Have any LOA's gone out for the class of 2019?

My information is coming from what was passed down my BGO chain of command, which originated from the Admissions office. I am trying to manage all of your expectations so that you understand there will be far fewer LOAs, a smaller entering class size, and that you don't make assumptions on appointments. Most BGOs that contribute to this forum have experience and have been briefed on what is going on.
 
Agree with BGO08.

Also, just FYI, the main reason the class size is decreasing is that attrition is decreasing. In my day:eek: about 1350 entered to produce a class of ~1050. Now, to get that same yield, they only need about 1170. Thus, there are ~180 fewer plebes entering each year and, correspondingly, at least that number in fewer offers of appointment today than only a generation ago.

That's good news for those who are appointed; not so good news for those hoping for appointments.
 
usna1985 said:
Agree with BGO08.

Also, just FYI, the main reason the class size is decreasing is that attrition is decreasing. In my day:eek: about 1350 entered to produce a class of ~1050. Now, to get that same yield, they only need about 1170. Thus, there are ~180 fewer plebes entering each year and, correspondingly, at least that number in fewer offers of appointment today than only a generation ago.

That's good news for those who are appointed; not so good news for those hoping for appointments.
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What do you think contributes to the decline of the attrition? (Awkward sentence :cool::cool:)
 
Summer Seminar, Youtube, Social Media, etc. Lots of stuff out there to see what you are getting into. Never a substitute for the real thing, but better visibility than before.
 
Blondie1 said:
What do you think contributes to the decline of the attrition? (Awkward sentence :cool::cool:)
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It's gotten easier because they are being softer on the midshipmen............................................... at least that's what the old grads will say! :yllol:
 
Oh and I forgot climate change. It's not as hot in the summers anymore like it was in the old days..............
 
I received an LoA today date stamped for October 16. I did not go to summer seminar but I was accepted to it. I also was invited to and went to a CVW as a junior.


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DD also received an LOA today, dated October 16. It also included a handwritten note commending her on her performance at NASS.:smile:
 
alaska66 said:
DD also received an LOA today, dated October 16. It also included a handwritten note commending her on her performance at NASS.:smile:
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Congratulations. Sounds like she certainly impressed some people at NASS.
 
Blondie1 said:
What do you think contributes to the decline of the attrition? (Awkward sentence :cool::cool:)
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Personal opinion: (1) More info available about USNA (NASS, Internet) meaning folks are more informed about USNA before they show up; (2) better/more organized and formal academic help; and (3) greater interest on the part of USNA in keeping mids there (vs. more of an indifferent attitude in my day).

Could also be more targeted recruiting/admissions resulting in more appointees being likely to succeed at USNA.
 
I received an LOA at CVW on Thursday October 16th, 2014. The Dean of Academics shook my hand and told me the board has reviewed my app and would like to offer me a Letter of Assurance as I was checking in that evening. It was definitely one of the best weekends of my life.
 
Is one likely to receive an LOA if their packet is complete or only if additional items are yet to be completed? I guess this whole "rolling admissions" has me confused. If your application has been reviewed and for some reason deemed unacceptable it seems like that would be great to know so as to move on in your college search. To just be waiting until possibly April is excruciating. In my mind "rolling admissions" means that all candidates reviewed up until now should either know if they' ve been accepted or not. Of course, I understand a nomination is still needed.
 
nodiva said:
Is one likely to receive an LOA if their packet is complete or only if additional items are yet to be completed? I guess this whole "rolling admissions" has me confused. If your application has been reviewed and for some reason deemed unacceptable it seems like that would be great to know so as to move on in your college search. To just be waiting until possibly April is excruciating. In my mind "rolling admissions" means that all candidates reviewed up until now should either know if they' ve been accepted or not. Of course, I understand a nomination is still needed.
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They can give you an LOA if they've reviewed the academic portion of your file, which means they need your personal data record, transcript, candidate academic info, teacher evals, guidance counselor evals.. etc. Basically the only things they dont need "yet" are your DoDMERB, CFA, and Nom. The LOA is to assure you that you'll be appointed based upon your application as long as all three of those things go smoothly.
 
nodiva said:
Is one likely to receive an LOA if their packet is complete or only if additional items are yet to be completed? I guess this whole "rolling admissions" has me confused. If your application has been reviewed and for some reason deemed unacceptable it seems like that would be great to know so as to move on in your college search. To just be waiting until possibly April is excruciating. In my mind "rolling admissions" means that all candidates reviewed up until now should either know if they' ve been accepted or not. Of course, I understand a nomination is still needed.
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Actually, USNA in most instances does not know right now who will be admitted. Right now, they are determining who is "qualified." That (not really "admissions") is done on a rolling basis. Qualified, as noted above, means you meet the standards in terms of grades, leadership, recommendations, etc.

However, each year, there are far more qualified candidates with (and without) noms than there are slots. Once USNA knows who has a nom (Jan. 31 at the latest and earlier for some), they start making the cuts among qualified candidates with noms.

USNA views some candidates as so strong, that it is sure they will receive an appointment if found o/w qualified and if they receive a nom. Those candidates receive LOAs.

Everyone else has to (unfortunately) wait until USNA has enough info on noms and everyone who has applied to determine appointments. Some people hear earlier than others for various reasons -- live in an area where MOC turns in slate early; MOC has very few qualified nominees; candidate has a Pres nomination; candidate clearly is "best" (in USNA's view) on the MOC's slate, etc.

Thus, some get good news as early as now. MOST who get good news get it in Feb and Mar. Some get it later.
 
Thank you for the information. My next question is does one find out they are "qualified" or "not qualified" in a timely manner? It just seems so unfair to string along an "unqualified" applicant until April when it was determined in October they were unqualified.
 
Rolling Admissions?

I was under the impression that "rolling admissions" meant that even if a candidate is considered currently unqualified (perhaps test scores??), they have until Jan. 31 to keep updating their application...meaning, continue to take the SAT/ACT? Am I mistaken? Would they start a "no" pile already? Also, can a candidate continue to update beyond the Jan. 31 deadline?
 
Does a candidate ever find out if they are unqualified prior to April 15th? Why slog through the whole nom process only to find you never had a chance?
 
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