Nomination Troubles

[Jarhead713]

Thought I'd share the story of my most recent buffoonery.

I finished my two nomination packets for my two senators Tuesday night, thinking they had to be postmarked October 1, 2019. At around 15:00 I reviewed my packets... to realize they both clearly stated (DUE IN NASHVILLE OCTOBER 1)

Uh oh.

I called both of the points of contact. One senator informed me they MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 1 TO BE CONSIDERED. Great, I'm screwed.

The other senator informed me that she'd gladly accept my packet if it was postmarked October 1, 2019. Ok this is better, maybe I'm not screwed.

So, around 19:00 my last letters of recommendation were emailed to me. (One of my references said he'd write a letter but never got back to me so I was scrambling for a spare letter)

I rushed to my local Fedex center and shipped both packets overnight... for $70. God I'm stupid.

They both arrived yesterday morning while I was taking the ACT, so that headache is over.

Then, around 17:00 yesterday I received an email from my senators office. (Remember, the senator representative who said they HAD to be received by October 1?) They wanted to let me know that they received my packet, that it was complete, and they would schedule an interview soon... "After all packets are received, usually around the second week of October, interviews will be scheduled." That's a direct quote.

Lesson kids: don't be dumb and wait until the last minute to get your packets turned in. You'll be better protected from Mayhem, unlike me.


In other news: I think I pulled off a 29 on my ACT

 

[justdoit19]

Oof

 

[fullspeedahead]

Take this as a lesson to never do things last minute ever again especially in college and in the military. You are extremely lucky to even be considered for a nomination, in my state (MD) you would have lost every shot of attending an academy if you waited until the last minute. Don’t be surprised if they ask about it during an interview. I hate to sound like a pessimist, but I have seen friends and colleagues of mine miss out on opportunities and dreams in the military because they waited until the last minute.

 

[THParent]

I chortled a bit, reading that.

Well, actually I was going to read it, but procrastinated a bit, and then I read it. That's when I chortled.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Nice work on improving the ACT. That is just as important as the nom package.

Now study up and take it again and get a 33!

 

[Jarhead713]

Well, actually I was going to read it, but procrastinated a bit, and then I read it. That's when I chortled.

I'd be offended but you're not wrong.

 

[Jarhead713]

Now study up and take it again and get a 33!

Oh man, 33. That's heavy

Thank you though!

 

[AROTC-dad]

Mod Note:
Moving this thread to the Nominations forum.

 

[emwvmi01]

Take this as a lesson to never do things last minute ever again especially in college and in the military. You are extremely lucky to even be considered for a nomination, in my state (MD) you would have lost every shot of attending an academy if you waited until the last minute. Don’t be surprised if they ask about it during an interview. I hate to sound like a pessimist, but I have seen friends and colleagues of mine miss out on opportunities and dreams in the military because they waited until the last minute.

I would say there are caveats on that and utilizing and maximizing time sometimes means things are stacked up until the last minute. But I only have 22 years of experience.

 

[fullspeedahead]

I would say there are caveats on that and utilizing and maximizing time sometimes means things are stacked up until the last minute. But I only have 22 years of experience.

That is very true, but there is a difference between being overloaded with work and waiting months to complete a task.

 

[fullspeedahead]

Thought I'd share the story of my most recent buffoonery.

I finished my two nomination packets for my two senators Tuesday night, thinking they had to be postmarked October 1, 2019. At around 15:00 I reviewed my packets... to realize they both clearly stated (DUE IN NASHVILLE OCTOBER 1)

Uh oh.

I called both of the points of contact. One senator informed me they MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 1 TO BE CONSIDERED. Great, I'm screwed.

The other senator informed me that she'd gladly accept my packet if it was postmarked October 1, 2019. Ok this is better, maybe I'm not screwed.

So, around 19:00 my last letters of recommendation were emailed to me. (One of my references said he'd write a letter but never got back to me so I was scrambling for a spare letter)

I rushed to my local Fedex center and shipped both packets overnight... for $70. God I'm stupid.

They both arrived yesterday morning while I was taking the ACT, so that headache is over.

Then, around 17:00 yesterday I received an email from my senators office. (Remember, the senator representative who said they HAD to be received by October 1?) They wanted to let me know that they received my packet, that it was complete, and they would schedule an interview soon... "After all packets are received, usually around the second week of October, interviews will be scheduled." That's a direct quote.

Lesson kids: don't be dumb and wait until the last minute to get your packets turned in. You'll be better protected from Mayhem, unlike me.


In other news: I think I pulled off a 29 on my ACT

On a more optimistic side at least you got everything done! That is still better than many other candidates. Good luck and I wish you the best for the process.