Principal Nominations

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ChancePhillipy

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Oct 30, 2023
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Does anyone know the difference - in the Academy's eyes, between a nomination and a principal nomination. Does a principal nomination give you better odds?
 
Yes it does. Go to the nominations forum, and read the information at the top.

A Principal Nomination is *almost* a guarantee, as long as you are found fully qualified.
 
Good to know, another question i have which im sure is only based on the nomination committee but, for my congresswoman interview i will have to do it over video call because i am doing a sport related event in another state which is a national qualifier, same with one of my senator interviews ill be in Hawaii representing Indiana and my NJROTC unit in a parade. Do you think this might affect my chances of getting a principal nomination.
 
ChancePhillipy said:
Good to know, another question i have which im sure is only based on the nomination committee but, for my congresswoman interview i will have to do it over video call because i am doing a sport related event in another state which is a national qualifier, same with one of my senator interviews ill be in Hawaii representing Indiana and my NJROTC unit in a parade. Do you think this might affect my chances of getting a principal nomination.
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They understand those type of schedule conflicts. Do some practice runs, test camera, mic, lighting, be properly dressed. Have a quiet room with non busy background.

Make eye contact.
 
For USMA: Principal Nomination + 3Q = guaranteed appointment

For USNA: Principal Nomination + 3Q = highly likely appointment (not guaranteed)

The MOC nomination process is at the discretion of each MOC. They can give credit or dock a candidate for something another MOC wouldn't, but most are generally run about the same, using a panel to make selections. SA's provide guidance on how to administer the nomination process, but it is up the the MOC on how to make selections.
 
ChancePhillipy said:
Good to know, another question i have which im sure is only based on the nomination committee but, for my congresswoman interview i will have to do it over video call because i am doing a sport related event in another state which is a national qualifier, same with one of my senator interviews ill be in Hawaii representing Indiana and my NJROTC unit in a parade. Do you think this might affect my chances of getting a principal nomination.
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No. Just prepare and have a "Clean Background".
 
SeePower said:
Are candidates often told they are "principal" nominees or alternates?
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Some MOCs tell Candidates some do not. Some MOCs use Principal Slates, most do not. It's not within your control-although it's ok to ask. You can ask the MOC staff what type of Slate they present to the SA. Be aware, it's not uncommon for MOC Staff to mix it the issues/types of slates and unintentionally misleading people. Theres more to Nominations and Slates, National Wait Lists, etc. See Nomination Sticky and many threads.
 
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As already mentioned, they submit their slates however they want. Most don’t use principal. Which I personally think is best. Bc it allows the SA to select the student they want. After all, the SA knows what they are looking for in a future officer. And it may not be the student with the highest GPA, for example.
 
USNA does not routinely tell an applicant if they are 3Q. Some older threads on this topic tend to indicate someone who was the principal NOM also ASSUMING they were 3Q and then couldn't understand why they didn't get an appointment. Each MOC runs their own NOM process, so what they did in a prior year may not be how they choose to do it this year. You have no control over which method they decide to use. The referenced sticky on NOM's provides a lot of good/basic information.

When a MOC offers the options of a video interview for any number of reasons, I doubt the manner you select makes a difference in the eventual outcome. Being there live doesn't automatically yield a better result.
 
Just because a representative or senator uses the principal slate model does not mean that someone who receives a secondary nomination will not receive an offer of appointment. DD1 did not receive a principal nomination from our representative and I don't believe that she received a principal nomination from our senator, but she still received offers of appointment from USAFA, USMA, and USNA.

What matters is not the model that the MOC uses for putting forth their nominations, but the overall strength of the applicant's profile.

If you have a strong resume, you still have a viable chance of receiving an offer of appointment, regardless of whether or not you were the principal nominee.

Just present the strongest possible profile that you can and let the chips fall where they may.
 
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