IS this an LOA?

[dunninla]

now BUBBLEWRAP him ! if you dont get it, you eventually will LOL. again congrats.

Indeed. In the USMA section of this website is a Class of 2017 admitted cadet who messed up his knee (ACL) in early June in a pickup basketball game, just horsing around. DODMERB waiver was denied, and he will reapply next year, after healing up, without any guarantee. http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=32636

Bottom line: evaluate which sports are necessary for your future mid to participate in this school year, and which are not. And avoid all those activities you hear about that professional athletes are barred from doing by their contracts: pickup basketball, motor cycle riding, skate boarding, snow boarding/skiing, playing rugby, etc. There really isn't any completely safe sport (even in chess you can trip walking into the room), but if your mid is going to expose himself to the risk of injury and having his Appointment rescinded, there needs to be a good reason for it.

 

[1964BGO]

To repeat 1985: you do have an LOA, but it is not the time to rest on oars... you have to get a nom to get further consideration and an offer of appointment. If you look at the class profiles for the past several years you will note that typically about 6500 noms are awarded in all categories, thereby becoming the first real sorting of the players from the also rans. The largest number of noms come from the MOC's so guess where you need to focus your efforts unless you qualify for a nom from another source - review the list carefully, and don't forget to apply for the Vice Presidential nom - seriously, I have had candidates get in by virtue of the VP nom.

To the rest... there is a tendency to believe that LOA's are an automatic event in the admissions process... they are not automatic! Overall, there are a relatively small number of LOA's awarded, and many appointees do not get an LOA. One big misunder- standing is that being academically qualified means that the candidate is competitive academically. The threshold for being deemed academically qualified can be quite low. This tends to snare the bottom-feeders who stop trying to earn the higher SAT or ACT scores, or may not have a competitive class standing. Keep working! Best wishes to all.

 

[mjm]

@1964 BGO

You are absolutely correct . DS has everything completed and turned in for MOC nom and is working on VP nom . He is still going to take the ACT one more time and the SAT one more time . He said he would like to get the scores even higher. Having been in sales and my husband being in sales .. there is noone who knows better that a deal is not done until ... in our case... "the check is in the bank" or as his BGO said.. "he has taken the oath".

He is still moving forward with his other options... trying to get it all done prior to the start of senior year.

I read the story of the young man from West Point and was heartbroken for him. He sounds like an outstanding young man and I wish him all the best . His story is certainly a reminder that anything can and will happen.

I appreciate all of the advice and banter on this forum ... it has been incredibly helpful.... and I am sure will continue to be helpful!!

 

[Harbor1]

Did the LOA show up on your DS's DoDMERB status as well, or just as a letter mailed from admissions? Congrats and best of luck with a nom....

 

[grevar]

Did the LOA show up on your DS's DoDMERB status as well, or just as a letter mailed from admissions? Congrats and best of luck with a nom....

I am not 100% certain on this, but I think the only way LOA shows up on the DODMERB status is if you are given an LOA prior to going to DODMERB. If you have already been qualified by DODMERB, the status wont change even if you get an LOA.

If someone else has a different experience, please chime in.

 

[mjm]

DS got a letter in the mail . He called the phone number on the letter to confirm and the admissions officer confirmed and congratulated him .... He was just so shocked that he wanted to make sure it was real .

 

[Vista123]

Years ago loa was listed on Dodmerb.
This was not the case last yr regardless of which came furst

 

[Memphis9489]

When DS received his USNA LOA, suddenly all the weight of anticipation, worry, and doubt lifted off his shoulders (and his parent's shoulders!).

Part of the reason the academies send out LOAs is to discourage highly sought after candidates from continuing to pursue other colleges. The candidate will sometimes dispense with all the hassles of applying to colleges - all the essay writing, filling out applications and paying application fees.