<p>Hi, my daughter applied to the Air Force Academy and received a nomination. We are now waiting to hear if she will get an appointment. I was wondering, what is the difference between a “Principal” Nomination and a regular nomination and how do you get a Principal Nomination?</p>
<p>"Nominees may be submitted in three categories: without ranking, with a principal candidate and nine ranked alternates, or with a principal candidate and nine unranked alternates.</p>
<p>When the Member specifies a principal candidate, that individual will be appointed to a DOD academy as long as he or she meets all other admission criteria. If the principal candidate is disqualified, the service academies will appoint the first fully qualified, ranked alternate, if specified by the Member. In circumstances where Members do not specify a principal candidate or ranked alternates, one individual from among the Members nominees who is found to be fully qualified will be appointed by the academies to serve as cadets."
<a href=“http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8480/m1/1/high_res_d/RL33213_2006Feb21.pdf[/url]”>http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8480/m1/1/high_res_d/RL33213_2006Feb21.pdf</a></p>
<p>Hello and congratulations to your daughter, my highschool aged son is in a similar boat as your daughter currently. </p>
<p>My eldest, a girl, is a cadet at the AFA and she was chosen as a principal candidate (amongst 5 appointment recipients at the time) in 08’. In her situation, she only applied to the USAFA, and received the principal candidate position (the other four recieved alternate candidate positions). With her principal appointment, she received a guaranteed spot at the AFA (given that she would, and did, meet the minimum requirements… most importantly for her, the medical requirements or the DODmerb (… I think…) physical test as well as pass the mins. for SAT and/or ACT scores… which the AFA takes either). </p>
<p>From what I understand, and I may be incorrect on this, in our situation, my daugher scored the highest amongst all others applying for an academy (about 15-18 were competitive in their application process, for any and all academies applied for in our congressional district), as well as scoring higher than others applying specifically for the AFA. Having scored the higest of all applicants, she received our congressman’s primary appointment status… this was paramount to a guaranteed spot at the academy. The other appointee’s (there were four others who were given appointments) received alternate appointments, making them eligible to attend the academies of their choice, however, their particular acheivements were what weighed admittance into their academies… and not the congressman’s principal appointment designator. </p>
<p>Also, in looking at your question… I believe that each congressperson has one principal candidate slot they can hand out; ours was based upon the results of a 3-4 person interview panel of important folks in the community (and I can’t attest to how other congresspeople make their decisions or if this is the norm in making their decisions). The candidates packet was reviewed, accomplishments noted, and board questions asked. The results of the panel were ranked by the panel and forwarded to the congressman who made the final decision based on the findings of the panel; the process seemed pretty transparent to me. (As a further note, we didn’t know the congressman before my daughter applied. The principal nomination was given to my daughter based on merit… she earned it through all she’s done and how well she did at the interview). </p>
<p>In my son’s situation, he recieved an alternate appointment (unranked and non-principal), and I think there are a total of 12 receiving appointments this goaround, so he’s filled the requirement of having a congressional appointment, but no “guarantee” of attending perse. (Currently, a slightly lower than the academy prefers SAT reading score is the only thing preventing him from full consideration. If he were to have this minimum met, we would have his application packet forwarded to the academy where they make these decisions and compare his application “resume” (a sum of everything…), and place it up against other folks). Hopefully, if not allowed in the AFA, he might be given a place in either the prep school or an opportunity at the Falcon Foundation Scholarship. </p>
<p>Finally, it seems as though primaries get the academy of their choice, as well as a guaranteed spot. All others have a requirement filled (congressional appointment (but there are other types of appointments, too…)) with their particulars being reviewed at the academy they’re applying for up against everyone else… then ranked based on whatever criteria the academy is using, and allowed to enter whatever academy based upon standings, this after all the primary spots have been filled. </p>
<p>Clear as mud? Hope not. In any event, hope this helped and good luck to your girl…</p>
<p>did your son get in FalconDad? If i may ask what kind of ACT /SAT scores did he get? I received a principal nomination and was asked to retake my CFA. I also have quite a few powerful people giving me recommendations. I am waiting to hear by January 15th and am just really curious of my chances. Thanks so much!</p>
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LAsouthernLA: Do your ACT/SAT scores meet the minimum admissions criteria for USAFA?</p>