Can College Students Receive an LOA?

dkdino

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Apr 20, 2015
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I was wondering if college student reapplying or applying could receive an LOA after their college 1st semester is reviewed around January.

-I have completed about 5 items (a little more than 50%) of application.
-Got invited for CVW most likely because of the completion.
-Just got my waiver for an eye condition approved on DODMERB.

Furthermore, I was wondering if the level of competitiveness was the only reason that an academy such as USNA would consider to look at my medical file. I have heard that they would only approve candidates with conditional offer of appointment or LOA.

*Not sure if I will go to public or community college due to ROTC waiver waiting.

I appreciate your attention to my message.
 
My DD got an LOA in the first week of February, after her first semester of college. Hers was contingent on a satisfactory update of her DODMERB medical form.
 
In the above case, it is likely the candidate received an LOA (instead of an appointment) because she had not been medically qualified. Receiving an LOA on/after February would be likely because of a medical issue (nomination and CFA should have been submitted -- so if there isn't a medical issue there is no reason why USNA would not offer the candidate an appointment or turn them down). Putting this type of situation aside, it is still possible to receive an LOA, but it is VERY VERY rare, though I think we have had 1-2 college candidates, on this board, say they received an LOA before February, but who knows exactly why (maybe these candidates had more than one semester completed or were extremely competitive in the prior cycle).

So to sum the answer to your question....the LOA at that point is practically moot, unless you have a medical issue.
 
"so if there isn't a medical issue there is no reason why USNA would not offer the candidate an appointment or turn them down"

I thought one would have to be the principal nominee? I am confused and I know that some people may be in my situation. USNA approved or considered looking at my file because I was simply competitive and completed "some" of my application?
 
To receive an appointment, you have to be scholastically, medically and physically qualified and have a nomination (there is no requirement for a principal nomination). If the only requirement left is the scholastic qualification, once that status is determined (i.e. after 1st semester grades received), it is possible for USNA to offer you an appointment (since all of the requirements have been met) or turn you down. An LOA is a conditional offer of appointment (i.e. they can't give you an appointment because you haven't met all the conditions -- whether medical/CFA/nomination is still pending). It is also possible they will only qualify you scholastically and then you are competing for an appointment within your slate(s) or national pool.

Just because you might be considered a competitive candidate doesn't necessarily mean you will be scholastically qualified and/or receive an offer of an appointment. A lot of candidates receive CVW offers and do not receive an appointment. Do not make the assumption that a CVW offer is a very very good sign...you can consider a positive sign, but definitely no indication of qualification/appointment status.

Also, from what I understand, Regional Directors/Admissions Counselors review files to offer CVWs....meaning that your file has not been reviewed by the Admissions Board, which is a whole set of separate eyes. Another reason why a lot of BGOs and Alumni tell candidates that a CVW doesn't mean much in terms of qualification/appointment status.
 
I think my DD received the LOA because when the letter from DODMERB for updating her medical record came, she was studying in France. So responding to DODMERB had to wait until she came home. The LOA and the letter from DODMERB saying "qualified" arrived one on one day, the other the next day.
 
It wasn't a question of the CVW (sorry didn't mean that). It was more of a question for my medical approval. Thanks for the insight though.
 
DODMERB will let you know via mail (or through their website?) about your status. If it is waiverable, then you might not know until your record is reviewed in Jan/Feb timeframe.
 
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