Principal Nomination

laurenbachman13

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2016
Messages
5
Hi everyone!
This is my first post on here because I had a question about the congressional principal nomination. I was just called and told that I received it for West Point (and a regular one for the Naval Academy); what does this mean? Jared Bosman (who informed me of the news) said that I "basically" am admitted as long as I pass my CFA and am medically qualified (I've passed and am qualified). So... what does "basically" mean?

Thanks so much!
 
Yes that is true for USMA. If you have a principal nomination to USMA, you are medically qualified, physically qualified (pass the CFA) and academically qualified you are in. Congratulations.

For academic qualification, over 20% of the class of 2020 had SAT scores in the 500-600 range (each test) and 1-7% in the 400-500 range. Most likely if you earned a principal nomination you are well in or above those ranges.

You probably need to qualify Morally, but as long as you are not a criminal you will be good to go.

From USMA FAQ
You must meet certain requirements specified by public law in order to be considered for admission to West Point. You will be evaluated in three areas: academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential, and physical aptitude. You must also meet strict medical qualification requirements. First of all, you must be a United States citizen, at least 17 and not yet 23 years of age on July 1 of your year of admission. You must not be married, pregnant, or have a legal obligation to support a child or children. If you are a naturalized citizen, you must provide documentation.

To qualify academically at West Point you should have an above average high school or college academic record. A complete transcript of your academic achievement will be evaluated to determine your qualification. You should perform well on the ACT, Inc. Assessment Program Test (ACT) or the SAT Reasoning Test. These tests demonstrate an indication of your potential for academic success during your first year in college.
 
It means just that. Your principal nomination guarantees you an appointment to USMA IF you are deemed qualified by the Academy.
That means academically, CFA, and Dodmerb. Also police background check.
DS received a principal nom to USMA as well, and all boxes are checked green on his portal, so it should only be a matter of waiting until the appointments start going out in Jan/Feb.

Congratulations! You are in a great spot!

*Edit*. 5 day beat me with a better response...
 
Yes that is true for USMA. If you have a principal nomination to USMA, you are medically qualified, physically qualified (pass the CFA) and academically qualified you are in. Congratulations.

For academic qualification, over 20% of the class of 2020 had SAT scores in the 500-600 range (each test) and 1-7% in the 400-500 range. Most likely if you earned a principal nomination you are well in or above those ranges.

You probably need to qualify Morally, but as long as you are not a criminal you will be good to go.

From USMA FAQ
You must meet certain requirements specified by public law in order to be considered for admission to West Point. You will be evaluated in three areas: academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential, and physical aptitude. You must also meet strict medical qualification requirements. First of all, you must be a United States citizen, at least 17 and not yet 23 years of age on July 1 of your year of admission. You must not be married, pregnant, or have a legal obligation to support a child or children. If you are a naturalized citizen, you must provide documentation.

To qualify academically at West Point you should have an above average high school or college academic record. A complete transcript of your academic achievement will be evaluated to determine your qualification. You should perform well on the ACT, Inc. Assessment Program Test (ACT) or the SAT Reasoning Test. These tests demonstrate an indication of your potential for academic success during your first year in college.

I already passed the CFA, am medically qualified, and got a 1310 on the SAT (680 math & 630 reading/writing)

Wow, so I really have a good chance at being admitted. I'm so happy right now! Thanks so much for the information!
 
It means just that. Your principal nomination guarantees you an appointment to USMA IF you are deemed qualified by the Academy.
That means academically, CFA, and Dodmerb. Also police background check.
DS received a principal nom to USMA as well, and all boxes are checked green on his portal, so it should only be a matter of waiting until the appointments start going out in Jan/Feb.

Congratulations! You are in a great spot!

*Edit*. 5 day beat me with a better response...

Lol, thank you very much anyways :)
 
DD received a 3Q letter from USMA early Nov. She was awarded a P-NOM from her Congressman on November 12. She then received a senator NOM on November 22. The senator NOM was uploaded to the portal the next day, but the P-NOM was not...and it's still not there, yet the RC reached out to congratulate her this past Monday.

We're not sure why the senator NOM was uploaded faster than the P-NOM...or if it really matters with her already being 3Q'd. We're hoping it will be a done deal once the P-NOM uploads. However, we're not doing the Happy Dance until the actual appointment arrives. We're sure there's all sorts of twists and turns and behind the scene maneuvering happening that we don't know about.
 
It's not over until the congressman submits the paperwork to the SA.
 
DD received a 3Q letter from USMA early Nov. She was awarded a P-NOM from her Congressman on November 12. She then received a senator NOM on November 22. The senator NOM was uploaded to the portal the next day, but the P-NOM was not...and it's still not there, yet the RC reached out to congratulate her this past Monday.

We're not sure why the senator NOM was uploaded faster than the P-NOM...or if it really matters with her already being 3Q'd. We're hoping it will be a done deal once the P-NOM uploads. However, we're not doing the Happy Dance until the actual appointment arrives. We're sure there's all sorts of twists and turns and behind the scene maneuvering happening that we don't know about.

It just means that the MOC hasn't submitted their official slate yet. MOCs have a system they do their entries in. Many inform candidates prior to the official submission.
 
The congressman lost his seat for re-election so his date for submission is December 31st....right? Will USMA take action with the P-NOM and offer an appointment once it's received, or will they wait until after the January 31st deadline to start their appointment notifications?
 
So DS has p-nom which he received congressmans letter stating that. His portal show a "Nom" from him, all boxes are checked green on portal, and CFA videos were uploaded. Should he expect to receive a letter stating he is 3Q? Then it's the waiting game until all appointments go out or will they send his appointment sooner?
 
Should he expect to receive a letter stating he is 3Q?

^^ Varies by SA. USNA typically no longer tells applicants if they are 3Q. Last year or two there was a big uproar on here about candidates who got a principal NOM and ASSUMED they were 3Q at USNA. Being 3Q is about more then just your ACT/SAT scores.
 
Right.
In this case, referring to USMA, and as I've heard of others receiving 3Q letters, curious if one is to be expected. Everything was completed on portal up until a couple of weeks ago when they asked DS to submit two CFA videos( which he has). Just curious if "New" items to be completed will turn up on portal or if he's finally 3Q!?!

I thought I understood what 3Q means, As I stated above, DS has completed everything on portal and has a p-nom.

Just waiting like the OP and majority of everyone else....
 
Last edited:
This is directly from the federal code that regulates the USMA https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/32/575.3
"For example, a principal nominee who is found minimally qualified must be offered an appointment."

So specifically for a principal nomination the applicant only needs to be Minimally Qualified. Nowhere in the code does it require 3Q, but only minimally qualified.

So you ask what is minimally qualified. It is not specifically defined in the federal code, but the code does talk about mental and physical qualification and entrance requirements:
"A candidate's mental qualifications for admission are determined by performance on one of the regularly administered College Entrance Examination Board series of tests."
"The candidate's physical qualifications are determined by a thorough medical examination and physical aptitude test."
The code also talks about entrance requirements. They are "Age, Citizenship, Character and Marital Status"

So to boil it down
Age, Citizenship, Marital Status (Easy to evaluate)
Mental Qualification - SAT/ACT test scores only (no mention of grades, class rank, classes taken, etc.)
Physical Qualification - DoDMERB qualified & Satisfactory physical aptitude test (no sports participation required, no leadership through sports required)
Character - Vague but we could all agree that a criminal conviction would be disqualifying and maybe a LOR that specifically states the applicant has bad character would disqualify

IMHO if you meet the requirements that I stated above you are minimally qualified and with a principal nomination to USMA you MUST be admitted.

Also, this is specific to USMA. USNA does not specify MUST admit when referring to a principal nomination. USAFA Must admit, but the qualified part may be different.
 
So DS finally received his 3Q letter for USMA shortly after the first big wave of appointments went out. So with a Principal Nom, he should be offered an appointment. He's been pacing the floor in anticipation!
 
Last edited:
For the USNA if you have a principal nom do you just have to be minimally qualified to be admitted?
 
For the USNA if you have a principal nom do you just have to be minimally qualified to be admitted?
For any academy you have to be 3Q'ed to be admitted.For USNA, there is no guarantee that a principal nom will receive an appointment, although it is generally true that they do.
 
For the USNA if you have a principal nom do you just have to be minimally qualified to be admitted?
I agree with @kinnem In the regulation governing USNA there is no language defining what must be done when a MOC submits a principal nomination. This is different from both USMA and USAFA. They both have language that says a qualified principal nominee must be admitted.

However, it would be extremely difficult for any SA to not admit a principal nominee. Think about it, the SA is funded by congress. If a MOC were to call the SA and ask why they did not honor their principal nomination, they better have a very good answer.
 
I agree with @kinnem In the regulation governing USNA there is no language defining what must be done when a MOC submits a principal nomination. This is different from both USMA and USAFA. They both have language that says a qualified principal nominee must be admitted.

However, it would be extremely difficult for any SA to not admit a principal nominee. Think about it, the SA is funded by congress. If a MOC were to call the SA and ask why they did not honor their principal nomination, they better have a very good answer.
Well, here's hoping. My DS has PN from MOC that USNA received 1/26/17. I was REALLY hoping to hear something last week, but nothing yet. "Complete Pending Review" are getting to be my 3 least liked words! My DS (bless his heart) remains calm, cool and collected and when I say "HOW???" he responds, "Well, Mom, that's why I'm going to be an Officer!"
 
Back
Top