Very Competitive District

USMA2026Cadet

USMA '26
Joined
Apr 1, 2019
Messages
252
I live in one of the most competitive districts in my state, if not the most competitive. For the Class of 2022, our district had 11 candidates nominated to USMA which is amazing, but I am worried about receiving a nomination. My extra circulars and sports are skyrocketing, whereas I lack in my academics (GPA) though I make up for it with my SAT/ACT.

I was wondering if there was anything I could do to potentially help receive a nomination? I'm sure there are backdoor deals between rich millionaires and Congressmen, but even if small, it still takes away from my chances. Would it help if I interned for my Congressmen? Or if I reached out to my RC/FFR starting now about questions (many of which I could find on this forum), just to get my name out to them? I appreciate any and all replies.
 
Intern for your MOC because you genuinely want to, not because you want an edge. First, the MOC nominations are mainly decided by selection panels, not the MOC or his/her staff. Second, that’s a rather transparent ploy that will be sniffed out by a discerning panel and/or admissions office. If your district is indeed highly competitive, an internship with the MOC won’t overcome any weaknesses in transcript, test scores, athletics, CFA or leadership.
 
So I would of assumed, thank you. My Congressman has been doing this for over thirty years, but coming from an affluent area of my state (while also being lower-middle class) scares me a bit.
 
So I would of assumed, thank you. My Congressman has been doing this for over thirty years, but coming from an affluent area of my state (while also being lower-middle class) scares me a bit.

My advice: present YOUR BEST SELF. Period. It’s really ALL you can do!! Don’t get caught up in the ‘comparison’ game. You may not be the best one on paper, but may be the one the SA wants. Let them decide, not public opinion. Do your best!!
 
First of all, MOCs themselves typically do not make the decisions. Almost all use a nominating committee (one or more) made up of citizens in their district. Those folks review the records and make the selections. The MOC signs off on the choices, but he/she is typically not personally involved, both b/c the MOC is busy and to minimize the chances of nepotism.

I'm not naive enough to believe the process is pure as the wind-driven snow. But in my experience both as a candidate and as a BGO and as a former member of an MOC nominating committee, the truly deserving tend to get noms -- the converse is also true. And, when there are razor thin margins among candidates . . . the decisions are tough.

I've seen nothing to suggest that the political affiliation of your parents makes any difference. Nothing to suggest that working in your MOC's office makes a difference. Nothing to suggest that parents giving a lot of money makes a difference. Nothing to suggest that being from a certain part of the district or going/not going to a certain school makes a difference.

The one thing I have seen is that most MOCs try to "balance" their slates -- meaning taking nominees from different parts of the state/district and from different schools/types of schools. Thus, if you're from Texas, I guarantee the Senator's 10 nominees will not all come from Dallas or all from Houston or all from big cities or all from public schools or all from private schools -- there will be a cross-section of the state or of the district. Of course, this assumes people apply from across the state/district; that might now always be the case.

As noted above, your best bet is to put together the best package you can and do your best in the interview (if your MOC's committee conducts them).
 
I'm sure there are backdoor deals between rich millionaires and Congressmen, but even if small, it still takes away from my chances.

My observation is that the Nomination process is very egalitarian. Apply for all the nominations you are eligible and submit the best package you can. I would also suggest that if your record isn't competitive for MOC nominations, you might not be competitive for Apppoinment. Keep in mind your MOC can nominate up to 10 for each position that he/she has open -- that means you want to be #1 on your MOC slate.
 
I inquired about internship with MOC for my DS. I want informed that internships are for rising seniors. So, your application to USNA would already be underway by the time you begin your internship. Still it couldn't hurt. Agree that you need to make the best record you can and compete on the merits for a NOM.
 
[QUOTE="Old Navy BGO, post: 673883, member: 14409I would also suggest that if your record isn't competitive for MOC nominations, you might not be competitive for Appoinment.[/QUOTE]

I would imagine that Appointments are often more competitive and difficult to get than MOC Nominations. Would you agree Old Navy BGO? Plus, there are other sources of Nomination in addition to MOC's (I.e., Senate, VP, Presidential, other) for extraordinary candidates. So, building the best package is paramount. What I mean is that if you were the hypothetical best candidate (1600 SAT, valedictorian, class president and captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams) somebody would get you a nomination.
 
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I would spend zero energy on ingratiating yourself and put that energy instead into what you can control. Be the best you, be thoughtful about the application when it comes time to apply, and practice interviewing. If you strive to be your best it will come out during the application process. Yes, you are competing for a slot but really you’ll always be challenging yourself to improve and learn. Having lived in multiple competitive districts the word on the street was never about money but about the incredibly hard working candidates. There’re no shortcuts.
 
I would spend zero energy on ingratiating yourself and put that energy instead into what you can control.

This! For prospective Class of ‘24 applicants lurking here, know that it ain’t about money or political party or any other form of ingratiation. It’s about your application.
 
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