About Eric Shangle Expertise I am able to answer any questions you have concerning the United States Naval Academy
(USNA). I graduated from USNA and have served as an officer in the US Navy. My experience
at the academy, as a student-athlete, and as a naval officer will help me answer your
questions.
Experience
Graduate of the Naval Academy.
Education/Credentials B.S. Ocean Engineering, US Naval Academy, 1997
M.A. Human Relations, University of Oklahoma, 2002
MBA, Naval Postgraduate School, 2005
Expert: Eric Shangle Date: 2/6/2008 Subject: Nominations
Question QUESTION: Hey, my name is Matt and I live in Washington state. I picked up a nomination from the district congressman in December and just today found out I also got a nomination from the senator too. First, is this ok to have more than one nomination or did I somehow not notify the senator correctly I already had one? If it is ok, how much does this increase my chances of getting into the academy?
Thanks!
ANSWER: Matt,
This is great news. It means that people are interested in you. Congratulations.
You need to decide which nomination you would like to use/have. Kindly let the other person's office know that you also received a nomination from the other. This is just a courtesy.
As for increasing your chances...it doesn't increase your chances. It just means that you are on the right track.
Best of luck.
Eric
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for getting back so quickly, everything in the admisssions process is a blur right now and being able to check myself and my progress so rapidly really is cool.
Just to clarify, I can only have one? I know that of the usually ten people a congressman nominates, the academy can only take one. Shouldn't I want to be eligible with both of those nominations, or do you mean that I can only be eligible with one? The courtesy thing confuses me... does that mean it's nice to let the offices know or can I only have ONE of the two given to me?
Sorry if the way I asked that is confusing, hopefully I am clear enough. Thanks!
Answer Matt,
You only need one nomination in order to gain an appointment to ANY federally funded academy. You are eligible with either nomination. The person who nominated you isn't as important as the fact that you are nominated. It's only a check in the box. Basically you need the nomination to move on to the next round of selections.
The specifics of how nominations are communicated is not privy to the general public (that I know of). I am sure you can have 2 nominations from 2 different sources. However, this is not going to increase your chances of an appointment. You only need one (1) nomination.
I know that the "more is better" idea might sound appealing. However, I can assure you that gaining a nomination is difficult and something to be proud of.
My comments on being courteous and declining one of your nominations it routed in the idea that the other congressman/senator can offer their nomination to another qualified candidate.
Your application package is relying on only one nomination.
Best of luck.
Eric
