Letter of Assurance

LAfan26

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2014
Messages
5
I just received an LOA in the mail yesterday and I'm wondering if any of y'all have gotten one too, as I've seen people post about LOEs this year but not any LOAs.

Also, I already have a presidential nomination because my dad is active duty, so I'm assuming that I don't have to apply for the congressional nominations anymore. The letter says, "The Admissions Committee has recommended you for an appointment..." and it only says that my cadetship is contingent on medical qualification, continued excellent work in school and file completion.

What are the differences between this and an official appointment, if any?
 
I just received an LOA in the mail yesterday and I'm wondering if any of y'all have gotten one too, as I've seen people post about LOEs this year but not any LOAs.

Also, I already have a presidential nomination because my dad is active duty, so I'm assuming that I don't have to apply for the congressional nominations anymore. The letter says, "The Admissions Committee has recommended you for an appointment..." and it only says that my cadetship is contingent on medical qualification, continued excellent work in school and file completion.

What are the differences between this and an official appointment, if any?

You won't receive an appointment until you've cleared the medical hurdles and graduated high school in good standing. Provided you do those things (and anything else outstanding) you will receive an appointment. You might continue to pursue a congressional appointment to give them more flexibility with regard to slating your appointment but it isn't necessary with the Presidential.
 
Congrats! That takes a bunch of stess off your senior year. Are you a recruited athlete?
 
When your file is complete (assuming you clear medical) you'll get a big fat envelope in the mail w/ an appointment. It's not official until they send that and then you accept it. It's always a good idea to still do the congressional noms, as it opens that presidential for someone else. Many noms=good thing.
 
Ok thanks for the info.
And no I'm not a recruited athlete, but I think I got the LOA simply because my whole candidate score is high. I have a 34 ACT and I'm student body president, along with a few other things.
 
Ok thanks for the info.
And no I'm not a recruited athlete, but I think I got the LOA simply because my whole candidate score is high. I have a 34 ACT and I'm student body president, along with a few other things.

There are many candidates with that type of background that don't get LOA's
 
You are in unless you fail the physical or other adverse information surfaces.
 
I know things change every year, but any idea out there about how many LOA's and how many LOE's are typically handed out?
 
Congratulations on receiving a LOA! That is quite an accomplishment!

BigNick - I believe this has been addressed in prior year's postings, but as processes change each year, how many LOE's and LOA's are typically awarded from admissions?
 
LOAs are given to URMs and athletes as was the guidance given my class, whereas LOEs are given to admissible candidates to keep them interested and grant an overnight visit. My year around 150-200 LOEs were issued, so the good thing is if you receive a LOE, you at least know you are an admissible candidate, as oppossed to simply competitive.
 
LOAs are given to URMs and athletes as was the guidance given my class, whereas LOEs are given to admissible candidates to keep them interested and grant an overnight visit. My year around 150-200 LOEs were issued, so the good thing is if you receive a LOE, you at least know you are an admissible candidate, as oppossed to simply competitive.

From what I (FFR) am seeing for my state is non URM and non athletes are being considered for LOAs this year. LOA is a tool to achieve a desired class composition.
 
Am I understanding this correctly? Whereas LOA's in the past couple of years were used sparingly - there is now a return back to secure competitive/admissible candidates?
 
MemberLG,
As a FFR, you certainly have more knowledge in the matter than me, so perhaps they found that restricting LOAs was not the best option.

EduTech,
LOAs were basically eliminated beginning my year and replaced with LOEs due to the changing admission process from rolling admissions to a set date, and this process has lasted for the past two years. Now MemberLG is stating that they are being used more frequently this year, so yes your statement currently seems accurate.
 
LOA and nomination

If someone has an LOA, will that help when trying to get a nomination?
 
How complete does your application need to be in order to be considered for a LOA? And does being an Asian girl place me in the category of a minority or not? Thanks.
 
If someone has an LOA, will that help when trying to get a nomination?

I believe Admissions copies the Congressional Offices on the LOA. Not sure. A lot of LOA recipients opt to send a copy of the LOA with their nomination packets.

Short answer, yes, it should help though the Member of Congress is not required to give you a nomination if you have a LOA. In fact, the smart offices might actually give the principal nomination to another candidate. That way, at least two candidates get in from their district.
 
How complete does your application need to be in order to be considered for a LOA? And does being an Asian girl place me in the category of a minority or not? Thanks.

Asians are over-represented at West Point when compared to the general population. I'm pretty sure that doesn't fall into the Under Represented Minority category.

At the current time, however, being a female is a huge factor in gaining admission.
 
.......
Short answer, yes, it should help though the Member of Congress is not required to give you a nomination if you have a LOA. In fact, the smart offices might actually give the principal nomination to another candidate. That way, at least two candidates get in from their district.

Spot on.

Another way to look at it-
Congressmen like having as many on their slate get accepted. If a Congressman understands what a LOA is (and they should) then they would be crazy not to give a LOA recipient a nom.

Basically, WP has conditionally accepted LOAs so why would a Congressman not give LOAs a nom.

An example of what Sledge said above -
When DS was applying, the Congressman's #1 on the slate did not have a LOA. All the LOAs were down the list, ensuring that more on the slate got offers.

A side note somewhat related.
One reason to finish your file early is to be 3Q'd by the deadline for MOC nom apps. If a MOC knows that you are 3Q'd, then they should be more likely to give you a nom vs someone who hasn't been 3Q'd.
The earlier you finish your file, the more time the RC has to qualify your file.
 
How complete does your application need to be in order to be considered for a LOA? And does being an Asian girl place me in the category of a minority or not? Thanks.

A LOA can be given with a minimum of 6th semester transcript and test scores.
 
A LOA can be given with a minimum of 6th semester transcript and test scores.

Official test scores, official transcript, and verified class rank (either on the transcript or with the form from the counselor).
 
Back
Top