Principle or Competitive Nomination

Sometimes. May hear it from the MOC or SA Admissions.
 
I would suggest to all the folks that are going to apply to any SA next year, that they understand the implications of a principal versus slate (competitive) nomination. I didn't quite understand the difference at the time but had I realized how important and how different each MOC process can be, I would have asked about it more often and in more detail. Also, for next year, make sure you read the nomination FAQs.
 
Susan707 said:
I would suggest to all the folks that are going to apply to any SA next year, that they understand the implications of a principal versus slate (competitive) nomination. I didn't quite understand the difference at the time but had I realized how important and how different each MOC process can be, I would have asked about it more often and in more detail. Also, for next year, make sure you read the nomination FAQs.
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It's always good to know, but what would you have done differently if you had known back then?
 
kinnem said:
Susan707 said:
I would suggest to all the folks that are going to apply to any SA next year, that they understand the implications of a principal versus slate (competitive) nomination. I didn't quite understand the difference at the time but had I realized how important and how different each MOC process can be, I would have asked about it more often and in more detail. Also, for next year, make sure you read the nomination FAQs.
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It's always good to know, but what would you have done differently if you had known back then?
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I think that I had added stress because I just didn't know how the process worked. In applying to a SA their is much more inherent stress than applying to a regular college. I suspect most people were like me, this was a first time in dealing with SA applications, I feel that knowing and understanding the process would just helped me understand the ups and downs of the process. Not knowing how things work is just stressful. I would have asked more detailed open-ended questions about the admissions process, especially nominations. It seems to me that having a principal nomination increases your chances of appointment (not guaranteed) but I never realized that until DS was well into the process. This SA application process is just stressful and complicated, knowing more would alleviate some of it but I didn't even know the questions to ask. Even knowing about this board before DS started process would have helped a great deal. I'm telling all the families that I know that are considering applying to a SA to read the board as soon as possible. In hindsight, I wish I knew and read this board first. That would have helped me know the questions to ask. As someone said on the board focus on controlling what you can, I might include in that phase understand what you can so you know what you can control.
 
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@Susan707, great perspective. Your advice for SA application novices is spot-on. So back to principal nominations: Knowing the system is helpful, but ultimately one can’t control which method MOC uses, so one should simply focus on putting their best foot forward.
 
My son knew the different nomination ... there is no way he would have asked for a principal nomination.

It seems presumptuous. First, how do you know your child is the best candidate worthy of a principal nom.

If MOCs use that system, they don’t give them because they are asked for. They may do it because they thought one candidate stood out. They may do it for political reasons.

Do you think they are given to people who asked for them?
 
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A1Janitor said:
My son knew the different nomination ... there is no way he would have asked for a principal nomination.

It seems presumptuous. First, how do you know your child is the best candidate worthy of a principal nom.

If MOCs use that system, they don’t give them because they are asked for. They may do it because they thought one candidate stood out. They may do it for political reasons.

Do you think they are given to people who asked for them?
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I don’t think they said they would have asked for a principal nomination. Not how I read it. To me it sound like they would have been less stressed with having access to more information in general. This forum is GREAT for that. We were actually turned to it as a great resource at a NROTC college visit, by a Captain.

I was interested in the question “what would you have done differently” that @kinnem asked. I wondered the same. Specifically is there something they would have done differently in their application knowing the method the MOC uses when submitting their slate? I can’t think of anything that would make sense to me to do differently based upon their method. In fact, I went back to the stickies to see what I was missing. Candidates should put forth their BEST SELVES no matter what.
 
I didn't mean to make it sound like you can ask for principal nomination. Just as a novice parent, I'm just saying I didn't understand the difference between the various methods and the consistency between how they are used by individual MOCs. For a novice like me, I wish I had had a better understanding. It's my fault for not understanding. Now, my kids knew but I let them drive the SA process, this is something they have to want and navigate. For us novice parents, its a fine line sometimes between being supportive but leaving it up to them. I guess in summary, its just complicated for us novice parents. Better understanding of the process just helps relive my parental stress. Thank goodness for this forum.

I do agree that for DS & DD, just do the best and let "the chips fall where they may".
 
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justdoit19 said:
A1Janitor said:
My son knew the different nomination ... there is no way he would have asked for a principal nomination.

It seems presumptuous. First, how do you know your child is the best candidate worthy of a principal nom.

If MOCs use that system, they don’t give them because they are asked for. They may do it because they thought one candidate stood out. They may do it for political reasons.

Do you think they are given to people who asked for them?
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I don’t think they said they would have asked for a principal nomination. Not how I read it. To me it sound like they would have been less stressed with having access to more information in general. This forum is GREAT for that. We were actually turned to it as a great resource at a NROTC college visit, by a Captain.

I was interested in the question “what would you have done differently” that @kinnem asked. I wondered the same. Specifically is there something they would have done differently in their application knowing the method the MOC uses when submitting their slate? I can’t think of anything that would make sense to me to do differently based upon their method. In fact, I went back to the stickies to see what I was missing. Candidates should put forth their BEST SELVES no matter what.
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My mistake if I read it wrong.

And I get the overall point. But as it relates to the types of noms ...what difference does it make?

Sometimes too much information makes it worse not better?

You nailed it ... put your best application in.
 
Susan707 said:
I didn't mean to make it sound like you can ask for principal nomination. Just as a novice parent, I'm just saying I didn't understand the difference between the various methods and the consistency between how they are used by individual MOCs. For a novice like me, I wish I had had a better understanding. It's my fault for not understanding. Now, my kids knew but I let them drive the SA process, this is something they have to want and navigate. For us novice parents, its a fine line sometimes between being supportive but leaving it up to them. I guess in summary, its just complicated for us novice folks. Thank goodness for this forum.
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I’m sorry I misunderstood.

I learned about this forum after my son got his nomination and after he failed his medical.
 
Here's an example: Currently, all MOCs in our state use competitive slates. (However, be aware these can be changed up each year AND for each slate. So, just because the MOCs use one type doesn't mean they will the next year. Could use it for political reasons one year; that's their perogative and a perk.) Also, our MOCs ask for which SA you want to be considered for in priority order, if you'll accept a nom from other SAs, and you meet one board for the one you listed first. Now, knowing our MOCs historically use a competitive slate AND all work together to give as many nominations to spread the wealth, my DS applied for two different SAs and received four nominations, two each. Had our MOCs used the principal nomination, he would've listed the same SA as #1 to maximize chance of a principal and likely wouldn't currently have an appointment at the other, which is now his #1. (From the time he completed his MOCs applications, his #1 switched due to DoDMERB, visits, and a few other things.) Was it a gamble? Yes. Did he doubt his decision to apply for noms to two SAs instead of just one? Yes. When you apply to the SAs or the MOCs, you won't know how many openings the MOCs have, the class dynamics of the SAs, or SO many other variables. Even one person in your district can bump you. That's why you put your best forward, have your back-ups in line, make the best choices with the information you have, pray and wait.
 
Susan707 said:
I didn't mean to make it sound like you can ask for principal nomination. Just as a novice parent, I'm just saying I didn't understand the difference between the various methods and the consistency between how they are used by individual MOCs. For a novice like me, I wish I had had a better understanding. It's my fault for not understanding. Now, my kids knew but I let them drive the SA process, this is something they have to want and navigate. For us novice parents, its a fine line sometimes between being supportive but leaving it up to them. I guess in summary, its just complicated for us novice parents. Better understanding of the process just helps relive my parental stress. Thank goodness for this forum.

I do agree that for DS & DD, just do the best and let "the chips fall where they may".
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You have found it now!! This is a plethora of information. And it will aid you in the years to come. Tons of info on tons of subjects. But don’t be hard on yourself! Your kids SHOULD do it all on their own. And many, many applications are completed with knowledge of the forums. About 1,200 are appointed. Generally about 10 pct report here. And if your (DS AND DD?) are not appointed this year, reapplication is encouraged!! There is a lot of support and discussion about that process and emotions as well. Welcome!
 
Really terrific advice above, from several people. So I’ll share one example of how things can unfold:

DD told MOC staff that her preference was SA 1. She ended up getting principal nomination for SA 2. She received competitive nomination for SA 1. That’s just how it works.
 
Here's another reason to get your medical done as early as possible.
DS was able to change SA preferences before MOC nomination deadlines once he learned which academies granted his waiver and which ones denied his waiver.
 
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