720 ACT? and No more LOAs

gocubsgo

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The following was posted on another thread.

Can anyone confirm the accuracy of the following posts?

Originally Posted by 509Blackknight:
"Spoke with our FFR last night regarding the NWL and he said ...that the cut-off line being used was an average SAT of 720 plus."

1.) I have not gotten my official SAT scores back yet (they arrive in four days) but during a practice test I scored a 770 in math and a 650 in reading. These are commensurate with my ACT scores (34m, 34 e, 31s, 26 r) it looks like, from what your FFR said, if I don't get the primary or the selection from my slate (from a very competitive area) then that's the end?



Originally Posted by 509Blackknight
"Spoke with our FFR last night... he said that WP is going to start slowing its early offer process down - way down - like almost eliminating it."

2.) also I went to an admission activity for USMA and the speaker stressed (at least a dozen times) to GET EVERYTHING done EARLY. If USMA is not doing LOAs- then it is my understanding that the admissions team cant pick from the congressman/senator's slate until all ten of the MOCs nominations have their completed applications done-so what would be the hurry?
 
Initiative. That's what it comes down to ultimately. There is a chance of an LoA. Why in the world would you let that slip because it isn't likely?? I never dreamed I would te one, yet I did, and the relief is almost palpable. Getting done early is also bonus points in the ees of the admissions board, they want the early birds with initiative. Also, getting done early means a early start on DoDMERB. Earlyeans more time for waiver approval. One more thing checked off. Also, trust me, paying attention in senior year is bad enough without adding extra college applications you could've done before started but waited to do. So get it done and hope for the best

Good luck to you in your endeavors!
 
I would advise callng your Regional Admissions officer to confirm. The RCs work in the Admissions Office and are the official representatives of West Point and the Admissions Office.
My experience has been that the knowledge and abilities of the FFRs vary greatly with some being very, very excllent and others not nearly as good. My experience with my son's primary FFR (my son is in the Class of 2015) was not good. He put out information, advice and analysis that would have never been approved by West Point. I brought some of the things he did to the Regional RC's attention and the RC was very embarassed and apologized for the FFR's conduct.
I found that the information from the Regional Admissions officer was MUCH better. Remember the FFRs are normally retired West Point officers who live in the local Congressional Districts and are volunteers - not really "official" repesentatives of the West Point Admissions office.
As mentioned, the vast majority of them are very good but some are not.
 
1) Haven't heard anything as far as hard stats like this from our RC, but we definitely have been told that people coming off the NWL will be few and far between this year. Those numbers may be just logical from what would be needed to have a WCS high enough to even possibly come off the list.

2) Again, we haven't had this come down from channels from our RC or WP yet at least in my region. I know WP has really cut back on LOA's over the last couple years - had 500 or so for 2014, 300 for 2015 and the goal was 200 for 2014. I've heard they'll be cutting even more next year, but hadn't heard they'd be doing what AF did this year and only giving them to recruited athletes or anything along those lines. I do agree that if they totally do away with LOA's it does remove some of the incentive to get everything done early, but until we see that in writing, I'd proceed as if it's still a possibility - and tell my candidates to do the same.

I'm assuming you're applying for 2017? Not waiting on 2016?
 
Then for now I'd proceed and do all you can on the assumption that LOA's will be possible. Certainly can't hurt to have it done early, and you can always add to your file as things get updated (which gets your file before the board again). There are several Field Force conferences throughout the country during the months of March and April and I'll assume a lot more information will come out at that point so just keep your eyes open here and I'm sure you'll be among the first to know if anything does change! :thumb:
 
I just want to put this out there. I would contribute my appointment solely to the fact that i complete my file extremely early. The longer you wait, then there more people there are to compare you against. When there is more people, there is likely to be candidates with highers WCS than you. Finish it ASAP.
 
I would contribute my appointment solely to the fact that i complete my file extremely early. The longer you wait, then there more people there are to compare you against. When there is more people, there is likely to be candidates with highers WCS than you. Finish it ASAP.

It was my understanding that the entire slate of the ten MOC's nominations are presented to the admissions board at the same time. So that if one person finished their packet early, they still have to wait for the other nine to finish and all ten are presented at the same time.

I am not sure where current college students who are reapplying and are part of the the ten come in, but it was my understanding that they do not get reviewed until the end of January.

Some applicants are reviewed earlier to Receive LOAs, but if there are NO LOA's than why would it matter if someone is done before someone else?

Therefore, if there is no LOAs why would the admissions event press to get all done early other than: brownie points for being eager, time to get waivers in as needed, getting it off your plate for Senior year.
 
It was my understanding that the entire slate of the ten MOC's nominations are presented to the admissions board at the same time. So that if one person finished their packet early, they still have to wait for the other nine to finish and all ten are presented at the same time.

I am not sure where current college students who are reapplying and are part of the the ten come in, but it was my understanding that they do not get reviewed until the end of January.

Some applicants are reviewed earlier to Receive LOAs, but if there are NO LOA's than why would it matter if someone is done before someone else?

Therefore, if there is no LOAs why would the admissions event press to get all done early other than: brownie points for being eager, time to get waivers in as needed, getting it off your plate for Senior year.

Your point is valid for some MOC vacancies, but not all. If you have a Presidential nomination, West Point won't wait until the admissions deadline to appoint candidates. Even with the MOC category, based on available admissions data, the admissions office can take a caculated risk to appoint someone before everyone in the slate finishes their application (i.e. there is a candidate with a very high WCS and other candidates standardized test scores are 100 points or more behind). The only time West Point might run into a trouble is if the MOC does a principle nomination, instead of usual West Point picks anyone from the nomination list.

There is a talk of not allowing the medical examination until all other parts of application is complete. IF SO and if you might need a medical wavier, finishing the application becomes very important.
 
Get things done ASAP!! I had my teacher recs, 6 semester transcripts, CAR, passing DODMERB, and Candidate statements done all by July, and CFA in Oct.

Having most of my stuff in by July really helped to get that LOA. LOAs where scarce for class of 2016, I can imagine them being even scarcer for 2017. Don't wait till the last minute to get stuff done!! Loading up on AP classes for Senior year and worrying about that stuff is not what you want to be doing.

Although it was kinda fun for me to watch my other classmates run around doing the Common App.
 
Get things done ASAP!! I had my teacher recs, 6 semester transcripts, CAR, passing DODMERB, and Candidate statements done all by July, and CFA in Oct.

Having most of my stuff in by July really helped to get that LOA.
You didn't mention ACT/SAT, but that is often overlooked in this timeline. Since it is generally recommended to take the test twice, or even three times, waiting for the March of Jr. Yr can sometimes be too late a start.

I think it is preferable to take the SAT October of Jr. year. Then take the January SAT, and then March. Then May if results are not as desired. Certainly October of Sr. year is way too take the test the first time.
 
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