Beating a dead horse: nominations

[peppypea]

All of the MOC's my DS has looked into for getting a nomination pretty explicitly states that the requests needed to be in months ago. At the urging of another parent we decided to throw caution to the wind and try anyway- do you think it is even possible to still garner a nomination?

Together we have gathered all of the papers each MOC has requested, filled out their forms and have handwritten a letter to each of them stating WHY we are requesting this late.

Is it crazy to even get our hopes up for a nom? Sorry to be so lame- I am first timer on so much of this- parenting a nearly graduate, applying for colleges/SA's, just figuring out this whole parenting-older-kids thing. Someone hold me and feed me chocolate.

 

[2018DAD]

Welcome to the madness!
Service Academy applications/nominations all have deadlines that have to be met, period. Late, incomplete, incorrect paperwork is just screaming out that the applicant is not organized, not serious, not compliant with written instructions, etc etc.
There are so many applicants for a fixed number of slots, they can be exacting in their requirements, they can ‘afford’ to toss any that do not follow all instructions to the letter.
Everything in the application/nomination process is to put your absolute best foot forward.
I was so untrusting that I hand delivered all nomination paperwork packets for my DS since he was out of state at a boarding high school. The military doesn’t tolerate ‘late’ in any fashion or form.
I hope that this helps you see this process clearer!

 

[AROTC-dad]

Not crazy. But I agree with 2018Dad it is a long reach, but not crazy.

Some non-competitive districts don't get as many nom applicants for USMMA. Thus if your DS (not you) calls the MOC SA coordinator and is really professional and pleasant, he might get a positive response in waiving the deadline.

My DS needed his nom switched from USMA to USNA very late in the game. He followed the above and was successful in having the nom changed.

 

[Maplerock]

All of the MOC's my DS has looked into for getting a nomination pretty explicitly states that the requests needed to be in months ago. At the urging of another parent we decided to throw caution to the wind and try anyway- do you think it is even possible to still garner a nomination?

Together we have gathered all of the papers each MOC has requested, filled out their forms and have handwritten a letter to each of them stating WHY we are requesting this late.

Is it crazy to even get our hopes up for a nom? Sorry to be so lame- I am first timer on so much of this- parenting a nearly graduate, applying for colleges/SA's, just figuring out this whole parenting-older-kids thing. Someone hold me and feed me chocolate.

I hope this will be more than marginally coherent.
Unlike USNA, USMA, and USAFA, with USMMA you may receive a nomination from any congressman in your state. Even if he's not your district's congressman. It would be irregular to give him one this late if he didn't apply on time. BUT... try them all... you never know until you try. Hopefully you live in a state with lots of districts.

And... they may want to know like we do, why is the request so late? Also, if you do the chasing, rounding up, etc. The MOC may wonder if the kid even wants it.

 

[peppypea]

The request is so late because we simply didn't even know about USMMA until about 2 weeks ago. DS has completed USAFA, USCGA and USNA. A few weeks ago a mother on this board reached out to me and said that we should consider trying MMA even though we were late in the game. This mom told me about the music opportunities with USMMA and that REALLY appealed to my DS- instrumental music (brass instruments) are a huge part of his life. The children that attended from her family had similar SAT scores and physical fitness scores to my DS- in all, we had a ton in common.

We are hicks from the sticks. ALL of this SA stuff is totally new to us. We didn't even really know what the SA's were about until about April of 2017- so not only has this been an arduous journey, it's been more compressed than that of others who have a larger military presence in their family/past. If that (incredibly kind and helpful) mom hadn't reached out to me, we never would have even considered USMMA.

Peppy

PS I don't believe our districts are outrageously competitive. We are from Oregon and I think there are only three kids attending USMMA from here for the class of 2021

 

[peppypea]

DS has one nomination already to USAFA- he doesn't want to bite the hand that feeds and isn't requesting a chance from that MOC.

 

[AROTC-dad]

DS has one nomination already to USAFA- he doesn't want to bite the hand that feeds and isn't requesting a chance from that MOC.

It cannot hurt to ask the SA coordinator if there are open slots for USMMA in the congressional district. If there are, there is nothing wrong with asking for a nomination for USMMA in addition to USAFA.

 

[peppypea]

DS has one nomination already to USAFA- he doesn't want to bite the hand that feeds and isn't requesting a chance from that MOC.

It cannot hurt to ask the SA coordinator if there are open slots for USMMA in the congressional district. If there are, there is nothing wrong with asking for a nomination for USMMA in addition to USAFA.

Thank you. It's all going to be a long shot, but you don't know if you don't try.

 

[KP Eng]

Not crazy at all. I suspect reps in your state have unfilled nominations. I applied late in the game may years ago, and got a nomination after the original deadline simply because there were open slots. Keep working the appointment, but get your application docs in to the Academy and let admissions know what is going on regarding the nom. If you DS is a highly qualified candidate who they would like to admit (I don't remember too many classmates from Oregon...), admissions may be able to help you secure a nom. A nomination is worthless to an applicant who the Academy does not intend to accept.

 

[jipsyjips]

All of the MOC's my DS has looked into for getting a nomination pretty explicitly states that the requests needed to be in months ago. At the urging of another parent we decided to throw caution to the wind and try anyway- do you think it is even possible to still garner a nomination?

Together we have gathered all of the papers each MOC has requested, filled out their forms and have handwritten a letter to each of them stating WHY we are requesting this late.

Is it crazy to even get our hopes up for a nom? Sorry to be so lame- I am first timer on so much of this- parenting a nearly graduate, applying for colleges/SA's, just figuring out this whole parenting-older-kids thing. Someone hold me and feed me chocolate.

I don’t have any expertise over a topic like this, but I just wanted to say hi to a fellow Oregonian applicant(applicant’s mom anyway)! I’m applying to USNA/USAFA as well!

 

[peppypea]

All of the MOC's my DS has looked into for getting a nomination pretty explicitly states that the requests needed to be in months ago. At the urging of another parent we decided to throw caution to the wind and try anyway- do you think it is even possible to still garner a nomination?

Together we have gathered all of the papers each MOC has requested, filled out their forms and have handwritten a letter to each of them stating WHY we are requesting this late.

Is it crazy to even get our hopes up for a nom? Sorry to be so lame- I am first timer on so much of this- parenting a nearly graduate, applying for colleges/SA's, just figuring out this whole parenting-older-kids thing. Someone hold me and feed me chocolate.

I don’t have any expertise over a topic like this, but I just wanted to say hi to a fellow Oregonian applicant(applicant’s mom anyway)! I’m applying to USNA/USAFA as well!

Waves from way north OR!

 

[peppypea]

Not crazy at all. I suspect reps in your state have unfilled nominations. I applied late in the game may years ago, and got a nomination after the original deadline simply because there were open slots. Keep working the appointment, but get your application docs in to the Academy and let admissions know what is going on regarding the nom. If you DS is a highly qualified candidate who they would like to admit (I don't remember too many classmates from Oregon...), admissions may be able to help you secure a nom. A nomination is worthless to an applicant who the Academy does not intend to accept.

It sure slows the process having to apply by mail- paper applications feel like a step back in time 20 years, lol

 

[swrakow]

Not crazy at all. I suspect reps in your state have unfilled nominations. I applied late in the game may years ago, and got a nomination after the original deadline simply because there were open slots. Keep working the appointment, but get your application docs in to the Academy and let admissions know what is going on regarding the nom. If you DS is a highly qualified candidate who they would like to admit (I don't remember too many classmates from Oregon...), admissions may be able to help you secure a nom. A nomination is worthless to an applicant who the Academy does not intend to accept.

It sure slows the process having to apply by mail- paper applications feel like a step back in time 20 years, lol

Make sure that you FedEx the packages to USMMA to ensure they get there as quickly as possible. Once you open the application with Part 1 and you have access to the online portal, you'll be able to see each outstanding item. Unlike some of the other SAs, you can fax or scan/email docs to the coordinator for your area. LCDR Keith Watson is currently assigned Oregon as part of his admissions territory. His email is watsonk@usmma.edu.

Unfortunately, with the nomination matter hanging over your son's head, that may be the deciding factor in him not getting in this year. They are due by Jan 31st. Good luck!

Even if he doesn't get into USMMA this year - or to another SA this year - he can reapply next year. Often times, a solid year of prep school or college with a focus on calculus, physics, and chemistry gives one a leg up during Plebe year.