LOA and nomination

Goat 965

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DD received an LOA in September and did an overnight at USMA a couple of weeks ago. She interviewed with one of our Senators last week, and was informed yesterday that she would be getting his nomination. She has applied for noms from our other Senator and our Congressman, but they are still taking apps. My question is: should she continue to pursue these or is she in good enough shape that it is unnecessary?
 
DD received an LOA in September and did an overnight at USMA a couple of weeks ago. She interviewed with one of our Senators last week, and was informed yesterday that she would be getting his nomination. She has applied for noms from our other Senator and our Congressman, but they are still taking apps. My question is: should she continue to pursue these or is she in good enough shape that it is unnecessary?

Absolutely continue to pursue the other noms. At a minimum, it will be good experience for her in a pressure interview.
 
Ehhhh. But maybe let the other sources know that she already has a nomination and LOA (even though they probably would know). Could be taking a nomination spot for someone that really needs it.
 
USMAcand9821, that is where I was going........It looks very promising, but the appointment is the goal, not the nom or the LOA. But, DD doesn't want to take away an opp for a nom from someone else. Does it help to have more than one nom, I guess is the real question.
 
It only helps to have more than one nom if you aren’t sure that you’re going to get an appointment. But with an LOA, if I’m not mistaken, you are guaranteed an appointment as long as you have 1 nom and are 3Q’d.
 
It only helps to have more than one nom if you aren’t sure that you’re going to get an appointment. But with an LOA, if I’m not mistaken, you are guaranteed an appointment as long as you have 1 nom and are 3Q’d.

Having a LOA gives the candidate and family a piece of mind but, IMO, nothing guarantees an appointment...other than the official appointment. More often than not a person with a LOA receives the appointment; however, there are a lot of "life situations" that can derail an appointment even with a LOA.
 
Ehhhh. But maybe let the other sources know that she already has a nomination and LOA (even though they probably would know). Could be taking a nomination spot for someone that really needs it.

It's a nice thought, but that's not really the way it works. Each opening for the Academy can have up to 10 nominations so having a person with an LOA has no real effect on it since one of the other 9 will then get the appointment. If you move the LOA winner out of the mix the next person in line may move up onto the slate, but since they were the 10th choice their chance of an appointment are very, very slim. I would argue the opposite, and that only applying for one nomination could possibly keep another deserving person out. When my son got his LOA to USAFA he applied to both senators and our representative. He was put on all three slates, and even after he accepted his appointment his nomination source was moved amongst all three MOCs until the final class was put together. It is like a big jigsaw puzzle, and the more sources that the board has to move your appointment around to, the more chance they have to build a class of the most deserving candidates.

Stealth_81
 
Roger that, Dad.........I have read over and over on this forum that the only thing that is an appointment is an appointment...............DD has a medical hurdle to get over, she is in "remedial" mode right now, and we are hopeful that she won't need to get a waiver, but in light of this, I think she feels that an additional nom could only help........If she were 3 Q'd with an LOA and a nom, she might feel differently, but.........
 
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It's a nice thought, but that's not really the way it works. Each opening for the Academy can have up to 10 nominations so having a person with an LOA has no real effect on it since one of the other 9 will then get the appointment. If you move the LOA winner out of the mix the next person in line may move up onto the slate, but since they were the 10th choice their chance of an appointment are very, very slim. I would argue the opposite, and that only applying for one nomination could possibly keep another deserving person out. When my son got his LOA to USAFA he applied to both senators and our representative. He was put on all three slates, and even after he accepted his appointment his nomination source was moved amongst all three MOCs until the final class was put together. It is like a big jigsaw puzzle, and the more sources that the board has to move your appointment around to, the more chance they have to build a class of the most deserving candidates.

Stealth_81[/QUOTE]
I agree with Stealth....

This is similar to our DD's experience. Our DD was a recruited athlete and applied to both Senators and our State Rep. She had received calls from all 3 MOC's saying that she'd receive a nomination from each of them. Her nomination source shifted from one to another until they determined who "claimed" her. Good thing for her as a blue chip recruit was that she could have received the Supt's nomination had none of them nominated her.

I'd suggest to apply to all nominating sources. It only takes 1 nomination.

IMO, the perspective candidate(s) must do all they can do to secure a nomination(s). They've put in a lot of energy to get to the point....don't back off now! Worrying about taking another persons possible nomination should not be the reason you do not go after all nominating sources.
 
Dad, how is your DD doing at school? She happy with her decision to go to USMA?
 
With all due respect to Stealth's seniority and background, I do disagree. In a competitive state, there can absolutely be strong candidates on the list of ten for each of the senators. Not uncommon for all 10 to get admitted.

With an LOA, all you need is a nom. Just one.

Sometimes the MOCS do a terrible job of seeing that others are missing an opportunity as they dole out multiple nominations to the same person. At the very least, I would inform the other nom sources that you already have a nom and an LOA.
 
Having a LOA gives the candidate and family a piece of mind but, IMO, nothing guarantees an appointment...other than the official appointment. More often than not a person with a LOA receives the appointment; however, there are a lot of "life situations" that can derail an appointment even with a LOA.

Okay yes there are a ton of “extenuating circumstances” that could take place to make you not receive an appointment after getting an LOA. But the LOA is a letter of assurance, and that pretty much means if none of those circumstances happen (exceptionally bad grades, crimes, medical issues) and you become qualified (it’s usually the medical part that isn’t qualified at this point) and get a nomination, you are “Assured” an appointment.
 
Goat - DS was in the exact same situation last year (had USMA LOA in September). He still went through the interview process with all of the MOC's. He informed each that he had a LOA ahead of the interviews. Let the MOC's decide how they handle their slates and press forward for all nominations possible.

I spoke with a couple of the aides during the process and they mentioned that they usually place the LOA candidates lower on the slates so someone without an LOA is atop the list. At the end of the day they prefer to maximize the number of cadets from their district attending the academies.

Additionally, best of luck on the medical side! This was the part that took took the longest. Things worked out in the end but not without creating much stress for DS and his parents.
 
Thanks AZWP...........yeah, the prospect of having to get a waiver is daunting, so we are hopeful that since we have now satisfied the remedial by supplying the requested backup information, DD will get cleared. She has everything else in place, and has taken a rigorous senior sched with 3 AP courses, so she should remain fine academically. But I have seen posts that state the DODMERB dq's on a black and white basis.......Any question, and you are DQ'ed and have to go through the waiver process. Stress is a good word to describe it.
 
Sounds like those of us who live in states where the senators and representatives make a point of not duplicating nominations are at a distinct disadvantage.
 
AZ, how is your DS doing at the academy? Making a go of it?
DS is doing well, finding his groove and certainly making a run of it. He's taking a tough academic schedule (as I am sure all cadets do) but hanging in there.

As for DoDMERB, it is definitely black and white for certain conditions and history. Just have all documentation ready to go and stay on top of it. The beauty of the LOA is that DD will automatically get waiver consideration if she is DQ'd. Best of luck!
 
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