Freaking Out

Officer Visit

DevilDog said:
The person is coming from the Academy. He told my son that he wants to meet with him, my wife and me. That is what my son told me.
A friend told me over the weekend that her family was interviewed by a representative of West Point when her son applied there (he is currently attending WP).
All I know is what I just stated. I am hoping it is a good sign. I will let you know what and who it was after the event occurs.
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We had the same type of visit the end of August to our home...not a B/G officer, but a new Grad from Annapolis...nice guy...shared ALOT of valuable info with us...answered a million questions we had...told us there is NOTHING our son could do differently--his app was very, very good(according to this Officer)...yet, we have heard nothing from the Academy since, no LOA or anything...my son's heart is slowly sinking...but I won't let him lose hope...my advice to you and your son is-- ask questions, get answers...it is a nice honor to have them visit with you...but the chips will still fall where they may....Good Luck!! Hope it goes well!!

P.S.--people had their reservations believing us regarding this visit, even my son's B/G officer...said they never heard of such a visit from the Academy...but I swear he WAS here and we even have the catalog he left us from the Academy!! LOL!!:wink:
 
pbell said:
US-
Can I add something here? I'm a candidate for 2014, just as you are (I assume). Let me offer some advice. I highly recommend continuing to take the tests (SAT &ACT's). Scores do go up. That bewing said, here's my profile:
GPA (unwgted) 3.87
(wgted) 4.11
Class standing- top 3%
SAT- M: 670
CR: 530
ACT- M: 26
E: 27
Comp: 25
EC's: Varsity Capt boys water polo, VP NHS, 9th grade Mentor Leader, FCA
CS: 200+ hrs.
I'm right at 1200 as you can see. I received my LOA on Friday. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! Keep focused on the prize. You're almost there! Good Luck:thumb:
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pbell, Congrats on the LOA! That is encouraging to read, my son's scores are similiar to yours, his math was 690, CR 530, ACT M was 32, E 30, but Comp was 27, because of a low CR.GPA is 4.0 unw, He's football team Captain, varsity baseball player, Class Treasurer, NHS, Boys State Delegate, NASS participant etc, however he hasn't heard anything, and is getting nervous. Are you a recruited athlete for water polo? I've heard recruites will get LOA's, so just wondering. I keep telling him to be patient, because its a long process, but the waiting is difficult.
I'm not even sure if he's eligible for an LOA, because he already has a Nom. which was on file the same time he completed his app.
 
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falconchic88 said:
pbell, Congrats on the LOA! That is encouraging to read, my son's scores are similiar to yours, his math was 690, CR 530, ACT M was 32, E 30, but Comp was 27, because of a low CR.GPA is 4.0 unw, He's football team Captain, varsity baseball player, Class Treasurer, NHS, Boys State Delegate, NASS participant etc, however he hasn't heard anything, and is getting nervous. Are you a recruited athlete for water polo? I've heard recruites will get LOA's, so just wondering. I keep telling him to be patient, because its a long process, but the waiting is difficult.
I'm not even sure if he's eligible for an LOA, because he already has a Nom. which was on file the same time he completed his app.
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My son is also comparable to your. His ACT score was more like pbell. His unweighted GPA is 3.8, Boys State Delegate, Captain of Football, Wrestling and Lacrosse Teams, NHS, VP of school, NASS participant, awarded Outstanding Hispanic Male Student for our state, George Eastman Lewadership Award Winner, and other accoloades. Hopefully we will know more after our interview on Saturday. I know he is very anxious. He also applied for NROTC Scholarship and they told him he won't know anything until approximately December, but people on this site have said they have received their letters.
 
Devil & Falcon-
Your kids put me to shame! Nope, not a recruited athlete, just lucky I guess. Also, Devil, I did hear from the NROTC and got my first pick so the
notifications are coming out. I did have a VERY pro-active NROTC Chief pushing my app hard. I hope you get great news on Saturday. I can't believe that with pedigrees your kids have, they won't get in.
Good luck!
 
falconchic88 said:
I'm not even sure if he's eligible for an LOA, because he already has a Nom. which was on file the same time he completed his app.
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An LOA is a guarantee (that's the word they actually use in the LOA) from the academy of an appointment provided the candidate successfully completes any remaining items that are indicated on the LOA. Usually, that is a nomination - sometimes a few more things.

Nominations come fairly easily after an LOA. It is extremely influential to the MOC. Oh sure, you'll hear a horror story now and then about some kid who got an LOA but did not get an appointment. The reason those stories get so much attention is because they are so extremely rare. Usually there is a story behind this mishap that involves some catastrophic failure on the part of the candidate.

Don't confuse a nomination with a appointment. There will be MANY disappointed nominees who will never get an appointment. Your goal is the APPOINTMENT! A nomination is much easier to get; yet, it is an absolute necessity in order to receive an appointment. They go hand in hand.

I don't think getting a nomination would preclude the academy from issuing an LOA to a candidate. The primary purpose of the LOA is not so much to get the candidate nominated (although it certainly helps) - it's primary objective is to entice the candidate to commit to the academy and abort their attempts to get admission into another university.

"Why should I bother writing a 500-word essay for the University of Michigan if I already know I have been admitted to the Naval Academy?"

"Why should I bother paying all these applications fees if I already know I have been admitted to the Naval Academy?"

"Why should I bother paying a deposit for room & board at the college to which I've been accepted if I already know I can go to the Naval Academy?"

That's what they're hoping!

The LOA program was instituted in response to the early admission programs of many universities.

What they don't want is ...

"Why should I bother doing all these interviews with my congressman and senators if I already know I've been accepted into the University of Michigan?"

"Why should I waste my time getting the DoD medical examination if I already know where I'm going to college? I'm probably just wasting my time with all this academy application crap."
 
Memphis,
Thanks for your informative response. I guess my question is, why would they send an LOA, telling him he's assured an appointment if he does x,y,z when he's already completed everything possible to include dodmerb qual, cfa, and a nom--why wouldn't they just grant him the appointment rather than an LOA?
 
falconchic88 said:
Memphis,
Thanks for your informative response. I guess my question is, why would they send an LOA, telling him he's assured an appointment if he does x,y,z when he's already completed everything possible to include dodmerb qual, cfa, and a nom--why wouldn't they just grant him the appointment rather than an LOA?
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The LOA is actually a form letter. It's not handwritten by the Dean of Admissions with a personal congratulatory note. :smile:

On the letter is sort of a checklist of items that could be potentially incomplete. They simply check those items that the candidate needs to complete before the provisions of the "guarantee" (i.e. an appointment!) can be enacted.

If the candidate has already completed everything - then nothing will be checked off.

You're right - for all practical purposes, the academy might as well issue them an appointment. But I do not think the academy has begun that process yet. There is a timeline that they stick to rather firmly.

A candidate who receives an LOA with no uncompleted items should receive an appointment shortly afterwards, when the first batch of appointments go out.
 
Gotcha--Thanks so much! I'm pretty familiar with the process, since I graduated from that other Academy in the mountains, oh so long ago (hence my screen name), but the LOA is new to me.
My son has applied to both Navy and AF, but he really really enjoyed his time at NASS this summer!
 
LOL FALCON CHICK!! "That Academy somewhere in the mountains!!" My friend referred to them as "the people who wear the DRAB unifroms"...But all in good fun...ALL ACADEMY'S are top notch and honorable...all depends on the applicants interest and appeals!! Have a FUNNNN weekend!:shake:
 
Son got his LOA in today's mail. They announced his acceptance at tonite's football game. Everyone was so proud of him.It was a great night.
 
Remember an LOA is NOT an acceptance (though it is exciting) he must successfully complete all conditions,clearances and graduate. I have friends that held their breath until I-Day
 
The only condition is the nomination and the officer that came to our house told us if he does not get one from our representatives he will get it from the Sec of the Navy. He pretty much told us that my son is in.
 
Hey usmarines,

Relax. If you have to re-take the SAT again please PM me. I have an elaborate study regimen and materials that can help you improve your score by at least 50 points. I help my peers, classmates and others improve their test scores with my methods. Just don't forget to PM me if you need to.
 
DevilDog said:
The only condition is the nomination and the officer that came to our house told us if he does not get one from our representatives he will get it from the Sec of the Navy. He pretty much told us that my son is in.
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Devil, first off congratulations,
We were told the exact same thing.
Was your son appointed to USNA or NAPS?
My issue is that we were told by Admissions that the Sec. of the Navy only has so many appointment slots, and it is highly recommended for NAPS and LOA individuals to exhaust every necessary nomination source. Basically not everyone gets the Sec of Navy nomination and with NAPS graduates (over 250) last year alone, I would be leary on not pushing my child tword all options.
Also, to anyone out there, would an JROTC nomination under the "distinguished unit with merit" hold the same weight as a MOC nom? AND can you use it next year in 2011 (graduate is 2010)if your child was sent to NAPS first?
Loaded question here.
thanks:redface:
 
PAParentUSNA said:
Devil, first off congratulations,
We were told the exact same thing.
Was your son appointed to USNA or NAPS?
My issue is that we were told by Admissions that the Sec. of the Navy only has so many appointment slots, and it is highly recommended for NAPS and LOA individuals to exhaust every necessary nomination source. Basically not everyone gets the Sec of Navy nomination and with NAPS graduates (over 250) last year alone, I would be leary on not pushing my child tword all options.
Also, to anyone out there, would an JROTC nomination under the "distinguished unit with merit" hold the same weight as a MOC nom? AND can you use it next year in 2011 (graduate is 2010)if your child was sent to NAPS first?
Loaded question here.
thanks:redface:
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PaParent first of all, thank you very much, I say the same to you. He was offered the Academy. He was prepared to accept NAPS if needed. I asked the representative repeatedly or at least twice, and my wife asked at least one time about the Sec of Navy. The representative said he is in, not to worry if he does not get a Nomination from an MOC, the Sec of the Navy will make appointments. I don't know what else to ask, I will call the academy today just to verify it. For those of you that will say that my son should do that, well he is busy with school and after school he has football practice, so it would be very difficult for him to do it.
PaParent, we will try to get the nomination thru the usual method, but if for some reason he does not get it, I am hoping the information we were given is correct. I see no reason to doubt the man.
 
tpg said:
Unless your son’s nomination is one of those “pro forma” nominations and appointments that are talked about often, I would be interested in knowing how your son can expect a nomination from the Secretary of the Navy?

As you can see here 10 USC § 6954 Subsection (b) , the Secretary of the Navy can only nominate for appointment the following:

(2) 85 nominated by the Secretary of the Navy from enlisted members of the Regular Navy and the Regular Marine Corps.

(3) 85 nominated by the Secretary of the Navy from enlisted members of the Navy Reserve and the Marine Corps Reserve.

(4) 20 nominated by the Secretary of the Navy, under regulations prescribed by him, from the honor graduates of schools designated as honor schools by the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, or the Department of the Air Force, and from members of the Naval Reserve Officer’s Training corps.

(5) 150 selected by the Secretary of the Navy in order of merit (prescribed pursuant to section 6956 of this title) from qualified alternates nominated by persons named in clauses (3) and (4) of subsection (a).


Clauses (3) and (4) of Subsection (a) reads:
3) Ten from each State, five of whom are nominated by each Senator from that State.

(4) Five nominated by each Representative in Congress.
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I am not going to get into a pi$$ing match with you or anyone else. I only relayed what we were informed of. We asked repeatedly the what if he does not get a nomination, we were repeatedly informed that the Sec of the Navy will give it. I have never called anyone on here a liar, a I do not make a habit of lying either. Sorry I ever brought anything up here. Good luck to all of you.
 
tpg said:
Now if he gets a MOC nomination and does not get appointed via that nomination, then yes, he can be appointed by the SECNAV to the academy. BUT, from what you have posted, he does not have a nomination and until he does, legally he cannot be appointed.
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I think this is where the confusion comes in, because my son was basically told the same thing. AS LONG AS he applies to all possible nominations sources, then if he doesn't technically qualify for the appointment, then they would "scrounge" a nomination up for him somehow. Your statement that if he gets the nom, but not the appointment, than he can then be appointed by the SECNAV, seems to be very frequently condensed to "SECNAV will get him a nom". Really, it ends up being very, very close to the same thing I believe - again, as long as they pursue all their other sources.
 
tpg said:
Unless your son’s nomination is one of those “pro forma” nominations and appointments that are talked about often, I would be interested in knowing how your son can expect a nomination from the Secretary of the Navy?
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I think DevilDog simply has the incorrect term in use, which occurs frequently on forums. I believe he is talking about a supe nom. The bottom line is that his son has an LOA from Navy and someone from Navy told them not to worry about the nom. Frankly, it doesn't matter what term was used - the Navy will typically honor their LOA and provide a supe nom if the candidate is not able to obtain one. There are people who do not get a nom and for whom Navy does not provide a supe nom. However, in this case, the candidate has been told that they'll get him a supe nom if he doesn't get one from another source. I am sure DevilDogs son will/has applied for all noms for which he is eligible and likely will receive a MOC nom. However, if he does not - the supe nom will likely be provided for him.
 
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