Nominations

[FaiM13]

I’m currently working on applying for nominations. I recently looked at my congressman’s webpage that showed who he nominated last year. It shows each of the academies and the names of those chosen, but some of the names are repeated for different academies. Does this mean they did not receive enough applicants or the applicant was highly qualified and given a choice between multiple academies?

EDIT: I also forgot to add that for USMA there are only three names. It was my understanding that there are five spots for each academy unless I am wrong.

 

[justdoit19]

It means that particular candidate requested nominations to several academies, and was given the noms. In our MOC’s applications, one can select (rank) academies. All of them if desired! So in our area, it’s not uncommon to have multiple academy nominations. But be careful, doing that allows the MOC to nominate you to any listed, even if it’s not your first choice. Be sure you actually want to attend any noms requested.

 

[FaiM13]

It means that particular candidate requested nominations to several academies, and was given the noms. In our MOC’s applications, one can select (rank) academies. All of them if desired! So in our area, it’s not uncommon to have multiple academy nominations. But be careful, doing that allows the MOC to nominate you to any listed, even if it’s not your first choice. Be sure you actually want to attend any noms requested.

Thank you for your explanation! After I attended West Point’s SLE I have decided that West Point is the best place for me and I do not believe I would be as happy or be as successful anywhere else. Will this make me a weaker candidate for a nomination? Is it better to list multiple academies?

 

[brewmeist]

I also forgot to add that for USMA there are only three names. It was my understanding that there are five spots for each academy unless I am wrong.

Each MOC can have 5 people attending a SA at one time. They can nominate up to 10 people to fill each open spot. But that doesn't mean they have to nominate 10 people.

 

[NJROTC-CC]

Brewmeist, you beat me to the key board.

Each MOC is entitled to have only five nominees at any one academy at one time. That means that usually each year only one or two nominees from that MOC can be given appointments that are charged to that MOC. Many MOC's use the "competitive method" of nominations which allows them to nominate 10 candidates to each academy. In this method, the academy may select the the candidate they feel is the best of the 10. I think this illustrates that it can be more difficult to get an appointment than a nomination.

 

[kinnem]

Thank you for your explanation! After I attended West Point’s SLE I have decided that West Point is the best place for me and I do not believe I would be as happy or be as successful anywhere else. Will this make me a weaker candidate for a nomination? Is it better to list multiple academies?

Many folks express an interest in only one academy. It does not make your application any weaker, or stronger for that matter. Even though USMA is your first choice, if you would be will to commit to one of the other services, then you should consider listing them lower on your priority list.

 

[FaiM13]

So just to be clear: Even though my congressman did not have all possible nominee spots taken for USMA that does not mean my district is any less competitive or did not have enough applicants to fill it?

In case you are wondering why I am asking all of this it is because I am particularly worried about my SAT scores. I am currently taking it again in hopes to do better, but so far I have managed a super score of 1310.

 

[NJROTC-CC]

It's sounds like your MOC nominated three, but likely only 1 or 2 could be appointed and charged to that MOC. Don't know how many applied or were qualified to get a nom. Maybe only three applied, or may 50 applied and only three were deemed worthy of a nom.

 

[FaiM13]

Thank you all for your help with understanding this process.

 

[MidCakePa]

Even though my congressman did not have all possible nominee spots taken for USMA that does not mean my district is any less competitive or did not have enough applicants to fill it?

The competitiveness question comes up often. And the plainest answer is this: If there’s just one nominee with superior credentials to yours, then you should consider your district very competitive. Doesn’t mean you won’t get an offer of appointment. But it does mean that in the very tight numbers game of SA admissions, you could be on the outside looking in.

More importantly, don’t worry about all these numbers. They’re completely out of your control. Focus on the things that are under your control — like studying hard and retaking the SAT. Best wishes.

 

[FaiM13]

Even though my congressman did not have all possible nominee spots taken for USMA that does not mean my district is any less competitive or did not have enough applicants to fill it?

The competitiveness question comes up often. And the plainest answer is this: If there’s just one nominee with superior credentials to yours, then you should consider your district very competitive. Doesn’t mean you won’t get an offer of appointment. But it does mean that in the very tight numbers game of SA admissions, you could be on the outside looking in.

More importantly, don’t worry about all these numbers. They’re completely out of your control. Focus on the things that are under your control — like studying hard and retaking the SAT. Best wishes.

I had not thought of it that way! Thank you for the advice.

 

[justdoit19]

Even though my congressman did not have all possible nominee spots taken for USMA that does not mean my district is any less competitive or did not have enough applicants to fill it?

The competitiveness question comes up often. And the plainest answer is this: If there’s just one nominee with superior credentials to yours, then you should consider your district very competitive. Doesn’t mean you won’t get an offer of appointment. But it does mean that in the very tight numbers game of SA admissions, you could be on the outside looking in.

More importantly, don’t worry about all these numbers. They’re completely out of your control. Focus on the things that are under your control — like studying hard and retaking the SAT. Best wishes.

I had not thought of it that way! Thank you for the advice.

Make sure and read the main stickies posted permanently at the top of the forums. Specifically the NOMINATIONS stickies, in your case. Or use the search functions and your questions will come up addressed in a thread. Most issues/questions have been addressed and there is a lot of information here ready for you to peruse. Good luck!