Submission of Ltrs of Recommendation

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parentofmen

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I know the Academy doesn't want letters of recommendation except from teachers/coaches. My son had been told "the thicker the packet, the thinner the candidate" by a retired Naval Officer so his application only included what was requested. His BGO advised something similar. His application noted his extensive community and sports activities, but the only folks that saw the additional letters of recommendation and documents were the congressman and senators he sought a nomination from (which he received). One of his volunteer activities with an NGO has resulted in supplies going to a US task force overseas to aid in humanitarian efforts. I was wondering if a letter of recommendation/acknowledgment about his efforts/leadership on their behalf (the overseas US military recipients) would be any help in the application process.
 
From what I've heard, they want to see that your still interested. There's no way to show who wants it more paper, other than sending them a bunch of stuff.
 
Assuming your son already has a strong record of ECAs and leadership, in all honesty I'm not sure it will help him. That said, I don't want you or him to feel that, "if only you had sent . . . things would have turned out differently." So if you'll have that view, send it. It won't hurt but probably won't make much difference.
 
As mentioned in another thread, be sure that it is not a generic letter of recommendation, but one from someone who has personal knowledge of your son's involvement in the activity. If that fits, go for it!
 
parentofmen said:
I know the Academy doesn't want letters of recommendation except from teachers/coaches. My son had been told "the thicker the packet, the thinner the candidate" by a retired Naval Officer so his application only included what was requested. His BGO advised something similar. His application noted his extensive community and sports activities, but the only folks that saw the additional letters of recommendation and documents were the congressman and senators he sought a nomination from (which he received). One of his volunteer activities with an NGO has resulted in supplies going to a US task force overseas to aid in humanitarian efforts. I was wondering if a letter of recommendation/acknowledgment about his efforts/leadership on their behalf (the overseas US military recipients) would be any help in the application process.
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All I can tell you, from my personal experience with my two sons getting admitted into the Class of 2013 (with LOAs), they did not do one thing more than what was required. Not only was that true for the Academy - but the congressman and senators, as well.

I think the key is to have a QUALITY package - not a THICK one.
 
Memphisbrings up an interesting point covered in the handbook Candidate's Guide to the United States Naval Academy Considering the number of applications received by the MOC offices and the SAs (15,000+ at USNA last year), if every applicant decided to add just one more letter, etc, how much more work would be involved on the processing end. This is not to discourage meaningful add-ons, but do keep the relevance of the add-on in mind. Make it count!
 
Memphis9489 said:
All I can tell you, from my personal experience with my two sons getting admitted into the Class of 2013 (with LOAs), they did not do one thing more than what was required. Not only was that true for the Academy - but the congressman and senators, as well.

I think the key is to have a QUALITY package - not a THICK one.
Click to expand...
I would also agree with this. You know what the say - "Quality over quantity"
 
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