Letter of Assurance?
- Thread starter dlee96
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dlee96,
He stands out from the crowd as far as WP is concerned and their opinion is the one that counts- hence the Letter of Assurance (LOA). LOAs (conditional acceptances) are given to nominees that WP thinks are outstanding. If they meet the stated conditions listed in the LOA(normally passing physical, getting a nomination, etc) by the designated deadline they will recieve an offer of admissions.
Many candidates know other candidates and think they can rank-order the nominees. However, there are many things in the WP file that influence the strength of the file that you do not see - teachers recommendations, interview results, quality of their essays to WP, exact PT scores, etc. I think that most candidates and their parents truely believe that their son or Daughter did great on the interview, got top teacher recommendations and wrote killer essays. THAT IS NOT THE CASE!!! These items are not the major point getters but they definitely seperate candidates who are otherwise very close.
He stands out from the crowd as far as WP is concerned and their opinion is the one that counts- hence the Letter of Assurance (LOA). LOAs (conditional acceptances) are given to nominees that WP thinks are outstanding. If they meet the stated conditions listed in the LOA(normally passing physical, getting a nomination, etc) by the designated deadline they will recieve an offer of admissions.
Many candidates know other candidates and think they can rank-order the nominees. However, there are many things in the WP file that influence the strength of the file that you do not see - teachers recommendations, interview results, quality of their essays to WP, exact PT scores, etc. I think that most candidates and their parents truely believe that their son or Daughter did great on the interview, got top teacher recommendations and wrote killer essays. THAT IS NOT THE CASE!!! These items are not the major point getters but they definitely seperate candidates who are otherwise very close.
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Interesting that a candidate has received a LOA this early as they 'usually' don't go out until later in the summer.
Since the SSK hasn't even opened up yet, there are no teacher recs, most likely no interview, no essay written etc.
This person must have some awesome test scores!
Since the SSK hasn't even opened up yet, there are no teacher recs, most likely no interview, no essay written etc.
This person must have some awesome test scores!
*disclaimer* this Is speculation based on my own case.
I got a LoA this year, dated Aug 31. I only have one year of sports, JV wrestling, but I have strong test scores, a ton of AP courses, a high GPA and class rank, and good leadership positions that provided me material for my essays. I truly think I got mine almost solely because of strong academics and ECs. I will never know what it was in my file that stood out to WP, but from what I understand, something has to pop out in a major way, especially with acceptances down and applications up.
However, do NOT expect one. I was hopeful, but never dreamed it'd happen. I remover not being able to speak because I yelled and screamed so much when I read the letter. Surprises are definitely best.
I got a LoA this year, dated Aug 31. I only have one year of sports, JV wrestling, but I have strong test scores, a ton of AP courses, a high GPA and class rank, and good leadership positions that provided me material for my essays. I truly think I got mine almost solely because of strong academics and ECs. I will never know what it was in my file that stood out to WP, but from what I understand, something has to pop out in a major way, especially with acceptances down and applications up.
However, do NOT expect one. I was hopeful, but never dreamed it'd happen. I remover not being able to speak because I yelled and screamed so much when I read the letter. Surprises are definitely best.
Is your friend applying as a Candidate for the Class of 2017, or was he admitted to 2016? I'm no FFO, but this seems extremely early for LOA season.
LOA in June? I'm guessing a Martian.
Davidk6813
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Laos at SLS?
Are any Loas awarded at SLS? If not, when do they start to be offered?
Are any Loas awarded at SLS? If not, when do they start to be offered?
I was told that the first round of LoAs were sent out on August 31st and were continued for about a month after that.
Are you sure it was a LOA? Were the words "Letter Of Assurance" written on it? As everyone said... it's awfully early for LOAs to be sent out.
Unless........... This is mere speculation - is he RE-applying? Was he previously appointed and after accepting the appointment, medically disqualified?
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Not to sound smart, but what constitutes "recently?" I just can't see how someone for the class of 2017 has already received a loa.
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I believe it's pretty much impossible at this point unless there's some exception for recruited athletes. I remember the wave of LOAs going out last year between September and November. Not too many, if I recall correctly. You see, the Corps (the Corps, the Corps...) is shrinking back to its legally mandated size. With recently low levels of attrition, the last few classes have been slightly bloated. C/O 2016 and a few after will be smaller.
GoArmy1944
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I know some people got them in July for the Class of 2015, but that was considered REALLY early. Unless it's a special circumstance, it does seem incredibly early for an LOA to be issued to a candidate for the Class of 2017.
My son is a member of the Class of 2015. He was told that his LOA was one of the first ones offered - it arrived just after SLS in late June (maybe early August). I personally doubt that any LOAs have been issued for the Class of 2017-however, exceptions to the normal rules do happen.
The LOAs for the class of 2016 were supposed to start being sent in July, but that date got pushed back to August and then, if I recall correctly, September. I read somewhere that we shouldn't be expecting early LOAs for the classes of 2017 and on...
dlee96, are you SURE it was a LOA for the class of 2017? And from the USMA?
dlee96, are you SURE it was a LOA for the class of 2017? And from the USMA?
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2015 had at least 20+ in July, here's the list from one of the old threads, and this is only the ones choosing to list theirs. I know of others who did not list:
jake s--TN07--16 July
AKH--VA11--23 July
caseyrc93--AZ?--16 July
hopeo19--OR05--20 July
Hawk's son- 21 July
jiu-jitsu girl--TN01--26 July
abeastlybeast--FL24--26 July
jonathanrwkelly--NY13--21 July
chattahoochie--GA03--26 July
BigNick--CA01--26 July
tallbutshort--CA17--16 July
WestTexasmom--TX19--16 July
GilmanCoach--WI07--21 July
mbets--NJ03--July 23
FBItomboy007--PA16--26 July
freedomtruck--NY20--26 July
ds of kendr--TN01--26 July
SD Academy Bound--SD--26 July
wang93--TX03--02 August
Hunter9x9--GA06--07 September
rocksteady6 - TX14 - 22 July
iceman92 - ? - 12 October
aglages's son - PA18 - 04 October
thunderbird12 - MA 05 - 12 October
beat navy - NJ 12 - 12 October
omnipsi - TX 21 - 12 October
Lee2015's daughter- TX 23- 12 October
Lumberjack - FL 09 - 13 October
lightfoot - OH09 - 14 October
TheHarderRight - NJ09 - 04 October
SVG - CT02 - 12 October
Friend of Hawk's son - October
The pattern for the July LOA's seemed to be transcripts & SATS in, most had recommendations in. Most attended SLS or were recruited athletes.
My bet is 2017 will follow 2016's pattern with later/fewer LOA's as mentioned earlier
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