<p>I have a question about my house of rep and his nomination abilities, and it might be a little complicated. If a heated debate ensues to this question I am sorry in advance (I have seen what Mister Sinister can do hahah). Anyway, my Congressman was recently elected in last years election and this is his first year nominating candidates for USMA and the other service academies. I often hear how a Congressman has 5 slots available at WP. Well, I have received a nomination from my senator and am hoping to receive one from my congressman since the competition will be easier. I recently meet another candidate in my house of reps district and he has received an LOA. I have heard many different explanations but will he take up the primary slot when his name reaches WP (competitive method is used here in CT). Or since he has an LOA will he not count as the primary and make it easier for me to secure the primary? Also, since it is the Congressman's first year, can he technically nominate two (not counting LOAs if that is the case to the question asked earlier) candidates his first year since he can have 5?</p>
<p>I can only answer a few of your questions based on my d's experience last year, but I'm sure others can fill in the blanks and make corrections if I'm wrong.</p>
<p>What we were told was that the 5 slots are based on the congressional district, not the congressman/woman. So, a new congressman usually only has 1 slot open each year to fill. That 5th slot comes into play every few(4?) years.</p>
<p>But what d was told repeatedly was that a candidate only needs 1 nomination from 1 source to be eligible for admissions. Also, that for each slot, a congressman/senator can have 1 primary and 9 alternates. The nine alternates are also considered as having a nomination. </p>
<p>Last year, my d's congressman had 2 slots to fill, so he could nominate 20 candidates from his district.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your nomination. Take comfort in the fact that you received a nomination in a competitive state/district. If your senator was impressed enough with you to give you one of his nominations, then I'm assuming WP will be impressed, too. Look at the nomination as one more requirement you've met on your way to WP. </p>
<p>Try not to worry about things that you can't control. Make sure all your other paperwork/forms are complete. If you're a little low in something, like test scores or grade(s), work on bringing those up. After that, all you can really do is wait. That's the hardest part, and you're not alone.</p>
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Congratulations!</p>
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:confused:</p>
<p>Why? You only need one nomination, right?</p>
<p>Hmmmmm well look at this scenario - you are a top student and receive a nomination from your US Senator. Your congressman says to you - you already have a nom - I won't consider you for one because you only need one.</p>
<p>The two slates get to the academy - you are heads above everyone else in your congressional district and would have won the appointment but you only come in second or third - or seventh or eighth on your senator's slate. You don't win the appointment.<br>
You must now compete in the National Pool and could possibly drown. In the mean time and lesser candidate from your congressional district has won an appointment.</p>
<p>You only need ONE nomination - you just don't know which one you need.
Apply for all nominations for which you are eligible.</p>
<p>ATop - the LOA will not be charged to your congressional district. You can still win the district - theoretically anyway.
Each district may have 5 candidates charged to them at any one time. You sound like you have things under control.</p>
<p>Yes, a candidate only needs one nomination to be CONSIDERED for an appointment, but without a LOA he/she needs to be "top dog" on that nomination slate to WIN an appointment. The more slates a candidate competes on the more likely he/she is to win appointment (the end goal is an appointment not a nomination). If a candidate is not "top dog" on a nomination slate he/she will need to compete on the national waiting list for an appointment.
The value of a LOA is that it takes the candidate out of this competition – they only need “a nomination”. By way of example, Senator Dole had 4 LOA recipients on her slate of 10 nominees 2 years ago: 5 candidates were given appointments off her slate – the 4 with LOAs and the 1 who was considered “top dog” (she uses the competitive method, LOA recipients do not have to compete and are not counted as part of her 5 allowed cadets).</p>
<p>"since he has an LOA will he not count as the primary and make it easier for me to secure the primary?"</p>
<p>Yes, since LOAs recipients are usually highly qualified (have high whole candidate scores) it makes it easier for the other candidates to be "top dog" on a competitive slate or be named primary nominee if one of the other methods are used.</p>
<p>Atop - please disregard my previous post. I will try to clear up any confusion I may have caused.</p>
<p>Only 1 candidate from each nomination slate is "charged" to the MOC, this candidate may or may not have a LOA. </p>
<p>If the Competitive Method is used and the LOA candidate has the highest WCS then that candidate will be “charged” to the MOC. If there is more than one candidate with a LOA listed on the nomination slate they will still be appointed, but will not be "charged" to the MOC. If the LOA recipient does not have the highest WCS he/she will still be appointed (in addition to the WCS winner), but will not be “charged” to the MOC. </p>
<p>If a Principal Nominee Method is used and a LOA recipient is not listed as the principal nominee, then another candidate can be appointed in addition to the LOA recipients even though the principal nominee may have a lower WCS. </p>
<p>Clear as mud??</p>
<p>Wait wait, I feel I'm getting 2 different stories here. Ann is saying that if this kid has the highest WCS (which is considerably likely), he will be charged for my Congressman, even though he has the LOA, (and yes competitive method is used). Is this correct everyone?</p>
<p>OK - First - let me tell you do NOT get discouraged. If a candidate with an LOA gets an appointment and it is charged to your congressman then you still have a chance for an appointment.</p>
<p>Ann is correct - if your congressman submits 10 names and uses the competitive method then the candidate with the highest WCS will win the appointment and that appointment will be charged to him even if the candidate has an LOA.</p>
<p>It is possible for a candidate without and LOA to have a higher WCS than an LOA candidate on a nomination slate.
Also, some savvy MOC's who normally use the competitive method will use the primary method when one candidate has an LOA. They don't have to submit their slate until the end of January and they can change the method they use.</p>
<p>So, don't panic. Keep plugging along, update your file with any new information and plan on retaking your SAT's/ACT's if you need to.
Finish the semester strong and get those grades sent in ASAP.
Good luck!</p>