Candidate Status came after Nom deadlines

T

TJP

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2012
Messages
25
My son recently decided to apply to USAFA and was promoted to Candidate Status on 12/2/19 and was given a final deadline of 1/15/20 to complete his application. Unfortunately, he has missed the deadlines from our state senators and district congressman for the nomination interviews. I understand deadlines are deadlines but wondering if anyone has been in this situation and if it's worth requesting consideration from our state and/or district leaders? Originally he was only going to apply for the ROTC scholarship but after a recent conversation with his oldest brother who is a Class of 2017 grad, he decided he would like to follow in his brothers footsteps at USAFA...just wish he had made this decision a bit sooner so not scrambling! Thank you in advance for any advice you may have.
 
TJP said:
My son recently decided to apply to USAFA and was promoted to Candidate Status on 12/2/19 and was given a final deadline of 1/15/20 to complete his application. Unfortunately, he has missed the deadlines from our state senators and district congressman for the nomination interviews. I understand deadlines are deadlines but wondering if anyone has been in this situation and if it's worth requesting consideration from our state and/or district leaders? Originally he was only going to apply for the ROTC scholarship but after a recent conversation with his oldest brother who is a Class of 2017 grad, he decided he would like to follow in his brothers footsteps at USAFA...just wish he had made this decision a bit sooner so not scrambling! Thank you in advance for any advice you may have.
Click to expand...
Apply for VP nom. Could he qualify for Presidential or HUD JROTC nom? Why not give a call to the MOC offices...can't hurt to ask.
 
Your son has a few options regarding a nomination.

1.) I’d recommend he get in contact with his state senators and local congressman about any options.

2.) He still has time to apply for the Vice Presidential nomination online.

3.) If either of his guardians are career military, disabled military, or deceased miltary, he may be eligible for a Presidential Nomination (check any of the admissions websites for more info).

4.) Finally, if your son is in an AFJROTC unit or JROTC unit with honor status, he may be eligible for a JROTC nomination.
 
I offer a different opinion about inquiring of MOC’s past their deadlines. I would not advise my own child to reach out, but rather follow rules and apply to what is still available to them (as already discussed). I would tell my child, they missed the deadlines. Period. And to try next year with MOC’s on time. It’s the consequence of their actions.

Additionally, I wouldn’t want him to label himself as ‘that kid’ if he does apply next year. MOC’s may not look favorably on even the ‘ask’ for an exception to their deadlines. May not be a big deal, but it could be. That’s me though.
 
justdoit19 said:
I would not advise my own child to reach out, but rather follow rules and apply to what is still available to them (as already discussed).
Click to expand...

1) What does the candidate have to lose?
2) Older sibling is a USAFA grad - they know the drill
3) Some boards are not competitive and they may have fewer than 10 names to submit. Names are not technically due until January, so there is time.
4) Some boards have not completed student interviews even though submission dates have passed.
 
shiner said:
1) What does the candidate have to lose?
2) Older sibling is a USAFA grad - they know the drill
3) Some boards are not competitive and they may have fewer than 10 names to submit. Names are not technically due until January, so there is time.
4) Some boards have not completed student interviews even though submission dates have passed.
Click to expand...
I would check the MOC website and materials before reaching out. Our MOC have it spelled out explicitly that late applications will not be considered. No exceptions. They go on to mention the hour that they close on that last day and that they will not make exceptions for late mail delivery or weather related issues. They have left no gray area or opening to extend past the stated deadline. If the MOC in OP district/state has a similar message then I would think there would be a lot to lose in asking for an exception. If there is no mention on any of the literature or websites, then perhaps a call is more acceptable.
 
shiner said:
1) What does the candidate have to lose?
2) Older sibling is a USAFA grad - they know the drill
3) Some boards are not competitive and they may have fewer than 10 names to submit. Names are not technically due until January, so there is time.
4) Some boards have not completed student interviews even though submission dates have passed.
Click to expand...

What they MAY have to lose, is MAYBE that they are 'labeled' as the 'guy that misses deadlines but still asks for my nomination' next year, if he chooses to apply again next cycle if he doesn't get in this one. That is what I'm saying. They may have something to lose, and personally I wouldn't advise my own to risk that label on their own mistake or inattention to detail. I'm offering a different opinion to think about than was stated to that point.
 
TJP said:
My son recently decided to apply to USAFA and was promoted to Candidate Status on 12/2/19 and was given a final deadline of 1/15/20 to complete his application. Unfortunately, he has missed the deadlines from our state senators and district congressman for the nomination interviews. I understand deadlines are deadlines but wondering if anyone has been in this situation and if it's worth requesting consideration from our state and/or district leaders? Originally he was only going to apply for the ROTC scholarship but after a recent conversation with his oldest brother who is a Class of 2017 grad, he decided he would like to follow in his brothers footsteps at USAFA...just wish he had made this decision a bit sooner so not scrambling! Thank you in advance for any advice you may have.
Click to expand...
Hello! I'm just curious how long it took for your son's application to change to candidate status. My friend submitted her questionnaire yesterday for the USAFA class of 2024, and I was hoping to get an answer for her.
 
Ready2024 said:
Hello! I'm just curious how long it took for your son's application to change to candidate status. My friend submitted her questionnaire yesterday for the USAFA class of 2024, and I was hoping to get an answer for her.
Click to expand...

Mine was only a couple of days, I applied for candidate two days after the application opened.
 
I had the prelim questionnaire filled out as soon as it opened. My Candidate Kit triggered on July 10.
 
You could try MOC but probability of success is low. But I know a senior from my high school who applied late to USAFA late in Dec and got the VP nomination. If USAFA likes the package which it seems given the quick candidate status change is a very good sign. Good Luck.
 
I'm not certain if this is true or not, but I heard once that if the academy wants you, they will find you a nomination, as in if there is a congressmen that hasn't filled his quota, they can use that one.
 
The Instructions to Precandidates, the Instructions to Candidates and all the letters on the portal tell you to apply for a nomination ASAP regardless of candidate status. So instructions were not followed if he knew about the need for a nomination. On the other hand if he submitted his pre-candidate questionnaire in December and just learned about the Academy, go ahead and ask assuming your Senators and Representative do not have an explicit policy/deadline.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top