Chances

Viggen

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How difficult is it to obtain nominations from Senators. My Senators are Kennedy and Kerry, who are very popular and well-known. Should I just stick to my Congressman?
 
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Viggen,

Unfortunately nobody here has a crystal ball to determine what a candidate's chances of acceptance are. All of the Academies look at the "entire candidate" and two people with the same exact stats can get two different answers from the same academy. The best advice people can give is to do well in academics, be involved in extracurriculars, and show leadership.

We try to dissuade people from posting their stats and asking "what's my chance" on this board for the reasons above. Don't let the lack of responses dissuade you from using the site as a great resource. There are many people here with a great wealth of knowledge about the Academies. Welcome to the site and make sure to come back with any questions you come up with during the application process as it is a wild and crazy time.
 
How difficult is it to obtain nominations from Senators. My Senators are Kennedy and Kerry, who are very popular and well-known. Should I just stick to my Congressman?

As per the USNA Catalog, you should apply to every nomination source to which you are eligible.
 
As per the USNA Catalog, you should apply to every nomination source to which you are eligible.


Apply to every source possible. At the very least, you will gain good experience in the interview process by the time it is all over and if you don't try you won't know if you could have gotten that Senatorial nom. My D almost didn't try for a Senator nom CA Senators are not easy to get noms from (stories there!). However, she did apply to both anyway and in the end got interviews for both. Worked out very well as they were good interview preps and in fact she did end up with a Senator nom so don't discount yourself. Again, at the very least you can count it as another opportunity to refine your thoughts on essays and the big why you want to go to a SA and if you get an interview your interview skills are further honed. All around, a win win and even better if you get the nom.
 
The general answers to your questions are "very difficult on a good day." And "No."

And of course, not knowing anything of your profile, the specific response is "no clue." And one other additional, essential variable unknown ... the profiles of all the others in your class from Mass who are wondering the same thing.

So as others have recommended, give 'em a go. See what happens.
 
2011's mom
wow! your d got an interview with both Boxer/Feinstein? Good for her! Yes, we are one of the families with 'stories' about what it was like contacting their offices. Won't go into Senator bashing here - but simply say that the responses certainly what I expected - especially since my dd had an LOA. In the end she got her Congressman nom...just completed "Plebes no more" last week, YIPEE! and will be doing Summer Seminar Cadre as her first block of training.

So your d is heading to the Class of 2011? Welcome aboard. You are welcome to contact me privately with any 'girl' questions or anything else. Other moms before me on the forums were very helpful to me when I had questions.:smile:
 
Yes, she got the interv with both offices and got a nom from Boxer. Shock of all shocks too, I might add! Neither of those went very well and then when she found out about Boxer we all laughed - someday I'll share her stories of combined "foot in mouth disease" on her end and some fairly unfavorable/difficult/amazing comments on the other end (from both sens offices). The only grace is D's serious case of foot in mouth disease was a by product of being on the receiving end of aforementioned from the other side (at least it wasn't the other way around!!). Both sens. interviews had odd little occurances in the interview process. One Sen. interv. was prior to the congressional interv. so it was a fabulous warm up for the one we all figured would be the most important. The 2nd senator was a month later. The fiasco of that first interview really prepared her well for the professional and well run interview process with the congressmans panel.

She is actually going to AFA (I know this is Navy but seemed like I had something to say!!!). However, good advice for a girl going to any SA is always welcome!
 
Viggen -

The bottom line here is do not go into this process wondering if you should take this step or that step because of your perceived calculated chances.

It matters not how well known your MCO's are - what matters is the package you present to them. You are competing against all others in your state or district.
The academies want you to apply to all nomination sources - so do it. Even if your chance at getting a senatorial nom is miniscule. Applying shows you are serious about getting a nomination and serious about the academy.

Our congressman asks on the application if the candidate applied for a nomination from the senators - I would think that not applying would send a negative message.
 
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