<p>MOC noms are not interchangeable. If you are saying you don’t think you can get one of the 10 Senator slots, then you need to change your thinking! 
Desire is part of the equation. There are countless candidates that did not get accepted with stellar academics, athletics, leadership but did not get in while others with decent grades (though not top) DID get appointed. Why? DESIRE. It is a complex puzzle who gets in and who does not. The perfect academician may not survive the rigors of a SA - it is much more than a school - you have to have the academic aptitude to graduate but the academic composite is not enough … determination is what graduates. Though academics are tough at many top schools, when you add in the extra stuff that the SA’s deal with it is the well-rounded & determined student that succeeds. </p>
<p>Some MOCs will change your nom. They can (though they do not have to) easily do this IF they did NOT fill their AFA slate. IT IS A LONG SHOT; if they submitted their slate they MAY be willing to alter it. Don’t be surprised if the answer is no … if the answer is no, and the senator is also a no, your best bet is to update your file at AFA and push the desire button hard. Have you discussed this with you ALO? Does he understand that you don’t have the nom? He may be able to intercede with the MOC (again, if willing). I am familiar with an instance when a B&G and ALO worked “together” with the MOC to “switch” noms. When you tell your B&G that you want to switch that nom you could end up with neither (B&G can discuss with USNA a belief that you would not accept and push for another to get that appointment as a result of you saying you want to switch your noms). If you are certain that you would NOT accept a USNA appointment if such were offered, then it is no loss - but if you would accept USNA then consider carefully how you play this. It is delicate to switch a nom from one SA to another. If the MOC did not submit a full slate to AFA then the staffer MAY be very willing to work with you and you wouldn’t have to discuss it with your B&G. </p>
<p>If you decide to talk to the staffer, I suggest you do so in person (make an appointment) and be very forthright. Most MOCs have SA’s handled in their district office but if yours in handled in Washington you can make a phone appointment. Many MOC offices simply won’t deal with this issue while others will work with you - if they have time and are willing. It is not uncommon for a MOC to submit less than a full slate, even in competitive areas.</p>
<p>As to the VP, did you actually only apply for a USNA nom from the VP or did you also include USAFA? If you only applied for the USNA VP nom then you will likely be out of luck for a VP nom for AFA. However, if you completed the form for the VP nom & put both USNA & AFA then you may still be in the running for it.
<a href=“http://www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident/vicepresidential_nominationpacket.pdf[/url]”>http://www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident/vicepresidential_nominationpacket.pdf</a></p>
<p>Last suggestion - call AFA directly and talk to your admissions rep. Ask to discuss your file & what you can do to strengthen it. Explain that AFA is your 1st choice & if given the opportunity you would absolutely accept an appointment. Tell them that when the process began you were not sure between USAFA & USNA (that is very common and they know it) so you split your nom choices between the two. Now you are CERTAIN you want AFA but an AFA nom looks remote as your MOC required a choice months ago and gave you a nom to Navy. Ask if you can be considered for the prep school (shows desire). Express your interest … If you know you are QQQ (you are at USNA so you likely are at USAFA too) then desire can set you apart from the others. </p>
<p>Hope that helped … It’s a tough situation - good luck. Remember, staffers are there to help - don’t be tooooo intimidated by them! Typically the staffers doing the SA stuff really LOVE it and really WANT to help you to achieve your goal. If none of this works and you still really want AFA then try again next year. A lot of applicants have applied several times.</p>