominating sources by January 31! That said, time is of the essence...do not delay! :zip:
 
Does he have a nomination from someone to another academy already? If yes, talk to those congressmen first and see if they will give another or change it if they have not submitted the slate yet. If no, ask them to change the preference. And, if that doesn't work, canvas the state's reps and beg for help. Take a day car trip to each office and see each district director/chief for the different reps and try to convince them to help out. If you want it, you will get one. You just have to work it
 
Does he have a nomination from someone to another academy already? If yes, talk to those congressmen first and see if they will give another or change it if they have not submitted the slate yet. If no, ask them to change the preference. And, if that doesn't work, canvas the state's reps and beg for help. Take a day car trip to each office and see each district director/chief for the different reps and try to convince them to help out. If you want it, you will get one. You just have to work it

He does have a nomination to USAFA from our representative already, however, he doesn't want to change that- he's mostly interested in getting into an academy that will take him. I hope that makes sense without sounding *****y. (Not my intent.)

For the record, we are actually in Oregon- upper left, but not quiiiiite that far up, lol! (I just never know how much I can reveal without shooting my DS in the foot, so to speak.

This Sunday we are sitting down and doing as much as we can without the help of other people. He will be handwriting letters to folks for nominations and filling out the last of his application online. He already has letters to other academies from teachers and administrators (funny story: our school is so tiny the principal is also the school counselor *heavy sigh*)

This week has been extra busy for DS with school things and completing his PFT for USCGA, so by Sunday he'll be able to sit down and work up another (long) application! Uffda! Soldier on, right?!
 
ALSO, thank you all for your time and help. Truly, this means the world to me. The kindness shown on this forum is always appreciated- deeply so.
 
Peppypea. Doesn't sound bad at all. It is just part of the game. Get nominations to as many as possible is really the name of the game. But, it doesn't hurt to ask for a second one, making sure that the first one stays intact. Even Reps who say they only give one per applicant make exceptions. And, use people as much as you can. While it is admirable that you want to go it alone, politics does play into the nominations, no matter what anyone says. So, if you know someone who knows someone, hit them up, call in a favor, and see where it goes.
 
Peppypea. Doesn't sound bad at all. It is just part of the game. Get nominations to as many as possible is really the name of the game. But, it doesn't hurt to ask for a second one, making sure that the first one stays intact. Even Reps who say they only give one per applicant make exceptions. And, use people as much as you can. While it is admirable that you want to go it alone, politics does play into the nominations, no matter what anyone says. So, if you know someone who knows someone, hit them up, call in a favor, and see where it goes.

Yeah, we have no problems calling in favors, believe me! Unfortunately, my list of connections here is much smaller as we haven't lived in the area for a real long time...now if we were back in Montana my list is HUGE.

Thank you all, again!
 
We are from the Upper Left USA- so maybe less folks from the Pacific Northwest showing interest- that may help some!

You all are awesome- I dearly appreciate you helping us.
There is likely some truth to this. I went to KP from Washington, I got nominations from my congressman and both senators without the best credentials.

Reach out to the Representatives from the districts farther away from the coast and you are more likely to find success. You should be able to get some information from their local offices regarding any nominations that are still available.

I live in VA now and one of my neighbors kids asked me what is the best thing he could do to increase his chances of getting a nomination, I told him to move to Nebraska.

My buddy from nebraska got nominations real easy, but he took a setback to '20 and then got the boot. So it didn't really work out.
 
Just saying, if the connection to the rep in Montana, is close enough for the Montana guy to call your local guy and put a word in, go for it!! Good luck.

Since we no longer live in Montana, is that a possibility? I mean, if so, I will happily reach out to my connection there. Can't hurt.
 
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