Contact from MOC panel member after interview

D

DMK from PA

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2009
Messages
19
Is it unusual for a panel member to contact an applicant after the interview has been completed? Son is applying to USNA only, and was contacted about 3 weeks after rep. interview by a panel member. He was advised that their top 3 applicants they interviewed for the district were all applying to USNA, but son was not one of the top 3; in fact, there are about 6-7 USNA applicants ahead of him (Math SAT is low, but packet is otherwise pretty strong. He is still re-taking SATs to improve this part of his packet.) Panel member advised son to look at USMMA, since their SAT requirements are lower.

We don't know how to interpret this. I don't know if this person is the spokesperson for the panel, or if he is "reaching out" on his own. Is this out of line, or normal? It was kind of discouraging, almost like he was trying to talk my son out of trying for USNA. :frown: My son did research the other academies, and decided that USNA is the best fit for his future career and is definately his only choice. He has made it clear that he would gladly go to prep school, and will re-apply or enlist if he doesn't get in. He will be calling this panel member back to advise him of this.

Has anyone else had this experience? I've been reading these forums for several months, and have not ever seen this addressed. Thanks for any input anyone out there can provide.:thumb:
 
Last edited:
It is common, if someone applies to more than one Academy, and lists them in preference, 1,2,3,4, for the applicant to later swap out the number one choice in the Nomination process. Example, "Sir, I recently interviewed with you for a Service Academy Nomination and listed X as my number one choice, and I would like to request Y be considered my number one choice now...". Different MOC's have different rules, but that does happen.
Since you only applied to one school, you may be getting information where you CAN get a nomination from that office.
I'm not sure what kind of response you are supposed to supply if/when you get back to the Nomination committee. Prep school and enlisting have no impact on the Nomination so there is not much point in making an effort to tell them that. It would be a rush, but physically possible, to get a USMMA application in. It is VERY different from NAVY in majors, campus, etc.. I'm not saying it is not as good or even better school, but different. You should REALLY think about applying to USMMA before you start the process. It is hard in a whole different set of ways.
I was contacted after my Nomination interview and was told NAVY was a long shot, but if I re-submitted my preference order I had a chance at Air Force Academy if I made it my number 1 choice. I showed loyalty to USNA, didn't change my choice and got a USNA appointment...3 years later.
Finally, I can't stress enough -and opinions vary so this is mine- what a poor choice it is to simply enlist as a path to a Service Academy. There is nothing you will do in your first year in the enlisted Navy that will add to your Academy WCS. You won't improve SATs, sports, ECA's or even leadership. You'll submit the same application that didn;t get you in last time, but now you're out of the classroom for a year. It will put you off at least 2 years. ROTC is a great program with or without a Service Academy follow-up and will look better.
Hope this helps
 
This is not uncommon. Have done the same thing. Qualified USNA candidate, just wasn't in the group being offered a nomination. Instead, phoned and offered nom to USMMA where they are still able to obtain a commission into the US Navy. It was just a courtesy. Period. USMMA is a very different style SA, often the nomination is offered just in case you are willing to consider this option.
Was this your son's last MOC interview? Does he still have a chance with another Senator or your Congressperson?
I agree with jascam 87, enlisting is not going to fulfill his dream.
 
My daughter's senatorial interview was with 2 Army officers. They too spent time clarifying the mission of USMC and asked if they could note on her file that she will apply. She politely declined. They then told her that USNA was very competitive (we live in MD). She took that to mean it was unlikely she will get the USNA nomination.

She was asked impressions on current events...after discussing the war, the health care debate, and one other. They asked "what else", when she hesitated they asked her to speak about the economy, specifically the impact on recent college graduates.
 
That last question isn't a shocker, because those that are in the military will tell you that when the economy is bad the military has a high retention rate, when it is good the retention rate is less. There are many kids right now who never thought of a career in the military, but it becomes appealing to them now, knowing that they have a guaranteed job, and a "free" education, with a subsidized Masters. When the economy is strong, and unemployment is low the "bad" side like remotes and deployments seem to be too high of a cost. They may have been looking to see her opinion about 5 and dive
 
DMK - your son's conversation is not really unusual nor inappropriate at all. Many congressional districts have some academies that are more popular than others.
Many kids who seek out USNA have no idea about USMMA.

I think it was appropriate for this panel member to seek out your son and suggest USMMA. He can commission to the Navy from USMMA and he might want to check it out should his appointment to USNA not pan out.
Furthermore - this person saw something in your son that told him that your son would make a fine Naval officer. That is the real reason for the call - to just say, Hey you have the goods, it's just that USNA is really competitive and you might not make it, why don't you consider another choice?
Of course, the decision to pursue lies with your son.
 
There are lots of things going on in the OP's post. Others have commented on the MOC aspect and I'll defer to them. The larger question is "Plan B." Every candidate should have a Plan B and probably a Plan C.

Other SAs are an option IF the candidate is truly interested in them. I had a candidate a number of yrs ago who went to USMA b/c she didn't get into USNA and ended up hating it (but did stay). SAs are different and the fact one is for you doesn't mean the others are.

Most candidates also apply to ROTC and that's a great option to get a commission. No, it's not a SA but the end result is the same and many kids prefer the more "college-like" lifestyle that ROTC offers.

Next option is to go to a civilian college -- any accredited college including community colleges will do -- and replicate as much as possible the plebe courseload. Doing well in college-level calc and chem and English and history demonstrates you can handle college-level work much better than ACTs, SATs, h.s. class rank, etc. Your activities and sports in college are not that important provided you stay in decent shape. Focus on the academics. And reapply to the SA(s) of your choice.

Another option that combines some of the above is VMI or Citadel. It's a military school, offers ROTC, academic requirements aren't as stringent, has a tremendous alum network, etc. Sons of a couple of friends went there after not getting into USNA -- one loved it and stayed, the other likes it but is reapplying to USNA.

Enlisting is not the best, or even a good, way to get into USNA. Yes, every year 80-100 enlisted enter USNA. But it's not an easy process and there are NO guarantees. You are enlisting in the military with all that entails. Enlisting is a wonderful thing for many people who want to serve their country -- but I don't think anyone would recommend it as the path to USNA or other SAs. What more often happens is that an officer sees a junior enlisted who is fantastic and suggests that individual should apply to USNA -- it rarely works the other way around.
 
I agree with the others - it is not unusual. In fact, it is rather common, at least in our area. My suggestion would be that he keep USMMA on the list and if a nom/appointment comes through for USMMA that he consider it. Turning a nom down to USMMA at this point in essence closes that option. Does not mean he cannot continue to pursue USNA, it simply provides another avenue to do serious research on. USMMA is a unique opportunity and quite a different feel from the other SAs but it is something to seriously consider and certainly provides a strong avenue into the USN. Again, doesn't mean USNA won't come through for him.

Importantly, while he is willing to accept prep school, prep is not something he can apply for. There simply are not that many prep slots so while he may be a great candidate for prep, he may not be offered a spot. Finally, you note that he is re-taking the SAT. While that will help with the USNA, it may be of no benefit on the nomination side. Given that the panel has already met, they are basing their nomination decisions on the record of each candidate on the day they met. I would not expect the panel to meet again to go over any updated SAT scores to see if that changes their recommendations. I am not sure if the panel member was implying your son was getting a nom but was low on the list and appointment was not expected or if he was implying they were not going to give him a nom at all. Either way, considering USMMA (and telling the panel member he'd like a nom for that) at least keeps that door open and gives your son time to more fully research and consider this option. Perhaps a visit to USMMA would be in order. Also, I suggest you/he contact USMMA and see if he can speak to a cadet/mid (not sure what they are at USMMA) and perhaps get some feedback from the students themselves. There are some on the USMMA section of this forum as well that I suspect would be happy to answer questions.
 
Pima,
My daughter perceived the question the same way. She was slightly embarrassed she hadn't thought of it herself. She said they all shared a small smile and she addressed the question from the perspective you outlined, sharing her plan for service should the academy not work out.

A dear friend, turned down by the academy many years ago, now a retired Admiral, continues to remind her the many routes to service. NROTC...OCS... he too would not recommend enlisting as a pathway to a SA.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top