Are there further letters of recommendation in the actual candidate application itself?

[wtayroy]

Just wondering since I am currently requesting letters of recommendations from my teachers/coaches/principals for the MOC nomination application. Wondering if there are more letters of recommendation that will be needed from the academy itself during the application process.

Also, on the same note, I was looking at VP nomination but didn't see any requirement for a letter of recommendation for them. I assume there is no need for one? Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

[FlyFalcon]

Just wondering since I am currently requesting letters of recommendations from my teachers/coaches/principals for the MOC nomination application. Wondering if there are more letters of recommendation that will be needed from the academy itself during the application process.

Also, on the same note, I was looking at VP nomination but didn't see any requirement for a letter of recommendation for them. I assume there is no need for one? Someone correct me if I am wrong.

The letters you send in for you USAFA application ( two) are the ones required for the vp

 

[Peter2025]

Just wondering since I am currently requesting letters of recommendations from my teachers/coaches/principals for the MOC nomination application. Wondering if there are more letters of recommendation that will be needed from the academy itself during the application process.

Also, on the same note, I was looking at VP nomination but didn't see any requirement for a letter of recommendation for them. I assume there is no need for one? Someone correct me if I am wrong.

You can also just have your teacher/coach/etc write a letter and switch the addressee for the academy/MOC.

 

[2018DAD]

Don't know if this has been said recently:
Follow the instructions for the requestor to a T!
If they ask for 2 send 2, not 3 not 6, etc.
Don't go eager beaver. When DS was going through this in GA we were told that failing to follow the instructions to the letter could be negative points by demonstrating that the individual applicant DIDN'T read or follow basic instructions. NOT a good way to start off or make a first impression

 

[Academician]

I'm sorry for the 'late' response, but I wanted to add some details for you. The AFA (and some of the other service academies) will require recommendations from your English and Math teachers (either from your junior or senior year). If they have written an LOR for you, then the request to complete the on-line evaluation should be an easy additional step. One other recommendation is required (such as from a Science teacher), and two LORs are optional additions for your application. The optional letters are uploaded directly from the authors (using URL information that you provide to them). I hope this information helps.

 

[BUFF-Driver]

I'm sorry for the 'late' response, but I wanted to add some details for you. The AFA (and some of the other service academies) will require recommendations from your English and Math teachers (either from your junior or senior year). If they have written an LOR for you, then the request to complete the on-line evaluation should be an easy additional step. One other recommendation is required (such as from a Science teacher), and two LORs are optional additions for your application. The optional letters are uploaded directly from the authors (using URL information that you provide to them). I hope this information helps.

Do they upload files or do they copy paste test into the site that the URL takes them to?

 

[hopefulmom182]

Do they upload files or do they copy paste test into the site that the URL takes them to?

In previous years, you were able to print a letter of instruction from the portal to give to your teacher/coach/counselor/other to upload the LOR. I think I've read that they completely changed the portal software for the c/o 2026, so I don't think any of us know what the exact procedure is going forward.

 

[USAFAMom2025]

Do they upload files or do they copy paste test into the site that the URL takes them to?

The USAFA applicant portal asks that you enter an email for the math teacher, science teacher, counselor and then 2 optional recommenders. Then a letter will pop up that you provide to the recommender that walks then step-by-step on how to submit their letters of reference.

 

[wtayroy]

On a related note, how much will having a one off bad rec letter hurt me in the nomination process? My senator requires one of the letters of recommendation be from someone who is aware of my physical ability. I was on the Varsity Swim Team my freshman year and had to leave my sophomore year because of some personal issues that I had to handle, and then couldn't join my junior year due to parental worries about COVID. I am joining my senior year however. I asked my coach for a letter of rec since they were the only person that hasn't moved out of my area that could speak on my physical ability but we weren't really that close so it's only two basic lines about their relation to me and my performance on the Swim team. I haven't done any rec letters from sports-related people before so I don't know if this is bad since I'm comparing it to my teachers rec letters who know me better. I am in MS so dunno if this is a competitive district where this would hurt.

 

[USAFAMom2025]

On a related note, how much will having a one off bad rec letter hurt me in the nomination process? My senator requires one of the letters of recommendation be from someone who is aware of my physical ability. I was on the Varsity Swim Team my freshman year and had to leave my sophomore year because of some personal issues that I had to handle, and then couldn't join my junior year due to parental worries about COVID. I am joining my senior year however. I asked my coach for a letter of rec since they were the only person that hasn't moved out of my area that could speak on my physical ability but we weren't really that close so it's only two basic lines about their relation to me and my performance on the Swim team. I haven't done any rec letters from sports-related people before so I don't know if this is bad since I'm comparing it to my teachers rec letters who know me better. I am in MS so dunno if this is a competitive district where this would hurt.

What about a PE teacher?

 

[wtayroy]

What about a PE teacher?

Our school doesn't require PE to be taken every year so I took it as a HS credit in 8th grade to get it out of the way for more advanced classes. I don't even remember who the teacher was lmao

EDIT: I also want to clarify that (atleast IMO) I am not physically unfit, I go to the gym almost everyday, it's just that I can't really get a good rec from my coach.

 

[usafcellist2026]

The USAFA applicant portal asks that you enter an email for the math teacher, science teacher, counselor and then 2 optional recommenders. Then a letter will pop up that you provide to the recommender that walks then step-by-step on how to submit their letters of reference.

I'm curious, for the "optional" recommenders, is it advised we submit the extra two? Or is it best that we only submit the 3 that are required.

 

[USAFA_86]

I'm curious, for the "optional" recommenders, is it advised we submit the extra two? Or is it best that we only submit the 3 that are required.

I would think you would want to have as many as you can. It just adds more credibility as well as more perspectives to your overall application. For my extra two, I had the volunteer director at the senior citizen home where I volunteered and my youth group leader write them. It gave more perspective about what I was like out of school, and was therefore beneficial.