Nominations question

J1317

5-Year Member
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Dec 25, 2016
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A simple explanation to these questions would be appreciated.

I am currently focusing on getting my application in as soon as possible, and will probably be able to within the next couple of weeks (just waiting on my counselor to finish up some stuff. The school year started recently so she is very busy). Is it also important to submit a nomination ASAP to the academy as well? Because I would probably be able to submit a presidential nomination in much quicker, as my congressman doesn't hold interviews for his nominations for a few months. What would be more ideal / increase my chances of an appointment?

Also, does having a congressional vs. presidential nomination affect chances of an appointment at all regardless of when it is received? I feel as though a congressional would be much more superior to a presidential... Or is a nomination just one step in the process that you have to complete?

Finally, can you submit multiple nominations to one academy? Meaning if I submitted my presidential nomination, but also received a congressional later on, would they look at both?

Thanks.
 
1. Apply for every nomination for which you are eligible. If you are eligible for a Presidential by all means apply. Also apply to your congressman, both Senators, and the VP. THAT'S how you increase your chances of appointment.
2. When you receive it matters not. Most nominations will not be received until January. Deadlines for applying for congressional nominations could be September or October, so look at their web sites and get working on it as soon as possible.
3. Yes, you can submit multiple nominations to one academy. However, some MOCs will not give you a nomination if you already have a nomination from another MOC.

I strongly suggest you read the nominations FAQ sticky in the nominations forum. You will find answers to all these questions, and much more, there. In fact that's where questions on nominations should be submitted.
 
Yes. They know of what they speak! When my son had his BGO interview, he asked what other people (other than our local Congressman) he had applied for nomination with? None...and when I checked, it was too late for both Senators, he didn't Qualify for Presidential and although we applied for the VP, I wasn't convinced that was a viable option. SEEK EVERY NOMINATION you can!
 
If you are eligible for Presidential do it NOW! It is a pretty quick application. And if you are applying to more than one Academy, you have to send the Presidential Nom package to each Academy. Each one has a format and address to send it to on their admissions website. My oldest two had appointments in hand in October, before any of the MOC boards even met, because of that Presidential Nomination. And as all have already stated above, apply for every nomination category you are eligible for, it gives the Academy more options to fit you into the admissions puzzle.
Also to answer your other question, a Nom is a Nom. One is not more superior than the other. You must have at least one Nom (from any source) to be eligible for an appointment. There are plenty of threads on here about nominations, read thru them and understand how many appointments can be given out under each nominating category.
 
As has been previously stated, a nomination is a nomination. If you are eligible, a presidential nom is automatic.
However, by congressional order, there are no more than 100 presidential nominations admitted per class, which is why
you should pursue all noms. My mid received his appointment the 1st of November because he had that nomination
in hand, even though he was encouraged to continue with his MOC's nomination interviews-but that's a whole other
subject.
 
Contrary to popular belief ....the Admissions Board is not the big hurdle to an Appointment. Every year I see 3Q candidates not get it. The "funnel" so to speak is really matching 3Q candidates to available nominations. Most MOC use a competitive nomination process, where the nominate up to 10 people to an available slot, and then the Admissions Office has to pick which of the qualified candidates gets the Appointment. The more nominations you have , the more Admissions has to work with to get you in. It has been stated here loud and often --apply for every nomination that you are eligible for!
 
Sorry for this - I have an unrelated question. I see the term 3Q a lot, but I can not find a definition for it anywhere. Exactly what does that mean?
 
It means 3Q (Triple Qualified). Someone else will give you a better definition, but to receive an Appointment, a candidate must be ACADEMICALLY qualified FITNESS q...and MEDICALLY q.
 
To be in the RUNNING for an appointment, you need to be 3Q (scholastic (more then just academics), pass DODMERB and CFA) AND have a NOM.

Best to check your MOC website as mentioned above to determine the window for when NOM applications can be submitted. Whether you submit on the first or last day for your NOM makes no difference. MOC who conduct interviews typically do that in Q4 once all of the applications have been submitted.

Several older threads on those topics.
 
(1) Presidential nominations have no number limit...however, only 100 appointments may come from a Presidential nomination.
(2) At face value, a nomination is a nomination. However, after all the mandated (by law) appointments have been offered, the next 150 candidates (in order of merit determined by Admissions) that were nominated by a Member of Congress are offered appointments; after this occurs then candidates are pulled from the "national pool" -- AT LEAST 75% of those pulled from national pool MUST have received a MOC nomination or a nomination by an official representing a U.S. territory (i.e. Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.)...the other 25% (AT MOST) may come from Presidential, J/ROTC, etc. So if the only nomination received is Presidential and you are not one of the 100, then you are disadvantaged when it comes to the national pool.
 
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