Is DS being considered for LOA?

Dolphins2012

10-Year Member
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May 2, 2011
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I know there are no certain responses, but I'm wondering whether candidates/mids have had this happen: My DS was pulled aside during NASS (session 3) along with about 40 other NASS kids, and met with some admissions personnel who told them that their application data thus far was very good and wanted to know where they were in the nomination application process and if they had questions. On the way home in BWI he received a call from his BGO introducing himself and asking where my DS was in the nomination process, and when he wanted set up his interview, and then another from the CGO telling him his test scores were excellent (math 33, English 34), asking where he was in the nomination process, and whether he had any questions. His application is 100% complete, his eye, auditory and med exam are scheduled for next Friday, and his interview the following Friday. His nom apps are complete (but for the interview come Nov/Dec). Has anyone heard of candidates being contacted like this and it leading to a LOA? My DS is a judicious kid, but after NASS became 90% gung ho, and I think if he got an an LOA would make him think very solemnly that this might be for him. Thanks in advance!
 
There is no magic formula for LOA, but the attention your son received is very promising.

My DS had applied for NASS, but was not accepted. He applied for all three rotc scholarships and USAFA.....long story short, he broke his collarbone and withdrew his USAFA application and notified MOC that he's done with that process. Well, somehow, USNA got their hands on his info and BGO called him asking him to finish application, broken collarbone and all. According to JROTC instructor, this does not happen everyday. Alot of BGO attention, USNA admissions counselor attention, and a MOC that reactivated his nomination packet, and before he knew it DS received an appointment once his collarbone healed (4 months later!). (He finished Plebe year this May)

Don't expect an LOA, but if he gets one, then all power to him! But follow their advice....If they want him to finish up a file, a document, an exam, then do it. He's ahead of the curve right now and a completed packet will keep him there. Also, if he needs to update his file with new test scores, accomplishments, awards, etc then send admissions this info.

Good luck!
 
singaporemom's offered some real insight, perhaps some of the most consistent with what we've seen over the admission seasons being don't expect nor shoot for an LOA. There is virtually no way to scoop or drive that process, and in any case, in and of itself, it's worthless. It's value is lending some encouragement and early assurance. Once one has been 3Qed, it's a different story, but none are at this point. As she notes, being ahead of the curve and still in the hunt is good! And being IDed as a strong early candidate is good!

Conversely, and we've seen growing number of individual situations like yours, with aggressive, personalized attention in the recruitment process of some spectacular, seemingly strong candidates who for various reasons do not receive offers of appointment.

The bigger picture is that USNA was given mandate to appoint more candidates from specific categories. The operational reality is that big money and resources have been devoted to a vastly expanded recruitment process that often goes beyond those diversity candidates whether it is to avoid charges of discrimination or otherwise. The clear strategy is to target specific groups, areas, and some additional "others" in this process with the specific objective of expanding the size and composition of the candidate pool.

However, the reality bottomline is that the same number of appointments are being offered to candidates representing most of the same geographic dispersion from among a pool of candidates that is now nearly 160% wider (if not deeper) than just 4 summers back. And thus one should be encouraged and not deluded by some enhanced recruiting. Unless one is among the diversity target group(s).

So, be of good cheer. Yours is so-far-so-good-and-better news. But don't over-count your blessings yet. Best wishes and congrats on your early thumbs-up! You'll need lots of "thumbs" and keep them heading in that direction.
 
The attention does sound promising but the LOA process is sort of a mystery. My DS had good grades in mostly Honors and AP classes, a decent SAT and played two varsity sports but was turned down for NASS (he did a CVW). He had what he thought was a good BGO interview but received no other communications from him or USNA that were out of the ordinary (that I know of). He decided to take the ACT in the fall to see if he would do better - received his scores in November (34/34) and received an LOA in early December.
 
Best of luck to your son! The admissions process is very hard to predict so don't read too much into the attention. My daughter went to NASS, CVW, received a home visit from two admissions officers, was invited to a one on one interview with Dean Latta when he was in our area on another matter, received a strong recommendation from her BGO, received 3 nominations and still did not get an appointment. Go figure. After supreme disappointment, she accepted an NROTC scholarship and is very excited to begin her journey next month.
 
"Conversely, and we've seen growing number of individual situations like yours, with aggressive, personalized attention in the recruitment process of some spectacular, seemingly strong candidates who for various reasons do not receive offers of appointment.

A vivid illustration and reality check on the impossibility of predicting outcomes of this process, even with lots of seemingly positive indicators of encouragement.
 
LOA sounds good but remember it is a crap shoot. DD had LOA and was denied for medical. Fought medical disqualification and persevered and had it overturned and received an appointment and now four years later is 2LT Marine at Basic School Quantico. As WP stated and I parapharse and quote it is a "vivid illustration" of the vagaries of the admission process. Good luck to your son. Sounds good though!
 
skipper. Congrats to your daughter on her NROTC! My oldest DS went AROTC, denied at USAFA, and couldn't be happier. He's at LDAC right now...in the gas chamber today. He has often said that he would have gone USAFA if appointed, but now looking back is glad how things worked out. There is always a reason, we just don't know what it is right away.
 
dolphins2012,

It is great to see that your son has completed his application. Not sure when the first admissions board will convene this year, but realize you will be waiting probably 1.5 months before your son has any look.

I can say that the completion of the application does show your son's committment and really makes a statement on responsibility.
 
Both my twins were invited to NASS. One went, the other chose not to go. The one that went did not have any special experience as you've described nor did he get any unsolicited attention from any BGO.

They both got LOA's.

Also, neither was a recruited athlete.

Recruited athletes getting LOA's is understandable. Why LOA's are issued for non-recruited athletes - I have no idea. I do not see any discernible pattern.
 
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