Letter of assurance and no nomination?

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USNAmomAZ

5-Year Member
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Oct 26, 2013
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My DD received an LOA and thought her nomination interviews went great. Our district isn't insanely competitive, especially for usna. Do LOA receivers usually get these nominations? How common is it for someone to receive an LOA, do good in thier interviews and not receive a nomination?
 
Playing the numbers a bit, but if your district isn't that competitive and she makes it on the "competitive list of 10" for a nomination with an LOA, she should get an appointment. If the congressman knows about the LOA, the chances of getting a nomination are good. Most congressman like to have bragging rights about constituents in a service academy.
 
Two of my interviews so far have only been like 2-5 minutes, in which time the interviewers didn't really ask questions. They just congratulated me on my loa and asked the minor things like is usna my first choice... what do I want to do post grad (one set of interviewers suggested the Rhodes Scholarship lol).

Sooo let's say the individual is in a far more competitive district... Is it likely that the candidate will be passed "down" by the MOC to the congressman because they want to spread the opportunity for other students in the state. In essence, the loa-holder would only minimize opportunity for a single district by taking the congressmans slot instead of the state's?
 
You really can't "out-guess" the system. Each MOC and each state can do things differently -- some get together to make decisions; others don't. Sometimes, as used to happen in our state, the Reps and 1 Sen got together but the other Sen did his own thing.

USUALLY, LOA recipients get noms, especially in less-populous areas. However, every so often, the MOCs will not think an LOA candidate is as terrific as the SA does and the person doesn't get a nom. For USNA at least, that typically means a turndown. However, it is rare.
 
A friend of mine has a son who received an LOA in October, it made it clear he must still get a Nom. to receive an appointment. I'd link to a photo of it, but I don't have the posting history to allow that since I'm new.
 
Typically if you have an LOA you should receive a nomination without any hesitation. The MOC knows your DD has the LOA.
 
LOA but No nomination

My son was told by his BGO he was receiving an LOA, and it showed up just before Christmas in the mail. We are all very happy about that of course, but his appointment is contingent on a nomination. The problem is that all interviews with MOCs were in November, and we are in an ultra-competitive zone for USNA (Maryland). He does have a nomination to West Point from our REP, but was turned down by the SEN. I think all their noms are out - unless MAYBE they reserve a few slots on the slate for LOAs. BTW, my son is not a recruited athlete, which is typically the category of kids who get LOAs really early (like Sept/Oct) from what I understand.

We are doing what we can to secure a nomination for USNA, but frankly I don't know what we can do. Anyone know the real ins and outs of this process and his odds of a USNA appointment? Thanks in advance.
 
MR Ducks said:
My son was told by his BGO he was receiving an LOA, and it showed up just before Christmas in the mail. We are all very happy about that of course, but his appointment is contingent on a nomination. The problem is that all interviews with MOCs were in November, and we are in an ultra-competitive zone for USNA (Maryland). He does have a nomination to West Point from our REP, but was turned down by the SEN. I think all their noms are out - unless MAYBE they reserve a few slots on the slate for LOAs. BTW, my son is not a recruited athlete, which is typically the category of kids who get LOAs really early (like Sept/Oct) from what I understand.

We are doing what we can to secure a nomination for USNA, but frankly I don't know what we can do. Anyone know the real ins and outs of this process and his odds of a USNA appointment? Thanks in advance.
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You should apply for a VP nom if there is still time. The application is online.
 
A few years ago our friends DS got a non to the AFA, but wanted USNA. They had called their MOC and the non was switched. I also know on this site someone from Illinois was able to do the exact same thing. Sometimes MOCs know that one candidate wants to switch, and if they know another one wants to also they will obliged both of them.

It is worth a shot to call your non source. Otherwise like kinnem said apply for a VP.
 
I received a nom to USNA from my rep after he had told me I would be receiving a nom to other academies as well. I called my liaison and spoke with him about the noms and he was able to give me another to West Point. Just talk to your SEN or REP and they might be able to help you.
 
LawyerLynn said:
A friend of mine has a son who received an LOA in October, it made it clear he must still get a Nom. to receive an appointment. I'd link to a photo of it, but I don't have the posting history to allow that since I'm new.
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The standard LOA letter makes it clear that the candidate must complete everything - including getting the nomination.

However, the LOA is "copied" to the nominating sources; so, they should know that the academy thinks highly enough of the candidate to offer them an appointment. This usually weighs heavily in the candidate's favor and almost always results in a nomination - leading to an appointment.

If, for some reason, none of the MOCs nominate the candidate, the academy can get very creative and has other ways of getting the candidate the nomination they need.
 
Hey all - thanks for all the great comments.

So...

1 - He did apply for the VP nom - wont know about that until Feb at the earliest.

2 - Contacted all our MOCs and are waiting to hear back. The REP who gave the WP nom said his noms are locked. We are in Maryland - by far the most competitive USNA slates in the nation.

3 - All the MOCs got the LOA - maybe they held back a slot or two on their slates for such cases. Hopeful!!

4 - Going to West Point is also awesome!!

The boy just wants to serve - I couldn't be more proud.
 
Memphis - we are very hopeful that what you say works for him - thank you.
 
If, for some reason, none of the MOCs nominate the candidate, the academy can get very creative and has other ways of getting the candidate the nomination they need.
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"Can" does not mean "will."

Not to burst anyone's bubble, but in each of the past 5 yrs I've had at least one candidate (sometimes more) with an LOA and no nom. With a singular exception 5 yrs ago, all of my LOA candidates without noms received turndowns. All were highly qualified but in a super-comptetitive geographic region where LOA recipients outnumber nom slots. (IOW, MOCs could nominate only LOA recipients and there would likely still be LOA recipients w/o a nom).

In the "old days," USNA would often "find" a nom for LOA candidates who weren't able to secure a nom. Now . . . I would not count on it. If you have an LOA and no nom, focus on your Plan B -- while still hoping for the best with USNA.
 
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