2026 State Nominations Thread

[millitaryfan]

Same boat here. I assumed I didn't get Menendez's but waiting on Booker until the end of the month. Good luck to you!

Best of luck to you as well!

I don’t quite get it when an MOC decides to hold it until the last minute to make nomination announcement. In our case, USMA had been DS’s top choice, but he prefers to wait until his appointment shows up in the portal to start a more in-depth research. I kind of understand his reluctance in calling USMA alumni or driving a long way up for overnight visit, etc before an appointment is received.

On the other hand, DS has started digging deep into his other options by looking at curriculums and even designing his dual degree coursework, research, and summer activities. e.g. the more he learns about Princeton, the more he has been drawn to it. So there is a reason top notch schools do early admissions. USMA did a great job issuing LOAs as early as July. Unfortunately, the delays on the MOC’s part probably will cause USMA lose some good kids although I have no doubt USMA can always fill its class with the most qualified group of young people no matter what.

 

[UNSACandidate2026']

When did the Gillibrand interview happen?

I had my interview December 9th.

 

[SandBaby]

Just found this thread,

I received CO-6 (Congressman Jason Crow) principle nom slot for USNA, as well as noms for USAFA and USMA in December... pretty excited, just waiting now

 

[PyroSweets]

Just found this thread,

I received CO-6 (Congressman Jason Crow) principle nom slot for USNA, as well as noms for USAFA and USMA in December... pretty excited, just waiting now

Congratulations on your principal nomination to USNA! I received the principal nomination from CO-6 MOC Jason Crow for USAFA, but I didn't apply to any of the other academies...

I received the nomination late December, and, like you, am waiting for news on an appointment. Maybe we passed by each other during the interview day... Who knows?

 

[USNAHopefull1]

Thank you

 

[DutchAmerican]

Has anyone in SC had an interview with Sen. Lindsay Graham yet?

 

[SandBaby]

Congratulations on your principal nomination to USNA! I received the principal nomination from CO-6 MOC Jason Crow for USAFA, but I didn't apply to any of the other academies...

I received the nomination late December, and, like you, am waiting for news on an appointment. Maybe we passed by each other during the interview day... Who knows?

How crazy!? Congratulations to you too! Good luck!

 

[Jen4873]

Has anyone in SC had an interview with Sen. Lindsay Graham yet?

No interview scheduled yet but a google survey of possible times was sent. No response from Graham’s office since. The deadline to submit nominations is in 1 week so I’m a little worried that the process for consideration will be very rushed.

 

[Capt MJ]

No interview scheduled yet but a google survey of possible times was sent. No response from Graham’s office since. The deadline to submit nominations is in 1 week so I’m a little worried that the process for consideration will be very rushed.

If you have the typical panel set-up, these folks are experienced and have evaluated thousands of candidates over the years. They know what they are looking for. Given Sen. Graham’s tenure in office, his panel is likely to be very experienced. Many elected officials do not use interviews at all, just applications. Be mentally prepared for no interview, as one of the possibilities on the spectrum.

There is much in this process you simply cannot control. It’s a life skill to figure these out, compartment them off and focus on things you can control, such as finishing this year strongly, tending alternate plans, PTing, and being in the present with family and friends. If this works out in your favor, you will only have about 5 months left at home, and after that, your life pattern changes dramatically.

Oh, and if an elected official is a few days late submitting? (It happens.) Do you think an SA is going to not just wait for the slate from a Senator? The delay will impact your slatemates equally, so it’s not like your competition is leaving you behind.

 

[usafcellist2026]

Rosen sent me an email of acceptance saying they sent a letter but I have yet to get a letter! Did you receive a letter yet? Thank you and good luck!

No letter for me yet. I'm assuming maybe sometime next month?

 

[fighterjetlover]

No letter for me yet. I'm assuming maybe sometime next month?

No letter either! I would assume so. I think that the nominations should show up in the portal around the 31st though!

 

[Darylmoewenn]

My kid just told me he got a nomination from Senator CA-1, we are assuming it’s Sen Padilla? He never interviewed for Feinstein so I don’t think she would nominate without an interview. He was interviewed by Padilla weeks after people here were posting about their interviews with Padilla, so he assumed he didn’t make the cut. I don’t know anything about how any of this works, I didn’t even know I would want for him to attend a service academy until he really expressed interest. I read, however that not all nominations are created equal, that some senators designate a principal and alternates, does anyone know if Senator Padilla does that?

 

[acpacesetter]

My kid just told me he got a nomination from Senator CA-1, we are assuming it’s Sen Padilla? He never interviewed for Feinstein so I don’t think she would nominate without an interview. He was interviewed by Padilla weeks after people here were posting about their interviews with Padilla, so he assumed he didn’t make the cut. I don’t know anything about how any of this works, I didn’t even know I would want for him to attend a service academy until he really expressed interest. I read, however that not all nominations are created equal, that some senators designate a principal and alternates, does anyone know if Senator Padilla does that?

I received a nomination from Feinstein with no interview, only the application. I have yet to receive any information from Padilla since my interview in December. It very well could have been from Feinstein.

 

[have4kiddos]

My kid just told me he got a nomination from Senator CA-1, we are assuming it’s Sen Padilla? He never interviewed for Feinstein so I don’t think she would nominate without an interview. He was interviewed by Padilla weeks after people here were posting about their interviews with Padilla, so he assumed he didn’t make the cut. I don’t know anything about how any of this works, I didn’t even know I would want for him to attend a service academy until he really expressed interest. I read, however that not all nominations are created equal, that some senators designate a principal and alternates, does anyone know if Senator Padilla does that?

So Feinstein sent out an email prior to nom showing up on portal stating if you were a principal or unranked alternate, so did our MOC. This was for USAFA. Did your son get any emails?

 

[Darylmoewenn]

So Feinstein sent out an email prior to nom showing up on portal stating if you were a principal or unranked alternate, so did our MOC. This was for USAFA. Did your son get any emails?

I asked him if he got any emails and he said no. He is applying USNA so maybe the staffers are different. I wish there was a way to learn about this process for each member of congress so I could support my boy and help him out, but I guess he’s doing fine on his own. I just get so anxious because he’s so anxious. Did feinstein’s nomination show up as Sen-1?

 

[have4kiddos]

I asked him if he got any emails and he said no. He is applying USNA so maybe the staffers are different. I wish there was a way to learn about this process for each member of congress so I could support my boy and help him out, but I guess he’s doing fine on his own. I just get so anxious because he’s so anxious. Did feinstein’s nomination show up as Sen-1?

No it didn’t show up as 1

 

[CSHhawk]

A couple of folks on this forum shared that Menendez already called. My DS wasn't interviewed by Menendez, only by Booker and our district rep. Heard nothing from either.

Waiting, but not anxiously. At this moment, DS is getting 50/50 about USMA. He's been accepted to Princeton and USCGA, and has also received a presidential scholarship to CU Boulder. All very nice options.

Princeton! The decision should be easy, the other colleges/SA don't compare.

 

[Darylmoewenn]

Princeton! The decision should be easy, the other colleges/SA don't compare.

Princeton decisions haven’t come out as far as I know, my boy just interviewed with Princeton two weeks ago. The decision wouldn’t be easy, WTH? Some kids really want to serve their country and want to be with other like minded people who are also exceptional. My son applied to a few ivies and was recruited for football, but still leans usna. He may or may not change his mind but it’s not an easy decision imho.

 

[moho]

Not that I would ever get into an Ivy, but I would attend USAFA/USNA/USCGA over any Ivy League in a heartbeat.

 

[Goal2004]

A couple of folks on this forum shared that Menendez already called. My DS wasn't interviewed by Menendez, only by Booker and our district rep. Heard nothing from either.

Waiting, but not anxiously. At this moment, DS is getting 50/50 about USMA. He's been accepted to Princeton and USCGA, and has also received a presidential scholarship to CU Boulder. All very nice options.

Princeton! The decision should be easy, the other colleges/SA don't compare.

I believe it’s up to what you want, for my DD everything else was “plan B” USNA always her plan A, so she’s thrill with her appointment
But of course I guess you can decide when Princeton (or your top college choice) call with an acceptance. SAs are not regular colleges, is your career so better keep that in mind. Good luck to you!!