Letter Of Assurance (fact or fantasy?)

USCGA_2018

5-Year Member
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Jul 24, 2013
Messages
140
Hey folks. First time poster.

DS attended AIM week 1 earlier this summer. Going into the week, West Point was his #1 and USCGA was his #2. After AIM and several days of reflecting on the experience, Coast Guard was far and away his top choice.

There were references to LOA's possibly being offered. Does anyone know the timing, criteria, process, etc... on these LOA's for the USCGA?

I have heard perhaps as many as 10% of AIM attendees are extended letters. That seemed high to me, but I have no way of really knowing.

DS has reached out to his AO and made him aware of his preference for the Coast Guard and his hope for a Letter Of Assurance. Not sure if there is more he should be doing other than waiting anxiously?

Quick background on DS.

- GPA 4.44 weighted, 3.81 un-weighted
- SAT Math 770, Critical Reading 650, Writing 630
- Executive Officer of AFJROTC
- Mu Alpha Theta President
- Varsity Soccer Captain
- 3rd year lifeguard
- Dual enrolled as a HS junior at Virginia Commonwealth University earning 8 cr hrs Calculus and 8 cr hrs Physics

While at AIM.

- PFE score of 252
- Perfect score on indoc
- Proud member of the Week 1 Honor Company (Hotel)

DS received outstanding feedback from his cadres, but nobody asked about or talked about LOA's. He informed my wife and I about the remote possibility of receiving an LOA and that prompted me to google the web which is how I ended up here. Thankfully so, because these forums are amazingly informative.
 
i think LOAs are the icing on the cake of hard work. its great to have them but that shouldnt be the goal when one is applying to any SA. they are pretty rare and mostly handed out to the best/needed recruited athletes or the "perfect" candidates that the SAs want and dont want to risk losing them to the civilian schools. from what i have heard and know first hand, you are more likely to get an appointment on your own vs getting and LOA (which pretty much guarantees you an appointment). LOAs can be rescinded if you mess up too. hope this helps.
 
Hey folks. First time poster.

DS attended AIM week 1 earlier this summer. Going into the week, West Point was his #1 and USCGA was his #2. After AIM and several days of reflecting on the experience, Coast Guard was far and away his top choice.

There were references to LOA's possibly being offered. Does anyone know the timing, criteria, process, etc... on these LOA's for the USCGA?

I have heard perhaps as many as 10% of AIM attendees are extended letters. That seemed high to me, but I have no way of really knowing.

DS has reached out to his AO and made him aware of his preference for the Coast Guard and his hope for a Letter Of Assurance. Not sure if there is more he should be doing other than waiting anxiously?

Quick background on DS.

- GPA 4.44 weighted, 3.81 un-weighted
- SAT Math 770, Critical Reading 650, Writing 630
- Executive Officer of AFJROTC
- Mu Alpha Theta President
- Varsity Soccer Captain
- 3rd year lifeguard
- Dual enrolled as a HS junior at Virginia Commonwealth University earning 8 cr hrs Calculus and 8 cr hrs Physics

While at AIM.

- PFE score of 252
- Perfect score on indoc
- Proud member of the Week 1 Honor Company (Hotel)

DS received outstanding feedback from his cadres, but nobody asked about or talked about LOA's. He informed my wife and I about the remote possibility of receiving an LOA and that prompted me to google the web which is how I ended up here. Thankfully so, because these forums are amazingly informative.


I sent you a PM
 
DS did not receive a Letter of Assurance. He was a little discouraged, but doing the math he quickly realized the silver lining in the dark cloud. If in fact only 5 letters were sent, that means that there are still nearly 200 potential spots remaining.

On another positive note....

The Barque Eagle was in Portsmouth, VA a couple weeks back. DS and his friend (a USNA and AFA candidate) toured the tall ship for nearly two hours. It was a very cool experience and may have given his friend cause to complete an application to USCGA.
 
Yeah, don't let the lack of an LOA get you down. Most of my classmates didn't have LOAs.... but they were all accepted! :thumb:
 
DS did not receive a Letter of Assurance. He was a little discouraged, but doing the math he quickly realized the silver lining in the dark cloud.

Please don't let the lack of a LOA be a dark cloud. I would not read anything into it. While I realize that is easy for me to say, I believe it. Honestly, I know my DS is a great kid and has a lot to offer, but we all (including him) scratch our heads wondering why him? Divine Favor perhaps? Whatever the case, I know there are MANY qualified candidates out there, and many even more so than him. With the forty or so coming out of CGAS plus the five LOAs (assuming all five actually accept the appointment), that still leaves about 190 or so spaces for the C/O 2018.

Hang in there USCGA_2018 and encourage your son to do the same. Tell him to enjoy his senior year, do his best, and finish strong. The year will pass by soon enough and soon everyone will have a better picture of their future.
 
Honestly, there were only about 5 LOA's given so far so don't let that bring you down. Good luck with everything.
 
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