Obtaining a Nomination

[GauchePrince314]

Good afternoon, last year I didn't receive a single nomination from my Congressional Rep, State Senators, or the VP. What are some ways that I can improve my chances of obtaining a nomination this year as a college re-applicant?

 

[shiner]

Focus on the student resume, and use your resilience in the personal essays. You want to convince someone who has never met you that you are deserving on the nom and are an outstanding candidate.

1) If there are things in your resume that are not immediately understood by someone in a 60-120 second review of your resume, you need to consider how you are presenting it.
-- One high school I covered has a program for seniors called the Red Jacket Ambassador - had you only listed that achievement with no context, the accomplishment would be lost on the board. In fact, this achievement represents the top 20 out of 800+ seniors selected by the administration to conduct interviews with the press, serve as guides for new students, and serve as a student advisory committee to the school district. Without context it sounds like a gee-wiz kind of accolade, but with context it sounds WAY WAY different.
2) Does your MOC have in-person interviews?
-- If so, and you sat through it this year, did you leave that experience and immediately write down every question you were asked?
-- Did you have practice interviews with people who don't know you?
3) Are your test scores competitive?
-- Is the board dismissing your qualification from this one data point?

 

[BRYMOM1]

Focus on the student resume, and use your resilience in the personal essays. You want to convince someone who has never met you that you are deserving on the nom and are an outstanding candidate.

1) If there are things in your resume that are not immediately understood by someone in a 60-120 second review of your resume, you need to consider how you are presenting it.
-- One high school I covered has a program for seniors called the Red Jacket Ambassador - had you only listed that achievement with no context, the accomplishment would be lost on the board. In fact, this achievement represents the top 20 out of 800+ seniors selected by the administration to conduct interviews with the press, serve as guides for new students, and serve as a student advisory committee to the school district. Without context it sounds like a gee-wiz kind of accolade, but with context it sounds WAY WAY different.
2) Does your MOC have in-person interviews?
-- If so, and you sat through it this year, did you leave that experience and immediately write down every question you were asked?
-- Did you have practice interviews with people who don't know you?
3) Are your test scores competitive?
-- Is the board dismissing your qualification from this one data point?

Hello Shiner,

Quick question. My DS portal says not competitive. He received a letter in his portal saying it was basically his academic section. He hasn't had the chance to take the SAT or ACT due to Covid19. He only has his Psat score which is posted. So I wanted to ask you how can he make his application competitive enough to continue the process when they open it up in July? He cant take the test now and maybe not until late fall?

Ps...I guess not so quick question

Thank you in advance!!

 

[shiner]

In simplistic terms - think three legged stool - athletic/fitness, academic, extra-curricular. Be good in all three, be great in one. You pick your one area of greatness, but I have never seen a successful candidate who was only good in each and not great in one. I simplify the personas to athlete, mathlete, and band kid. The SA pick from all three to create a well rounded student body.

From a standardized test perspective, as a HS Junior right now, your DS should be laser focused if this is the highlighted area of weakness in his portal. Different schools handle this type of thing differently, but I can't see them not letting your progress at your own pace up until the official deadline for applications. Once that window closes, I would expect them to start issuing TWE to those who really are not prepared.

The best part is that you have time! Congrats! Let's hope your DS makes the most of it. You never know if he will only have 1 shot at the exam under the current circumstances.

 

[BRYMOM1]

In simplistic terms - think three legged stool - athletic/fitness, academic, extra-curricular. Be good in all three, be great in one. You pick your one area of greatness, but I have never seen a successful candidate who was only good in each and not great in one. I simplify the personas to athlete, mathlete, and band kid. The SA pick from all three to create a well rounded student body.

From a standardized test perspective, as a HS Junior right now, your DS should be laser focused if this is the highlighted area of weakness in his portal. Different schools handle this type of thing differently, but I can't see them not letting your progress at your own pace up until the official deadline for applications. Once that window closes, I would expect them to start issuing TWE to those who really are not prepared.

The best part is that you have time! Congrats! Let's hope your DS makes the most of it. You never know if he will only have 1 shot at the exam under the current circumstances.

Thank you for the advice greatly appreciated.