Letters Of Assurance

that's what i did. there was no reason for the extra money. i also didn't apply for scholarships, letting some more deserving person earn them. i figure, i just recieved a $400,000 scholarship with a garunteed job, and no loans that need to be paid for college either, i don't need to use that time for work while i could go have fun!:smile:
 
A little FYI. For those who are fortunate enough to get an LOA now or in the next couple weeks; or better yet, lucky enough to get their actual appointment in the next week; I strongly suggest that you continue with applying to another college if you haven't done so already. At least, your local in state university/college. Or another college that you really want. I won't even begin to tell you how many people get their loa or appointment and they don't make it to inprocessing.

E.g. slipped up and failed classes senior year and LOST their appointment; got pregnant; got their girlfriend pregnant; spring sports such as track or soccer and broke their leg, ankle, arm, etc... Family problems; etc... Then, if that isn't enough, there's those who didn't get to go to summer seminar; arrived at BCT; and within a day said "What the hell am I doing here" and left. Then there's those that fell off a bus on inprocessing day and blew their knee and was sent home. etc......

The point is; you have no idea what can happen in the next 9 months. Anything could happen. The academy BCT starts June 25th this coming year I believe. It ends on August 5th. Leaving, for whatever reason any time prior to that still gives you plenty of time to get into another school that you have been accepted to. The only time you have to make final commitments is when it comes to scholarships. If you aren't applying for scholarships and just to get accepted, you can basically walk in right before classes start and sign up. You won't have a dorm, but at least you're accepted. For those who throw all their eggs in one basket; including the academy; and somehow it doesn't work out; they wind up at a local community college or state school because it was the only one that allowed a last minute application for in state applicants. If you have any desire for a school as a backup to the academy; in case something hits the fan, then you should continue with the application process. I've seen a lot of academy bound appointees have to find a secondary college/university because for whatever reason, the academy didn't work out for them or was no longer an option. later... mike...
 
Christcorp: Thank you!! We forget all too often the magic that we have every day... We need a reminder every once in a while. Thanks :thumb:
 
Christcorp said:
...I strongly suggest that you continue with applying to another college if you haven't done so already....

...Leaving, for whatever reason any time prior to that still gives you plenty of time to get into another school that you have been accepted to....
Click to expand...

Then there are those who believe that candidates with an "out" in their pocket may be more likely to drop out, while candidates with "no where else to go" will strive to continue through the tough times.

:cool:
 
For whatever reason they drop, CC is right have a back up since statistically they say approx. 5% do not complete BCT.
 
lol All I can say is just don't be in that 5%! lol well, try to not be, sometimes there are circumstances that will make you turn back. the guy who blew out his knee coming off the bus was going to be in my squad.
 
Just received my LOA. Dated October 14. Keep up the hope, even I didn't think I would get one.
 
packermatt--

if you don't mind me asking, but what were your ACT/SAT scores? i only want to guage myself for the academies as we are fellow nebraskans. the only thing i have left to do is the CFA, which i'll be doing this sunday. you don't have to share this information; it's your business not mine. you can send to scox9876@yahoo.com. i am starting to get anxious about these loa's that i keep hearing about. that's the only reason i would like to know. thanks for your help :biggrin:!!
 
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For those interested in part of the "HOW" they do this stuff.

They start reviewing packages pretty much the beginning of September. With an LOA; EVERYTHING has to be 100% complete, except for a NOMINATION and/or a DODMRB (Medical Review). So, if everything else has been completed and you stand out against the standard/average that the board has been reviewing for 50 years and has a sense of the total scores of an accepted candidate, then you may get the LOA. But as mentioned previously, there aren't that many of these LOA's to go out. That shouldn't discourage anyone. Of the 1600-1700 applicants who will eventually be given an APPOINTMENT; 1300-1400 of them will be given theirs in March without having an LOA.

The same goes for early appointments. Some applicants; usually those receiving a Presidential nomination; prior enlisted; ROTC College; prep school; etc... can receive their APPOINTMENT in November. To receive an appointment early, you have to be 100% complete. That means your nomination, DODMRB, etc... There can't be 1 thing pending. Then, you have to be competitive to their list of accepted scores from previous years. I.e. Assume that the average applicant who gets accepted has a combined score of 770 points. Those points are compiled from scoring your academics, CFA, interviews, online app, volunteer, leadership, sat/act, etc.... You name it, they scored it. So, if you have a nomination, medical, cfa, interviews, etc... 100% complete by September and they start reviewing; and you score over that 770 points (Or however much); there's a good chance they can give you the appointment then.

In September, they start going through the applications that are either 100% complete, or complete except for a nomination and/or medical review board. If they consider to NOSEBLEED above the average/standard that they have seen throughout the years, they can give you an early appointment, or LOA if you still need the nomination/medical review. If you are competitive, but not above their standard, you go back into the pool. Your "Score" will be looked at pretty much weekly. Remember, after you are scored, that number is listed with the rest. If the average is 770 and you score 775, there's a really good chance you will get your appointment in March. They just can't give it early because there could be a year where there's a lot of much higher scores. However, if you score an 820, and that is traditionally much higher than the norm of the ACCEPTED candidate, they can offer you an Appointment or LOA early if appropriate.

Just don't let NOT GETTING an LOA or an early appointment discourage anyone here. If you look back on this forum to the class of 2011 and 2012, you will see that some of them got LOA's and some got Appointments. But those who visit this forum and college confidential and others relating to the academy, is such a small percentage that any number seen here can't be looked at as a norm. The NORM is that you find out in March if you get accepted. The exception is that you get an LOA or an early appointment. I only bring this up because in the last 2 years; this is the 3rd "Season"; I've seen a lot of stressed out young men and women who think because they didn't receive an LOA or better yet, appointment; in October-November, that they probably won't get in. Please relax. If you're competitive, you've got a good chance. Most will find out in March. HINT::: At the end of November contact your ALO if you've established a decent rapport with him/her. Find out your total "SCORE". Talk with them to see how that number compared to PAST accepted candidates. The composite score may change a little, and your ALO can only really compare it with others that He/She got ACCEPTED. But it can give you "Some idea". Your ALO won't really be able to see this score until any final scoring is done towards December. Some ALO will get this info for you. Some will say they can't or it's not possible. It is, but if they say no or they can't, DON'T PUSH IT.

And as always, LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE!!!! The glass is "HALF FULL". Never see it as "Half Empty". For most applicants, you've applied to other schools as a backup. You expect to know about the academy in March. You will get your responses from your other choice schools in the December-March time frame. Some EARLY applications may have come through already. As such, you can get a feel for these other schools and keep the excitement and anticipation of the academy in the forefront. If you get your LOA/Appointment in October/November; before all the other schools; then when they start coming in with letters of Merit scholarships, academic scholarships, private scholarships, etc... you might find yourself saying; "I don't need to fill out any of these others, because I ALREADY have the air force academy". DON'T DO IT!!! Handle each school you apply to and their scholarships as though ALL THE OTHERS TURNED YOU DOWN. As I said earlier, you never know what could happen. So, receiving your appointment in march actually keeps you and your plans on focus. Getting it early tend to make you stop looking at your other choices. Again, look at the positive. later... mike...
 
Wow, thanks Christcorp.

One question though, do people with LOA get early appointments, too, or do they just wait until March?
 
The only way to get the LOA is to have everything 100% complete; WITH THE EXCEPTION of a Nomination AND/OR Medical Review DODMRB. An LOA means "LETTER OF ASSURANCE". That means that they "ASSURE" you that IF you get your NOMINATION and IF the medical review board QUALIFIES YOU; then you WILL RECEIVE AN APPOINTMENT. They ASSURE you of this. Therefor, whenever you get your NOMINATION; usually in December by most congress/senate reps; and once the air force receives this nomination; if your medical is "Qualified"; at that time you will receive your appointment. Depending on how fast your nomination is put into the records, you could receive your appointment in December, January, February, or March. The sooner your nomination is submitted, the sooner you get your appointment. But you ARE ASSURED an appointment as long as you get the nomination and are medically qualified. If there were ANY OTHER AREAS NOT acceptable; e.g. CFA, Interview, grades, sat/act, etc... then you WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED an "Letter of ASSURANCE".

Not to give anyone a "Big Head"; but an LOA or Early APPOINTMENT; basically says that you were part of the "No Brainer" club. Basically, based on previous compiled scores of candidates throughout history, you have scored enough points to be in the top 10-20% and therefor they know you will get in no matter WHEN they give it to you. Assuming you get the nomination.

Some believe that LOA's are a lot of times given to "Athletes" who are being recruited for "IC". (Inter-collegiate Athletics). Yes and no. While "IC" applicants get some different scoring, they still need to be academically/interview/cfa/sat/act/etc... part of the "No Brainer" club. I.e. The #1 quarterback in the country is not going to get an LOA/Appointment if they have a 2.9 gpa and 1500 SAT. They probably won't even get accepted at all. However, if a recruited athlete has a 2000 SAT; 3.9-4.0 GPA; class rank in top 10; good CFA (Duh, they're athletes); good interviews; etc... then yes, they probably will get an LOA. But as said earlier, there aren't that many that fall into the top 10% of historical scores. That's why there are only about 100-150 LOA given out each year. Also remember that the 2 big sports; Football and Basketball, are in season during this LOA/Early appointment process. Many of these athletes aren't even finalized from an athletic stand point until the high school season is over. Just to verify no injuries and a clean medical bill of health.

So, again to answer your question; if you have an LOA; you can receive an APPOINTMENT prior to March IF your nomination and medical review is completed, submitted, and approved. The sooner that is done, the sooner you will get your appointment. You are ASSURED (Guaranteed) an appointment once you get these 2 things done. later.... mike....
 
"If there were ANY OTHER AREAS NOT acceptable; e.g. CFA, Interview, grades, sat/act, etc... then you WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED an "Letter of ASSURANCE"."

I received my LOA back in July and what my letter said was that so long as I finished my FILE (which would include SOEs, CAR, and the CFA) as well as got a nomination and was medically qualified THEN you'd get an appointment. So your file doesn't have to be complete for you to receive an LOA. However, I did have an earlier deadline on my application (October 15 I believe). Just FYI
 
What do you mean you had an "Earlier" deadline for your application? If there's an exception where LOA's are given where more than a nomination and medical are required, then I don't know it. Normally, it's just for medical and nominations. Unless you received one from West Point. That is a totally different world.
 
I got a similar letter last year in June, it said to finish my application within 45 days. it's not a LOA, it's the Academy saying they're really interested in you and will MOST LIKELY give you a LOA and/or appointment once your file is complete. You don't have to finish your file within the specified time frame either. They just want your scores to be going through the board more often, giving you a higher possibility to be accepted. But it is not an LOA.
 
AF2012; you are definitely correct about that. Not sure if that's what etaylor was thinking or not. West point sends out LOA in the summer, but I don't know about Air Force sending any out until the fall. AND with everything complete with the exception of the nomination and DODMRB. But then again, I have been known to be wrong once in a while.

My son received a letter in the summer of 2007 saying if he finished his package early; within 45 days; he "Could" be considered for an early appointment/LOA. His package was 100% complete; including his Nomination and DODMRB; on July 19th. He received his "Appointment" the first of November. But if there's LOA going out in the summer; like West Point has done, then that's news to me. later... Mike....
 
I am guessing that etaylor got his LOA from West Point, since almost all of his posts are on that forum. I have never heard of the Air Force Academy giving out LOA's earlier than October.

I do want to echo Christcorp's comments to everyone about not being so concerned about an LOA. Yes, it is nice getting one, but in the end, it is really not that important.

My son got his LOA with the first board (he is class of 2011), and had his nomination granted, and his appointment accepted by December 17th. Today, he is a 3 degree, just like any other 3 degree at the Academy. He sits CQ just like everyone else. He has the same inspections, classes, parades, duties, ironing...everything. His LOA means nothing. Once BCT starts, everyone will know you by how you perform, not whether you had an LOA or not. That is what is important.

Stealth_81
 
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