Conflicted about my LOA. Help please.

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nr116

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Ok so this might be a little long, so usna gurus I'm going to need you to bear with me. This last Friday, I received a Letter of Assurance from the United States Naval Academy! Here are my stats and why I'm a little confused I got one.

ACT: 27 math, 25 english
GPA: 3.55 (UW) 4.15 (W)
Tons of leadership and great rating at summer seminar/great essay.
MD-3rd district.

Now I know I still need a nomination or I won't get an official appointment. I live in Maryland's 3rd district, so rather competitive. I know having an LOA usually gets you a nom, but in my situation with my rather low test scores/"meh" GPA, I'm worried my letter of assurance wont offset all my bad aspects. What do you guys think? Should I just hope for the best? Do I really have any shot in the competitive district I live in?
 
nr116 said:
Ok so this might be a little long, so usna gurus I'm going to need you to bear with me. This last Friday, I received a Letter of Assurance from the United States Naval Academy! Here are my stats and why I'm a little confused I got one.

ACT: 27 math, 25 english
GPA: 3.55 (UW) 4.15 (W)
Tons of leadership and great rating at summer seminar/great essay.
MD-3rd district.

Now I know I still need a nomination or I won't get an official appointment. I live in Maryland's 3rd district, so rather competitive. I know having an LOA usually gets you a nom, but in my situation with my rather low test scores/"meh" GPA, I'm worried my letter of assurance wont offset all my bad aspects. What do you guys think? Should I just hope for the best? Do I really have any shot in the competitive district I live in?
Click to expand...

Congrats on the LOA - really something to be proud of!

First, USNA is not going to "find" you a nom to go w/ your LOA. It would be prudent though to mention in your nomination packages/interviews that you have a LOA. All we can see here are a few of your academic stats. Do you do sports, are you a recruited athlete?

If you got a LOA, I'm going to guess that you have outstanding stats, meaning you would probably have a good chance of getting a nom. Really it depends on who you are competing against in your district. Every MOC district sends at least 1 appointee each year. I was nominated, much to my surprise, but no appointed. And I live in PA - competitive place also.

There have been people w/ LOA's not get appointed, and people w/o LOA's get appointed. All you can do is put forward your best effort. Good luck :thumb:
 
I am not a recruited athlete. So my LOA wont offset my lower stats/ my MOCs wont feel inclined to give me one since they know i'd get in?
 
Two individuals from our district received appointments from USNA, and nominations from our MOC. DS received the principal Nom and another had a LOA. I believe our MOC does a principal and then a slate of ten. Leaving the ten at the discretion of the academy. The individual with the LOA did not have the principal Nom, but was on the slate. So it is possible you might not get a principal, but may still earn a Nom. Don't give up! A LOA is NOT an easy accomplishment! Make certain you have applied for ALL Nom options! Wishing you well!
 
Are you perhaps an under represented minority? Did you do something amazing in one of your leadership roles? Maybe start a club or organization that made a huge impact in your area?
 
When did you have your application submitted?

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nr116 said:
Now I know I still need a nomination or I won't get an official appointment. I live in Maryland's 3rd district, so rather competitive. I know having an LOA usually gets you a nom, but in my situation with my rather low test scores/"meh" GPA, I'm worried my letter of assurance wont offset all my bad aspects. What do you guys think? Should I just hope for the best? Do I really have any shot in the competitive district I live in?
Click to expand...

You should be fine. First, you need to go into the interview with a positive attitude that you are a competitive candidate, with a LOA, to back it up. Obviously, the Naval Academy saw something that liked enough to give an LOA. Your job is to let the nomination panel see the same thing.

Although getting an nomination might be competitive, we are talking about being 1 of 10 nominees. Do you think there are 10 kids in MD 03 that are better than you and will complete the nomination packet in time.

Are you planning to take ACT/SAT again? If I was on the board, I will ask that question.

Congrats on your LOA.
 
nr116 - Remember to include a copy of your LOA with your applications to each of your MOCs. I know the letter says "Copy to" both Senators and Representative but don't assume that the staffs have good tracking systems. DS had an LOA last year around this time but MOC packets were due late October / early November. Rep's office specifically mentioned the LOA when DS called to ask a question so he didn't bother including a copy in application packets. He wasn't selected for an interview with one Senator and in the interview with 2nd senator the panel was unaware of the LOA (or appeared to be) when it came up during questioning. DS did get a nom from Senator and Rep so all ends well and he is a happy Plebe now.

Anyway, looking back on the process it does make sense that Senator's offices could lose or misfile LOAs since they may not even have a file opened on a candidate at the time the LOA comes in from USNA. One of those things that DS would do differently if he were doing it over again....
 
nr116 - If I were to guess, it's the tons of leadership... which (since it's tons) I expect is across several organizations... meaning your have some breadth of interest. All just guesswork on my part given the limited info you provided. In any case, the why doesn't matter at this point and is just speculation anyway.

I agree with Blondie1 that you may not get a principal nom, but that doesn't matter. Just getting the nom, getting on a slate, is good enough given the LOA. Congrats on that by the way.

You still have work to do. Take the ACT/SAT at least once more, just to show effort as MemberLG implied. BTW, that would be helpful with any other college applications you submitted, just in case you change your mind about USNA. Some folks do you know. Apply for every, and I do mean every, nomination you are eligible for, which should be at least 4. 2 Senators, 1 Representative, and 1 Vice Presidential nom. The academies actually pick who gets the VP nom, so if you get your name in and get no other nom this could provide them the slot they need for your appointment.

Good luck and remain confident. You have reason to be just that! :thumb:
 
Congratulations.

And don't overthink the process. It's obvious that they want you or you wouldn't get the LOA. Just dot all your I's and cross your T's.

You're very lucky to get an LOA with those numbers. Plenty of kids with 4.0 GPAS and even some primary nominees didn't get in last year. Keep your nose clean and shine in your interviews and you should be fine.
 
Application was submitted september 1st fully completed. Yea I guess no matter how I got my LOA I should just go into my nomination interviews hoping for the best! That's all I can really do and even if i dont get a nom I'm happy to have come this far! Thanks for all the help everyone!

Go navy!
 
Can you define 'fully completed'?

Was your status on everything complete? For example, were you waiting on your guidance counselor for anything, or the recommendations?

Thanks and Congratulations!
 
Congratulations

Congrats on your LOA. My son had an LOA llast year and is now a happy plebe. He experienced the same anxiety. I sent you a pm with my personal thoughts on the process. Be sure to apply for nominations from Vice President, Both Senators, and your local congressman. :thumb:
 
DODMERB results aren't required for an LOA; an LOA is contingent on medical qualification.
 
I would try retaking the ACT just for the nomination. It certainly can't hurt. Take every opportunity to improve your resume. An LoA will make a great difference in the nomination process, but making yourself as well-rounded and strong of an applicant as possible will go far.
 
Don't be conflicted about your LOA, be proud! USNA Admissions has been doing this a long time, and they know what to look for. High test scores alone don't equate to leaders of our military. You have that combination they are seeking, embrace it!

I do agree you should take ACT again for your MOC packages. I think you can still sign up for the October 25 ACT and your MOCs should accept the results. Even if its technically too late, have them sent directly to their office from ACT anyway and bring a copy to your interview. Take a few practice tests between now and then. DD brought her math score up 5 points and composite up 3 points from taking and reviewing practice tests over and over.
 
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