Class of 2024 Admissions

[okboomer]

I’ve been lurking the forum for some time now. Thank you to everyone that posts such invaluable insight and advice. My DS is deep into application process at this point. In several of the older years’ threads there was information from what appeared to be folks with direct contact with Admissions as to expected class size, etc. Has anyone heard similar info about the class of 2024? Second question, similarly some historical threads have some speculation as to how Admissions uses LOAs/LOEs. Any information on those as it relates to building the class of 2024? Any info would be entertaining as the waiting game begins.

PS - for any Texas folks Cornyn’s Board met today. Not sure when to expect communication.

 

[MidCakePa]

USMA size at the corps level is mandated by Congress: maximum 4400 cadets, as with USNA and USAFA. So counting for attrition, the plebe class is typically 1200, give or take.

An LOA is a conditional offer of appointment, contingent on meeting some condition, such as obtaining a nomination or passing DODMERB. LOAs are few and far between. An LOE is a letter of encouragement, prompting the candidate to finish their application as they may be competitive. It also comes with an invitation to visit West Point.

 

[TexasAggie204]

Below is an excerpt sent to my son from his Regional Commander, Directorate of Admissions, United States Military Academy, which should shed additional light on the purpose and differences of each document:

Letters of Assurance (selected very few) will go out early in the Admissions cycle to the most qualified Candidates who have everything in their file, so it behooves you to complete your application as soon as possible . Letters of Assurance (LOA) are letters of conditional early acceptance.

Letters of Encouragement will be given this year as they were last year. These letters state that a candidate is exceptional and has promising potential for appointment, but no promises are made. An overnight visit to the academy is authorized for recipients of LOEs.

 

[williamsdr3]

I’ve been lurking the forum for some time now. Thank you to everyone that posts such invaluable insight and advice. My DS is deep into application process at this point. In several of the older years’ threads there was information from what appeared to be folks with direct contact with Admissions as to expected class size, etc. Has anyone heard similar info about the class of 2024? Second question, similarly some historical threads have some speculation as to how Admissions uses LOAs/LOEs. Any information on those as it relates to building the class of 2024? Any info would be entertaining as the waiting game begins.

PS - for any Texas folks Cornyn’s Board met today. Not sure when to expect communication.

Welcome. My son is also a candidate from Texas.

Sen. Cruz's board already met and Sen. Cornyn's is tomorrow. I believe both senators will notify by Christmas for sure. Senator Cruz's office specifically said mid-December and Sen. Cornyn said "shortly thereafter (the panel meets on Dec. 6th).

The MOC's seem to be all over the place with both Nov and mid-Dec. interviews I have heard of so that may vary, I guess.

 

[okboomer]

Thanks MC, Tex Ag and williamsdr3

 

[kps90]

Our DS had his FFR interview this evening and he mentioned it looks like the 2024 class will be 1120 students.

 

[GADestiny]

williamsdr3

Do u know if the VP, senators and local MOC all communicate together so that one candidate's slate does not take up all 4 nomination seats? If one candidate gets all 4 nominations for one specific service academy, then how can the next qualified nominee take a seat if that qualified candidate has all 4 nominations?

 

[justdoit19]

williamsdr3

Do u know if the VP, senators and local MOC all communicate together so that one candidate's slate does not take up all 4 nomination seats? If one candidate gets all 4 nominations for one specific service academy, then how can the next qualified nominee take a seat if that qualified candidate has all 4 nominations?

If you go to the nominations forum, at the top, there are marked “sticky” threads with tons of valuable information about nominations. It would be a good read and may answer your questions.

 

[Capt MJ]

williamsdr3

Do u know if the VP, senators and local MOC all communicate together so that one candidate's slate does not take up all 4 nomination seats? If one candidate gets all 4 nominations for one specific service academy, then how can the next qualified nominee take a seat if that qualified candidate has all 4 nominations?

Ditto on going to top of Nominations forum and reading Stickies. There are hundreds of threads on this.

You are confusing apples, oranges and marbles here.

Noms 101:

Each elected official can have up to 5 appointees at a time at an SA.

That means 1-2 seats, or occasionally none, might be available for each incoming class cycle, for each elected official.

Each official may nominate up to 10 names for each available seat. That list is called a slate. They may use a number of different methods to rank or not. They may or may not duplicate names for their slates.

The two Senators and Representative may choose to collaborate to “spread the wealth.” That is, they may agree to not duplicate names among themselves. Or, if they don’t, it’s possible a candidate could be on all of their slates for multiple SAs applied for.

The SAs eventually charge the appropriate number of appointments to the elected official.

Everyone else with a nom has an additional opportunity to be selected from the national pool per guidelines, and offered an appointment from that authority given to the SA to fill out the class. Of course, they must be fully qualified.

The VP nom is chosen by the SA for the VP. VP has other things he is doing.