It's always good to know, but what would you have done differently if you had known back then?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.
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.It's always good to know, but what would you have done differently if you had known back then?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.
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?
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?
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 folks. Thank goodness for this forum.
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".