Important Nomination Question

[CAP_C/2dLt]

Hey,
It just so happens that I've received two nominations: one from a Senator, and one from a Representative. What do I do? I'll be contacting my ALO, but I was just curious what input you guys had. Has that happened to anybody else?

Thanks,
CAP_C/2dLt

 

[hornetguy]

I, too, received both when I was a candidate. Don't need to do anything. They'll (USAFA) use whichever one they feel will help them max the amount of qualified candidates they can take. Congrats, its definately a plus to have two.

 

[ds52262]

Hold on because you could get 3 or 4. Multiple nominations can be common depending on the part of the country you come from. Larger populations like California, New York, Texas have more applicants so multiple nominations can be harder to come by. In states like Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Nevada that have smaller populations multiple noms are more common.

 

[CAP_C/2dLt]

Thanks for the input...yeah, hopefully it will be a plus for me, even though I live in IDAHO

 

[hornetguy]

I'd say its a bigger plus for you than it was for me in Texas.

 

[CAP_C/2dLt]

What year are (or were) you?

 

[hornetguy]

I am in the class of 2010 (a junior).

 

[CAP_C/2dLt]

Awesome...I wish you the best of luck for the next 1 1/2 years!

 

[hornetguy]

Why thank you! Good luck in your endeavors as well.

 

[Just_A_Mom]

CAP C/2dLt: You don't need to do anything. The MOC's will notifiy the academy and your nominations will show up shortly on your candidate page.

Receiving a nomination from a US Rep and US Senator:

What this means is you are on two lists. Either the MOC or the academy will rank the list. The top qualified candidate from each list will get the appointment. If the same person is top on both lists then the the #2 candidate on the other list will get the offer. If either of those reject then the offer moves down to the next on the list.

In a small state like Idaho - it is more likely that not every candidate on the list is qualified. In Texas they are probably all very qualifed - the competition is stiffer.

In any case - those on the "list" who are not offered an appointment because the person ahead of them accepted the appointment and are qualifed by academy standards will go into the "pool". The pool consists of candidates from all across the country who received a congressional nomination. Now you will be competing with candidates from all across the country - not just those from Idaho.

 

[CAP_C/2dLt]

Great! Thanks for the input.

 

[USAFA hopeful]

My congressman this year and last year gave me a nomination without an interview or anything. All i had to do was turn in my application. I know that he uses the competitive method for nominations, so does that just mean that he lets the Academy do all of the work as far as ranking the nominees?

 

[Christcorp]

That's a tricky question. Here's an excerpt from how it's done. MEMBER means member of congress.

..... Nominees may be submitted in three categories: without ranking, with a
principal candidate and nine ranked alternates, or with a principal candidate and nine
unranked alternates. When the Member specifies a principal candidate, that
individual will be appointed to a DOD academy as long as he or she meets all other
admission criteria. If the principal candidate is disqualified, the service academies
will appoint the first fully qualified, ranked alternate, if specified by the Member. In
circumstances where Members do not specify a principal candidate or ranked
alternates, one individual from among the Member’s nominees who is found to be
fully qualified will be appointed by the academies to serve as cadets.......

So basically; if the MOC Rep appoints a PRINCIPLE nominee; that person gets the academy slot assuming they meet all criteria and the MOC Rep doesn't already have too many at the academy. If you aren't the primary, you go into the pool. If the MOC rep DOESN'T assign a PRINCIPLE; then the academy MUST choose 1 on the list. They will choose the one they have scored the highest and is the most qualified. hope that helps.... mike....

 

[hornetguy]

My congressman this year and last year gave me a nomination without an interview or anything. All i had to do was turn in my application.

Same here for both my Senator and Congressman. Strangely enough, my congressman required interviews, but they told me the day before not to bother coming since I had my Senator's in hand. Still ended up getting it. Still scratching my head on that one!