Son just got an LOA - question

Coach62

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Did a search, not a lot of affirmative info on the subject.

My only concern now is the nomination. On a scale of 1-10, how much does receiving an LOA help in getting a nomination?

The person that came out and did the in home interview did mention that if they want him bad enough they can find a nomination, but I was never very sure what that meant.

Now please excuse me while I go find a deserted area so I can yell at the top of my lungs. Not that I'm proud or anything ;-)
 
Congrats Coach! You should be proud that's great news!

As to your question, I'm not sure you're going to get an answer on this forum because none of us sit on those committees. But here's my thought for what it's worth. The people who make up the NOM committee for your Senators and Congressmen tend to be former military. My guess is if the Academy thinks your kid the kind of person they want there, the committee will see the same thing in him when he's interviewed. Tell him to be himself. Take his time when answering questions and tell him to have a question or two of his own in mind to ask them. I think he's already jumped the biggest hurdle (assuming he's medically qualified)

Good luck!
 
Take the words of the interview person, not with a grain of salt, but block of salt. It happens as he says and it does not happen. There are many cases of a candidate who did not get a nomination from his members of congress and the Academy never "found" one for him. I know this is happening, but let me urge your son to aggressively go after EVERY nomination he rates which also means the VP nom. Don't think some government bureaucracy will save the day.
 
Spud is a BGO and knows what he's talking about.

LOA is a "conditional" acceptance and as nice as it is to have it, assume NOTHING. As the recently departed Yogi Berra said "It ain't over till it's over"....and it ain't over till he has the appointment in hand....and even then it ain't over.

Have DS prepare as though he didn't have it and everything else was at stake. Guessing the odds or the percentages of how it helps is an exercise that expends a lot of time and energy that can be better put to use in thoughtful preparation of those things that have yet to be completed.

Congratulations but keep the cork in the bottle and press on until the preacher says "I now pronounce you".......
 
Thank you for the input. I of course understand that it's conditional on a number of things and that it's no guarantee

What my question really is, and it's mainly curiosity, is how much influence does that have in getting the nomination? I'm sure the politicians look on that favorably and the LOA is certainly no guarantee, but how much consideration is given to that?

He got the LOA mainly because he's very impressive to interview so I know he'll likely interview well. He's already been contacted by one of our senators and congressman and they've both scheduled him for an interview coming up soon.
 
None of us know because each MOC is different. Each MOC has their own way of doing business, what they look for, who sits on the panels, etc. I am sure if your DS does what he is supposed to do in applying to all nom sources, does well on his interviews, and completes anything else outstanding he should be fine. Appointments for those with LOAs are extremely high. With that being said every year we hear of those rare 1-2 kids with an LOA who don't get one for whatever reason. Maybe they didn't take it seriously, maybe they got cocky and it showed, maybe they didn't apply to all sources (if that is the case then why should USNA go out of their way) or maybe they are from a crazy competitive state and luck wasn't on their side. No one can give you a number as each MOC is different, but the overall likelihood based upon previous years is he should get a nom.
 
He got the LOA mainly because he's very impressive to interview so I know he'll likely interview well.

Is this what Admissions told your DS or is it speculation? I find the statement hard to believe since LOAs are typically decided on many aspects of the whole person assessment and not just the interview (though, the interview could have gone well and it might have been noted). I am skeptical to believe Admissions would hand out an LOA because the candidate was "very impressive to interview." This would definitely be the first that I have heard Admissions state this.

MOCs have done everything....from nominating a candidate with an LOA, nominating him/her as a principal, not nominating him/her as a principal because they had an LOA (give other candidates an opportunity), and not nominating him/her at all with an LOA (since they look at an LOA as a free ticket and USNA will "find" them a nomination, even though that isn't true).

As stated before, instead of worrying what the odds of receiving a nomination, your DS should walk in with the mindset that he does not have an LOA.
 
Daughter got LOA long before interviews with MOC were scheduled but after BGO interview. Nomination is the next big hurdle. MOC Committee will take LOA into consideration but it is not a given. Then DoDmerb may raise it's ugly head which is a heart breaker. Can work through the DQ but it is a long stressful process.
 
None of us know because each MOC is different. Each MOC has their own way of doing business, what they look for, who sits on the panels, etc. I am sure if your DS does what he is supposed to do in applying to all nom sources, does well on his interviews, and completes anything else outstanding he should be fine. Appointments for those with LOAs are extremely high. With that being said every year we hear of those rare 1-2 kids with an LOA who don't get one for whatever reason. Maybe they didn't take it seriously, maybe they got cocky and it showed, maybe they didn't apply to all sources (if that is the case then why should USNA go out of their way) or maybe they are from a crazy competitive state and luck wasn't on their side. No one can give you a number as each MOC is different, but the overall likelihood based upon previous years is he should get a nom.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply Navy Hoops, that's pretty much what I thought. My son doesn't have a brake pedal or neutral gear, he'll keep working hard for it for sure.
 
Is this what Admissions told your DS or is it speculation? I find the statement hard to believe since LOAs are typically decided on many aspects of the whole person assessment and not just the interview (though, the interview could have gone well and it might have been noted). I am skeptical to believe Admissions would hand out an LOA because the candidate was "very impressive to interview." This would definitely be the first that I have heard Admissions state this

Speculation and not the full story. I was trying to be brief. I worded that statement poorly for sure.

I could just tell the interviewer really liked my son and it went very well. The competition in this area for this year is unreal. Everyone says it's the most qualified group of kids they've ever seen in this area. Both the AF and Navy representatives have said this multiple times.

It certainly isn't "the" reason, it just helped for sure.

My son:
5.6 GPA - weighted
34 ACT with 35's in math and science.
Capt. and MVP basketball past 3 years running, hundreds of volunteer hours, etc.

But believe it or not, there are others in this area with similar qualifications. It's unreal this year. If my son had graduated last year (which he could have) he would have been valedictorian. This year he's like 10th in his class.
 
It sounds like your son is going to be a recruited athlete. If that is the case, I would urge you to tell him to actually shoot for the prep school versus the Academy for his first year. With the prep school, he will be able to use his whole 5-year eligibility to play college sports not to mention he will get smarter and stronger taking an extra year.

Most recruited athletes go to the prep school because that is their 'redshirt' season. Also for prep, he will not need a nomination
 
It sounds like your son is going to be a recruited athlete. If that is the case, I would urge you to tell him to actually shoot for the prep school versus the Academy for his first year. With the prep school, he will be able to use his whole 5-year eligibility to play college sports not to mention he will get smarter and stronger taking an extra year.

Most recruited athletes go to the prep school because that is their 'redshirt' season. Also for prep, he will not need a nomination
What makes you think that the OP's son is going to be a recruited athlete?
 
Desani, do not assume his son will be a recruited athlete. And there is no such thing as "shooting for the prep school" vs the Academy. It's not as if one is offered the prep school INSTEAD of the Academy. Please. None of that here. One doesn't shoot for the prep school. One is offered the prep school, and it is a golden ticket to the academy. One doesn't apply separately to the prep school.
 
Desani, do not assume his son will be a recruited athlete. And there is no such thing as "shooting for the prep school" vs the Academy. It's not as if one is offered the prep school INSTEAD of the Academy. Please. None of that here. One doesn't shoot for the prep school. One is offered the prep school, and it is a golden ticket to the academy. One doesn't apply separately to the prep school.
One could shoot for prep school by not taking a required course like chemistry or physics.
 
Dasani... OP doesn't mention recruitment. Also there is no shooting for prep school. As a former recruited basketball player I understand how the prep vs direct piece works. There are so many factors involved in how coaches work to recruit and slot future student athletes for prep vs direct. The list is long and unique for each person. OP's DS has very strong academics and I am sure that is what got him noticed along with with a very well rounded resume.
 
Let me get this straight....take the prep school for the sole purpose of play a fifth year of sports? That isn't what USNA is about. Sure there are athletes who are offered NAPS/prep school for various reasons, but there are plenty of other athletes that are direct appointees. IMHO, that is a very bad mindset to have or even suggest.

Furthermore, USNA has offered an LOA, which means that Admissions has found that the OP's son is scholastically qualified for USNA. If a candidate is scholastically qualified for USNA, it is the rare/extreme exception rather than the rule, that they WILL NOT even be considered for NAPS/prep school.
 
What usnabgo08 said.... especially that last paragraph which I was going to try to state but he did it so much better than me.
 
LOA is not a road to any prep school, as usnabgo8 says correctly. The LOA means that should DS receive the nomination (and all other conditions are met: DoDMERB, continued success in academics, no run ins with the law, etc), he already has the appointment in hand. This is usually looked upon favorably by MOCs.

To repeat: the LOA DOES NOT LEAD TO THE PREP SCHOOL. Should in fact DS fail to receive the nom, he'd be OUT, not slotted for prep.
 
He is NOT a recruited athlete, although he has 2 friends that are, both for AFA. He is not at all interested in the prep school and most likely wouldn't even be considered, at least that's what the Air Force told us. I believe the AFA rep said something along the lines of "not a chance in hell".

But that does lead to my next question, I'd love for Navy Hoops to chime in. He doesn't believe he's D1 material for basketball. I know he could do it with the proper attitude and coaching. As my screen name suggests, I've been his basketball coach since he was about 5. I think it's more of an excuse as he's really more interested in being a pilot or a MD. I think he just wants to focus on academics. As much as I'd LOVE to see him play D1 BB, I have to respect his decision on this of course.

But - I would like more info on how he could get involved in BB at some point.

Again - thank you so much for everyone's help and input. You all are a great resource.
 
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