What does this letter mean??

Well I got 3 noms to USNA but due to some paperwork issues (apparently you needed to fill out the application twice if applying to 2 different SA for one of my senators and congressman) only one to USMA, and the senator whose nomination it was only has one open slot. That was filled, I was placed on the NWL, and then the slot I mentioned above opened up. I assume they called my congressman asking why he hadn't nominated me because the slot is his, but I don't know for sure. Needless to say, I'm now stuck between a rock and a hard place--I accept WP and Navy (my dream school) goes out the window, or I wait and potentially get the bad news from Navy as late as April 15, and by then WP is out of the picture and I have 2 weeks to send in a deposit somewhere.
 
I got this yesterday and thought it was my TWE, nearly threw it away. (I will be @ NMMI as a sponsored Naval Academy Foundation Prep next year) It kinda reminded me of how lazy I can get. I opened and misread it the first time, thinking I got a VP nom. The third time I finally figured out what it said :smile:
 
NewHampshire --

What would happen if you inform West Point that USMA is your first choice "at this moment". Given the old adage "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush", I'm sure you can rationalize this position, "at this moment".

I am assuming that an Appointment to West Point does NOT automatically cause your application at USNA to be withdrawn, or does it if the Nomination source won't allow it?

Incidentally, there was a similar binding situation the other day in which a USNA applicant was told in January by the NROTC - Marine Option recruiter that if he did not withdraw his application to USNA, his NROTC 4 year scholarship would be withdrawn... which it was.
 
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I saw that ROTC-USNA post. It's tough, I assume they won't require proof I withdrew my USNA application, in which case nothing is really legally binding until I sign...but I haven't heard back from them. Not sure what to do.
 
West Point can't force you to attend, and if you let them know as soon as you find out about USNA, they will have plenty of time to pull somebody else off of the wait list. There's no reason they should force you to choose between USNA and USMA, because how could it be a disadvantage to anybody except you? They pull somebody else after you accept an appointment to Navy, and they get a shot at WP. I don't see how they could force you to do it, or why they would want to...
 
My state coordinator for West Point told me they have one slot in my state open and 2 candidates they're looking at to fill it, but they found out from my Congressman that I'm applying to USNA and said they won't give me an appointment if they aren't sure I will take it.
Then you should consider calling and assuring your state coordinator that you will take the Appointment -- that at this time West Point is your #1 choice. Since "at this time" you do not have any other viable alternatives, that is 100% true.
 
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I meant to add: I don't understand how recruiters or congressional staff consider it within their purview to force an applicant to make an either/or decision with regard to applications at the Service Academies. I'm sure it is their legal right, but morally is a different question. If they take it upon themselves to CYA, or make decisions primarily for their own advancement, then they open themselves to reciprocation from applicants who respond in kind (to CYA or advance their own agenda). It goes both ways.
 
NHcandidate,

Can you please clarify who is "forcing" you into this corner? Is it the Academy representative for the MOC or is it the state representative for USMA Admissions?
 
State rep from USMA. They have talked to my Congressman, I haven't. I don't think it's the congressman making this call, and I think it may just be to see between me and the other kid who wants it more (assuming he/she got the same spiel). And my thought was that the board will still take a while to decide between me and the other candidate, and then time to send the appointment (assuming I get it), meaning that I could hear from Navy before then, in which case that option's still open.
 
NHcandidate,

If you feel that you need to follow-up with your state USMA representative, I would say something along the lines that you are waiting to hear back from USNA and that should USNA not extend you an offer of appointment, that if offered by USMA, you would hands down accept their appointment (assuming this is what you would want to do). This would be a statement of fact.

If they dig deeper, you can always say that you would like to be able to weigh your options before accepting to either SA and you also aren't hinting that one SA is "more likely" than the other.

I would also let your BGO know the situation. At no time should you be "pressured" in to a corner because you have not heard from one SA; if this issue persists, please make sure your BGO knows and feel free to re-engage on what next steps you should take. I think the above paragraphs will likely do the trick.

And I am not sure why USMA called your MOC to find out which other SA's you applied to, because it shouldn't matter....they shouldn't be determining their offer of appointment based on whether a candidate is applying to another/multiple SA's.
 
Thanks for the help. I have an email out to my BGO. It's been a few days but they have jobs and lives of their own so I understand, just another part of the waiting game...I seem to be getting a lot of practice in that:wink:
 
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