When do I start applying for nominations?

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Mar 20, 2018
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I am currently a junior. I took the SAT a few days ago, am taking the ACT this Saturday, and am taking the CFA at NASS this summer. I filled out the first part for my local congressman nomination, and have written the essay I will submit when applying for the Vice President nomination. I have also looked into my senators besides my house rep. I am pretty much guaranteed up to 3 nominations from my local rep (his liaison told me they only gave like 2 nominations last year due to my district being ultra uncompetitive). I will continue to research, but would people say the ideal time for acquiring nominations is in the summer before entering senior year? Am I behind or on track?? Any advice is welcome, I am looking deeper into the process and hopefully I’m doing this the right way.
 
I am currently a junior. I took the SAT a few days ago, am taking the ACT this Saturday, and am taking the CFA at NASS this summer. I filled out the first part for my local congressman nomination, and have written the essay I will submit when applying for the Vice President nomination. I have also looked into my senators besides my house rep. I am pretty much guaranteed up to 3 nominations from my local rep (his liaison told me they only gave like 2 nominations last year due to my district being ultra uncompetitive). I will continue to research, but would people say the ideal time for acquiring nominations is in the summer before entering senior year? Am I behind or on track?? Any advice is welcome, I am looking deeper into the process and hopefully I’m doing this the right way.

Just make sure you submit the nomination applications by their posted deadlines. As long as they have everything by the deadline, they will schedule you for an interview, usually late fall or early January at the latest. If your MOCs get so few applicants then you may not even need interviews. Their nominations must be submitted to the SAs by January 31 of each year.
 
I am currently a junior. I took the SAT a few days ago, am taking the ACT this Saturday, and am taking the CFA at NASS this summer. I filled out the first part for my local congressman nomination, and have written the essay I will submit when applying for the Vice President nomination. I have also looked into my senators besides my house rep. I am pretty much guaranteed up to 3 nominations from my local rep (his liaison told me they only gave like 2 nominations last year due to my district being ultra uncompetitive). I will continue to research, but would people say the ideal time for acquiring nominations is in the summer before entering senior year? Am I behind or on track?? Any advice is welcome, I am looking deeper into the process and hopefully I’m doing this the right way.

Just make sure you submit the nomination applications by their posted deadlines. As long as they have everything by the deadline, they will schedule you for an interview, usually late fall or early January at the latest. If your MOCs get so few applicants then you may not even need interviews. Their nominations must be submitted to the SAs by January 31 of each year.
Thank you. My MOG’s liaison told me he requires a short 10-15 min interview and as long as I look professional and give them my honest reasons for wanting to join a service academy I’m in. So I’m not too worried about the interview but I’ll stay up on my deadlines. Thanks again!
 
Thank you. My MOG’s liaison told me he requires a short 10-15 min interview and as long as I look professional and give them my honest reasons for wanting to join a service academy I’m in. So I’m not too worried about the interview but I’ll stay up on my deadlines. Thanks again!

The interviews were the most stressful for DS. Walking into Congressman’s panel, the first thing he was asked was, “Do you know your tie is crooked?” Needless to say he was very disheartened when he came out because he takes more care in his looks than many females. None was more surprised than he when he got the nomination. I think it was more to test how he handled things off the cuff. Good luck. DS is still WL for USMMA. Just saw one from our state declined so...
 
Try to apply as soon as the apps open up! I regret waiting to the last second and stressing myself out.
I'm normally very shy and hate bragging about myself, but the interview with my panel was very enjoyable. They ask things like: when have you failed and how did you respond? What does leadership mean to you? etc. If you're applying to the academies in the first place, you probably already have the answers. Don't think too deeply about it, and walk in as confidently as possible. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions as well!
 
Thank you. My MOG’s liaison told me he requires a short 10-15 min interview and as long as I look professional and give them my honest reasons for wanting to join a service academy I’m in. So I’m not too worried about the interview but I’ll stay up on my deadlines. Thanks again!

The interviews were the most stressful for DS. Walking into Congressman’s panel, the first thing he was asked was, “Do you know your tie is crooked?” Needless to say he was very disheartened when he came out because he takes more care in his looks than many females. None was more surprised than he when he got the nomination. I think it was more to test how he handled things off the cuff. Good luck. DS is still WL for USMMA. Just saw one from our state declined so...
Solid advice, I can totally see them testing candidates under pressure and stuff. I’ll make sure I have my A game on that day of the interview. Best wishes to your DS!
 
Try to apply as soon as the apps open up! I regret waiting to the last second and stressing myself out.
I'm normally very shy and hate bragging about myself, but the interview with my panel was very enjoyable. They ask things like: when have you failed and how did you respond? What does leadership mean to you? etc. If you're applying to the academies in the first place, you probably already have the answers. Don't think too deeply about it, and walk in as confidently as possible. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions as well!
Thank you so much for this advice. I personally love talking to people and have solid public speaking skills so I’m hopeful I do well :)
 
As long as they have everything by the deadline, they will schedule you for an interview, usually late fall or early January at the latest.

In very competitive MOC areas, there may be a screening process and some get eliminated at that point. You can't assume you will get an interview, just because you submitted the paperwork by the deadline.
 
As long as they have everything by the deadline, they will schedule you for an interview, usually late fall or early January at the latest.

In very competitive MOC areas, there may be a screening process and some get eliminated at that point. You can't assume you will get an interview, just because you submitted the paperwork by the deadline.
Well in my case it’s not competitive so hopefully I don’t do something dumb like miss a deadline...
 
Your arrogance is concerning. You do know that it only takes one person with better stats/essay/resume than you and your nomination from your representative is gone, right? That person or persons may not even be on your liaison's radar yet, but they could knock you out of the running in a heartbeat. Your senators are never a given since you have the whole state to compete against.

Make your application the best that it can be and charge ahead, but don't ever think that any step in the process is a given no matter how encouraging other people are.

Stealth_81
 
There are many applicants each year who are given assurances that they're a shoe-in.... and end up with a TWE. Be humble.
 
Having confidence with humility is great to have. But it’s very true nothing is given and don’t skate through it. If your District Rep can give you upto 3 Noms for each Academies then you are very fortunate. Because most are competing for just 1 Nom from their district and few selective states only offer 1 Nom at best from the entire state competition. And even with that no guarantee.

So coming from a non competitive state definitely will put you out ahead of the Nomination game. If the rest of your package is excellent meaning if you are above the SA National Average in all published categories then I think you have a great chance for an Appointment.

It’s a marathon and someone can easily pass you by at anytime. There’s no shoe in in the SA Appointment. Every little things actually matter!
 
What state are you from if you are willing to share? I will be submitting my nomination applications early August so I can add all of the extra things I will be doing this summer. They are due in September for me.
 
Your arrogance is concerning. You do know that it only takes one person with better stats/essay/resume than you and your nomination from your representative is gone, right? That person or persons may not even be on your liaison's radar yet, but they could knock you out of the running in a heartbeat. Your senators are never a given since you have the whole state to compete against.

Make your application the best that it can be and charge ahead, but don't ever think that any step in the process is a given no matter how encouraging other people are.

Stealth_81

You’re very right. Thanks for the reality check, I’ll be sure to keep putting my best foot forward and not slacking.
 
Having confidence with humility is great to have. But it’s very true nothing is given and don’t skate through it. If your District Rep can give you upto 3 Noms for each Academies then you are very fortunate. Because most are competing for just 1 Nom from their district and few selective states only offer 1 Nom at best from the entire state competition. And even with that no guarantee.

So coming from a non competitive state definitely will put you out ahead of the Nomination game. If the rest of your package is excellent meaning if you are above the SA National Average in all published categories then I think you have a great chance for an Appointment.

It’s a marathon and someone can easily pass you by at anytime. There’s no shoe in in the SA Appointment. Every little things actually matter!

Thanks for the advice[emoji120]. I’ll be sure to maintain that mindset and complete my application as if I am in a crazy competitive state so I don’t get caught slacking.
 
I have a quick question, our Congressman's nomination opens this month and our 2 senators open in May..Does it make sense to start the application and update it as you complete the requirements or to have the whole package sent in at once? Also, it is the earlier the better or they will look at them at the deadline? Thank you for you're help.
 
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I have a quick question, our Congressman's nomination opens this month and our 2 senators open in may..Does it make sense to start the application and update it as you complete the requirements or to have the whole package sent in at once? Also, it is the earlier the better or they will look at them at the deadline? Thank you for you're help.

Not something I can answer, I’m in the same boat as you rn.
 
I am currently a junior. I took the SAT a few days ago, am taking the ACT this Saturday, and am taking the CFA at NASS this summer. I filled out the first part for my local congressman nomination, and have written the essay I will submit when applying for the Vice President nomination. I have also looked into my senators besides my house rep. I am pretty much guaranteed up to 3 nominations from my local rep (his liaison told me they only gave like 2 nominations last year due to my district being ultra uncompetitive). I will continue to research, but would people say the ideal time for acquiring nominations is in the summer before entering senior year? Am I behind or on track?? Any advice is welcome, I am looking deeper into the process and hopefully I’m doing this the right way.
Do you mean your Congressman? Also, there are restrictions on how many each rep may have at the Academy at a time.. We just found out that in our state each Senator can only have 5 slots for the USNA, and they bring it down to 4 in case one (for a number of reasons) doesn't graduate that year.
 
MOC can submit 10 NOM's for each opening they have. Where a NOM gets charged by USNA when issuing an appointment may be different from where it is issued. The official USNA website indicates applicants should apply for all applicable NOM's.
 
I have a quick question, our Congressman's nomination opens this month and our 2 senators open in May..Does it make sense to start the application and update it as you complete the requirements or to have the whole package sent in at once? Also, it is the earlier the better or they will look at them at the deadline? Thank you for you're help.

I'd suggest reading the information posted by your Congressperson and Senators thoroughly. Not suggesting you have not :) If MOC's posted info does not answer your questions about the process, you can always call and ask. ** Just be sure the STUDENT calls with any questions, not the PARENT.**

Regardless, I'd suggest ONE complete mailing to each MOC. This is just my opinion, but one package says you are thorough and organized.

When my DS was applying, 1 Senator and the Congressman requested a complete package explicitly. The 2nd senator's application was on-line and he only mailed LORs, transcript, head shot, and a cover letter.

At that time, DS had to wait for an official copy of his transcript at end of Jr year to include (it was sealed/official) so he could not submit the package until late June.

DS also collected his LORs, in sealed envelopes with the writer's signature across the seal, and mailed all in at once. [Just a note, he provided the teachers/coaches/etc with addressed envelopes for MOCs, making it much easier to keep them all straight.]
 
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