Understanding the nomination process....

G

Goenkar

New Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2019
Messages
7
Hello,
My High School Junior is planning on applying to the SAs with USMA being his #1 choice. We've been getting advice that in order to hedge your bets apply to USNA and USAFA as well. I have a question that is probably best asked with an example scenario:
1) Applicant has got a nom for USMA but USMA is not offering him an appointment (likely because of better qualified candidates above him)
2) USNA/USAFA wants to offer him an appointment but he has not received a nom from the Senators/MOC/VP for those particular SAs.
How does this all work out ? My apologies if this appears as a dumb question but maybe I don't understand the nomination process well enough. Is it possible to secure a generic nom for all SAs?

I would appreciate any advice on this.

Best Regards.
 
As a general matter, your kid would be out of luck. I would recommend applying to all if there is real interest in serving in all since if your son/daughter doesn’t get into first choice academy there is a shot at second or third choice. Hopefully, s/he gets in to all three or at least first choice. The scenario you described unfortunately can happen because the process is very competitive. In some states, it is highly unlikely a candidate will get multiple nominations but in others it is not as unlikely. There are no generic nominations.
 
It seems like some people apply to several academies while others apply to one or two and then apply for ROTC scholarships in that service realm. My DS knew he wanted army and would never want to deploy on a boat or fly. So he has applied to usma and for AROTC scholarships only. Hopefully that will work out for him! Another factor is competitiveness of your state and district. NJ Senators and our congressman asked for only 1 academy choice each. I do know someone who has an LOA to both USNA and USMA who split their nom preferences for the senators but he’s probably an unusual case.
I would first take a look at nom apps and see if they are like NJ and ask you to pick just one. If that’s not the case, I would apply to multiple academies if he really doesn’t have a strong preference as to service branch, then rank the academies in the nom apps as he really feels, and also apply to rotc scholarships.
 
Make sure you understand the nuances....here is a discussion for you.

Nomination granted wrong Service Academy

Hi All! My son recieved his nomination today but it was for his 3rd pick of branches. He has had his heart set on the Air Force Academy and even was chosen to attend Summer Camp. My question is I guess ... where do we go from here?
www.serviceacademyforums.com
 
If USNA or ASAFA REALLY wants him (offers him an LOA), and he does not have a nom, often that academy will "Find" him a nom, thru the Secretary, President, or another source. But I agree with above, give your MOC or Senators the ability to select him for a different "slate" other than just one academy (unless he hates ships or flying). Unless, USMA is the ONLY one he truly wants to attend. Our DS, Class of 2023 knew he only wanted the Army, so he only applied to USMA and AROTC, got his 4yr AROTC Scholarship, then was appointed to WP. So it can work, but it cuts his odds of getting in.
 
Goenkar said:
Hello,
My High School Junior is planning on applying to the SAs with USMA being his #1 choice. We've been getting advice that in order to hedge your bets apply to USNA and USAFA as well. I have a question that is probably best asked with an example scenario:
1) Applicant has got a nom for USMA but USMA is not offering him an appointment (likely because of better qualified candidates above him)
2) USNA/USAFA wants to offer him an appointment but he has not received a nom from the Senators/MOC/VP for those particular SAs.
How does this all work out ? My apologies if this appears as a dumb question but maybe I don't understand the nomination process well enough. Is it possible to secure a generic nom for all SAs?

I would appreciate any advice on this.

Best Regards.
Click to expand...
Each SA requires a nomination specific to that SA (USCGA doesn't require nominations). Nominations are entirely up to the MOC and each administers the process as they see fit. Often, if you live in a competitive district with many candidates to all SA's, the MOC will limit candidates to one nomination. That is why SA's highly recommend applying to all available nomination sources and why it is critical to carefully consider the order of preference.

In less competitive districts candidates may get nominations to all of the SA's they are applying to and sometimes to SA's they didn't apply to simply because the nomination was available.

The chance of an SA "finding" a nomination is pretty slim unless the candidate is a recruited athlete or fills an academy priority and somehow didn't get a nomination. The Superintendent has a small number of nominations available. For the USMA Class of 2016 the Superintendent used 27 nominations: 19 recruited athletes, 5 minorities, 7 women - obviously crossover between categories (Board of Visitors Minutes June 2012).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top