Then who are these people who have posted in this forum, "My son got his LOA in July!" ... or August? I've heard of summer LOAs many times. (in this forum, not in reality)
In the academy's catalog they advertise exactly as you are describing it. They do not even begin the process until September. Then the catalog goes on to say that some LOAs will be issued after that time.
What's the deal with that?
Okay, first of all, I'm just a mom and definitely not an expert, and this is probably going to be long. But I think that what you are saying is true, but also that those people reporting LOA's over the summer are telling the truth as well (since my son got one in July, I tend to believe him
).
I think the difference is that as ENSmom says, the board starts meeting in September. This is probably true. However, individual files evidently can be pulled as soon as they are complete and taken to the Dean to request an LOA. And actually, every other parent I've talked to or candidate my son has talked to (of people he honestly knows from NASS) who has gotten an early LOA - that has been the case.
In my son's case, his principal was having trouble getting an online form to go through (mid July). My son contacted his regional director and asked if he could fax it instead. He did and the RD called my son and they spent a good hour discussing his file, NASS, and his goals (I think the fact that his B&G had noted he wanted AFA first also played into it). When the file was complete a couple hours later, the RD called him to tell him he had taken his file to the Dean, who had approved the LOA (July 21). At that point, it was just verbal (although he was informed in email that his status was "changed"). His B&G officer and Congressman's office both received notification of the LOA, but he didn't actual get the physical letter until last week (Sept).
He knows other kids who had similar situations - in one case it was a coach who brought the file in and asked for the LOA (I'm not sure if he took it to the dean or the RD, but know it didn't go before a board). So I guess my thought is, it is true that there are no actual "boards" before September, but there really are LOA's being guaranteed, if not mailed yet, at that point.
I do honestly believe though that had the principal not had that trouble, had my son not had to fax all his academic info over, had the RD not had it brought to his attention that way, and had he not been motivated to try to grab a good candidate (from AF?), that without a doubt, my son's file would also still be sitting there waiting for these first boards coming up right now.
, then there was really no hope for the future of West Point. In some ways he was obviously joking, but I think he was a bit disappointed in us (and my son!). 
My son's B&G officer I referred to above sounds similar - he's had two mids, but no one questions whether he's qualified or not just because he himself didn't attend the academy.