Balancing Nominations

[Kabobthebob]

Hey guys,

I am interested in all of the Service Academies (USMA 1st choice), and I am wondering how I should balance all of my nomination selections. All of my representatives ask for only one academy preference, and I don't have a strategy yet on how I should go about filling them out. I know the easiest way for me to get a nomination is from my district rep, and I will be putting USMA down on that application.

My question is, how should be organizing my preferences, should I go all in on my 1st choice or split them up?

 

[Impulsive]

It is nice that you want to attend any of the academies that may appoint you, but keep in mind that there is NO guarantee of appointment, even if you obtain a "Principal Nomination". You still have to meet physical, medical, and academic standards. If you are maritime orientated the CGA does not require a nomination, but with class sizes currently in the 280 person range it is extremely competitive. And don't forget to apply for a Plan B......a civilian college or university, that has ROTC and apply for those scholarships as well. As for how to organize your MOC submissions, if you want USMA first, then list it first, and your second choice second and henceforth on every application (usually if you are a good candidate the MOC if not able to give you #1 will give you your next choice). If the academy choice is not imperative then list USMA as #1 on one and a different academy as #1 on the other two MOC apps.

 

[Heatherg21]

Our DS is in process of applications with 4 SA's. On his nomination applications he ranked the SA's the same on all 4 apps. What his true 1st thru 4th choices were. Good luck!

 

[MidCakePa]

If you have a clear preference, then rank them that way. If you can’t decide between two or three, you can try to “game” the system by putting a different one at the top for each of your three MOCs. But beware that you might run into the same interviewers for different MOCs and may have to explain yourself if they choose to push you on the inconsistency. If you follow the latter strategy, make sure you’re truly indifferent to which you attend.

Don’t be surprised if you make clear that A is your top choice and you get B or C instead. That happens a lot, according to what you read here.

 

[kinnem]

Every year there are applicants who "game the system" and end up with a nom to an Academy they really don't want to attend. They end up singing the blues here and wondering how to get their MOCs to nominate them to their first choice academy. I suppose there are situations where "gaming the system" , makes sense. For example, if you live in Newport News, VA then you might have extreme difficulty getting a nom to the Naval Academy. If you live in Fayetteville, NC then it might be difficult to get a nom to USMA. But most people aren't in that situation so....

 

[Wishful]

I'm looking at it this way; it's the MOC's committee's who have to balance the nomination slate, not you. They're one of the few who know how many slots they have available to nominate for each academy. Therefore, I vote to rank your choices in priority order; you can bring up your choices during the interview if it feels right.

Lastly, you said all academies in your OP so don't forget USMMA. Have a friend whose 2 sons went there & are very happy They're in their late 20's now, 6 figures in the bank & no debt. (His DD went USNA & is now a Marine officer. Wonder if she had something to prove!
Good Luck!

 

[jl123]

If your district MOC and two Senators coordinate nominations, you can run into difficulty when they balance nominations. If they do not coordinate then your strategy makes sense given that you don't have a clear preference. In some states the two Senators coordinate to avoid double nominations to the same SA. The smaller the state, the more likely they will also coordinate with district MOCs.

My opinion - Unless you are certain they do not coordinate nominations, stick with the same order of preference on all slates.

 

[tug_boat]

All spot on answers to your question.

Push Hard, Press Forward

 

[Cookiemom]

My son listed USMA as top choice. USNA second. No third choice. He got nominations to USMA and USAF. He never listed or applied to airforce.
Good luck!

 

[justdoit19]

My son listed USMA as top choice. USNA second. No third choice. He got nominations to USMA and USAF. He never listed or applied to airforce.
Good luck!

That’s so interesting!

 

[jl123]

It's not unusual for a candidate to get a nomination to an SA they didn't ask for. When MOCs don't have enough applicants for a particular SA, they will sometimes give those nominations to applicants they do have for other SA's. There is no downside and might create interest in that SA.

 

[DrMom]

State your willingness to serve the Nation in any capacity that the Congressman and his or her nominating committee see fit--in each of your essays to them and again during your interviews--but please, set up your choices and keep them the same on your applications, if that is what you truly desire. However, by letting them know repeatedly that you are dedicated to service and to attending a service academy and that you defer to their recommendation, you give the nominating committee at the congressional and senatorial offices the opportunity and flexibility to fill their nomination slots.