LOA.. nomination difficulty for state

sky-obsessed

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Nov 7, 2015
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Hello!

I received a Conditional Offer, but I'm nervous about receiving a nomination. I know there are many forums on this topic but I want to clarify - what are the chances of me not obtaining one? I live in the Pacific Northwest, which I believe is not as competitive as many other states (does this matter?).

Hoping for some reassurance!
 
The only ones that can tell you what your chances are of obtaining or not obtaining one is your MOC. Sometimes, if you contact them, they will tell you how many usually apply for nominations, vs how many they give out. (Usually they give out 10 noms per vacancy, and usually they have one to two vacancies per year--if its a non competitive district, they may not even have enough applicants to give out 10 noms) Sometimes this info is posted on their website. Having an LOA does not guarantee a nom, but depending on the MOC, it may help your chances.
 
LOA is given out by USNA while NOM's are given out by your MOC. They use somewhat difference processes, so one isn't directly related to another. Someone with an LOA, for example, can come off as aloof with a sense of entitlement during the MOC interview and therefore not receive one. Rather than obsessing about one's 'chances', I would focus on doing your best during the MOC interview. I would not call them to ask about statistics/percentages, etc.
 
Agree with time2. You want reassurance in a process that has no assurance! Also, does anything change from having this information? Nope - you are probably still going to compete for a nomination. What you need is more self confidence without arrogance (not saying your arrogant, rather you need to have a fine balance between the two).
 
All depends

First, we need to get terminology stright. Did you get a Letter of Assurance (LOA) or something else. Yes, a Letter of Assurance is a conditional offer, but it won't be first time is a candidate mistaken something for a Letter of Assurance.

Typically, LOA are given to competitive candidates. So a candidate with LOA should be competitive enough to get a nomination from their MOC.

LOAs are also given to candidates that allow a SA to meeting their admissions goals (i.e they want certain type of candidates - scholars, recruite athletes, soldiers, under-represented group, and etc). And some of these candidates might not appear to be competitive to the nomination committee. and accordingly the committee could take a position if the SA wants this candidate they will find him or her a nomination.
 
Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I think with the LOA you just need to be on the slate and not necessarily the top. I don't think the MOC gets charged with that candidate. This should in theory give the LOA candidate a better than average shot.
 
It all depends how a MOC submits their slate and where that person falls on that slate if they will be charged or not (lots of old threads on this one). Yes, they just need a nomination.
 
Where a NOM is issued may be different from where USNA eventually charges it. Lots of prior threads on this topic where people are confused about the MOC stats/%/numbers when in fact for a specific candidate it really isn't anything to worry about. Mids may never know where their NOM was charged and once you get an appointment, it really no longer matters.
 
"Conditional Offer."

Sky: exactly WHAT did you receive? If it is an LOA (Letter of Assurance), please say so. If it is something else, and it very well could be, please be specific.
 
Since it's an LOA, all that "matters" is you getting a nomination. How competitive or not your region may be is of no consequence since it's out of your control nor is the notion that it should be much better shot. It MAY, but there have been plenty enough who didn't.

Do what you've clearly been doing all along....prepare and excel for the interview. Don't assume anything.
 
It MAY, but there have been plenty enough who didn't.

Has there ever been a candidate who received an LOA and did not receive a nomination? Yes. Is it very common? NO! It is extremely rare, in fact.

In my opinion, there is a "story" behind each LOA recipient who does not receive a nomination that is not being shared.
 
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