CONGRESSIONAL NOMINATION: WHAT ARE YOUR CHANCES?

Top 5 Reasons Applicants Don’t Get The Nomination

Common Mistake	AE Solution
1. Incomplete/late application Procrastination kills.	We guide you to get clear on the requirements. Know the requirements (Resume, SAT/ACT, Transcripts, Letters of Rec, Essays, Photo, Questionnaire, etc.)We guide you on who to ask if something is unclear. We ensure all clients submit their application by Aug 31, and get written confirmation that your application materials were received, and all requirements were met.
2. They were unaware of how they stacked up, and were overconfident.	We talk to Academy applicants all day every day and we understand what it takes to get accepted. We do a 360 assessment on you, so you clearly know how you stack up. And then you get a plan laid out by us to max your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
3. Only applying to one nomination source. Applicants only apply to their Congressman.	In the first consultation, we make you aware of every nomination source, and then by the end of Bootcamp, we quality check every nomination application to ensure they are complete and they maximize your chances.
4. Only applying to one Academy	We increase your awareness of the other Academies, and encourage applying to more than 1 Academy to diversify your odds. We charge a flat rate, meaning each additional Academy application in our program is free of charge.
5. They bombed the interview (showed up late, unprofessional, poor responses)	We have an Interview course, consisting of the frequently asked questions and two mock interviews. Every client is well-prepared to be the best interviewer in their district.

What are my chances of winning a nomination?

Title 10 Law states Members of Congress can nominate 10 applicants per Academy per year. 

Example: If 100 people apply for a West Point nomination within your district, they have 10 nominations to give out (10 for USMA, 10 for USNA, 10 for USAFA, 10 for USMMA), then you have a 10% chance. If 20 people apply, there are still 40 total nominations (10 per Academy), then there’s roughly a 50% chance. If your Congressman decides to give 2 nominations to 1 person, then the chances are even lower. Ex: we had a client last year win a nomination to USAFA and USNA from his Congressman. 

Your statistical likelihood is dependent upon… 

• How many people apply within your district/state
• How many people put your #1 Academy as their #1 Academy

How do I know if I live in a competitive district/state?

The most competitive districts/states are…

• The ones with the highest military presence (ex. If you live in Fort Bragg area, there are many sons and daughters of Army veterans who want to attend USMA).
• The highest socioeconomic areas (higher socioeconomic areas suggest higher performing high schools, which means more students applying for prestigious colleges)

Check your Assessment Tab in your AE Workbook to see AE’s assessment of your competitive environment. 

What do I do if something in my nomination application is unclear? 

There are 535 congressional offices, and these offices are not standardized. Each office might be a little different. If requirements are unclear, you should contact the Congressional staffer to verify their specific process, and follow professional email etiquette.

When do I find out if I won the nomination? 

Here’s the Congressional Nomination Timeline in 4 phases: 

Preparation -> Application -> Interview -> Notification

• Preparation. During AE Curriculum & Consultations, Completing Nomination tab to understand requirements and deadlines, writing essays, obtaining letters of recommendation, to prepare for Bootcamp.
• Application. During May/June, the applications open. All clients are required to submit their nomination applications by Aug 31. Between Sept-Dec of your senior year, your application will be due. 
• Interview. 2-4 weeks after the application deadline, you will be notified if you are invited for an interview. Most Congressional offices interview candidates for the final round. Depending upon your district, it could be virtual or in-person. 
• Notification. 2-4 weeks after the interview, you will be notified if you earned a nomination, and to which Academies you were given. With the exception of Coast Guard Academy, you must earn a nomination for each Academy you are applying to; otherwise, you will only be eligible for the Prep School.

What are the Congressional nomination methods?

There are primarily 2 methods that Congressman can use to nominate applicants, depending on the district. 

• Competitive method – is when your Congressman nominates 10 nominees to, lets say, USMA, and you are one of them, but s/he submits all 10 names in no particular order. So, West Point gets to review all 10 and make the decision entirely up to them. This is by far the most common method today. 
• Principal method  – the Principal nominee is the Congressman #1 choice, and if s/he is qualified, they are almost guaranteed an appointment to the Academy. It’s the Congressman’s way to ensure s/he gets at least one person from their district in. It’s very uncommon, but if you get your nomination, and it’s a principal nomination, that’s a very good thing. 

Am I eligible for other nominations besides Congressional?

Below are the other nomination sources (besides Congressman/Senators) to see if you are eligible:

• Vice President. All applicants are eligible. Only 1 person per year per Academy gets the VP nomination. We recommend all clients apply.
• JROTC/ROTC. Do you participate in JROTC or ROTC? If so, then your Commander can submit you a nomination. Up to 5 people per Academy class can receive a ROTC nomination.
• Enlisted. Are you currently enlisted? If so, then your Commander can write you a nomination. Up to 40 people per Academy class can receive an Enlisted nomination.
• Presidential. If yes to any of the below, then you are eligible for a Presidential nomination. Up to 40 people per Academy class can receive a Presidential nomination.
  • Did either of your parents serve in the military for 8+ continuous years?
  • Medal of honor?
  • KIA/MIA/100% disabled? 
• Superintendent. Are you a recruited athlete? Up to 50 people per Academy class can receive a Superintendents nomination.