LOA and Nomination Predicament

[freshavocado]

This is confusing, but if you can help me out I’d greatly appreciate it.

BACKGROUND:
Senator 1 does principle and alternate ranking.
Senator 2 and Congressman does competitive slate of 10.

I was asked to list the service academies in order of preference while I was applying for the nominations.
I wrote down:
1) USMA
2) USAFA
3) USNA
4) USMMA
To me, I don’t really have a strong preference for a service academy. I just want to serve, and that’s why I’m applying to all 5.

My senators and congressman usually tends to give out a nomination to only one service academy per person (no double nominations, and I know this from looking at published SA nomination announcements from the past several years).
As a result, I know that I’ll be placed in the USMA slate.

I received an LOA contingent on a nomination to USNA last Friday.

I’ve already had my interview with Senator 1 prior to the LOA, and results are being mailed out this week. I can’t switch from the USMA slate to USNA slate (although I know this would have been the most favorable outcome, since I could have simply been placed as an alternate and thus secured a nomination and appointment to USNA).
That isn’t the reality, so I am uncertain about a nomination to USMA for Senator 1, in which if I don’t get the principle nomination, I basically have no chance at getting the appointment.

I emailed my other two MoCs about my LOA to USNA.

I called my congressman’s office and asked if I could potentially be placed on both the USMA and USNA slates, because I wanted USMA more but USNA was a guarantee. Was told it would be noted for the upcoming interviews, but there is no certainty I’ll get a nomination to USNA.

I’ll be placed on the USMA slate for Senator 2. My question is this: Should I call Senator 2 and ask to be switched from the USMA slate to the USNA slate, and therefore (99%) guarantee I’ll have a nomination to USNA? I know I won’t get a nomination to USNA from Senator 1, and I don’t know for certain if I’ll get a nomination to USNA from my Congressman. I also believe that the competition for USMA for my district is either nonexistent or very small, because I didn’t meet anyone in my district whose number 1 was USMA at Senator 1’s interview day, and so I think I’d have a better chance at getting an appointment through a nomination from my Congressman rather than my Senator.

I may have left out important piece of information I assume you all would know, so if there is a need for clarification I can do clear things up. Thank you.

 

[freshavocado]

Principal***

 

[Pima]

You might be jumping to conclusions too fast.

Just because you placed USMA as number 1 on your list does not equate to them only reviewing for THEIR USMA slate only. Many kids submit multiple SA lists. I have seen kids place XYZ SA on all 3 MoC applications as their number 1, only to find out that they only got one nom to their last choice.

They weed through the applications and yes, it may be your number 1 choice, but when they start creating their slates, they may say you didn't make the cut for that SA, but because you asked for this other SA and you were highest in that pool they could give you a nom to that SA instead.

Additionally, the way it works with an LOA and MoC that does principal, the MoC can offer the principal to someone else, but still place you on their slate. It will just push you over to the NWL. If USMA later offers you an LOA than you get the appointment, but just not charged to the MoC.

 

[KansasMan]

Congrats on the LOA. However I really don't think it would be a good idea to call Senator 2 if the interview already happened. To me, that would come off as insincere, and would likely not change much.

However, if you mention in the interview with your congressman that you have an LOA to USNA but still have USMA as your first choice, they'll definitely consider that. You have to remember that while the MOCs are very selective, they're not robots. Even more so if you're in a less competitive district. Good luck either way

Also, Bradley county is the best county

 

[CrewDad]

This is confusing, but if you can help me out I’d greatly appreciate it.

BACKGROUND:
Senator 1 does principle and alternate ranking.
Senator 2 and Congressman does competitive slate of 10.

I was asked to list the service academies in order of preference while I was applying for the nominations.
I wrote down:
1) USMA
2) USAFA
3) USNA
4) USMMA
To me, I don’t really have a strong preference for a service academy. I just want to serve, and that’s why I’m applying to all 5.

My senators and congressman usually tends to give out a nomination to only one service academy per person (no double nominations, and I know this from looking at published SA nomination announcements from the past several years).
As a result, I know that I’ll be placed in the USMA slate.

I received an LOA contingent on a nomination to USNA last Friday.


I may have left out important piece of information I assume you all would know, so if there is a need for clarification I can do clear things up. Thank you.

@freshavocado Congrats! You have the highest chance with USNA for an Appointment. If you have no preference I would tell your MOC at the interview that’s where you want your Nom. Plus you can send your MOC a copy of your USNA LOA now and they will consider you for it. Easiest MOC Nom is the Rep Nom so ask your Rep to charge his Nom to USNA. In fact that’s what he would prefer to do anyway if you say you have no preference. They want to give you Nom to your best chance school. And that’s the Academy with your LOA. It seems you are a competitive candidate, I am 100% certain you will get a Nom to USNA if you tell your MOCs you don’t have a preference. Also in a highly competitive district, MOCs normally don’t give out Principals. You may have 50/50 chance on others without knowing the rest of your Quals and district. You have placed USMA first on the list so I assume that’s your real first choice. So if USMA is what you want you better make that clear. And take the chance of wasting the LOA from USNA. If in the end you end up with only 1 Nom from your MOCs. Otherwise MOC will give you Nom to USNA. This happens all the time in highly competitive states and districts. I assume you are from a very competitive district if your MOCs coordinate. Good luck. I know it’s not an easy gamble. We’ve been there with my DS last year. He took his LOA and charged his Nom to USNA despite his desire to go to USMA since 8. Even his many Mentors in the West Point Society whom he had known since he was a baby advised him to do the same. Today he tells me he doesn’t know why he was so committed to USMA in his youth. He’s very happy at USNA and loving it. Although my family are Army and Air Force Veterans, one thing for sure we all agree that Navy/Marines do have the best Class-As!