Nomination Recommendations-How many?

navyfamilyof4

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per our MOC web sites, they require 2-3 recommendation letters to be mailed to them for the nomination application. but I had heard from other people that its better to have MORE than that. is that an unspoken rule or would it be overkill/annoying to get 5 or more recommendation letters sent to your MOC?
 
No unspoken rule that I have ever heard of.

The most important thing about recommendation letters (in my opinion!) is that the person writing it actually KNOWS your DS/DD.
Just because your Mother's friend's Niece's Grandfather knows an Admiral, it doesn't mean that you should get a recommendation letter from them, if they never met your DS/DD.

Try getting letters from; Teacher, Clergy, Coach, Manager of the Soup Kitchen (where DD works tirelessly every weekend like Mother Teresa), Scoutmaster, H.S. Principal, (you get the idea).
 
so if we have 5 people that really know him well and would write a great recommendation its ok go over the "3" stated in the MOC instructions?
 
No.....more does not make your application better. Part of applying is about following directions and if your MOC website says 2-3 recommendation letters, you should send at least 2, but no more than 3. If you send 5 when the instructions state 2-3, you may end up with a rejection letter instead of a NOM.

but I had heard from other people..............

One thing you will find when applying to SA's is that neighbors, friends, relatives and even the mailman will offer well-intentioned advice even when they have no idea what they are talking about.
 
My advice: provide exactly what the MOC asks for...nothing more, nothing less.
 
so if we have 5 people that really know him well and would write a great recommendation its ok go over the "3" stated in the MOC instructions?

From our experience, it’s not okay to exceed the required amount. If it states two to three letters, then submit three. My DS was given very specific instructions to follow all rules—exactly, which he did. Also, between the three MOCs, he submitted ten letters from a variety of sources, carefully thought out so the letters/writers in each batch were balanced with content. For example, for one MOC, he chose: a coach, AP Phys teacher, school counselor, and another teacher. In another he chose: a community service advisor, Scout Advisor, and a teacher. Each batch had a balanced blend of variety of information so all sources weren’t communicating the same information. Throughout this process, DS gained knowledge that if instructions weren’t followed perfectly, it could negatively impact the chances of the nomination.

Best wishes.
 
so if we have 5 people that really know him well and would write a great recommendation its ok go over the "3" stated in the MOC instructions?

From our experience, it’s not okay to exceed the required amount. If it states two to three letters, then submit three. My DS was given very specific instructions to follow all rules—exactly, which he did. Also, between the three MOCs, he submitted ten letters from a variety of sources, carefully thought out so the letters/writers in each batch were balanced with content. For example, for one MOC, he chose: a coach, AP Phys teacher, school counselor, and another teacher. In another he chose: a community service advisor, Scout Advisor, and a teacher. Each batch had a balanced blend of variety of information so all sources weren’t communicating the same information. Throughout this process, DS gained knowledge that if instructions weren’t followed perfectly, it could negatively impact the chances of the nomination.

Best wishes.
that is a good point. each MOC doesn't necessarily get the same recommendation letters. my initial thought was to send the same ones to each, but if not then you do end up with about 6 total. has anyone ever sent the same rec letter to each MOC?
 
so if we have 5 people that really know him well and would write a great recommendation its ok go over the "3" stated in the MOC instructions?

When I made that list of suggested people to ask, I wasn't suggesting that you get letters from all of them, just to be clear!
You could if you want, just don't give more to your MOCs that what they ask for. If they ask for 3, give them 3.

Let's say you have nine (9) letters and they are all good. You have 2 Senators and 1 Representative. You could send different 3 letters to each one of them, if you so desired.

In retrospect, this may not be a bad idea. My DS went through three MOC interviews and ended up seeing the same person sitting on all three nomination boards. That board member remembered him from the first interview to the last and probably would have remembered different letters, as well. We'll never know, because DS sent the same three letters to each MOC, even though he had others. o_O
 
DS req’d letters from 7 individuals, had each give him three copies. Did that originally not knowing who would respond / by when. Ended up with all 7. So some were the same across Mocs but also variety. The senators had a specific # so adhered to that to follow their instructions to a tee. However the instructions for our rep just said “at least two” so sent all 7. In hind sight was a good plan because had extras to use for VP submission, etc.
 
ours were very specific... just like the academies... math, science, english (depended which 2 were required) and alwsys counselor
 
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Both my DS/DD each received about ten letters of reference from a variety of sources. They then followed the individual MOC rules of how many to send with the app. Some of the same letters (the best) went to both Senators and our Congressman. However, they brought an envelope with a additional letters and a resume to the in-person MOC interview. They explained to the panel that they brought a few extra letters and resume for their consideration.
 
Keep in mind, MOC's are by definition political animals, and are (at least supposed to be) in tune with the local community. If one of the local bigwigs (especially if same party and a campaign donor) or a MOC's friend knows DS/DD, and can write a meaningful recommendation, by all means take advantage of that. Perhaps I'm cynical, but a letter written by a bigwig that is a friend or donor of the MOC will go further than the manager of the soup kitchen !

That being said, having a political connection is not necessary. The vast majority of the candidates I have seen have no connections. I know there are areas where just getting the nomination is uber-competitive, but with most MOC using the competitive alternate method of nominating, getting the nomination is usually not the limiting factor for Admission.
 
so if we have 5 people that really know him well and would write a great recommendation its ok go over the "3" stated in the MOC instructions?

From our experience, it’s not okay to exceed the required amount. If it states two to three letters, then submit three. My DS was given very specific instructions to follow all rules—exactly, which he did. Also, between the three MOCs, he submitted ten letters from a variety of sources, carefully thought out so the letters/writers in each batch were balanced with content. For example, for one MOC, he chose: a coach, AP Phys teacher, school counselor, and another teacher. In another he chose: a community service advisor, Scout Advisor, and a teacher. Each batch had a balanced blend of variety of information so all sources weren’t communicating the same information. Throughout this process, DS gained knowledge that if instructions weren’t followed perfectly, it could negatively impact the chances of the nomination.

Best wishes.
that is a good point. each MOC doesn't necessarily get the same recommendation letters. my initial thought was to send the same ones to each, but if not then you do end up with about 6 total. has anyone ever sent the same rec letter to each MOC?

DS was aware that the three MOCs coordinated, so it was important that the letters were different.

Best wishes.
 
DD sent the same letters of recommendation to our senators and congressman. She received a nomination from all three.

Best wishes.[/QUOTE]
that is a good point. each MOC doesn't necessarily get the same recommendation letters. my initial thought was to send the same ones to each, but if not then you do end up with about 6 total. has anyone ever sent the same rec letter to each MOC?[/QUOTE]
 
In my son's cases the requirements for the letters were quite different.

One Senator wanted 4 letters. His format was short answer, and he asked for hand-written narratives.
The other Senator asked for 3 letters. He also had a set format asking for short answers and his questions were different than Senator 1.
Our Rep wanted 3 traditional letters of recommendation.

It was tedious for my son, but he gave them exactly what they asked for and it paid off.
 
Asked my MOC last year as well. She said not to send in extras, that they would only glide over the first two. The rest would be extra work that the committee may throw away or get frustrated by. It’s a geographical case by case basis though. Truly depends on your MOC!
 
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