I was wondering how you get an LOA... I know that only a small percentage get them and everything, but when is the earliest that you can submit your high school records/activities list on the candidate portal. currently mine says that applications for the class of 2015 will be reviewed at the earliest in august...but dont some people get LOA in July? will my candidate portal change soon so i can submit more of my information?
questions about LOA?
- Thread starter mmb103
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My son had a couple friends get them last year in early August, but those were based off of summer seminar applications. He was waiting to apply and the actual "real" application didn't come online last year until August. You could go in and put your data in, and his ACT scores showed up, but the different areas of the portal didn't open until the (for things like teacher recs, etc.). I didn't hear of any WP ones here on the boards before about that week, but I suppose it would be possible any time after SLS. The people who got them said they were more of an "LOA of an LOA" - basically saying that if what they'd submitted on their SLS application was true, then they'd get the actual LOA once they sent in their transcripts, verified activity listings, etc. I didn't hear of anyone this past year getting them that early who hadn't gone to SLS (or at least applied for it) though, but I can't say that it doesn't happen - just don't know!
coffeecup3
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An LOA (letter of assurance) is assurance to an appointment contingent on that you are qualified elsewhere and receive a nomination. LOAs are limited but just because you do not get what does not mean your chances are shot for admissions. To get an LOA, admissions reviews your application and deems you excellently qualified scholastically (grades, class rank, SAT or ACT scores, Essay, Sports and Activities, Leadership, Letters of Recommendation...etc). That means that they definitely want you at WP so they extend an offer of an LOA.
It's great that your eager about applying but your only a junior! Take no offense to this but you need to relax because there are people applying for the class of 2014 that have not heard yet anything yet! Admissions is extremely busy right now and so they are not going to open the full application for the class of 2015 yet until august at the earliest.
My advice is just to continue to do well in school and activities and take or improve SAT/ACT scores. By continuing to do well now you are going to improve your application for when it actually opens. Good Luck!!
It's great that your eager about applying but your only a junior! Take no offense to this but you need to relax because there are people applying for the class of 2014 that have not heard yet anything yet! Admissions is extremely busy right now and so they are not going to open the full application for the class of 2015 yet until august at the earliest.
My advice is just to continue to do well in school and activities and take or improve SAT/ACT scores. By continuing to do well now you are going to improve your application for when it actually opens. Good Luck!!
kelleyusma2014
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I applied to SLS and got in, but was unable to attend last summer. All they had were my SAT and ACT scores, GPA, and class rank, and I was promised a LOA in August. So I guess it just depends mostly on your grades since I got the LOA before any of the other application requirements.
Just_A_Mom
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Some blue chip athletes receive them before July.
The vast majority of LOA's go to highly qualified candidates who attend summer seminar.
The vast majority of LOA's go to highly qualified candidates who attend summer seminar.
However, if you cannot attend SLS, it will not count against you, even for an LOA. I got in but could not go due school, and I got an LOA.
Just_A_Mom
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Yep - don't forget the SLS application is your preliminary application. It can offer enough information for admissions to see if you are very highly qualified.
High school juniors - especially those who are attending SLS, should make sure their 6th semester transcripts are sent to West Point admission as soon as they are ready.
This is normally a couple of weeks after school is out. Most schools will rank the class at this time; your transcripts will also usually show your ec's including leadership positions, athletic letters etc; as well as test scores.
High school juniors - especially those who are attending SLS, should make sure their 6th semester transcripts are sent to West Point admission as soon as they are ready.
This is normally a couple of weeks after school is out. Most schools will rank the class at this time; your transcripts will also usually show your ec's including leadership positions, athletic letters etc; as well as test scores.
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My son's experience
My son did not apply for the summer seminar. We visited West Point in early August of 2009, on a trip where we went to 6 schools. My son had already opened a file, and provided a lot of information to USMA, prior to our visit. During the visit, we attended a daily briefing, and were offered an opportunity to talk to the admissions person that handles our area of the country. We had a great conversation with him, and he looked at my son's file while we were there. During the conversation, he stated that he was pretty sure he could get my son an LOA, but could not officially open his file for consideration until the middle of August. Sorry, but I forget the exact date. In the middle of August my son received his LOA.
He is not a recruited athlete. It sounds like their might be a different time frame for those that are recruited. My advice is to make sure you have as much information as practical in by July 31, 2010, but do not be in to much of a hurry, because you will drive yourself crazy during the long process ahead of you. One thing I have learned during this process is that it is a marathon, not a sprint. Even with an LOA in hand.
My son did not apply for the summer seminar. We visited West Point in early August of 2009, on a trip where we went to 6 schools. My son had already opened a file, and provided a lot of information to USMA, prior to our visit. During the visit, we attended a daily briefing, and were offered an opportunity to talk to the admissions person that handles our area of the country. We had a great conversation with him, and he looked at my son's file while we were there. During the conversation, he stated that he was pretty sure he could get my son an LOA, but could not officially open his file for consideration until the middle of August. Sorry, but I forget the exact date. In the middle of August my son received his LOA.
He is not a recruited athlete. It sounds like their might be a different time frame for those that are recruited. My advice is to make sure you have as much information as practical in by July 31, 2010, but do not be in to much of a hurry, because you will drive yourself crazy during the long process ahead of you. One thing I have learned during this process is that it is a marathon, not a sprint. Even with an LOA in hand.