How early should I get them turned in?

[chhappy]

Hi All!

I know that the academies stress turning in the application early, which is why I had my essays written since last year and I'm currently in the process of finishing my applications. My last DoDMERB appointment is also this week.

However, i've been struggling with my nomination application. I started them the day it came out and I still haven't turned it in because I want it to be as perfect as possible. I'm trying to get it done fast and efficiently but I also am taking my last SAT this weekend and im struggling prioritizing what needs to get done. I also live in an extremely competitive district where the an academy is only 30 minutes from where I am. Any tips? Thank you.

 

[MidCakePa]

If you were my kid, I’d tell you this:

One, focus on the SAT. That’s a single, high-pressure day, so you need to be in peak condition mentally and physically.

Two, mind the nom deadline, many of which are still weeks away. It’s not a race. Use the time you’re given. Every MOC treats noms differently, but I’ve yet to see evidence that submitting long before the deadline confers any advantage.

Three, revisit those essays. Good for you for starting them early. But a year later, you may think a bit differently, write a bit more sharply, phrase things a bit more clearly. So don’t treat them like they’re written in stone. Make sure they’re the essays you’d still write today and don’t be afraid to rework them.

Four, don’t get caught up in the competition. There’s nothing you can do about it. No matter what district you live in, it only takes one candidate with better credentials than you to make it competitive.

 

[USMAZoo98]

Excellent advice from @MidCakePa. I will tell you that generally speaking, getting your nomination packets in early has no real impact on nominations decisions specifically from congressional offices. Nearly every office has a selection process that they go through once the deadline has passed and they have received all applications. Congressional offices do not make early decisions on nominations.

 

[Capt MJ]

“Shoot the wolf closest to your sled.” Classic military advice to help you prioritize among competing requirements. Right now, the nom app is the wolf howling in the forest a few miles behind you, not an immediate threat. The SAT is the wolf breathing down your neck behind your sled.

If we want to get fancy, look up Critical Path Method. When you have several multi-step requirements, different deadlines, parallel and converging actions, you must clear your mind and do critical thinking, use your analytical brain to map it all out, assign priority, determine level of effort, assess overall significance.

When I got stuck, I used to take index cards and write actions and due dates on them, and arrange them, because I am a visual learner and thinker. A white board session might help. I am big on colors and arrows.

For the nom process, those nom staffers are in admin data collection mode. As long as you are not late submitting, you are fine. But don’t skid in under the wire.

For your SA application essays, it’s good you have the drafts written, and they are now enjoying “editorial rest,” an excellent thing to do, because you can now go back with fresh eyes and review for:
- ATFQ. Did your response Answer The Full Question?
- Grammar, spelling, syntax, parallel construction, agreement of noun and verb, etc. Did you ask an English teacher to review? Does it it meet all character count and other format requirements? Does the structure support a smooth, readable narrative flow?
- Did you avoid giving the SA a tutorial about its own mission and capabilities? They already know these things.
- Did you tell the story only you can tell, that allows readers to get to know something about you, and doesn’t look like a thousand other essays?
- Did you avoid hyperbole? As in, did you write “I have wanted to serve as an Air Force officer and be a pilot ever since I can remember.” I have visions of a very odd toddler. Or is the real story, “I saw the Air Force Thunderbirds perform when I was 10, and that was where my interest started in military aviation and learning to fly. The precision and discipline appealed to me.”
- Try reading your essays aloud to a close-age sibling or trusted friend. If they start laughing, you know your tone is off, you are sounding stilted, awkward, pompous, etc.

Finally, “Perfect is the enemy of good.” This is taken from the French “L’ennemi du bien est le bien.” It means people can get so caught up in making things perfect, they never get anything done.

As for your SA application, submit your best-quality application at the earliest opportunity. Not just the earliest, note the focus on quality.

I am a recovering perfectionist. I had hard lessons to learn as a young adult in letting some things go and deciding “good” was just fine, to break through decision paralysis or work overload I brought on myself.

 

[chhappy]

Three, revisit those essays. Good for you for starting them early. But a year later, you may think a bit differently, write a bit more sharply, phrase things a bit more clearly. So don’t treat them like they’re written in stone. Make sure they’re the essays you’d still write today and don’t be afraid to rework them.

Four, don’t get caught up in the competition. There’s nothing you can do about it. No matter what district you live in, it only takes one candidate with better credentials than you to make it competitive.

Thank you! Yes, I have revisited my essays and fixed up quite a bit. And, Ill definitely make it my goal to only stay concerned about my own application this fall.

 

[chhappy]

“Shoot the wolf closest to your sled.” Classic military advice to help you prioritize among competing requirements. Right now, the nom app is the wolf howling in the forest a few miles behind you, not an immediate threat. The SAT is the wolf breathing down your neck behind your sled.

If we want to get fancy, look up Critical Path Method. When you have several multi-step requirements, different deadlines, parallel and converging actions, you must clear your mind and do critical thinking, use your analytical brain to map it all out, assign priority, determine level of effort, assess overall significance.

When I got stuck, I used to take index cards and write actions and due dates on them, and arrange them, because I am a visual learner and thinker. A white board session might help. I am big on colors and arrows.

For the nom process, those nom staffers are in admin data collection mode. As long as you are not late submitting, you are fine. But don’t skid in under the wire.

For your SA application essays, it’s good you have the drafts written, and they are now enjoying “editorial rest,” an excellent thing to do, because you can now go back with fresh eyes and review for:
- ATFQ. Did your response Answer The Full Question?
- Grammar, spelling, syntax, parallel construction, agreement of noun and verb, etc. Did you ask an English teacher to review? Does it it meet all character count and other format requirements? Does the structure support a smooth, readable narrative flow?
- Did you avoid giving the SA a tutorial about its own mission and capabilities? They already know these things.
- Did you tell the story only you can tell, that allows readers to get to know something about you, and doesn’t look like a thousand other essays?
- Did you avoid hyperbole? As in, did you write “I have wanted to serve as an Air Force officer and be a pilot ever since I can remember.” I have visions of a very odd toddler. Or is the real story, “I saw the Air Force Thunderbirds perform when I was 10, and that was where my interest started in military aviation and learning to fly. The precision and discipline appealed to me.”
- Try reading your essays aloud to a close-age sibling or trusted friend. If they start laughing, you know your tone is off, you are sounding stilted, awkward, pompous, etc.

Finally, “Perfect is the enemy of good.” This is taken from the French “L’ennemi du bien est le bien.” It means people can get so caught up in making things perfect, they never get anything done.

As for your SA application, submit your best-quality application at the earliest opportunity. Not just the earliest, note the focus on quality.

I am a recovering perfectionist. I had hard lessons to learn as a young adult in letting some things go and deciding “good” was just fine, to break through decision paralysis or work overload I brought on myself.

Thank you for your words and advice! I will definitely put them to use and keep them in mind while I am finishing my applications. I have noticed that my habits are honestly not extremely healthy in this case because it causes me to overthink. I'm glad to know I'm not the only who is experiencing this.

 

[Capt MJ]

Thank you for your words and advice! I will definitely put them to use and keep them in mind while I am finishing my applications. I have noticed that my habits are honestly not extremely healthy in this case because it causes me to overthink. I'm glad to know I'm not the only who is experiencing this.

Oh no, there are many of us out here.

These skills will all be much used in your cadet/midshipman/officer life.

 

[time2]

Two, mind the nom deadline, many of which are still weeks away. It’s not a race. Use the time you’re given. Every MOC treats noms differently, but I’ve yet to see evidence that submitting long before the deadline confers any advantage.

I agree. Each MOC runs their own NOM process. They publish instructions including the deadline for submitting your application. Clearly you don't want to miss that deadline or you will not be considered for that MOC's NOM. However, it isn't a race to submit early and there are no 'bonus' points given out. For MOC's who do interviews, they likely gather up ALL submitted applications prior to their published deadline and then schedule the interviews. Submitting 2 months before their application deadline would have no impact on the eventual results.

For the SA application, it makes sense to work on those during your summer vacation since you likely have more free time to get it done. One advantage in submitting earlier rather then later is that you gives you more time to work through the DODMERB waiver process if they discover some medical issue you weren't previously aware of. You could run out of time waiting on a waiver if you submit your application near the end of the cycle. However, the requirements to be 3Q are the same regardless of whether you are the first or last to submit your application.

 

[revs314]

Hello all! I had turned in my nomination application a couple weeks ago and I was just wondering how and when I would hear back from my congressman and two senators if I would be invited for an interview?

 

[A1Janitor]

Hello all! I had turned in my nomination application a couple weeks ago and I was just wondering how and when I would hear back from my congressman and two senators if I would be invited for an interview?

Each MOC (including Senators) make their own rules about their process, so nobody can answer this.

You can google if any of them made press releases in prior years to get a rough guess, or you can send an email to their staff to get a gauge on their processes.

 

[Capt MJ]

Unless specifically detailed in their websites, interviews may or may not be part of their process.

 

[MidCakePa]

Nomination slates are not due until 1/31, so don’t be surprised if it takes a while for the interview process — if the MOC interviews at all. At the same time, be ready to schedule your time quickly, as it could be a “first come, first serve” basis.

Both DD and DS had interviews as early as mid-October and as late as the week before Thanksgiving. Be patient, as MOC staffs have other priorities, and the process usually entails a panel of volunteers, some uniformed and some not.

 

[p2030]

Besides checking the website or calling the office, I noticed our Rep's insta/book accts posted that they were conducting panels. Im not sure if they were exact to the date or maybe a few days later but it seems to be within the same timeframe each year. The posts thanked the members of the panel for their service and had a picture etc. You could scroll through their feed to try to get some intel that way.

 

[USMAZoo98]

Hello all! I had turned in my nomination application a couple weeks ago and I was just wondering how and when I would hear back from my congressman and two senators if I would be invited for an interview?

You will not hear back about an interview, if that is how the congressional office conducts the process, until after the formal deadline for nominations for that office passes (usually the end of September or early October). Most offices begin their work on scheduling these things in late October and November. They do not start their process early for candidates who submit their applications early.

 

[Capt MJ]

To add to the uncertainty, there is no requirement for candidates to be notified if they receive a nom. It could be a letter, a call, an email, an invitation to a press release and photo opp, or one day you look at your portal and fall out of your chair when you notice a nom has stealthily crept in.

And every year, no matter when the interviews (if done) were complete or the applications due to the Sen/Reo, some wait until their deadline to submit to the SA to tell candidates. Or not.

 

[usna1985]

As a general matter, you do NOT get bonus points for submitting a nom package early. However, you absolutely do NOT want to be one day late. Especially in competitive districts, the quickest and easiest way to reduce the number of applicants is to eliminate those who submit their packages late. I recommend submitting the package no later than a week before it's due -- earlier if it's complete earlier.

Each MOC has his/her own way of operating. Some MOCs insist that every candidate have an interview, including those who are totally unqualified (it's a constituent relations issue). Some MOCs do no interviews; they make decisions based entirely on the paperwork. Most MOCs seem to take the middle ground of interviewing the most qualified candidates.

Realize that some MOCs may have fewer than 10 applicants, meaning they could give everyone who applies a nom with or without an interview Other MOCs have >600 applicants for 10 spots and it's really not feasible to interview everyone. Thus, timing can vary greatly in terms of when candidates will get notice of interviews, if there are interviews.

It's hard to advise the OP b/c we don't know when the nom packages are due. Assuming it's later than this Saturday, put them aside, take the SAT and then refocus on the noms. Fully agree with Capt. MJ about not letting the excellent get in the way of the good. Your record has been built over the last 3 years -- not much you can do to change it at this point.

Finally, don't fixate over essays. I served on an MOC committee years ago. No one is looking for the next Mark Twain or Maya Angelou. They want to see the you can communicate effectively in writing and, depending on the essay, that you have something reasonably interesting to say. It is extremely unlikely that, if your essay is generally well-written (spelling, grammar, topic sentences, etc.) the content is going to make or break you. Might make you appear more or less interesting but rarely a game-changer in the SA world.

 

[Boymomof3]

I may get slack for this, but I say turn it before it is due, after you have had a chance to put forth the BEST application possible. Being the fastest isn’t always the best route. For my oldest, his best application was ready early - thankfully it worked out (rec’d a Senator’s nom). For the one in this cycle, he needed to wait on some key information before his application was ready - for instance, his official Eagle Scout date & we wanted to see if he would be Captain of his winter sport team. He know has both of those to put down & would have done himself a disservice if he submitted early w/o those two important leadership roles. Now that he is finally at this point, they will be turned in after the LORs are rec’d (end of the month). He is re-taking the SAT but we are not sure if the new (& hopefully better) scores will be ready by the Nom deadlines so he sent his original scores & will also send the new scores - hoping they get there in time. If your application is the best it can be, then finish it & move on. It’s a great sense of accomplishment when you know you have done all you can & everything is turned in! Good luck !

 

[A1Janitor]

I may get slack for this, but I say turn it before it is due, after you have had a chance to put forth the BEST application possible. Being the fastest isn’t always the best route. For my oldest, his best application was ready early - thankfully it worked out (rec’d a Senator’s nom). For the one in this cycle, he needed to wait on some key information before his application was ready - for instance, his official Eagle Scout date & we wanted to see if he would be Captain of his winter sport team. He know has both of those to put down & would have done himself a disservice if he submitted early w/o those two important leadership roles. Now that he is finally at this point, they will be turned in after the LORs are rec’d (end of the month). He is re-taking the SAT but we are not sure if the new (& hopefully better) scores will be ready by the Nom deadlines so he sent his original scores & will also send the new scores - hoping they get there in time. If your application is the best it can be, then finish it & move on. It’s a great sense of accomplishment when you know you have done all you can & everything is turned in! Good luck !

I agree with you in theory. My son turned in his application timely. He did not rush anything. He followed the deadlines.

But he also turned in a few leadership positions including captain, and his CC transcript fulfilling his Associates degree - after the application was submitted.

 

[Boymomof3]

I agree with you in theory. My son turned in his application timely. He did not rush anything. He followed the deadlines.

But he also turned in a few leadership positions including captain, and his CC transcript fulfilling his Associates degree - after the application was submitted.

Agree! Sometimes you just don’t know those things until after the due date.

 

[Gannonfan]

Finally, don't fixate over essays. I served on an MOC committee years ago. No one is looking for the next Mark Twain or Maya Angelou. They want to see the you can communicate effectively in writing and, depending on the essay, that you have something reasonably interesting to say. It is extremely unlikely that, if your essay is generally well-written (spelling, grammar, topic sentences, etc.) the content is going to make or break you. Might make you appear more or less interesting but rarely a game-changer in the SA world.

Funny you say that. My DS is in a district where the MOC is a former college English teacher. When he had a preliminary Zoom with the person who coordinates the process for the MOC, they said the MOC makes it a point to personally read every essay of every applicant and that plays a huge part in the selection. They said if you were going to ever knock one out of the park with an essay, this is the essay to do it with. And this MOC has a limit of no more than 500 words (the Senators had a minimum of 500). I hope DS liked the challenge.