<p>What does it mean to have received a nomination from my Representative as a competitive alternate? The letter informing me of my nomination urged me to "stay in contact with the academy". What exactly does that mean?</p>
<p>Others will confirm, but it probably means that your MOC (Rep) has identified a principle nominee, who if 3 Qed will be or has been offered an appointment. You, in turn, are a highly competitive candidate, but obviously no longer eligible for your MOC's slot(s) this year, unless the principle declines or somehow is determined ineligible. So now you enter a "national pool" of candidates, which includes other viable candidates like yourself. While it's a tough road from here, your hope should not be lost. Say prayers to whoever you consider guiding and watching over your life, and do as they say. Stay in close touch with Admissions. You may want to call your MOC contact for further clarification and counsel. From henceforth, most likely the noisy, viable wheel will get the grease. </p>
<p>I'm sure others might either edify or correct my response. Good luck. What we know of you is you are such ..."Good" and in need of a little help now. May it be forthcoming.</p>
<p>It most likely means that your MOC uses the "principal nomination" and "competitive alternate" method. This means that he/she has designated one of his/her nominees as a "principal" nom. If that person is fully qualified for an appointment, USNA must give that individual the appointment allocated to that MOC. If that person is not fully qualified, they will move to another person on the list. The MOC can rank the remaining 9 or simply allow USNA to choose.</p>
<p>Those who receive an MOC nom but not an appointment slotted to that MOC go into a national pool where they compete against others in the same situation. Quite a few of those individuals ultimately receive appointments.</p>
<p>Thank you. That helps alot. Any suggestions as to how I can be a "squeaky wheel"? I don't want to be high maintenance, but it sounds like between your advice and the advice in my nomination letter, that I should be checking in with Admissions.</p>
<p>Become a pleasant pain. Seek and use wise counsel about when, who and how to prod. Don't allow eggshells to be a reason that you didn't get properly "noticed" when USNA might have been asking figuratively, "well, who else now..." You be that who else. But as you note, it can be a narrow line sometimes. Damn the torpedoes, carefully. Do all you can to facilitate your dream all the while having a solid plan B and C that'll get you where you want to go as well. Persistence, diligence, conviction, courage are all worthy attributes in this process and life. Go get 'em, and keep us posted.</p>
<p>Trying to become a “pleasant pain”. Beginning to doubt…</p>
<p>Sorry, just need to vent, parents want to make vacation plans, friends all know where they’re going in the fall…</p>
<p>Becoming a “pleasant pain” is not the best advice.
I was on the phone today w/ admissons person. They asked that I contact a candidate w/ whom I counsel and tell him that the applicaziton process was in motion and there was little, i.e. “nothing” that could be done to improve his chances at this time. Really!
In other words, they knew he/she wanted to be admitted, his/her application was under consideration, and tehre was nothing more to be done at this stage.</p>
<p>Somtimes matters are out of your control. The Academy knows you want to be admitted.</p>
<p>My daughter is in a similar situation. She’s triple qualified (730 English, 670 Math, senior class president, former senate page) but we found out from her nominating MoC recently that two other nominees have been offered appointments. Could it be because she specified a non-technical degree (PoliSci / IntlRel)? She’s wanted nothing else as much as this and it feels like her dream is slipping away…</p>
<p>So, I guess the big question is, how big is this “national pool”? She has written a single page letter to the Admissions board to “affirm” her desire to go the the USNA, but I guess it’s just a waiting game…</p>
<p>Does anybody know how many candidates each year receive appointments and then decide not to go to the Academy? I know that all the other big name civilian schools (the Ivys, etc.) let kids know if they were accepted this past Tuesday and I’m guessing some of them might decide to go there instead.</p>
<p>Concerned Dad</p>
<p>Two other questions while I’m thinking of them…</p>
<p>1) Anyone know how many appointments are given to candidates in the national pool?</p>
<p>2) When is the absolute cutoff (last date) each year for the handing out of appointments?</p>
<p>Thanks,
Concerned Dad</p>
<p>^^^ IDay. My Mid has a friend whose appointment came the day before I Day and coming form the West Coast arrived on the day after IDay. (Class of 2010) I do know of a Mid in the Class of 2012 that got his appointment mid June last summer. Our MOC had 4 get appointments for the Class of 2010. -</p>
<p>user0001 and all…we feel your in-limbo agony on 02 April. No word and counting. While it’s less than what you’d have hoped and designed, perhaps, at least for now, consider it more than the vast, vast majority have. Your great hope is hope. And that you’ve received no nay.</p>
<p>No matter what they say, the little you’ve shared of your lovely dd … and that she is in fact a dd (vs. ds.) are all good things.</p>
<p>Don’t give up the ship! (Somewhere I recall seeing that …a billboard or banner trailing a bi-plane @ the beach, maybe?) Your case is late, not lost. </p>
<p>No harm in wondering about national pool #s and such …but in the absence of context, they are all meaningless. All you need care about is one blue folder between now and July. One MOC had 9 appointees in recent years, per another poster here.</p>
<p>Chin up.</p>
<p>My Plebe’s appointment wasn’t approved until mid-May last year, although her hangup was medical.</p>
<p>user0001: Hang in there! Keep in contact with Admissions (have HER keep in contact) and keep in touch with BGO!</p>
<p>So this discussion of late appointments has got me wondering about something. </p>
<p>If April 15 comes and goes and I still have not received a blue folder or phone call from MOC, or rejection, would there be any other type of communication at all from the Academy? In other words, did those who have reported here having received appointments in mid-May and as late as I-day, hear anything prior to that, via letter or phone call after April 15? </p>
<p>My family’s having a discussion about this and some members think that there would be something sent to all candidates by April 15, either appointment or rejection or waiting list. I have read there is no such thing as a waiting list. </p>
<p>I’m guessing that if May 1 arrives, the day most universities require a commitment, and you still have not heard anything from the Academy, that you go ahead and make a commitment elsewhere, pay your housing fees and even start making roommate plans and orientation plans, (but no other plans of course!) and just keep waiting, because that means you are still “in the pool” and may get an appointment. Please clarify how this works after April 15 please. Thanks.</p>
<p>By May 1st, one must accept/decline another SA. What happens if one accepts that other SA and USNA comes thru after that…can one then move over to USNA?</p>
<p>Dd just found today that she’s been granted a 4-year NROTC scholarship, but unfortunately, she can’t use it, having been denied admission to Harvard and Tufts. She was accepted to BU and will attempt to switch the scholarship to there, but their NROTC unit is already full and she will be waitlisted. Sigh… </p>
<p>Still praying for that blue folder…</p>
<p>Still waiting here too…thanks for keeping us updated…that’s pretty awesome she got the Navy scholarship!</p>
<p>Home from school for lunch to eagerly check the mailbox! Still nothing! </p>
<p>Questions</p>
<p>Do the “big, blue folders” that everyone keeps referring to, ever get sent by UPS?</p>
<p>If April 15 comes and goes with no word, would you assume I’m “still in the pool”? </p>
<p>Are these the only two options for mail received: “thin, white envelope” or “big, blue folder”? Any other type of communication?</p>
<p>Trying to keep my mind off of “all things Navy”, but…</p>
<p>BlackLab, this is how it went down for my son: he received a phone call from his MOC Friday afternoon and on Monday USPS delivered the blue folder. The mailman stuck it on the side of the mailbox because it wouldn’t bend to fit inside :)</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>There is no magic to 15 April … for USNA or my CPA. They both work @ their own pace. Patience, fortitude, confidence, courage, good cheer. And don’t give up the ship! ;)</p>