2020 Hopefuls

I appreciate your responses. He has finished his second MOC paperwork and has started the third. So he's keeping up, he's just feeling let down, I think
 
@Dad2020
I am sorry for the way your son feels. I am sure he has worked hard in the application process. But he not [yet] getting a LOA, does not mean he is an inferior candidate, I am sure he and you know that.
In any case, I am keeping my fingers crossed for both of you. Good Luck.
 
@Dad2020
Your son does not need to panic. It is still very early in the USNA admissions process. My son received an LOA at the end of November last year.
 
I seem to recall that the number of candidates who receive LOAs is 5% or less (can't find the post from last year where I saw a best-guess number, but that's what I recall seeing), so the overwhelming majority of appointees won't get one. DS got one in December last year, appointment contingent upon getting a nomination, which arrived before the LOA did. In other words, the LOA made no difference in the process! Your son needs to keep working hard on nomination applications (there are at least 4 for every candidate) because in some cases the toughest competition, even for outstanding candidates, is for a nomination. And, even if a candidate gets an LOA and an appointment, injury can derail the process (it happened to DS and he didn't hear about his waiver for a broken joint that requires surgery until mid-April). It's really important for everyone's sanity to keep in mind that most people won't know anything until February or March, and many don't find out until April. Until then, keep working on alternate plans and assume he won't hear anything for 6 months. Anything more certain than that, any sooner, is a gift. Best of luck to him and to you as you support him in a tough, tough process.
 
Dad2020 said:
My son has panicked about not receiving an LOA. Devastated. He'll hang in there, and now he is working on his applications to other schools in earnest. He has a few schools flying him out to take tours and to apply for scholarships. He is planning to keep quiet about the fact that he is going to reapply to the academy next year.
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There is no reason to panic or worry about an LOA. The large majority of applicants do not receive them. Every year we sort of guesstimate that there are around 10% of an incoming class on this website who post. There could certainly be others who just lurk. Of those 10% we have seen maybe 2-3 LOAs so far for USNA. LOAs are not a one time thing either, they roll out for quite awhile. The other thing is the appointment is what matters not an LOA. LOAs, who your nom is from, SATs scores, valedictorian, etc... wanna know how much that matters when you walk on the Yard for I Day... none. No one talks about it or cares. Keep an eye on the largest goal... appointment. Most kids get their appointments in Feb- March timeframe. Hang on for a long process. Focus on nominations, other school applications, etc. This is a long roller coaster ride with more lots of loops, drops and sometimes it feels like the safety bar is coming off. Tell your DS to hang in there and embrace the ride and most importantly enjoy senior year.
 
I think its also important to enter this process without any expectations . You can be hopeful but this process is so unpredictable ...Read last year's Class of 2019 Mailbox Stalkers or Wait List. Also TWE. Amazing kids with amazing stats getting the TWE. It helps to put it all in perspective... There is just not enough spots at USNA for everyone who is qualified. That's truly the bottom line.
 
So when exactly does the Admissions Board meet? I read on this forum that they start meeting the first Thursday of September and then every 2 weeks after that. LOAs started arriving last Friday but yet we have an LOA arriving this morning before 9:00am even and an appointment on Tuesday (Congrats to you both!) We know LOAs do not matter. We know that. My kid is not a walk on water candidate nor a recruited athlete, he has a couple Bs on his transcripts and he got a parking ticket last year! We are just curious because it will matter ALOT come March.
 
LOAs can come at any time, any day, any moment. Folks try to find patterns to things every year and you will drive yourself mad. Even if admissions meets at a certain time, that doesn't mean that is when things get released. Remember they may make a decision and by the time the staff gets things updated in the computer system, things get mailed out, etc. changes nearly every week. It all depends on what the staff has on their plate, who is on vacation, etc. fifi5, sounds like you have a great kid. Sometimes reading some about some of the candidates on here can sort of make folks wary of their competition, don't worry I am sure your kid is great and has a good a shot as any. A few Bs won't be the end of the world and a parking ticket won't be an issue. Also remember with appointments, not LOAs, start to roll out, admissions gives MOCs a chance to call and notify candidates first. So even if admissions meets, they usually give them around 5 days to make the calls because they start to update portals and send BFEs. So you will then see some kids get called right away and others who never get a MOC call, but just happen to check their portal and see that it updated. If you take a look at the appointment string from a few years back you will see the majority of candidates are not LOA folks, and most were notified in Feb-Mar timeframe.
 
My daughter received an LOA in this mornings email as well. I believe the Admissions Board met yesterday. Not sure how often they meet going forward but I am under the impression that it is every Thursday.

September 11 is a special day to receive this kind of news and underscores the commitment behind what all of our kids are striving for. Today is always a tough day to reflect upon, and there are so many emotions. Good luck to all!
 
The congressmen, it is my understanding, have no idea who got an LOA. There is a two-step process, and if you don't get both the nomination and the admissions approval, you aren't getting in. My son has an excellent BGO who made sure he knew this. He said they always have a kid with an LOA who doesn't get nominated. Admissions works on them all year and admits lots of kids without LOAs who get the nomination and end up at I-day while LOA kids sit home. So while we are celebrating, it's vital to not lose sight of the goal, an appointment.
 
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