Hi I have received a LOA from USAFA but I'm waiting on a congressional nomination. My congressmen said that he has one top nomination that gets in no matter what and nine alternates, but he said that he had 19 in to one academy last year. How does that work? Has anyone ever gotten an LOA but not a nomination? and If I don't get the nomination what happens? Or should I worry at all? I've applied for the VP nomination as well.
LOA lacking nomination
- Thread starter weston
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I have an LOA to USAFA, but am still waiting for a congressional nomination. I think my state's two senators release theirs on the 31st, and my rep. sometime later, so I'm not really that worried though. I guess if there were an ungodly number of LOAs in one district, you could get one but not a nomination. I have no clue how your congressman could have sent 19 to one academy, since they can only nominate 10. Perhaps 19 from the district or state went, with the other 9+ getting nominations from other sources. Or, he might have meant 19 to all academies.
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If you have a LOA, they will find a way to get you in. Did you apply for the VP Nomination?
I heard that the Secretary of the Air Force also gets some nominations. Can anyone confirm?
I heard that the Secretary of the Air Force also gets some nominations. Can anyone confirm?
2011's Mom
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You bring up a good question. The answer can be fairly complex. While your MOC may only have one slot available at USAFA that does not mean that more students from that MOC district cannot gain admission. The reason is because USAFA (or other SA) decides which candidates will be admitted based on their WCS. They also then decide who to “charge” that candidate too (i.e. Rep/Senator/Pres nom/VP/Sup etc). You are from a competitive district. That typically means that your MOC staffer is fairly savvy in the nomination process, as evidenced by the number of appointments last year.
While I cannot speak to your specific district, I can give an example that may make it somewhat more clear for you. A rep district has one slot available. A slate is submitted & let's say 7 of the 10 gained appointments yet there was only 1 slot available. The 7 may have been charged as follows: 1 person on slate was charged to senator (that candidate received a senator nom as well as the rep nom). The remaining top on slate was charged to MOC (based on WCS), the other 5 were pulled from the national pool (again based on WCS) or pres or VP nom.
In your district you indicate that the MOC had 19 appointments to one SA last year. In order for that to occur one of two things must have happened. Either the MOC had two openings last year (so they could submit two slates of 10) or several of those 19 did not get a MOC nom but instead used a Senator, Presidential or VP nom. With only one slot available the MOC would not have been able to nominate all 19 appointees so if the MOC is saying that those 19 got nominations (regardless of charge) from that MOC then that MOC must have submitted two slates last year.
LOAs add a twist. It sounds like your MOC has not yet submitted their slate (not due until 1/31 and in competitive states it is not uncommon for the MOC to hold the slate until 1/31 ... won’t go into why - suffice it to say there are numerous good reasons for this). All MOCs (Senator and Reps) must submit their slate no later than 1/31. An LOA recipient is not necessarily charged to the MOC. The SA may choose to charge it, or they may not charge it to the MOC (depending on the type of slate submitted). It sounds like your MOC is planning to submit a principal with 9 alternates. I would expect that the principal nominee will be someone that has not received an LOA because that way the SA must appoint that non-LOA individual & also the LOAs. It can become very confusing as it is fairly complicated.
I suggest that you talk to your MOC staffer, sounds like you have already done this. Be sure the staffer knows about the LOA (they do - they got a copy a few days before you did). A savvy staffer is holding the slate until later in the month. Waiting is very difficult but I assure you that the staffer is likely making an effort to assure the most appointments from the district as possible. As an LOA may not be charged to your MOC, the MOC has a strong interest in granting you a nom. The only glitch is if the slate has already been submitted. Once submitted, it is difficult to change the slate. This explains one reason why the staffer may wait to submit ... just in case late LOAs show up .
While I cannot speak to your specific district, I can give an example that may make it somewhat more clear for you. A rep district has one slot available. A slate is submitted & let's say 7 of the 10 gained appointments yet there was only 1 slot available. The 7 may have been charged as follows: 1 person on slate was charged to senator (that candidate received a senator nom as well as the rep nom). The remaining top on slate was charged to MOC (based on WCS), the other 5 were pulled from the national pool (again based on WCS) or pres or VP nom.
In your district you indicate that the MOC had 19 appointments to one SA last year. In order for that to occur one of two things must have happened. Either the MOC had two openings last year (so they could submit two slates of 10) or several of those 19 did not get a MOC nom but instead used a Senator, Presidential or VP nom. With only one slot available the MOC would not have been able to nominate all 19 appointees so if the MOC is saying that those 19 got nominations (regardless of charge) from that MOC then that MOC must have submitted two slates last year.
LOAs add a twist. It sounds like your MOC has not yet submitted their slate (not due until 1/31 and in competitive states it is not uncommon for the MOC to hold the slate until 1/31 ... won’t go into why - suffice it to say there are numerous good reasons for this). All MOCs (Senator and Reps) must submit their slate no later than 1/31. An LOA recipient is not necessarily charged to the MOC. The SA may choose to charge it, or they may not charge it to the MOC (depending on the type of slate submitted). It sounds like your MOC is planning to submit a principal with 9 alternates. I would expect that the principal nominee will be someone that has not received an LOA because that way the SA must appoint that non-LOA individual & also the LOAs. It can become very confusing as it is fairly complicated.
I suggest that you talk to your MOC staffer, sounds like you have already done this. Be sure the staffer knows about the LOA (they do - they got a copy a few days before you did). A savvy staffer is holding the slate until later in the month. Waiting is very difficult but I assure you that the staffer is likely making an effort to assure the most appointments from the district as possible. As an LOA may not be charged to your MOC, the MOC has a strong interest in granting you a nom. The only glitch is if the slate has already been submitted. Once submitted, it is difficult to change the slate. This explains one reason why the staffer may wait to submit ... just in case late LOAs show up .
Christcorp
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The only thing guaranteed is the Representative's Principle Nomination. If you have an LOA; that's great. However, you HAVE TO ME ON ONE OF THOSE NOMINATION LISTS. Each senator and your Rep are allowed to submit 10 names each. With an loa, you can be ANY OF THE 30 names. Without the LOA, you either have to be the principle or you will be competing in the pool. Presidential, VP, or any other nomination is simply that. Another nomination. You don't have to be on any of the MOC's list. My son had a presidential and received his appointment before EITHER senator or representative even started interviewing. So when they called about his interview, he simply thanked them for considering him and told them he already received his appointment. Therefor, please consider others for their nomination and not him.
Bottom line is a LETTER OF ASSURANCE is assuring you that you WILL get an appointment. ONLY however if you get a nomination and you pass any physical/medical requirements. They've already scored you and based on your score, and the average scores throughout history, then know that you are a "No Brainer". They will give you the appointment. However; they can't give you the appointment without you getting a nomination. CONTACT YOUR MOC. All 3 of them. Let them know you have an LOA. Ask them if they will be nominating you. Emphasize the point that the academy thinks enough of you to consider you part of the "No Brainer" club. Hopefully you MOC will see that and put you on their nomination list. Even if it's #10. Best of luck.... Mike.....
Bottom line is a LETTER OF ASSURANCE is assuring you that you WILL get an appointment. ONLY however if you get a nomination and you pass any physical/medical requirements. They've already scored you and based on your score, and the average scores throughout history, then know that you are a "No Brainer". They will give you the appointment. However; they can't give you the appointment without you getting a nomination. CONTACT YOUR MOC. All 3 of them. Let them know you have an LOA. Ask them if they will be nominating you. Emphasize the point that the academy thinks enough of you to consider you part of the "No Brainer" club. Hopefully you MOC will see that and put you on their nomination list. Even if it's #10. Best of luck.... Mike.....
Just_A_Mom
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Yes - if he has more than one slot open then he may submit more than one slate of candidates.
Additionally:
Additionally, the US code allows for a certain number of candidate to receive an appointment who competed for a Congressional nom but didn't get one.
The point is - having an LOA and no nomination, doesn't mean you won't get an appointment. The academy gave you an LOA for a reason, they want you. If you are interested then they will most likely find a way to get you in. It just may be sooner than later.
Definitely keep in touch with admissions and continue to show interest.
Good Luck
Additionally:
not quite. it's only guaranteed if you are qualified by the academy. additionally a Principle nom from a Senator is just as good.
You have to "win" the slate. Winning the slate is not the same as being a principle nominee.
Not quite - there are other options. One is a Superintendent nomination, of which 50 are available but the academies dont like to discuss. One for the back pocket, so to speak.
Additionally, the US code allows for a certain number of candidate to receive an appointment who competed for a Congressional nom but didn't get one.
The point is - having an LOA and no nomination, doesn't mean you won't get an appointment. The academy gave you an LOA for a reason, they want you. If you are interested then they will most likely find a way to get you in. It just may be sooner than later.
Definitely keep in touch with admissions and continue to show interest.
Good Luck
Just_A_Mom
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These are service connected nominations for those who are serving active duty, in the reserves, ROTC or JROTC.