3 Q'd and an LOA

Shelbyboyz

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2010
Messages
69
If you are 3 Q'd, does it make it harder to get an LOA since the Board has already looked at your application and decided on no LOA at that time? I know the goal is not an LOA, but it seems that getting a nomination is also positively influenced by a candidate with an LOA. Also, DS has MOC interview this weekend - no other interviews scheduled. What happens if an LOA were to come later in the process? I guess my worry is that in this highly competitive area, what chance do you have if you are interviewing for a nomination with others who may have LOA's? :eek:
 
If you are 3 Q'd, does it make it harder to get an LOA since the Board has already looked at your application and decided on no LOA at that time?

No perfect answer to this. USNA can offer an LOA at any time, although they become less likely as the year goes by. If your packet is complete and you haven't been offered an LOA, it's unlikely (but not impossible) that you'll get one. However, being 3 Q'ed is mandatory for an appointment, so it's a great step.

I know the goal is not an LOA, but it seems that getting a nomination is also positively influenced by a candidate with an LOA.

With some MOCs, that's true. I've also heard that some MOCs don't want to give noms to LOA candidates b/c they figure USNA will "find" the LOA candidates a nom. As I've previously posted, that is a wrong assumption.

What happens if an LOA were to come later in the process? I guess my worry is that in this highly competitive area, what chance do you have if you are interviewing for a nomination with others who may have LOA's? :eek:

If an LOA comes before the MOC submits his/her slate, he/she might make a change -- up to the MOC. I would certainly ensure the MOC knows about it. But it might make no difference.

LOAs are rare -- your DS should be congratulated for having received an interview and should do his best. Worrying about someone else's situation is tempting but, in the end, not useful.
 
I guess my worry is that in this highly competitive area, what chance do you have if you are interviewing for a nomination with others who may have LOA's? :eek:
LOAs are rare -- your DS should be congratulated for having received an interview and should do his best. Worrying about someone else's situation is tempting but, in the end, not useful.
Useful or not, the question remains: When an applicant is being interviewed in a "highly competitive area , what chance do you have if you are interviewing for a nomination with others who may have LOA's?"
Some (many?) MOCs have 4 and 5 panels concurrently interviewing candidates every 15 minutes for three days. What chance does a non-LOA, non-URM, non ROTC / Presidential nom, non Prep school candidate have in these circumstances?

Do the math. How many candidates are applying for noms in "competitive" areas? While the published stats may say that 8-10% of applicants receive appointments, that number is certainly MUCH smaller in competitive states/congressional districts unless your stats are extraordinarily and/or you qualify for an alternative nom than one from your MOC.
 
Useful or not, the question remains: When an applicant is being interviewed in a "highly competitive area , what chance do you have if you are interviewing for a nomination with others who may have LOA's?"

The ten million dollar question. Nine LOAs and OP's DS on the MOC's list of 10. Who does Admissions select? First off, one must assume all the LOAs are national pool competitive. If one happens not to be and has no other nominations, he will probably receive the MOC's principal nomination, assuming his WPM is greater than the OP's DS. If not, it could go either way. If two or more happen not to be and have no other nominations, only one will receive a nomination. The others, barring the Supt's list of 50, are out of luck. Back to the assumption that all the LOAs are national pool competitive. Admissions will attempt to pick the absolute best mix for the entire class (the top 1500 on the WPM list). Therefore, if OP's DS enhances that mix, he will recieve the MOC's Principal nomination. If not, he won't. Another way of looking at it would be to look at the last person selected from the national pool. If OP's DS is above that level, all else considered equal, he is probably in. If not, he is not. This is why it takes until April 15. And also why they simply tell everyone to get as many nominations as they are eligible to receive and don't try to explain this.
 
Last edited:
...3 Q'd...2 Noms...and an LOA in a Pear Tree...:shake:

Stay loose fellow parents...it will all sort itself out in the end!

GO NAVY!
 
I would certainly ensure the MOC knows about it. But it might make no difference.

I heartily agree with this advice. Both my sons got an LOA and, although the letter was "copied" to each of the MOCs, both my sons wrote a letter to each MOC to point out that they had received an LOA. In one case, the only knowledge they seemed to have of the LOA was the letter my sons wrote. Things call fall through the cracks.
 
There is discussion of similar issues on another running thread.

I've been doing this for a long time in an extremely competitive district. Every year, candidates w/o LOAs get noms. And, on occasion, those with LOAs do not. It is NOT a guarantee and the approach varies by MOC. It is not within USNA's control.
 
Every year, candidates w/o LOAs get noms. And, on occasion, those with LOAs do not. It is NOT a guarantee and the approach varies by MOC.
Nope...not a guarantee. However, if you are competing with a large number of applicants in one of the more competitive states/districts, I think we can all agree that it is far better to have an LOA than not. Right?

Of course if you are from S. Dakota...there is no need to panic. :cool:
 
The ten million dollar question. Nine LOAs and OP's DS on the MOC's list of 10. Who does Admissions select? First off, one must assume all the LOAs are national pool competitive. If one happens not to be and has no other nominations, he will probably receive the MOC's principal nomination, assuming his WPM is greater than the OP's DS. If not, it could go either way. If two or more happen not to be and have no other nominations, only one will receive a nomination. The others, barring the Supt's list of 50, are out of luck. Back to the assumption that all the LOAs are national pool competitive. Admissions will attempt to pick the absolute best mix for the entire class (the top 1500 on the WPM list). Therefore, if OP's DS enhances that mix, he will recieve the MOC's Principal nomination. If not, he won't. Another way of looking at it would be to look at the last person selected from the national pool. If OP's DS is above that level, all else considered equal, he is probably in. If not, he is not. This is why it takes until April 15. And also why they simply tell everyone to get as many nominations as they are eligible to receive and don't try to explain this.

Mongo, I am a bit confused. Your post makes it sound like the academy chooses who they select off the MOC's list of ten nominees. I concur with that notion. What confuses me is your use of the term "principal" to apply to the nominee selected by the academy off that MOC's list. I thought, perhaps in error, that the "principal nominee" was selected by the MOC and designated as such on his slate of ten. And guaranteed an appointment, if found qualified. I was under the impression that an MOC chooses how his slate is submitted: principal with up to 9 ranked alternates, unranked slate, ranked slate top to bottom......

Most of your post I heartily agree with.....just a bit confused on your explanation of the term principal which implies the academy is choosing the principal. Or do you mean the academy is simply making their selection to "charge" to that MOC's nomination from the slate of ten????:confused:
 
Nope...not a guarantee. However, if you are competing with a large number of applicants in one of the more competitive states/districts, I think we can all agree that it is far better to have an LOA than not. Right?

Of course if you are from S. Dakota...there is no need to panic. :cool:

Of course it is better to have an LOA, it means somebody at USNA ( or the other academies) found you to be darned competitive. As to whether the MOC will more likely grant a nom to an LOA recipient, well that is up to them. Some to seem to think the academy will "find" a nom for an LOA recipient, so they are doing someone else a favor in their district, someone without an LOA, and granting them a nomination.

Mongo's explanation of "the last person selected from the national pool" is a good way to think about it all. And ALWAYS, ALWAYS try for all nominations which you are eligible!
 
Mongo, I am a bit confused. Your post makes it sound like the academy chooses who they select off the MOC's list of ten nominees. I concur with that notion. What confuses me is your use of the term "principal" to apply to the nominee selected by the academy off that MOC's list. I thought, perhaps in error, that the "principal nominee" was selected by the MOC and designated as such on his slate of ten. And guaranteed an appointment, if found qualified. I was under the impression that an MOC chooses how his slate is submitted: principal with up to 9 ranked alternates, unranked slate, ranked slate top to bottom......

Most of your post I heartily agree with.....just a bit confused on your explanation of the term principal which implies the academy is choosing the principal. Or do you mean the academy is simply making their selection to "charge" to that MOC's nomination from the slate of ten????:confused:
You are absolutely correct. There is no term to describe the selectee off a competitive list and 'principal' is the proper term for the individual which the MOC selects. However, I attempted to use another term once which I made up, 'primary', to differentiate the two and I was roasted soundly for making up stuff and confusing people when I am sure that their argument was what would have caused any confusion.
 
As to whether the MOC will more likely grant a nom to an LOA recipient, well that is up to them.
How about an opinion? If your son/daughter had a LOA would you make sure the MOC knew about it or would you be concerned that it might negatively effect your son/daughter's chance of receiving the nom? If your son/daughter was competing with 100+ candidates for a MOC nom how confident of success would you be if your son/daughter did not have a LOA and 9 (Mongo's example) did? I think that was the OPs question.
I guess my worry is that in this highly competitive area, what chance do you have if you are interviewing for a nomination with others who may have LOA's?
 
How about an opinion? If your son/daughter had a LOA would you make sure the MOC knew about it or would you be concerned that it might negatively effect your son/daughter's chance of receiving the nom? If your son/daughter was competing with 100+ candidates for a MOC nom how confident of success would you be if your son/daughter did not have a LOA and 9 (Mongo's example) did? I think that was the OPs question.

MY OPINION: I'd let the MOC know as Memphis already mentioned with a copy of the letter. However, somewhere in my packet applying for a nomination, maybe the cover letter, I'd sure emphasize that although LOA is in hand, a nomination is crucial to gaining the appointment. And that you'd be mighty proud to have MOC XXX's nomination. Don't want them to think that candidate thinks he/she has the cat in the bag because he/she has an LOA. Does that make sense?
 
Does that make sense?
Absolutely and could not agree more.

If your son/daughter was competing with 100+ candidates for a MOC nom how confident of success would you be if your son/daughter did not have a LOA and 9 (Mongo's example) did?
 
That would be a tough scenario for sure. Hard to imagine. I have heard that USNA only gives out 100-150 LOA's and for nine to be in one district seems a bit unlikely. Anyway, I would be making sure that application for a nomination would be the very best candidate could POSSIBLY put together! Which, theoretically, is how they all oughta be anyway!
 
Back
Top