So I was nominated by my Senator to USAFA almost a month ago. I am almost certain he is doing a competitive slate rather than the principal nominee slates or ranked slates due to the fine print. When it comes to competitive slates, does USAFA choose the most competitive candidate after all candidates complete the application? For example, pretend me and 8 others have completely finished the USAFA application. However, one other nominee is planning on completing the application last minute. Does this mean that the other completed nominees have to wait for that one nominee to complete his/her application in order for USAFA admissions board to make a decision on the competitive slate? Thank you!
Question Regarding Competitive Nomination Slates
- Thread starter gpar6479
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That would be a logical assumption. Each slate has to be worked through, both as a comparative group and to individually score each application. The final evaluation is of all fully qualified candidates. There may be some candidates on the slate with other noms, so they are also being looked at in those groups as well. Some people’s applications may wrap up late because they are awaiting college grades if they are re-applicants, or they were injured and had to delay taking their CFA until the end of the application window, and no doubt there are people who realized last fall they would try for a SA. Focus on what you can control over the next few months.
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FlyFalcon
'26, FFS (NWP 2021)
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From what my congressman told me that's the case. I hace to wait till everyone gets everything in even though our interview was in Nov. Just how the game is played control what you can and enjoy what you can
Admissions has every candidate ranked through the entire process. They know who is very competitive on the slate and will react appropriately. In your example, if the one candidate who has not completed is extremely competitive and has a realistic chance of winning the slate, they will probably wait till the end. If they can tell the clear winner of the slate, they would most likely move on without that applicant completing the application. Keep in mind, the process is fairly objective and a basic mathematical calculation.
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Also, potentially, two (more?) could be selected from a slate. Ultimately they will not all be charged to that MOC. But some other nom source. This is why you cannot look at an MOC’s slate, see that your buddy on the slate received an appointment, and assume you won’t. It’s also what is meant by ‘if they want you, they will find a nom’. And why you should not try and draw conclusions from anything....and control what you can. It’s also a good example of why someone having more than one nom, gives admissions more ability to get people in. Charging noms reminds me of a rubric cube: shuffling of the pieces, until the puzzle is ultimately settled (noms charged). At USNA (don’t know about others), a person doesn’t know who they were ultimately charged to. I’ve heard that a candidate can find out, don’t know any that have. By Iday, no one cares.