PAhopeful24
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Was just wondering if there is any possible way to see how many people and what their qualifications were that applied for a MOC nomination.
Anyway to see how competitive nominations are in your district?
- Thread starter PAhopeful24
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I’ve never seen that published.
Some SEN/REPS will release a presser, with their ‘proud to nominate’ slates listed. But that’s about the extent of it. They aren’t going to release private information. I think it’s safe to assume everyone is exceptional. Besides, there is more to an appointment, than a nomination….if that’s what you are getting at.
What would knowing that information do for you, anyhow? What are you looking for? It won’t tell you intangibles of the other nominated candidates (ie: interviews/essays, if required). It won’t tell you other elements a SA is looking for as far as selecting from the slate of nominated people (ie BGO interview/essay/other class building goals of xx SA). It won’t tell you if they are fully qualified, or not.
Imo, assume everyone is amazing. And therefore competitive. Good luck to you!!
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Adding to @justdoit19: This is largely a futile exercise. Will knowing the data make you more or less likely to apply? Because if that’s the case, then you need to check your motivations.
Yes, some MOC districts are known as being “competitive” — those near federal government centers and military installations and the SAs themselves, mainly. Think Northern Virginia and Maryland; upstate New York; parts of North Carolina, Texas and Georgia; and so forth. Yes, interest in the military and SAs tends to be higher there. But SAs tend to balance this out by appointing more candidates from those districts as others. So it’s pretty much a wash.
Here’s a much more practical way to think about whether your district is competitive: Is there just one candidate who has better credentials than yours? If the answer is yes, then you should consider your district competitive.
Yes, some MOC districts are known as being “competitive” — those near federal government centers and military installations and the SAs themselves, mainly. Think Northern Virginia and Maryland; upstate New York; parts of North Carolina, Texas and Georgia; and so forth. Yes, interest in the military and SAs tends to be higher there. But SAs tend to balance this out by appointing more candidates from those districts as others. So it’s pretty much a wash.
Here’s a much more practical way to think about whether your district is competitive: Is there just one candidate who has better credentials than yours? If the answer is yes, then you should consider your district competitive.
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I'll answer from the perspective of a board member for both a MOC and US Senator: no.
The board determines, each year, the slate of candidates to be interviewed. From those packages, the "pre-scoring" and then the interview results/scoring, the "rack and stack" occurs. That's when we determine the top 10 for each open nomination.
The information submitted to the MOC and USS is confidential. We don't advertise it and we don't allow people to review it other than those on the board.
And honestly, it doesn't really matter. The only thing that matters is you having the finest package you can.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
The board determines, each year, the slate of candidates to be interviewed. From those packages, the "pre-scoring" and then the interview results/scoring, the "rack and stack" occurs. That's when we determine the top 10 for each open nomination.
The information submitted to the MOC and USS is confidential. We don't advertise it and we don't allow people to review it other than those on the board.
And honestly, it doesn't really matter. The only thing that matters is you having the finest package you can.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
PAhopeful24
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Got it thank you.
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As flinger83 noted, you must focus on being the best candidate you can be. Also, take a 'long term' view of applying to the service academies. If you don't earn an appointment as a high school senior, plan to attend college, join the ROTC unit on campus and reapply to the academies as a college freshman. Some 25 - 30% of all cadets and midshipmen do not come directly out of high school. Many attend a year or two of college or a prep school. All of my students who followed this path have received appointments. No guarantees, but it is worth the try! Best of luck to you.
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Also, don’t think that just because you are in a landlocked state doesn’t mean your district or state are not fiercely competitive.
For example, when DS applied for noms in AZ for USNA, the senator’s office reps shared that each of them interviewed upwards of 160 candidates. There were more applicants than were selected for interviews.
Each cycle is different. Each district varies from year to year. You don’t know what you don’t know about your competitors.
Control what you can and put racing blinders on. Focus on what you can control and contribute to.
For example, when DS applied for noms in AZ for USNA, the senator’s office reps shared that each of them interviewed upwards of 160 candidates. There were more applicants than were selected for interviews.
Each cycle is different. Each district varies from year to year. You don’t know what you don’t know about your competitors.
Control what you can and put racing blinders on. Focus on what you can control and contribute to.