Any appointments without an LOA?

dc2016vv

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2015
Messages
13
I was just curious if any candidates for the Class of 2020 have received an appointment yet without first receiving a LOA sometime this fall? Thanks
 
To those who have responded. Can you share what you believed were the keys to your respective success??? (proudofmyboy, I know your DS's) I think that information would be helpful to those who are following this thread. Thank you.

BTW, this proves that LOAs are helpful but not receiving a LOA is not absolutely deteminative.
 
Last edited:
Remember that most those who receive an appointment prior to Dec are mostly those with Presidential or other non-MOC Nom sources. For those who do not qualify for a Presidential or ROTC Nom, then usually an LOA is received until they secure a MOC nom. Now that MOC interviews are wrapping up this month and slates are being submitted you will start to see the LOAs turn into appointments and other folks start to receive appointments also. Remember the majority of candidates will find out in Feb-March. Re-applicants aren't even looked at until first semester grades are received. Hang in there. LOAs are great, but they are small in number (it seems like tons if you read this site, but they really are small in number). Also remember not all LOAs will end up at USNA due to medical, other SA appointments or going ROTC.
 
Sure!

Before I start.. to all the juniors out there getting ready to apply to NASS: I didn't get accepted into the program. I got accepted into USCGA, USAFA, and USMA's summer programs. I was dismayed that I didn't get in to NASS, but my letter of appointment in October proves that you definitely do not need to get into the program to get into USNA!

Here is the basis for what was on my application:

Departmental Clubs/Activities

- Cross Country 10th-12th; Junior Varsity 10th, Varsity 11th-12th

- Track and Field 10th-12th; Junior Varsity 10th, Varsity 11th-12th

- Student Class Officer 9th-12th

- Student Association Officer 12th

- National Honor and Service Society 11th-12th; Peer Tutoring 11th-12th

- Model United Nations 10th-12th; Advanced Committee 11th-12th

- Young Americans for Freedom 10th-12th; Secretary 10th-11th, President 12th

- Student Athletic Advisory Council 12th; selected by head of athletics


Community Clubs/Activities

- New Jersey Youth Symphony 2012; Concertmaster 2012

- Settlement Youth Orchestra 2012-2014; Concertmaster 2013-2014

- All South Jersey Orchestra 2013-2015; Violin 2014, Assistant Principal- Violist 2015

- MoorArts Sound of Music summer production; Violin 2014

- Fleischer Art School; Photography 2013, Oil Painting 2014

- National Constitution Center, gallery host volunteer 2013-2016

- Our Lady of Good Counsel Praise Band singer and String Ensemble violinist 2012-2016

- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center volunteer 2015-2016

- Leader-Veteran’s Benefits and Job Expo 2015

- Leader- Soles4Souls sneaker donation drive 2015

- Burlington County Animal Association- foster parent 2015-2016


Employment

- Personalized Learning Instructor-Kumon 2013

- Paid Internship- Let Freedom Ring 2014

- Counter Service- Maurizio’s Bistro 2014-2016


Awards/Honors

- Presidential Service Award; Bronze (100+ service hours), Silver (175+ hours), Gold (250+ hours)

- New Jersey Girls State; Samsung American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship National Finalist

- Union League of Philadelphia Good Citizenship Award

- Daughters of American Revolution Good Citizenship Award

- Coca-Cola National Scholars Program semi-finalist; awaiting regional results

- Wendy High School Heisman school winner

- Congressional Proclamation, awarded by Congress MacArthur for Veterans Benefit and Job Expo

- Coin of Superior Performance, awarded by Adjutant General of NJ Army National Guard for Veteran Expo

- Fourth Place: Let Freedom Ring National Essay Contest

- Most Promising Student- High School Orchestra/Ensemble
- AP Scholar


In terms of academics:
Top 6% of high school
Honor Roll (x4 years)
ACT: 31
SAT: 2120
GPA: 4.25 weighted; 3.87 unweighted

For my CFA: ( NOTE: this was my hardest area. I started off doing 20 push ups in February. By working out everyday till the test [ I took it in August], I was able to max it. Same with pull ups- I could't even get half way up the bar in February, but by August I could do 3 pull ups). Hard work pays off! Keep pushing through:)
- Push ups 50
- Sit ups 102
- Pull ups 3
- Basketball Throw 47 feet
- Shuttle Run 9.6
- Mile 7:10

As you can see... I didn't max out every single event on the CFA; I didn't get a 36 or 2400 on standardized tests, and I wasn't the captain of my sports teams. However, I feel that I made up for those areas in other ways- i.e rigorous academic classes, leadership in club and in music etc.


To those of you applying, GOOD LUCK!!!!
 
MSM2016, Where was your nomination from? Presidential?
 
I don't think sharing stats is necessarily helpful. One, it is comparing apples and oranges, even if you THINK an appointed candidate's stats match close to yours; two, it might only lead to disappointment later on if you do not receive an appointment, as you will be trying to make sense of how someone with similar stats received an appointment and you did not.

As NavyHoops said, most folks receiving an appointment very early on have a non-MOC nomination. Furthermore, those who received appointments very early on and did not receive an LOA, were likely "LOA" type candidates, but since they had already met all the requirements (DODMERB/medical, CFA/physical, and had a nomination [presidential, JROTC, etc]) there was no need to give them an LOA, so they were just offered an appointment. MOST of the individuals who did not receive an LOA, but an appointment early on (i.e. probably before mid-October -- though don't quote me on a date) likely had ALL (and I do mean every single aspect of it) of their application complete when the Admissions Board/Office made a scholastic or appointment decision.
 
USNAbgo08,

I agree! I'm sure many applicants have similar stats, many better, than mine. Its impossible to compare applicants because unfortunately, none of us are on the admissions board. From my stats to future applicants and current, I just tried to academically excel, be involved with sports, and to show leadership within my community. I did so through my church, music. and volunteering.

I received a conditional letter of appointment based upon passing my medical exam. Everything else was in. I believe I heard October 21 that I had a conditional letter.

In response to you 5day, yes I got in off of a presidential nom. I'm actually heading to my congressional interview in a few minutes!

I am a little surprised USNA accepted me this early because I didn't get into NASS and my BGO officer interview did not go well in my opinion. This again proves, that we aren't in the admissions room so I'm not sure what stuck out but I'm so happy to have been accepted!!!! Also- I actually wasn't sure which branch I wanted to go into ( still not 100%) so I applied to USNA,USMA,USAFA,USCGA. I applied presidential nom to the first three ( since USCGA doesn't require nominations). I didn't think I had a chance at USNA ( reasons listed above) so I actually went for USAFA for my senatorial nominations and USAFA and USMA for congressional. The only way I could have gotten into USNA was on the presidential. So far I've been accosted to USNA and USCGA.

(Sorry for the long post!! )

Good luck to everyone else!
 
MWM2016, good luck at your interview. DS will be there this afternoon.
 
Last year DS received his call from Bernie Sanders office with his appointment on our way to the army navy game. No LOA since he needed both a medical waiver and the Nom. But once the NOM was received I'm guessing the academy put thru the waiver immediately so the appointment was issued on Dec 12 (I think). We recited the official waiver in the mail the following Monday and the Appointment letter 2 weeks later.
 
I don't think sharing stats is necessarily helpful. One, it is comparing apples and oranges, even if you THINK an appointed candidate's stats match close to yours; two, it might only lead to disappointment later on if you do not receive an appointment, as you will be trying to make sense of how someone with similar stats received an appointment and you did not.

As NavyHoops said, most folks receiving an appointment very early on have a non-MOC nomination. Furthermore, those who received appointments very early on and did not receive an LOA, were likely "LOA" type candidates, but since they had already met all the requirements (DODMERB/medical, CFA/physical, and had a nomination [presidential, JROTC, etc]) there was no need to give them an LOA, so they were just offered an appointment. MOST of the individuals who did not receive an LOA, but an appointment early on (i.e. probably before mid-October -- though don't quote me on a date) likely had ALL (and I do mean every single aspect of it) of their application complete when the Admissions Board/Office made a scholastic or appointment decision.

I agree in part. I asked for the background of successful applicants not to compare candidates to other candidates but to provide inspiration, guidance and goals for future applicants.

Don't forget we have freshmen, sophomores and juniors (like my DS) (1) who are in high school reading the threads in this very helpful and instructive forum and (2) who can learn from those who have gotten their appointments.
 
I understand where you are coming from. However, it is probably better that your DS contact his BGO and ask where his record can be improved. This will provide you better value added, as each candidate is different...up against different constraints, involved in different activities/sports, etc. Some schools have AP/IB programs and others don't. Honestly, sometimes a candidate will not participate in the "normal" activities and that could be the one thing that makes their record standout. Again, I believe time is better spent working with your BGO on charting a course for success than to ask people their stats. Just my two cents.
 
I understand where you are coming from. However, it is probably better that your DS contact his BGO and ask where his record can be improved. This will provide you better value added, as each candidate is different...up against different constraints, involved in different activities/sports, etc. Some schools have AP/IB programs and others don't. Honestly, sometimes a candidate will not participate in the "normal" activities and that could be the one thing that makes their record standout. Again, I believe time is better spent working with your BGO on charting a course for success than to ask people their stats. Just my two cents.
Appreciate the suggestion, but BGOs are so busy with current applicants that I don't know if this is always a vivable option. After my DS went to CVW in October, he sent an email to our designated BGO about how CVW got him excited about applying his senior year. Radio silence from the BGO. Not even a courtesy reply.....
 
My recommendation would be to call and/or email and set up a time to talk about a course for success, if your DS has questions. If email doesn't work, then try a phone call -- can't always rely on email. At this point, most BGOs are done with a lot of the work for candidates in this cycle.
 
My recommendation would be to call and/or email and set up a time to talk about a course for success, if your DS has questions. If email doesn't work, then try a phone call. At this point, most BGOs are done with a lot of the work for candidates in this cycle.
Roger that. Thank you for your suggestion.
 
Padre, if we could do this process again, we would relax more. I have been on this site for four years watching/participating in these conversations. These boards can be informative but stressful! I recently changed my moniker because it was a bit identifying, so I look like a newbie, but I am not. My son has been working on admission since the 8th grade- but in reality, the best you can do until the final stretch is- get amazing grades, take tough classes, be a leader, be athletic, and stay healthy. (And apply to boys state, SLE, Nass, etc). The rest can't really be touched until the right times. Information is good- but it can also drive you crazy. Relax and enjoy high school.

My middle schooler wants to go to USNA. We aren't going to have those conversations until sophomore year or so (which will be tough if we are visiting his brother at USNA!)

My two cents, probably worth less.
 
Back
Top