Nominations - results different than expected

Susan707

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Nov 28, 2018
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I know a kid that was interested primarily in 2 SAs. Since its my friend's kid, I’ll just called them SA#1 & SA#2. Over the summer, the kid was accepted into SA#1 summer program but not SA#2’s program. The kid even had significant discussions with the Regional Admission folks from SA#1. The kid completed nearly all of the application for SA#1 and was working on the application for SA#2. It seemed to everyone that the kid was sure to get a nomination for SA#1. Then the kid went to MOC interview, and was awarded a nomination to SA#2. Should any inferences be drawn for the fact the kid got a nomination for SA#2 and not SA#1? Do MOCs look for the better SA fit? Was it just more qualified kids were competing for SA#1? We are all surprised by the outcome because of the interaction with SA#1. The kid could excel at either place, probably SA#2 was actually the better fit. At this point, just run with the nomination and hope for the best? Does this kind of stuff happen a lot?
 
  • So they went to Navy SS, & got a nom for AFA. That's my take.
  • It also proves that you can be rejected from a Summer Seminar & that rejection has absolutely no bearing on your application to that SA. This answers a reoccurring post.
  • Not that unusual; DD interviewed for AFA; got a nom for Navy.
  • You need a nom to get into a SA (except USCG) so a very important hurdle has been jumped.
  • Now the wait for the offers of appointment. Continue to work on Plan B schools. Wishing them Good Luck!
 
This is a good example of what’s been said here many times: Don’t take acceptance into an SA summer program as a sign that you’re likely to be admitted there. As the SAs themselves say, officially and unofficially, participation in a summer program has no bearing on a candidate’s admissibility to the SA itself.

There’s no clear answer to any of your questions, because any of those things is possible. There are a lot of moving parts to the process. But also know that there’s not much — if any — coordination between the appointment process and the nomination process. While they look for similar things, they are still separate and independent processes.
 
  • So they went to Navy SS, & got a nom for AFA. That's my take.
  • It also proves that you can be rejected from a Summer Seminar & that rejection has absolutely no bearing on your application to that SA. This answers a reoccurring post.
  • Not that unusual; DD interviewed for AFA; got a nom for Navy.
  • You need a nom to get into a SA (except USCG) so a very important hurdle has been jumped.
  • Now the wait for the offers of appointment. Continue to work on Plan B schools. Wishing them Good Luck!

I absolutely, absolutely agree with you about these SA Summer programs. This year I have come to know almost a dozen kids that were in these SA summer programs and/or received a nomination. From my unscientific analysis, there is no correlation between the programs & nominations. Only 1 kid that I know from this bunch received a nominations to the SA where they participated in the summer program. It’s really is all over the Board when it comes to this process.
 
Great responses above. I would add no one should spend any time worrying about this. Instead your friend's kid should spend his time getting excellent grades, getting physically fit, and having some fun during senior year. It is what it is. Embrace it. You'll never know the answer to these questions anyway.
 
I know a kid that was interested primarily in 2 SAs. Since its my friend's kid, I’ll just called them SA#1 & SA#2. Over the summer, the kid was accepted into SA#1 summer program but not SA#2’s program. The kid even had significant discussions with the Regional Admission folks from SA#1. The kid completed nearly all of the application for SA#1 and was working on the application for SA#2. It seemed to everyone that the kid was sure to get a nomination for SA#1. Then the kid went to MOC interview, and was awarded a nomination to SA#2. Should any inferences be drawn for the fact the kid got a nomination for SA#2 and not SA#1? Do MOCs look for the better SA fit? Was it just more qualified kids were competing for SA#1? We are all surprised by the outcome because of the interaction with SA#1. The kid could excel at either place, probably SA#2 was actually the better fit. At this point, just run with the nomination and hope for the best? Does this kind of stuff happen a lot?
My thought is that there were more qualified applicants than nom slots available for SA#1, so they had to offer some applicants their second choice.
 
I believe the primary purpose of the SS academy programs is to provide outreach/exposure to the academy for under represented applicants (states, high schools, cultures, etc, etc) and applicants that may only be considering a service academy. A possible explanation for example as to why some high achievers from populated/well represented areas don't get accepted to SS. Just a thought on the SS issue.
 
I am not aware that MOCs- or in reality the folks they have designated the role to- have a sixth sense for what SA a young person might do well at as compared to another one. It’s so hit or miss. Which is why I never liked the concept of the principle nomination when I learned of it... in my opinion the MOC should put up a slate of promising young men and women and let the SA admissions teams figure out who they think has the right stuff. It’s what they do for a living.
 
That's how I felt. I was accepted into NASS, talked about how much I loved the Navy/USMC, even came in with a navy-themed tie, and ended up getting all three noms for West Point haha.

I would like to add on, always be open to plan B. I've seen a lot of my friends get so focused on one school that they become blind to the many opportunities of other schools.
 
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