Understanding My Nomination(s)

Dylan7130

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Jan 7, 2018
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Good afternoon everyone,

Today my CIS portal was updated to show that I have received a nomination from my Congressman (before I was officially told.. ;)), and I have heard, and read, multiple things regarding how nominations work. I understand that there are competitive nominations, and principal nominations; how am I able to determine what nomination I have received? From my understanding, MOC who decide to use the competitive slate essentially give all qualified candidates a nomination, and allow the SA to chose for themselves? Does this mean that all other candidates have also received a nomination from my MOC, or am I misunderstanding?

I also have a JROTC nomination, which if I understand correctly, I am put into a pool of all candidates who have received a JROTC nomination and only a limited number will receive an appointment.

Does having both of these nominations also increase competitiveness when being looked at by USNA's Admissions Board?

Thank you all for your help!
USNA 2022 hopeful
 

USMA 1994

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There is no way to determine the type of slate submitted by your MOC unless they tell you. Even if they select a principal, they will usually fill the slate with other alternates.

The process is pretty objective. Your RC calculates a WCS score for each applicant based on everything in your application. The board does not meet and say "appointment/no appointment". They basically "qualify" your WCS and send you off to compete on your slate.

Having two nominations, you will compete on two slates. If you have the highest WCS on one of those slates, you get an offer. Lots of things happen after that and you can look at some recent post about the NWL to get a better idea.

ROTC/JROTC nominations are unlimited but only up to 20 appointments may be charged here.
 

Kierkegaard

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There is no way to determine the type of slate submitted by your MOC unless they tell you. Even if they select a principal, they will usually fill the slate with other alternates.

The process is pretty objective. Your RC calculates a WCS score for each applicant based on everything in your application. The board does not meet and say "appointment/no appointment". They basically "qualify" your WCS and send you off to compete on your slate.

Having two nominations, you will compete on two slates. If you have the highest WCS on one of those slates, you get an offer. Lots of things happen after that and you can look at some recent post about the NWL to get a better idea.

ROTC/JROTC nominations are unlimited but only up to 20 appointments may be charged here.

Is WCS generally the only factor in how a slate winner is decided? Or could athletic recruitment, ethnicity, past hardship/unique experience, etc help in this regard?
 

THParent

Founder - Service Academy Bacon Forums (SABF)
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Is WCS generally the only factor in how a slate winner is decided? Or could athletic recruitment, ethnicity, past hardship/unique experience, etc help in this regard?

To the best of my knowledge, the Whole Candidate Score (WCS) is computed using all available data (including athletic recruitment, ethnicity, past hardship/unique experience, etc.)
Slate winners are decided on WCS and how they are ranked (if they are ranked at all) in the slate.
Some candidates do better in their interviews than others. These candidates are not always the ones with the highest WCS !
 

USMA 1994

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WCS is used for the slates and the first 150 of the NWL. The last group of "Additional Appointees" are not picked on WCS and the things you mention come into play.
 

Dylan7130

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Jan 7, 2018
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Forgive me, but what does NWL stand for? I looked for it on the acronym list but was unable to find it.

I still am a bit confused about what exactly the "slate" is, and how it is used. What group of nominees am I being compared to in this slate, if my MOC has given me his nomination? Am I still being compared to the other candidates who I competed against? There was only seven others who were applying for my MOC's nomination in my District.

Forgive me for my ignorance!
 

Dylan7130

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Thank you! I looked over this post when I initially got it, but had missed the important part apparently!

I wasn't aware that my MOC is able to nominate ~10 candidates. There were only 7 other who applied, so that means my chances are better, correct?

Now, if my MOC has only chosen me to receive the nomination, that would be considered a principal nomination and I would be guaranteed a spot at USNA, correct?

Thank you!
 

kinnem

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Now, if my MOC has only chosen me to receive the nomination, that would be considered a principal nomination and I would be guaranteed a spot at USNA, correct?
Yes, provided you were fully qualified. With 7 people applying for nominations, I expect all 7 got a nom. That's the slate you're competing against.
 

Dylan7130

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Jan 7, 2018
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Now, if my MOC has only chosen me to receive the nomination, that would be considered a principal nomination and I would be guaranteed a spot at USNA, correct?
Yes, provided you were fully qualified. With 7 people applying for nominations, I expect all 7 got a nom. That's the slate you're competing against.

Interestingly enough, I personally know one of the other candidates and they have nothing on their CIS portal.

This is looking good!
 

usnabgo08

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USNA is not required to appoint a fully qualified candidate that is also a principal nominee, though they generally do.
 

Dylan7130

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Just got word that there was only one other candidate who received the nomination to USNA.

So now it's just down to who has the better application and WCS right? Pretty nerve wracking for the both of us, we can't stop talking about our excitement!
 

NavyHoops

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If you are both deemed qualified then more than likely it would come down to you two. It all depends on how your MOC submitted their slate. Unranked, ranked or principal. Remember you must be 3Q to be considered for an appointment. A MOC can submit a slate of 10 and if none of them are 3Q, they won’t offer an appointment to anyone on the slate.
 

Dylan7130

Member
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Jan 7, 2018
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Just found out by my MOC's Field Representative that I was given a Principal Nomination.

I would like to believe that I am triple qual'd, which, if I'm not mistaken, should bring some good news very soon!

Thank you all for your help these past few days; hopefully I will be putting my name on the Class of 2022 Forum!
 

justdoit19

Proud parent of an ANG, USNA X2, and a MidSib
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Very good news! DS found out about his initial LOA offer (he had to submit a body composition form) at this stage via a ‘change of status’ email from USNA! So watch for that. Then the change to full appointment had about a week lag time in this same ‘change in status’ email to allow a week for MOC to notify him (which he knew about immediately bc MOC staffer forwarded that email as her notification to him...). He accepted on December 27th. Now patiently (not) waiting for something to come in the mail [emoji849]. Oh, and the bubble wrap.

CONGRATS!!!
 
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