A question about timing of Nomination Applications

L

LLL

5-Year Member
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OK, new here, trying to help DS, a candidate for 2018 classes:

1) The West Point timeline and other correspondence from USMA indicates that the candidate should apply now (Spring of junior year) for nominations:

2) VP Nomination is open now. Pretty simple to complete that one.

3) Texas MOC's, both Senators and Rep, advise their websites will be open for 2018 applications on or about 1 April.

4) DS has average (based on previous classes) SAT scores already, Eagle Scout already, Varsity letters, etc. But, with time still left before deadlines in October, you can always improve. He has the ACT planned in April and another SAT in May, plus running for football team captain in May, NHS officer later, etc. His 6th semester grades wouldn't be final on any transcript he sent with an application dated in April-May.

Should he go ahead and apply shortly after 1 April when they open for nomination applications? How do you update them with activities, letters, etc. after they are sent off the first time? Do they allow that? Sending them test scores is easy. I assume they marry those up as they come in.

Is there an advantage/disadvantage to applying early?
 
LLL said:
OK, new here, trying to help DS, a candidate for 2018 classes:

1) The West Point timeline and other correspondence from USMA indicates that the candidate should apply now (Spring of junior year) for nominations:

2) VP Nomination is open now. Pretty simple to complete that one.

3) Texas MOC's, both Senators and Rep, advise their websites will be open for 2018 applications on or about 1 April.

4) DS has average (based on previous classes) SAT scores already, Eagle Scout already, Varsity letters, etc. But, with time still left before deadlines in October, you can always improve. He has the ACT planned in April and another SAT in May, plus running for football team captain in May, NHS officer later, etc. His 6th semester grades wouldn't be final on any transcript he sent with an application dated in April-May.

Should he go ahead and apply shortly after 1 April when they open for nomination applications? How do you update them with activities, letters, etc. after they are sent off the first time? Do they allow that? Sending them test scores is easy. I assume they marry those up as they come in.

Is there an advantage/disadvantage to applying early?
Click to expand...

The answer is "it depends". We are in Texas too and were told to wait until the senior year started to make sure that the application included as many ECs and officer roles as possible. This past year, Kay Bailey Hutchinson's office specifically stated that they preferred NOT to add/change things after submission (other than test scores). I don't know if Cruz's office will be the same.

If you can, try to find out who the Academy liaison is at each congressional office. The AL for our Congressman was one of the most helpful people we spoke to in the entire process (which was kind of confusing due to TX redistricting).
 
I'm in georgia, and it may be different in Texas... But I recommend improving overall stats and getting more things accomplished (such as being captain, higher sat and act scores, etc) and then applying for the nomination. Nomination interviews are competitive especially the senator ones. Better the application, higher the chances of having an interview. All applications will be reviewed as long as its turned in before the deadline. Hope I was able to help!
 
We are in Florida, so again, it may be different in Texas, but you can contact the MOCs offices and have your question answered. Our Senators had online applications, and our Representative had a paper app. As long as the application was in before the deadline, it was OK. No real advantage to getting it in early. There were several essays required, though, and the deadlines were in September, so DS worked on them over the summer and mailed everything in August. As I recall, at least one Senator didn't take updates once the application was in. I would suggest improving stats while working on the applications, lining up your letters of recommendation, etc and sending the application in a little closer to the deadline.
 
"Generically speaking" there's no real advantage to doing this early OTHER than to put the potential candidate "into the pipeline" and to get the process rolling. A lot of folks wait until the last minute and then it gets rushed, things get missed, things get forgotten...it can be a real headache.

So I tell my "kids" to go ahead and start it early...there's no penalty for early, whereas the penalty for late is very ugly!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Waiting until you are closer to the nominatin deadlines seems the prudent course of action so the file is complete with all available awards, leadership positions, ACT/SAT scores. We encouraged of DS to write his Congressman and two Senators during the junior year (after applying to Summer Leadership programs) stating his interest in applying to the academies and that he would follow up with his nomination packet by their specific due date. This got his name into their database, showed initiative by contacting them early and helped him own the deadline since he had put it into writing.
 
Again, it's up to the individual.

Whether you start early or wait as the previous poster said, they did mention one KEY item I left out: UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!!

When honors/awards come in AFTER you have sent the initial package to your MOC, send them an update!! I've worked with my MOC for 10 years...they like updates! They say it shows the candidate is taking an active role in their application!!!

I would agree!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Flieger is 110% correct; as always. Each individual is different; each MOC is different; and most importantly...... UPDATE, UPDATE, and UPDATE!!!

The individual who has been a 4.0gpa every semester forever; knows if they probably will still be a 4.0gpa at the end of their junior year. They probably aren't too concerned about doing their application early. They aren't arrogant; it's just that they know they CAN'T DO ANY BETTER...

These are also the kids who will be applying early admissions to USC, Harvard, Stanford, Purdue, Cornell, etc... Remember; the academies are not the only school you will be applying to, (Hopefully), and it's definitely not the #1 choice of every applicant.

So there's nothing wrong with doing your application early. I will say that prior to the cutbacks in appointments and such, and when the economy was better and gave high school grads more options; there were actual benefits to completing your applications to the academy and for nominations as soon as possible. Now; the only real advantage to completing the applications early is to get them out of the way; so you can concentrate on applying to other schools; concentrate on your senior year; and enjoying life.

So, are you the average applicant, or are you the top-10%? How do you tell? Are you in the top 10% of your high school class, or are you the #1 in your class. Have you been playing sports for 6-8 years, or have you just started? Are you involved with student government? Are you a member of a club or have you always been the president or officer in such clubs. Lets be real here and not worry about being arrogant or contemptuous. Just be real to yourself. Whether you're applying to the academy or a traditional university, are you the average applicant, or are you the one everyone else is trying to catch up to? The MORE AVERAGE you are, the MORE TIME you need to improve your application. If you're not the top 10%, but rather are the top 1% or even top #1, then you probably don't need to wait until September/October. Your ACT/SAT will be fine. Your GPA isn't going to change. You already do 2-3 sports and probably are captain of 1-2 of them. You were already class officer and probably will be again your senior year. You're probably guaranteed to go to boy/girl state. etc... You'll do your application and UPDATE it as more comes to it.

But as Flieger said, each person is different, and so is each MOC. If a MOC is clear that they don't update apps, and only reviews them 1 time, then obviously you want to wait until you have everything in it that you can add. If you're average and can add more to it to be better, then again, you might want to wait. If you're the best of the best in your class, and you know it, and you know that your application isn't/couldn't get any better, then submit it in the summer and get it out of the way so you can concentrate on other schools and enjoying your life.
 
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