Questions about 1,2,3,4 options

J Collins · Dec 17, 2008

Does someone know how it works??

say Joe Schmoe requests a nomination and on his paperwork he marks his choices as the following:
(1) USAFA (2) USMMA (3) USNA (4) USMA

Joe has applied to the USAFA, USNA and USMMA, but really has no desire for USMA so he doesnt apply there, a matter of fact the USAFA and USMMA both want him.

As the MOC evaluates ALL the nomination requests he/she gets to Joe's paperwork, but has alrady maxed out on the USAFA, USMMA and USNA nominations... will the MOC give him a nomination to the USMA even though it is #4 on his list?

AND if the MOC does this and Joe has no desire to go to USMA, is the nomination lost? or do MOCs always have alternates that will get it?

I have been doing lots of research and this is just one question I can't seem to find the answer to.

((I choose the SA in no particular order))

America's Finest · Dec 17, 2008

Alternates are always chosen so the nomination will not be lost.

He will most likely give the USMA nominations to people who choose USMA in the top but I can't say for sure on that. My MOC's made everyone choose only one academy.

Just_A_Mom · Dec 17, 2008

will the MOC give him a nomination to the USMA even though it is #4 on his list?

he just might call and ask. This is quite common with USMMA nominations as those don't often fill up.
If a candidate receives a nomination and has yet to apply he/she still has time to get the application in.

Competition for nominations varies from Congressional district but also varies from year to year. Also, if an extra opening occurs for an academy within a congressional district the MOC may seek nominees to fill the position.

Up to 10 candidates are nominated for each opening. If all 10 are exhausted and the spot is not filled then the opening remains in the next year.

J Collins · Dec 17, 2008

Thanks... it was just one more thing I was curious about.. my daughter only put "USMMA" on her paperwork.. (one Sen. turned her down)

oh and her scheduled interview tomorrow has been cancelled due to the snow, and driving conditions... (she was so pumped up) the Congressman is looking to reschedule in mid january (hopefully)....

J.NordicSkier7 · Dec 17, 2008

My senators also had the "rank the service academies in order of preference" portion of the application, but I have no desire to attend anything other that the air force academy. There was no problem with the senators' offices, but the panelists from the Navy were relentlessly trying to change my mind :yllol:

and one of the panelists insisted on shaking my hand until I completely refuted his arguments for the Naval Academy!!!

usna1985 · Dec 18, 2008

IMO, if you are not interested in a particular SA, don't list it on the MOC's form. If the only place you want to go is X, only put down X. If you'd also consider Y, put down X and Y.

It is a waste of everyone's time for the MOC to consider you for a SA to which you're not even applying or one you don't want to attend. Even more importantly, it potentially takes that nom away from someone who really wants to attend that SA.

The whole process of ranking your SAs is a complex one (and been discussed several times on this forum). However, the bottom line is that, if you list a SA as one of your choices, you'd best be prepared to get a nom to only that SA. So it's not one that you want, don't list it.

Pima · Dec 18, 2008

DS put only AFA, and he got all of his noms. Don't put something on that you have no desire to be a apart of. For the interviewer with Nordic I think they took the USNA pride a little too far.

usna1985 · Dec 18, 2008

IMO, if you are not interested in a particular SA, don't list it on the MOC's form. If the only place you want to go is X, only put down X. If you'd also consider Y, but down X and Y.

It is a waste of everyone's time for the MOC to consider you for a SA to which you're not even applying or one you don't want to attend. Even more importantly, it potentially takes that nom away from someone who really wants to attend that SA.

The whole process of ranking your SAs is a complex one (and been discussed several times on this forum). However, the bottom line is that, if you list a SA as one of your choices, you'd best be prepared to get a nom to only that SA. So it's not one that you want, don't list it.

Just_A_Mom · Dec 18, 2008

You would be surprised how many kids have heard of one academy but not another. It is common out west for an applicant to have heard of the Air Force Academy but not West Point, for instance. This is very very common with USMMA. Many kids who apply to other sea service academies have never heard of USMMA.
In some cases, it is quite appropriate for a MOC panel to ask if they are open to attending an academy to which they have not applied.
Competition in some districts varies from academy to academy from year to year. Perhaps they see a student who would be a good candidate and would make a good officer but the competition is fierce or the Congressman has an extra open slot.

Falcon Freak · Dec 18, 2008

Out here in Iowa, nobody's heard of these academies. I tell people that I want to go to the AFA and their like is that a good school, and I say yes and then they ask if it is competitive and i'm just like are you guys living under a rock. only one of my friends knew about the academy at all. of course as annoying as it is to repeat myself mabye i'll go to my rep.'s interview and only have to comppete with four or five others lol :biggrin:

that would be nice.

Pima · Dec 18, 2008

Falcon, remember that the AFA is a very young SA. Just tell them that it is the same as West Point, but for the AF.

I hope you have a small amt for the rep too

Falcon Freak · Dec 18, 2008

Thanks

although I'm sure there will be more than that (hopefully not much more though) and as to the West Point. They have heard of it but other than the adults I know nobody actually knows much about that one either. *sigh* my friends are hopeless :frown:

lol

flyersboy114 · Dec 18, 2008

O my, I figured where I'm at everyone would know, but I always try to start with the army navy game, takes place an hour from me. Most of the responses I get are, I thought the best enlisted football players just vs each other. D:

Maximus · Dec 18, 2008

Try living in Florida with the MOC's office full of aspirants! I'm amazed that my son was lucky enough to walk out with a Nomination at all...no less two to separate academies!

America's Finest · Dec 18, 2008

I have the same problem sometimes. Most have heard of it but alot don't understand what a great accomplishment and privilege it is to go there.

I always tell them Westpoint is the Harvard of the Army.