LOA's

TheNaterrater

5-Year Member
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May 30, 2012
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I was just curious, does anyone know the number of LOA's sent out nationally each year? Also, how great are the chances of an LOA recipient of getting in?

Thank you.
 
Very few are sent out, the exact number varies from year to year. And I don't really understand your second question, seeing that if you receive a nomination + LOA + 3Q, you are guaranteed admission. If you don't receive a nomination, no admission. It's either all or nothing.
 
They told us at CVW last week that about 200-250 go out each year from August until mid January. They are rare and considering there are about 1375 appointments given out most candidates don't ever receive one.
 
I have read that if an LOA does not receive a nom from their MOC the academy will use an unfilled slot from another, less competitive state...so a candidate that receives an LOA, that maintains grades, stays out of trouble, and is 3Q'd will almost be guaranteed an appointment...any knowledge about this?

Don't know where you read this, but it's wrong. If you have an LOA and do not receive an appointment on your own (e.g., President, MOC), the only chance you have to obtain an appointment is to receive a Supe's nom. There are VERY, VERY few handed out each year (the number "5" has been floated recently).

Thus, you should assume that if you do not obtain an appointment on your own, you will receive a turndown letter. Do NOT assume USNA will "find one" for you.
 
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The BGOs can chime in here but I don't believe that is correct in most cases. I'm sure there are exceptions but in most cases, no nom = no appointment. I'm pretty sure they won't "find" a nom for you.
 
They are guaranteed admission. As far as 1375 appointments maybe less. I know there allot of cutbacks
 
I have read that if an LOA does not receive a nom from their MOC the academy will use an unfilled slot from another, less competitive state...so a candidate that receives an LOA, that maintains grades, stays out of trouble, and is 3Q'd will almost be guaranteed an appointment...any knowledge about this?

I have read on the forums that it happens on rare occasions. There are extremely few unfilled slots. A state not being competitive makes absolutely no sense in this context. As long as they have a nominee that is qualified then the slot is filled, regardless of how competitive the state is. The only time I know of unfilled slots is when a MOC refuses to nominate anyway. That, sir, is extremely rare. There are a very few other slots that can be used (like Supt. nom). If you are fortunate to get an LOA you really need to make sure you get your own nomination.
 
They are guaranteed admission. As far as 1375 appointments maybe less. I know there allot of cutbacks

LOAs are NOT guaranteed admission. They are guaranteed an appointment IF they are medically qualified, pass their CFA AND obtain a nom.

USNA has ~1200 slots in the incoming class. The number of appointments offered is tied to "realization" -- i.e., the number of acceptances they expect based on the number of offers they make.
 
Unless you are a highly recruited athlete or minority candidate it's probably not going to come your way, even if there are some exceptions. I don't see why you are worrying so much about the LOAs though, just focus on making your file better and interviewing well, if it is meant to be you will get one.
 
TheNaterrater said:
I have read that if an LOA does not receive a nom from their MOC the academy will use an unfilled slot from another, less competitive state

I highly doubt that occurs because every MOC can only have 5 charged at any given time. It is up to the MOC to use that charge, not the SAs.

As an example, Sen Smith has 2 charges available, but decided not to submit a slate at all this yr. By taking even 1 charge, that means next yr. Sen. Smith may only have 1 charge available for his constituents, instead of 2.

I am sure someone will chime in with actual law that states how candidates can be charged, but until that time, I would say don't count on USNA using a slot from another MOC.

Also, if you are that competitive to get an LOA, chances are you will get a nom, because the LOA nom candidate does not necessarily mean they will be charged to that MOC. The MOC can still only submit a slate of 10, but at that point USNA can now charge them using another source like the Supe.
 
Supt. nom

I have read on the forums that it happens on rare occasions. There are extremely few unfilled slots. A state not being competitive makes absolutely no sense in this context. As long as they have a nominee that is qualified then the slot is filled, regardless of how competitive the state is. The only time I know of unfilled slots is when a MOC refuses to nominate anyway. That, sir, is extremely rare. There are a very few other slots that can be used (like Supt. nom). If you are fortunate to get an LOA you really need to make sure you get your own nomination.

My DS USMA 17 got an LOA from USNA and Supt. nom last year. He's neither recruit nor minority. Some MOC refuse to grant a nom to a candidate with LOA, with a believed that the candidate would get a nom from other sources. This also gives the state an opportunity to place more candidates into the academy. Just concentrate on your file and make it as strong as possible, the academy will come through for you.
 
I am not sure if things have changed regarding VP, it use to be unlimited in slate size, but could only be charged 5. More like a Pres. nom.

If that is still the case, I would assume even if you do not get an MOC nom., you would still fill the nom requirement, and that is how they can pull you in with charging to the Supe.
 
I have read that if an LOA does not receive a nom from their MOC the academy will use an unfilled slot from another, less competitive state...so a candidate that receives an LOA, that maintains grades, stays out of trouble, and is 3Q'd will almost be guaranteed an appointment...any knowledge about this?

With a nomination from your MOC, the academy could, not will, use an unfilled slot to give you an appointment.

No nomination - no appointment.

Example A - LOA, no nomination, no appointment

Example B - LOA, nomination for your MOC, but not the winner of your MOC's vacancy, appointment against an unfilled slot.
 
If someone gets the LOA, passed the physical, etc. and has a Presidential Nomination, will the academies automatically appoint him/her using one of the 100 Presidential nom slots? Or will they first wait to see if he gets a nomination from their state first, to allow the Presidential noms to be used for 3Q kids who don't get a nom from another source?
 
With a nomination from your MOC, the academy could, not will, use an unfilled slot to give you an appointment.

No nomination - no appointment.

Example A - LOA, no nomination, no appointment

Example B - LOA, nomination for your MOC, but not the winner of your MOC's vacancy, appointment against an unfilled slot.

The interesting thing about Example B is that the candidate will NEVER know that they were not the winner of their MOC's vacancy if the Academy uses an unfilled slot to give an appointment. I think it is designed that way so that the MOC can please their constituents if possible.
 
The interesting thing about Example B is that the candidate will NEVER know that they were not the winner of their MOC's vacancy if the Academy uses an unfilled slot to give an appointment. I think it is designed that way so that the MOC can please their constituents if possible.

I think something like that happened with my sons ('13). They both got LOAs and were both nominated by the Marsha Blackburn (TN-R). However, that year, she had only one vacancy. Both my sons were appointed. I really don't how that worked, quite frankly.
 
^^^ If they or you are curious, Memphis, they can request to look at their USNA record and it will tell them the source of their nomination--as in who it was charged to.
 
They actually publish this information in the Alumni roster -- the book/CD that was distributed (for fee) this past fall contains this information.
 
NOMS

Just so you all know, I have completed all of the necessary steps in order to obtain a nom...My LOA came in yesterday. I just came across that information somewhere and wanted to check.
 
Good job man, I'm sure the hard work to get the LOA is gonna get you a nom as well. Feels good doesn't it?
 
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