LOAs

flying8764

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Oct 24, 2015
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I was wondering what is the difference between having one now or not? Does it mean others are better candidates?

My son has 2 noms to the USAF and 1 to the USNA, passed his CFA and DODMERBs, has everything in, ranks in the top 5% of his class, has a 3.98 with only one B his whole HS career and gets As in his AP classes which have been 6 so far, has tons of varying levels of leadership leadership, volunteering, clubs, robotic and math team, plays two varsity sports and is in civil air patrol and secured the General Billy Mitchell award. He went to SS and CV at the USNA which I know don't really mean anything.

He was awarded a 4 yr NROTC to Purdue (his first choice school) this past Friday as plan B and has been admitted into Purdue for Engineering with goals for AE.

So what constitutes being awarded a LOA versus having everything in and done, high ranks etc and not having one yet? Just wondering. I realize you can get an appointment either way if your qualified but I tried to search for this on the forums but can't find anything. Again just curious. Thanks
 
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LOA, combined with being 3 qualified and a nomination, means you are in.
 
To be honest it's a carrot for a qualified candidate before USNA can offer an appointment. It's always nice to be 'wanted'. This is USNA's way of throwing out the 'we want you' please complete your stuff. It was an approach USNA took with early action growing across universities to help draw highly qualified candidates.

This forum sometimes can feel like everyone has an LOA and you are behind the curve. That's not true. I think this board draws a lot of driven candidates. In reality if USNA issues around 150 LOAs (this number is our best speculation, but USNA doesn't release this info) out of 1200+ offers. That is less than 10%. At this point if your DS is 3Q + Nom he wouldn't get an LOA but an appointment. USNA does not tell you if you are 3Q. You should know the medical and CFA pieces. The last Q is scholastic. USNA does not tell you if you are Q for scholastic. Your BGO should be able to help tell you if you are in range or not. He would get an LOA if he isn't 3Q yet (such as waiting on medical waiver) or Nom slates haven't been submitted yet. An LOA is great for the ego, but it's not an appointment. Some will not get 3Q or opt for a different school. An appointment is the end state not an LOA. Like I always say, there is no special line on I day for an LOA. Once you get there no one cares or is it brought up.
 
LOA, combined with being 3 qualified and a nomination, means you are in.
Well, I believe some of the minimum academic numbers are published on USNA site. Should know if you passed dodmerb. And if not sure about whether passed CFA, maybe call. I think the portal just says what date it was submitted.

Maybe someone else can help with this answer. My kid hasn't received a LOA.
 
It does not show up on CIS. BGOs can tell the candidate if they passed or failed the CFA, but cannot diverge the scholastic qualification (please do not ask your BGO for this information).
 
I know quite a few kids that have gotten into USNA. Most did not have LOA's.
 
08, thanks for clarification on CFA. Couldn't remember if portal showed or not, but knew they could get the answer.
 
USNA has never publically published their formula for issuing someone an LOA so none of us on here can answer that part of your question. LOA's are given in part due to the longer application process at SA's and the idea is to not lose those candidate to other civilian colleges. LOA's are given to candidates USNA deems 'desirable' and that can include any number of factors.
 
USNA has never publically published their formula for issuing someone an LOA so none of us on here can answer that part of your question. LOA's are given in part due to the longer application process at SA's and the idea is to not lose those candidate to other civilian colleges. LOA's are given to candidates USNA deems 'desirable' and that can include any number of factors.
I would be willing to wager that there is no "formula", but that it is a subjective process which may vary from year to year, and is based a lot on securing the most desirable candidates for that year; be it outstanding achievers, women, minorities, athletes, candidates from certain less represented areas of the country.
 
The multiple plays an initial determination if a candidate might be the type for an LOA, but brovol is exactly right...it is subjective and the multiple isn't what it is solely based off of. There is no formula for an LOA.
 
I agree but didn't intend to start that whole debate about who gets chosen for LOA's and why. Whenever you mention sports or diversity on here you tend to get a few who always take exception to that. USNA has their rationale (i.e. 'formula') on who gets an LOA and why, I wouldn't call that subjective but it is their own process and how they chose to make use of them.
 
My nephew received a LOA to USNA just yesterday. What a Christmas present! Since he had three nominations already, the LOA was conditional only on him taking a body fat test. He'll have no problem with that; any weight that's not proportionate to his height is muscle.

I really thought he'd have gotten one much earlier in the process given his profile. Who knows how they figure it out and why they release some early and some later.
 
Yes there is rationale, but it is subjective...by definition. Subjective is open to interpretation...hence why a majority vote on the Admissions Board is what counts because different board members subjectively interpret the data differently than others (I'm sure in some cases it might be unanimous). An LOA is evaluated by humans and subject to the same interpretation. How else could you compare apples and oranges to different activities, classes, sports, etc. Behind every LOA or appointment is some type of rationale...otherwise why would they appoint a select few (1200) from a larger pool.
 
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