Applying for nominations and acceptance..

dennismcl15

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I was on the USNA website and it gives steps to applying the academy. In these steps it has applying for a nomination AFTER filling out your preliminary application. I was wondering if it mattered what you did first. I didn't know if that just happened to be the order they fell in on that website or that order was manditory.
 
Don't wait to see if you get a nomination before you apply to the Academy. If you are going to apply, start the process asap. This is in your best interest.
Occasionally there is a candidate who doesn't realize they are two separate applications and apply to the MOC. If they are competitive they don't have much time to get the Academy application done to compete for an appointment.
 
Apply for the nomination now! The two processes are completely independent of one another (USNA app/Nomination app).
In our area the deadline for Senatorial nomination is 24 OCT, Congressional 30 OCT. Could be earlier depending on your state.
Contact those offices and ask what the process is for submitting your SAT and/or ACT scores. Some will only accept those that are sent from the testing service and it has been known to take 4 - 6 weeks for these to be received by those offices.
Though I would not recommend it, you have until 1 MAR 2010 to complete your USNA application (wouldn't count on an offer if you are that late). Get both completed as soon as possible.
 
The order on USNA's application website is in that order for a reason, to ensure you are eligable candidate.

The Preliminary Application that you fill out on the USNA website is used to evalute you as an applicant to determine academic potential prior to designating you a candidate. This is only an intial evalution of you. At a min you should rank in the top 40% of your class, score 530 verbal/570 math (22 English/24 math ACT) to be initially competitive for candidate designation.

Once you receive your notification that you a candidate you can start you nomination process. Seek a nomination from all possible sources in order to give you the best chances of receiving a nomination. Sources where you can find out about how the nomination process works for your respective state can be found @ the following sites:
www.house.gov and www.senate.gov keep in mind there are other nomination options if you are serving in the Armed Forces or are a son/dauger of a service member on active duty in resrves/retired armed serves, and other service-related nominations. All those types of nomination options can be found on www.usna.edu/Admissions
 
In past years the minimum SAT score to receive a candidate number was 1100. We were instructed this year that there is no minimum SAT score and thus I've received a candidate with M/V score as low as 970 (YES, that's correct, 970 combined!).
They come in as counsel and contact; we stress the importance of retaking the exams.
At this point, being mid September, I would apply for the nomination if the prospective candidate feels they are competitive (IMHO scores you stated would be at the very low end of the scale).
'02, agree with your point of waiting until preliminary is complete if this was August, with many of the nomination packages due within the next 6 weeks it may be cutting it close (small items like official SAT/ACT scores that aren't received by the deadline and the package is incomplete).
If they do not receive a candidate number they are always able to contact the Senate and Congressional offices to withdraw their applications.
 
I live in Philadelphia and I already have all the forms for the nomination and most filled out but it says on the papers the deadline is November 6th. But from what you guys are saying that sounds wrong. Is there a possibility that is correct or is there maybe a typo?
 
I live in Philadelphia and I already have all the forms for the nomination and most filled out but it says on the papers the deadline is November 6th. But from what you guys are saying that sounds wrong. Is there a possibility that is correct or is there maybe a typo?

It depends on your senator/congressman each one requires something slightly different. Here in Ohio the deadline is Oct 1st for one, Oct. 15th for the other and Oct. 26th for the last one. I would get those in as soon as possible if you really want to go to the Academy.
 
I live in Philadelphia and I already have all the forms for the nomination and most filled out but it says on the papers the deadline is November 6th. But from what you guys are saying that sounds wrong. Is there a possibility that is correct or is there maybe a typo?

Use the date(s) on the applications provided for each of your your MOCs. Be sure to note that each MOC MAY have a different deadline, and make sure that you meet THEIR deadline. When my daughter applied, our US Rep's deadline was 15 October. She chose to return her application packages to our Senators by the same time, even though their actual deadlines were much later.

When thinking about the order of the USNA "Steps for Admission," keep in mind that many candidates apply to USNA in February of their JUNIOR year in HS through the NASS application, which takes the place of a Preliminary Application. The actual USNA Preliminary Application (PA) opens just after the NASS application closes. The PA has opened on 1 April the past two years. For those who start the application process in those early months, it makes sense to use the order shown on the USNA "Steps" page. At this point, most MOC deadlines will occur soon, and some may already have passed, so IMO, getting those MOC apps in should have the highest priority right now.
 
I live in Philadelphia and I already have all the forms for the nomination and most filled out but it says on the papers the deadline is November 6th. But from what you guys are saying that sounds wrong. Is there a possibility that is correct or is there maybe a typo?
dennismcl15,

In Pennsylvania both Senators have an October 2nd deadline, but your Representative may have a different due date.

Good Luck!
 
Go with what is on your representatives application package, with that being said though, don't just wait until the last minute to submit your package. Have someone look over your packet to enure you have everything you need, no typos, etc. and send in your packet.

Just double check to make sure you got the correct date, check your reps website again for the dates. You can apply to more than one source, and I would recommend you do so if possible to give you a better chance at receiving a nomination.
 
dennismcl15,

In Pennsylvania both Senators have an October 2nd deadline, but your Representative may have a different due date.

Good Luck!


Yeah I know about the Senators which is why I am getting on that ASAP but I mean for my congressman Patrick Murphy. His deadline is Nov 6th and from what I heard that just sounded really late to me. You know?
 
Yeah I know about the Senators which is why I am getting on that ASAP but I mean for my congressman Patrick Murphy. His deadline is Nov 6th and from what I heard that just sounded really late to me. You know?

Your Congressman's deadline is 1 Nov - per his website this is what is stated:

"Application Form (include a recent photograph) – The enclosed application forms must be completed and returned by the official deadline of 1 November, 2009. Formal candidacy is established in my office upon receipt of the application. It is not necessary for you to send all of the required information at once, and you should not wait to file your application if your transcripts or test scores are not immediately available. If your application is not received within a reasonable time after your initial inquiry, it will be presumed that you are no longer interested in pursuing a nomination."

http://www.patrickmurphy.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96&Itemid=98
 
For NC, they do not even hold their interviews until Jan., so it is not as late as you think. It really just varies state by state. Your MOC might be later to "spread the wealth" in other words they don't want to duplicate thus, they talk to each other.
 
Each state's Congressional Office has it's own way that they do things and deadlines that vary from October to January. The links for all MOC are available on the USNA web site; from there search for your state and you'll find the complete package requests for each member.

My advice to all candidates is to prepare a spreadsheet with all the information, essay questions and deadlines that each office is requesting. This will also serve as your checklist.

Some MOC want things sent as you collect/receive them, others like Dodd and Lieberman want only "complete" packages.

You must, and I emphasize must, have whatever documents, test scores and transcripts the MOC are requesting into their offices before the deadline expires. Those I've worked with time and date stamp the packages as they are received; late entries are denied, this is another of those tests of time management and preparation.

One situation that has often frayed the nerves of candidates, BGO and parents are teachers and guidance counselors who look at the deadline and think that is the day it can be mailed. (Wait, but...it says it's due 24 OCT and that's not until Thursday. You must stress that you need this information to you well before that day to allow for mail time).

It will be far less stressful for everyone concerned if you get your package to your MOC earlier than the deadline (to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, to be late...people die) :eek:

One last thought: when a request is made for a photograph, be VERY conservative in the pose that you choose. Graduation photos these days have those "individual, relaxed" poses; not a good choice. Fact: One package rejected for an interview was of a young man in low slung jeans, sneakers, t-shirt, baseball cap, chains, doing that finger symbol stuff you all love (sorry, showing my age) ~ you get the picture. Very nice looking guy; but this is not MTV. You'll be around a bunch of "old" guys in blue suits and either red or blue/gold power ties. What youth see as "stylish" can be misconstrued as sloppy or inappropriate. That particular young man was not the image of a potential mid or future officer they wanted to see!

Dress for success for the Congressional events that are coming up soon, also for any Candidate dinners that your local USNA Chapters might be sponsoring this fall.
 
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Should i apply for the nomination junior or senior year? Because you apply it says on the website for the academy april 1st of junior year.
 
The sooner you apply the better off you are - as you can see, most senators have a deadline for nom packages of 1 Oct, your other representatives go later on into year. USNA starts looking at packages as early as July, don't wait until you are a senior if you are really really wanting to get into the Academy.
 
But on the other hand, don't think you have no chance because you're applying late. As long as you keep an eye on all the deadlines there is a chance you will get in.

My son, admittedly a top student, applied very late. We live in a very competitive district and when he didn't receive a nomination from our congressman he thought his dream of a future in the Navy was over. Can you imagine his surprise when his BGO emailed him mid January that he received a nomination from the congressman after all? He had to hurry up and complete his application, but on Feb 24 he received his LOA and on March 2 his appointment.

So you can see, it's not always the early bird that catches the worm. My son didn't want to "bother" his teachers twice, which is why he didn't start the process until end of September. However, he should have never told the congressman in his interview that his parents were against his choice (don't worry, we're converted now), he should have told him we were supportive (which we were). But that's a different issue altogether.
 
taken from a post USNA1982BGO

Per an email from our Area Coordinator:

"USNA is 2,000 applicants ahead of last year (which was the biggest year in 40 years), and the competition is EXTREMELY keen for 2014."

Looks to be a very interesting cycle this year. Therefore, my humble notion is that in no way should we make comparisons to selections in past years. Large numbers of applications does not necessarily spell doom and gloom; each candidate must be academically and physically qualified and receive a nomination. Best advice is to not procrastinate in gathering and submitting all your information.

I would remain very patient throughout this entire process this year; things may not happen as rapidly as in past years."


If you read the thread, "USNA Applications," posted by USNA1982BGO you might want to rethink waiting on starting your application process. there are certainly cases where last minute nominations and thus appointments are given for various reasons (i.e. candidates decline, medical issues, etc).

You never know what things might come up doing the application process that might take you a little longer than expected and you certainly want to give yourself time to be able to work out any issues.

Just my '02 cents ;)
 
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