Nominations Question

[J1317]

Hey guys,
I have a question regarding nominations. I'm a military child that is currently living in California. However, my father is a resident of Missouri. I was wondering which congressman I should apply to for a nomination, so I contacted admissions and got an answer that was very confusing, but it sounded like I had to choose one of the two to apply to. Is any one aware of what the rule for this is?

I also know that I also have the presidential nomination that I can apply for. Question regarding this: from what I have heard, any military child can get a presidential nomination, so would this not have less weight than a congressional nomination?

My main question is regarding which one to apply to (between California and Missouri), assuming that I am allowed to apply to both. The area of California I live in has very high performing students, and from my understanding, each Congressman has a certain number (I believe it's five) people they can nominate. The area in Missouri - correct me, please, if I am misunderstanding this - which would be my legal home of record (because of my father), is definitely not near as competitive when it comes to academics, and I feel as though it may be easier to obtain a nomination from the representative there. Would the fact that I have actually never lived in Missouri be possibly used against me when making decisions on who to nominate? Because the area in Missouri has lower level academics, would my nomination have less weight if it came from there instead of California?

I am sorry for the long post, but it would be beyond helpful if all my answers could be answered, and if there is any additional information I should be aware of, PLEASE let me know.

Thank you so much!!!!! I truly appreciate it.

John

 

[usna1985]

If both parents share legal custody and live in different states, you can apply for a nomination from one of those states. You get to choose but you can't apply to both.

A nom is a nom. Most people who have a choice in terms of where to apply for a nom apply from the state they consider to be less competitive because that does make it easier to get a nom. A nom from a competitive state doesn't "count more" than one from a less competitive state. However, regardless of where your nom comes from, you must be triple qualified. And, if you don't win your slate (you aren't the top candidate of those nominated), you compete in the national pool with candidates from all over the country.

As to whether it will hurt if you don't live in the state . . . hard to say. You meet the requirements for seeking a nom and that's all they should consider. That said, if your parent doesn't live in the state (i.e., maintains legal residence but doesn't actually live there), I could see a nominating committee being less than super excited about giving a nom when no one involved actually lives in the state. Consider as well that it may be harder for you to appear for an interview so you may have to do it via Skype. The above said, I've had a number of candidates in my (super-competitive) area apply for and receive noms from other states.

Not every military kid can get a Presidential nom -- one of your parents must meet the service requirements. Pres noms are not competitive, meaning that if your parent qualifies, you get one. Because there are a lot more candidates with Presidential noms than there are appointment slots based on Pres noms, USNA strongly advises candidates with Presidential noms also to apply for MOC noms. Multiple noms do give you a better chance of receiving an appointment because there are more sources to which you can be "slotted."

 

[NavyHoops]

A nomination is a nomination, who it is from does not matter.

Yes, you can only apply for a nomination in CA or Missiouri. You cannot apply for both.

Suggest you read the nomination sticky (posts at top of the nomination thread on how noms work). A MOC can have up to 5 Mids/cadets at a SA at any one time. It doesn't mean that more constituents are not appointed, but only 5 can be charged to that MOC. A MOC can submit up to 10 names for each vacancy slate they submit to a SA. Just because the area in CA has higher performing students doesn't mean that the interest in SAs is high. More than likely Missouri has less candidates applying but the only way to know would be to ask. From a senator aspect, absolutely less in Missouri than CA.