Kit complete and I have a principal nomination. How long will it take from here to get an appointment?

J

Julia67

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Jan 13, 2023
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My congressman told me that as long as I was otherwise qualified— I am— I would get in. How long does it typically take, assuming he’s right?
 
It could be anytime. My son had two principal nominations and got his appointment in March.

As many others will tell you, try to relax and focus on the things you can control! Stay healthy and in shape.

Congratulations!
 
The Congressman could very well be right. If he represents a state or district that has A LOT of applicants for SAs (like San Antonio TX, Colorado Springs, CO or the DC area) then he will have to carefully choose who gets his nomination. This process suggests the candidate he chooses is likely to be HIGHLY qualified for an SA. Conversely, if he represents a state or district that has just ONE applicant for SAs, like a remote mountainous district in Montana or North Dakota, then to ensure SAs (and the military) are representative of the US population, that applicant will be accepted by the SA as long as they meet minimum qualifications. This sets up a weird outcome where by a minimally qualified candidate from Montana gets in while the second best candidate from San Antonio (who might be very nearly as highly qualified as the #1 candidate) does NOT get in. This is why you should try to obtain as many nominations as possible.

As to how long it would take, I do not know if the kind of situation above is flagged early to accelerate a "sure thing" decision. My guess (and this is pure conjecture) is it will NOT to ensure everyone's package is fully considered so applicants can be ranked with specific nominations applied (when more than one is available) to produce the best overall entering class. Also, it prevents candidates from assuming they received an early offer because they are highly qualified when in fact they might have been minimally qualified.
 
I can tell you about my son's recent experience. He had everything in to his USAFA portal in October, DODMERBS, CFA, everything. He received a LOI in his portal on 10/11/2023. He interviewed with his Senator's nomination panel on 12/6/2023. On 12/7/2023 he received a phone call from his Senator, telling him he was giving my son his Principal Nomination. On 12/22/2023, he received and email and phone call from the senator's office, advising him that he would be receiving an officer of appointment and to check his portal on Christmas Day. He did, and there was the offer! Then, on 1/16/2024 he received the official Offer of Appointment to USAFA with the class of 2028, certificate and another letter from USAFA congratulating him on his appointment and instructing him to keep up his grades, maintain conduct becoming a USAF Officer and to watch his portal for additional information.

I hope that answers some of your questions.
 
GoodRun said:
The Congressman could very well be right. If he represents a state or district that has A LOT of applicants for SAs (like San Antonio TX, Colorado Springs, CO or the DC area) then he will have to carefully choose who gets his nomination. This process suggests the candidate he chooses is likely to be HIGHLY qualified for an SA. Conversely, if he represents a state or district that has just ONE applicant for SAs, like a remote mountainous district in Montana or North Dakota, then to ensure SAs (and the military) are representative of the US population, that applicant will be accepted by the SA as long as they meet minimum qualifications. This sets up a weird outcome where by a minimally qualified candidate from Montana gets in while the second best candidate from San Antonio (who might be very nearly as highly qualified as the #1 candidate) does NOT get in. This is why you should try to obtain as many nominations as possible.

As to how long it would take, I do not know if the kind of situation above is flagged early to accelerate a "sure thing" decision. My guess (and this is pure conjecture) is it will NOT to ensure everyone's package is fully considered so applicants can be ranked with specific nominations applied (when more than one is available) to produce the best overall entering class. Also, it prevents candidates from assuming they received an early offer because they are highly qualified when in fact they might have been minimally qualified.
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This is good information however, note OPs notification of a Principal Nomination. If he was given the Principal Nomination from the MOC then he is no longer competing against his district slate and as long as he meets all requirements of USAFA, they are required to offer him an appointment. Fortunately for my DS this is was his ticket to USAFA….notification of appointment happened early February
 
AF Roots said:
This is good information however, note OPs notification of a Principal Nomination. If he was given the Principal Nomination from the MOC then he is no longer competing against his district slate and as long as he meets all requirements of USAFA, they are required to offer him an appointment. Fortunately for my DS this is was his ticket to USAFA….notification of appointment happened early February
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She! But thank you. That’s what my congressman told me but I had never heard about it so I wasn’t 100% sure.
 
My DS received a principal appointment early December, and received an appointment about 2 weeks later. He received the BFE with the official letter and certificate 3 days before Christmas. What a great Christmas present!
 
Julia67 said:
She! But thank you. That’s what my congressman told me but I had never heard about it so I wasn’t 100% sure.
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Awesome, Thanks for clarifying she not he!! Congrats on the nomination!
 
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