LOE and Overnight Visit

Hey everybody, I recently received an LOE from West Point, and I know it's not a LOA or anything like that, but I'm still excited. Has anyone else received one this year? If so, or if anyone else knows anything about it, what was the overnight visit like? I am trying to decide if I want to go ahead and take advantage of it or wait to see if I am accepted and then go. Any recommendations?

Also, how good of a sign is it to get an LOE? I've read some of the other posts on here and saw a figure that said West Point only sends out about 200 each year, but if anyone knows anything else I'd love to hear it.

Yes, take advantage of it if you have not already been and you have the means.

You will arrive on a weekday at around 0900 IIRC, You and your parent, if accompanied, will receive a joint briefing. You will then be picked up by a cadet and spend the next 24 hours in their company. You will go to class with the cadet and spend the night in his room. You are known as a "drag" because they "drag" you along with them. It's a great glimpse, if fleeting, of cadet life. On my DS's overnight visit, two of the three roommates came very close to blows. Eye-opening to the stress that cadets endure. It's not all parades and accolades. Get informed. Go.

Congrats on your LOE!! Its given to those who are competitive in the selection process. I don't know how many go out every year. They probably vary from year to year. I would encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity as soon as possible. You'll have a great time with the experience of following a cadet but also before you leave, and I feel this is the nugget, you'll get a chance to sit down with an admission representative to review your file. This is huge to understand your weaknesses and strengths straight from the source. Its not mandatory to attend an over nighter but the admin meet is huge.

Good Luck!!

Push Hard, Press Forward

If you do visit for an overnight, bring something for the cadet who you'll be staying with. Food is always apprecitated. My son baked chocolate chip cookies for his visit. They went over quite well.

And bring a book to read/study for when your cadet is studying in the evening. There is a mandatory study time each evening.

Our plebe hosted a cadet candidate just last week. He said it was fun to be on the other side. During the course of the day, they ran into the cadet who had hosted our son last year. When VelveteenCadet introduced his candidate, the older cadet said, "Oh, if you come here, you'll be my grandson." I laughed. The cadets do have a sense of familial responsibility toward each other.

Word of advice: Don't pay attention to the cadets who shout "Don't Do It!!!" as you walk around the fort. They are (partly) just teasing.

jojohn246 said:

Hey everybody, I recently received an LOE from West Point, and I know it's not a LOA or anything like that, but I'm still excited. Has anyone else received one this year? If so, or if anyone else knows anything about it, what was the overnight visit like? I am trying to decide if I want to go ahead and take advantage of it or wait to see if I am accepted and then go. Any recommendations?

Also, how good of a sign is it to get an LOE? I've read some of the other posts on here and saw a figure that said West Point only sends out about 200 each year, but if anyone knows anything else I'd love to hear it.

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As soon as my son received an LOE he immediately jumped on the offer for the overnight and loved it! He went on the visit about a month ago and said that a lot of current Cadets asked him why/how he received an overnight visit. When he told them it was because he had received a LOE, he was happy to hear many of them say that the LOE was a great sign because they too had also received one before getting their offers of appointment! Obviously the LOE (or anything else) is NOT a guarantee so don't relax! Instead, go on the visit, make sure your application is 100% done, and then get those nominations! Lastly,have faith! [Just this week my son had his interviews with Congressman McGovern and Senator Markey (Massachusetts) so he is feeling cautiously confident..........and NOW he waits!!!!!] The waiting is the worst part but if you've done your best on every aspect of your application, feel proud of what you've accomplished so far, AND GOOD LUCK!

So I'll add to this chorus about making the trip.....IF you have the financial means to go, then GO! Even if you've been before, I encourage you to go.
DS went to SLE and when this opportunity presented itself I strongly suggested to him to go as the experience would very different than SLE and would allow him to kick those tires in a whole different way.

He went...it was different...it was illuminating...the "meeting" was the icing on the cake where he learned exactly where he was in his candidacy. Once he received his appointment, and while he absolutely loved WP (what's not to love) he ultimately chose USNA and the experience, however brief, helped him to make a more informed decision on his future.

Thank you all so much for your responses, they really answered my questions. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna visit, especially after hearing what you all said.

Another question though. The only nomination I was able to get was one from my JROTC instructor under the honor school category (my congressman only gave each candidate one and mine is to USAFA, and my senator only had me interview with the USAFA board and I haven't heard from them yet). I know it's a long shot with a JROTC nom and they only have a max of 20 a year, but will me having an LOE help at all?