After receiving nomination, how long to hear from the academy?

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Oct 17, 2016
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I received my nomination to USNA on the 24th of December and I was wondering how long it takes for the admissions board to make a decision. I have heard as soon as 2 weeks and as long April, but I don't know what to believe! I'm assuming the shorter notice was an appointment and the longer notice was a rejection, but it could be either way.
 
USNA commits to informing candidates they will hear by April 15th. In the past this has held true, except in extreme rare cases. Most candidates hear mid/late Jan - mid March. Number of factors can play into this. One, your application being review. Two, figuring out the winner to a slate can depend on many things. Remember applicants have until Jan 31st to have their applications completed. So they may need to score some slates before determining a winner. So yes, you could hear today or you could hear April 15th, with strongest chance of hearing mid-Jan to mid-March.
 
USNA commits to informing candidates they will hear by April 15th. In the past this has held true, except in extreme rare cases. Most candidates hear mid/late Jan - mid March. Number of factors can play into this. One, your application being review. Two, figuring out the winner to a slate can depend on many things. Remember applicants have until Jan 31st to have their applications completed. So they may need to score some slates before determining a winner. So yes, you could hear today or you could hear April 15th, with strongest chance of hearing mid-Jan to mid-March.
Is this case usually the same for LOA recipients who have nominations as well?
 
At this point in time I would expect LOA recipients with a nomination, who are also qualified by DoDMERB, will probably hear by the end of January or whenever the first significant traunche of appointments are made.
 
Agree with kinnem. Usually LOA + Nom hear sooner than later, but admissions is slammed right now. This is the height of application season as they also are now getting prepped for NASS and STEM applicants. They are now coming off vacation (yes admissions people have lives and take vacations too) and will be dealing with tons of paperwork. Appointments will come, just be patient. It doesn't prevent you from preparing for Plebe Summer, ensuring plan B is solid and most important go have some fun.
 
Agree with kinnem. Usually LOA + Nom hear sooner than later, but admissions is slammed right now. This is the height of application season as they also are now getting prepped for NASS and STEM applicants. They are now coming off vacation (yes admissions people have lives and take vacations too) and will be dealing with tons of paperwork. Appointments will come, just be patient. It doesn't prevent you from preparing for Plebe Summer, ensuring plan B is solid and most important go have some fun.

Will it take longer for candidate who have a medical disqualification? Do you know any stats on candidate who are qualified in every aspect except medically???
 
Generally if you have a medical DQ it takes longer. There is no set timeline and it can vary depending what the DQ is for. No stats. We have seen candidates on this forum get a waiver quickly and other takes until May.
 
Does this apply to candidates who were moved to the national pool? In other words, if you did not win your nomination slate, how soon will you find out?
 
Most hear from the NWL in Mid/late march and even into April. Remember admissions will move who they charge appointments to many times in some cases. If you see someone on this thread or know of someone from your district with an appointment already don't lose hope. Many candidates get appointments from the same district and even school. I have seen 6 kids get appointment from the same school and another 6 get them from their neighboring school less than 10 miles away and same district. Remember you are still in the game as long as you don't have a TWE. Get in shape, work on other options and go enjoy senior year. If you have done everything in your power to put the best application forward then you have done what you can control.
 
Most hear from the NWL in Mid/late march and even into April. Remember admissions will move who they charge appointments to many times in some cases. If you see someone on this thread or know of someone from your district with an appointment already don't lose hope. Many candidates get appointments from the same district and even school. I have seen 6 kids get appointment from the same school and another 6 get them from their neighboring school less than 10 miles away and same district. Remember you are still in the game as long as you don't have a TWE. Get in shape, work on other options and go enjoy senior year. If you have done everything in your power to put the best application forward then you have done what you can control.

What does NWL/ TWE mean?
 
NWL - National Waiting list where all applicants with nominations go
TWE - Think White Envelope - received when one does not get an appointment

See the Acronym List - there is a link at the top of the page
 
In a way this is comparing apples and oranges.
Slate winners are determined by USNA...only those in Admissions know if someone is a slate winner. A slate winner, unless there are some unusual circumstances, will receive an appointment -- since this individual will be "charged" to the MOC for appointment record keeping.

A principal nominee is designated by a MOC on their slate. There is no guarantee that a principal nominee, fully qualified or not, will receive an appointment. Though, the traditional practice is that fully qualified principal nominees, more often than not, will receive appointments.

I am guessing you maybe meant to ask the question in reverse? That is...does being designated a principal nominee mean a candidate is the slate winner? The answer is not necessarily. It depends on a few factors, but the biggest hurdle is being fully qualified...a candidate NOT fully qualified, even if designated a principal nominee, will not receive an appointment.
 
Just one small note to follow this up... the US code language for USNA regarding principal noms is different than USMA and USAFA. USNA it is not a guarantee or required by code to appoint a principal if 3Q. They usually do though.
 
USNA also no longer tells applicants if they are 3Q. I believe some of the prior years discussion on here was a result of applicants who ASSUMED they were 3Q when in fact they didn't know for sure.
 
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