LOA Questions

[BillSL]

I couldn't agree more. And with LOA's being sent out as late as they are, now is not the appropriate time to be worrying and anxious

Hahahaha! Is there an appropriate time for that?

 

[krovax]

i thought they told us that the first LOA window opens up in august?
haha now i have to be anxious for another month

 

[BillSL]

Save your energy - LOAs aren't coming out for another month.

Why is that, anyway?

 

[USMA2016]

Why is that, anyway?

I'm guessing because they have to drastically cut the class size so they want to make sure LOAs go out to the most most qualified candidates

 

[BillSL]

That makes sense. But how come they have only been announced of this in such short-notice?

 

[USMA2016]

I'll bet the admissions board decided this on the first day they met: 1 August

 

[buff81]

Why is that, anyway?

The Academic Board establishes the LOA criteria and that information has just been disseminated to the RCs.

..... But how come they have only been announced of this in such short-notice?

It really hasn't been. The date has been fluctuating for several weeks now in anticipation of the release of the LOA guidance.

 

[BillSL]

It really hasn't been. The date has been fluctuating for several weeks now in anticipation of the release of the LOA guidance.

Oh okay. My ex-AO thought it would be in August.

 

[buff81]

Oh okay. My ex-AO thought it would be in August.

It was - but different dates in August.
Now it's September.

Y'all are fretting WAY too much about this.
Very few will get a LOA this year.
So, don't count on it. Assume that you won't.
Then, if you get one - GREAT !
But if not - then you will be in the same boat as the majority of applicants every year.

A LOA does not guarantee admission.
There are strings attached.
- a medical DQ with no waiver means no appt even if you have a LOA.
- Fail a class and a LOA may not help you.
- can't quite get that BB throw on the CFA to the 'pass' level , then no Appt

LOAs don't go to just the candidates with the most glowing resumes.
WP has class composition goals that LOAs help them achieve.

And here's a kicker -
Some without LOAs will get their appts BEFORE some with LOAs.

You all know this but it bears repeating -
The goal is the appointment NOT a LOA

Kudos to those of you who have kicked it to get your file ready for LOA consideration!
Even if you don't get a LOA, you have sent a message to your RC that you are serious about wanting to go to West Point.
Not a bad message for your RC to hear!

So relax a little - enjoy being a Senior!
And try to refrain from wearing out the grass to and from the mailbox.

 

[Dixieland]

And here's a kicker -
Some without LOAs will get their appts BEFORE some with LOAs.

That was my cadet's experience......he had an appointment lonnnng before another student at his school with an LOA. The really scary part is the kid with the LOA had not applied to a single backup college. It was well into spring before the other student finally got a nomination.

 

[hawk]

So relax a little - enjoy being a Senior!
And try to refrain from wearing out the grass to and from the mailbox.

I'd use that excess energy to:

- chase down your nom apps and start working on them. You will most likely need multiple letters of recommendations. Confirm the app has not changed, and get those underway.

- Get sealed paper copies of your transcripts to include in your nom apps. Keep some on hand as backups in case one get's lost. (happened to my son)

- Find your MALO and have a critical review of your file stats. Make sure you did not miss any EC's. Honest assessment on your CFA score. How the SAT's look.

- Figure out if you have another shot at the SAT's... if so, study with a guide and take them again!

- Confirm you MOC's have your current test scores.

 

[center56]

The Academic Board establishes the LOA criteria and that information has just been disseminated to the RCs.



It really hasn't been. The date has been fluctuating for several weeks now in anticipation of the release of the LOA guidance.

So Buff can the general criteria for an LOA this year be shared with the board?

 

[buff81]

So Buff can the general criteria for an LOA this year be shared with the board?

WCS above a certain threshold will be considered for a LOA but I don't know what the threshold is.
Also, class compositions goals play into who gets a LOA. WP has certain percentages that they aim for of various groups - scholars, leaders, soldiers, athletes, minorities, and women. And this is just a WP thing - USNA and USAFA do not have class composition goals.

The RCs now have this info and they can move forward in reviewing candidates for LOAs.

 

[center56]

WCS above a certain threshold will be considered for a LOA but I don't know what the threshold is.
Also, class compositions goals play into who gets a LOA. WP has certain percentages that they aim for of various groups - scholars, leaders, soldiers, athletes, minorities, and women. And this is just a WP thing - USNA and USAFA do not have class composition goals.

The RCs now have this info and they can move forward in reviewing candidates for LOAs.

Thanks Buff. My DS hopes to hear soon.

 

[BillSL]

Do you know if the criteria for minorities has changed, buff?

 

[buff81]

Do you know if the criteria for minorities has changed, buff?

Sorry - I don't know. I don't know any specifics about any of the criteria.
The minorities that WP is wanting to reach are African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans.
They are seeing a lot of success in reaching their compositions goals for minorities. For the Class of 2015, they brought in the largest number of African-Americans ever and the 3rd largest number of Hispanics. Generally, they don't have a problem reaching the goals for Native Americans (which is a much smaller % than the other two).

 

[BillSL]

Ah okay, thanks anyways.

I was just wondering if something that my Admissions Officer said back in June was still valid. Nvm.

 

[Jayhawk2325]

Despite the fact that LOAs will not go out until September, will those candidates who completed their applications very early (July) be taken note of and acknoweldged for their early completion?

 

[BillSL]

AFAIK, the criteria for LOA has not changed from last year to this year (at least for minorities).

 

[USMA2016]

Despite the fact that LOAs will not go out until September, will those candidates who completed their applications very early (July) be taken note of and acknoweldged for their early completion?

I'm interested to know this too