Requesting a Nomination

[stinkbug]

My daughter was acceptd into the SLS and the documentation says "Seek a nomination". I understand who I need to get a nomination from but it's confusing about the content of the request letter. When we send the letter requesting a nomination - Do we include letters of recommendation, ACT scores, GPA, class ranking and leadership experience in that letter? I guess the question is how far do we go with this letter. It sounds like most of the detail is discsussed in interviews afterwards. Maybe I don't understand the process after we request a nomination???

I'm new to this process and any explanation, advise or links to information regarding the nomination process would be helpful. Thank you.

 

[mom3boys]

When you go to the website for your senator or congressman, there will likely be a link that says either "student services" or "constituent services." From there, you will look for a link that says something about requesting a nomination to a service academy. Each member of congress (MOC) asks for different materials. We helped our son put his together in a report folder. For example, there was a section about academics that contained transcripts, SAT scores, honors related to school. The section on references had all the letters. We divided it by what the MOC asked for. Typically, one or two essays are required, a picture, 3 letters of reference, grades, scores, some want the CFA results. Most MOC's have deadlines for you to get this in by, which are typically early/mid fall. You do not have to be totally worried at this point. Your daughter will take the CFA at SLS, for example. So if you need those scores for your MOC, you will have them this summer. This can be a long process, or can be done pdq. For example, my son decided in September of his senior year that he was interested in WP. He had to get everything to the MOC by Oct 15, but managed to do so. You have plenty of time to navigate this journey. Start at the websites. If you can't find what you need there, then call the MOC's offices and ask for directions. Good luck...hang on tight!

 

[pedro4]

Other info

The senators in MI only invited half the applicants to meet with their interview committee, so the package you send is important. Dress it up with a nice photo, press clippings, etc even if they do not ask for it. When you get your invitation to interview put together a smaller folder with a resume, brag list, and your LOA letter (if you got one). My son said that one set of interviewers spent the first 10 minutes reading his info and then just asked him to expound on some of his actvities. This might have saved him from the weird "What kind of tree would you be?" questions. If you got into SLS you are already a leg up.

 

[Antoinette]

The initial request for a nomination is just a letter asking for the nomination. The application comes later...and includes recommendations, etc.

As a minimum, you should apply to your two U.S. Senators, your member in the House of Representatives, and the Vice President. Candidates should contact their local congressional office for the proper mailing address for nomination request letters. Because some Members of Congress will not accept applications for a nomination after a specified date, interested candidates should request a nomination as early as possible using letter format shown below.

from: http://admissions.usma.edu/prospectus/step_02b.cfm

Here is an example of the letter requesting a nomination
(from: http://admissions.usma.edu/Prospectus/step_02bS.cfm ):

Date_______________

The Honorable_____________
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-0001

Dear Senator_________________

OR

The Honorable_____________
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515-0001

Dear Mr./Mrs.______________

OR

Vice President_____________
The Old Executive Office Building, Room 490
Washington, D.C. 20501

Dear Vice President______________



I desire to attend the United States Military Academy and to be

commissioned in the Regular Army. I respectfully request that

I be considered as one of your nominees for the class entering

West Point in the summer of _________.



The following data are furnished for your information:

Name of Applicant: ________________________________________________

Permanent Address:__________________________________________________

Telephone Number:___________________________________________________

Temporary Address and telephone number (if different from preceding):

_____________________________________________________________________

High School:_________________________________________________________

Date of Birth:_______________________________________________________

Social Security Number:______________________________________________

Names of Parents:____________________________________________________

I have/have not requested that a pre-candidate file be initiated for

me at the West Point Admissions Office.


Sincerely,