For Nomination Reccomendations...

[Ilikeboats]

So, right now I am filling out my academy nomination packets. The packets are asking me for three letters of recommendation, and I don't know what those should look like. I have already had three teachers/staff agree to write me a recommendation: my junior year Physics teacher, my junior year History teacher (who was an Air Force Major) , and my school counselor. I can still get recommendations from my rugby coach, my uncle (who was an air force one star general), and the pastor at my church. If you had to choose 3 of these recommendations, which would you choose? All feedback is appreciated, thank you!

 

[KPButterflyer]

You could go with the teachers and the coaches. They seem the most objective. Uncle could be a bit too nepotistic, and the pastor is eh. Any recommendation is fine for a senator/rep though except like direct family.

 

[kpmom2013]

All members of Congress have their own application process. My DD's and DS who applied all received multiple nominations. They were each able to request a letter of recommendation from five individuals. They collected them, read them, and picked the three best to submit. If your members of Congress require confidential letters that process will obviously not be possible. I would use the references who know you best. My kids used their pastor because they were heavily involved in leadership and mentoring at our church. If your pastor does not know you that well, choose someone else. It is more important that the recommender be someone who knows you well than one who merely has an impressive title or biography him- or herself. Ideally, I would look for a variety of recommenders rather than all teachers. No matter who you choose to write letters for you, be courteous and give them a resume or bio so they will be reminded of all your great accomplishments while they are writing. Good luck.

 

[joriebelle]

You could have all of those letters. It doesn't need to be just 3. My son was told this when applying. Each of those people knows you in a different way and gives a different picture of you.

 

[Heatherg21]

Our son asked for letters mid spring of his junior year. He asked from multiple sources. Most academies require your Senior English, Math and Science teacher as well as your guidance counselor. If they have provided you letters of recommendation that is great, but if you use those letters, keep in mind they may be double dipping so to speak. Using someone from another portion of your life may give you the opportunity to showcase more about you. Our son asked for quite a few, and sorts through them to choose the appropriate letters for each application. He asked for one from the City Council as he has been on City Youth Council for 2 years and is now chair. He asked his Taekwondo instructor. He asked his mentor from Boys State who he has continued a relationship with. He asked his dual credit American History teacher who observed him managing a difficult schedule. He also asked a family friend who has known him for 10 plus years. I would not use a family member, implications of nepotism is enough to discredit the letter and maybe yourself. We have high ranking family friends but they cannot honestly attest to how are kiddo handles day to day school and athletic life so they aren't a good source. I would caution you against seeking letter writers based on their rank or status. It is about you and how you handle challenges and rigorous schedules and your character, not theirs. Good luck, and make several good quality copies of the letters and keep them in an organized folder. Also suggest scanning as PDF so you have them at the ready.

 

[golfindad]

find a friend who is politically connected to your senator/representative and have them do a letter for the nomination. Besides that, all of the above on your list are fine for the nomination. As others have said, unless there is a limit, going over one or two is probably ok, unless each letter is redundant or cumulative.

 

[Robotmom]

Almost everyone seeking a nomination is a strong student. Can your letter of recommendation writers speak to your leadership, character, how you face challenges? Saying you're a great student might not be enough. Why are you a great student? A word of caution...my son's school required any letters of recommendation from staff be confidential. He was not able to see or scan letters. He provided each writer with three addressed envelopes and asked them to place the letter inside. Each sealed and signed the back of each envelope and my son sent it with the rest of the packet. Note it was the same letter just three copies one for each Senator and our Congressional Rep. Also follow the instructions for each application packet. Each has their own uniqueness.

 

[jl123]

In general, most people reading letters of recommendation do not want to be inundated with letters that say the same thing, especially if it is clear that the writers do not know the candidate well. This is particularly true of military officers, many of whom sit on MOC nomination committees.

It is better to have a recommendation from a gym teacher, pastor, or employer that knows you very well than from a General, Admiral, or politician that knows your parents. A letter from a VIP that does not know you may actually hurt your chances - many who sit on nomination panels or in admissions offices take offense at attempts to influence the process through connections. The VIP may actually signal that they are not really pushing for the candidate; in an interview, a member of Harvard's Board admitted she had a code with admissions - If she uses the applicant's first name, she is advocating for the applicant. If she uses Mr./Ms., she is only writing the letter as a favor and doesn't really care if the applicant is admitted.

Influence does not work through formal channels. If a VIP wants to help you, it will be done with a phone call, lunch meeting, or other personal connection. Someone who does not know you is not likely do this.

 

[StPaulDad]

One other thing to consider is that the Senator is probably not going to see any of this until a committee has whittled it down to some manageable number of qualified interviewees. If you don't make the first cut that letter from Don Vito Corleone may never see the light of day. Be a good candidate first so you shine for everyone who sees your file, not just family friends.