Appointments without LOA

so it looks like people are already receiving appointments now without having received an LOA. So does that mean the academy starts now with offers and just continues until April? I was under the impression that everyone without the LOA was notified on the same date (in April) similar to how colleges do their notifications.

is it more of a rolling admission starting now? and also how do you receive the appointment notification? by Mail, email or portal change?

You will start to see an increase in appointments from Jan-March. Everyone will not find out at once, it will vary over the coming weeks. USNA commits to notifying all applicants by April 15th.

Some candidates find out from the portal and others from their MOC calling them. Once a determination is made USNA usually notifies the MOC and allows them a few days (usually around 5ish days) to call and congratulate them. After how many days USNA designates then the portal will update. I believe a portal change will trigger an email to check the portal.

The non-LOA appointments are likely from districts where the MOCs send in their slates early and . . . the MOC used the principal nomination and USNA agrees that person is the "best" on the slate or there were very few candidates on the slate and the decision as to who is "best" is obvious. As a general rule (there are always exceptions), the more competitive districts and states tend to see non-LOA appointments a bit later in the process.

Things may be "faster" this year as MOCs who are leaving office get their slates in sooner b/c they will be leaving office in mid-Jan. This could trigger more MOC appointments earlier than in non-election years (or election years where there is little turnover).

+1 to @usna1985. Another scenario is they were going to offer someone an LOA who was already 3Q and found they already had a Presidential Nomination. Such a nom can happen very early in the process since it's merely a matter of the applicant qualifying and filling out some simple paperwork... as early as this past summer. So they can skip the LOA step and go straight to the appointment.

kinnem said:

+1 to @usna1985. Another scenario is they were going to offer someone an LOA who was already 3Q and found they already had a Presidential Nomination. Such a nom can happen very early in the process since it's merely a matter of the applicant qualifying and filling out some simple paperwork... as early as this past summer. So they can skip the LOA step and go straight to the appointment.

Click to expand...

Uggghhh - 2 Noms in from a very competitive district - no LOA - recruited athlete - now waiting & waiting & waiting. Not a bad position to be in by any means - but frustrating nonetheless...