Letter of Encouragement

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krabbypatty

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Does a Letter of Encouragement have any real significance? I was 3Q with an LOE but received my TWE fairly early. Additionally should I contact my FFR or someone else to figure out what was lacking in my application?

Thank you for the help.
 
I’d reach out to your contact in Admissions and have the discussion on areas for improvement. Mixed reviews on the significance of the LOE. My DS has one and was appointed and as you are painfully aware, others receive them and are not appointed.
 
An LOE signifies that you might be competitive, authorizes an overnight visit (not much of a factor right now), and could be helpful in a nomination interview.

That's about it. It doesn't add to WCS score, guarantee a nomination, or provide any type of edge with admissions. It is really just a tool for moving candidates through the process.

Definitely contact your RC if you plan to reapply. The RC will be able to give you very specific advice on how to strengthen your next application.
 
Honestly, when my son’s LOE showed up it was a HUGE morale booster for him if nothing else. I think he used it to keep pushing hard and book some VG grades 7th semester. I’d consider it a huge positive.
 
TexasAggie204 said:
Honestly, when my son’s LOE showed up it was a HUGE morale booster for him if nothing else. I think he used it to keep pushing hard and book some VG grades 7th semester. I’d consider it a huge positive.
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The same for my son. In fact, his FFR made a big deal of it's significance so, if nothing else, it was welcome confirmation that he was tracking in his pursuit. Also, as mentioned earlier, it allowed an overnight visit which was perfect as he received his appointment in early February and then used the visit as final confirmation before accepting.
 
This is something that his heavily debated throughout the form. From what I can gather from the Far West Region (I'm in California) they do matter. Myself and the past 3 other peopled who have received appointments in my district have had LOEs. Furthermore, I have two friends appointed from neighboring congressional districts who received one as well.

I would also like to point out, after being triple qualified with a nomination, you have ~50% chance to get in based on the statistics provided by West Point. While definitely not certain, I'd like to think you're more likely to fall on the right side of that 50% with an LOE.

I would certainly reach out to your RC and figure out what needs to be improved. People on this forum stress leadership, academic/physical readiness, but if I'm being entirely honest, I think good communication with your representatives trumps all of that. I had talked to my RC so much he addressed me by my first name out of a room full of visiting cadets. (He was able to recognize me that quickly) Something to think about I guess. Best of luck, truly, I hope you figure this out.
 
Cause and effect. Sufficiently high WCS score causes appointment (assuming medically qualified).

An LOE does not cause a high WCS score, but a high WCS score might cause an LOE.
 
An LOE is no guarantee, but wow it is a good sign. The four most celebrated events in our application journey was his admission to SLE, his nomination, his LOE and finally BFE.
 
Timing wise, when do LOEs go typically go out? What's the earliest you've known of someone getting one?

Thank you.
 
DeepWaters said:
Timing wise, when do LOEs go typically go out? What's the earliest you've known of someone getting one?

Thank you.
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LOA and LOE will go out in the very late summer to early fall, and then continue to trickle out afterwards for a few months
 
jl123 said:
An LOE signifies that you might be competitive, authorizes an overnight visit (not much of a factor right now), and could be helpful in a nomination interview.

That's about it. It doesn't add to WCS score, guarantee a nomination, or provide any type of edge with admissions. It is really just a tool for moving candidates through the process.

Definitely contact your RC if you plan to reapply. The RC will be able to give you very specific advice on how to strengthen your next application.
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When you say "could be helpful in a nomination interview" will the fact that an interviewee have obtained an LOE or LOA be known to the interviewers before the interview?
 
DeepWaters said:
When you say "could be helpful in a nomination interview" will the fact that an interviewee have obtained an LOE or LOA be known to the interviewers before the interview?
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My son brought a copy of the LOE with him to each interview and gave it to the receptionist for dissemination to the interviewers. In every case, the letter was handed over to the interviewers and was discussed (sometimes at length) during my son's interview.

We feel the LOE was a huge plus to adding to the positive outcome of the nomination interview. My son interview with our Congressman, and ONE of our Senator's and got nom's for USMA from both.
 
TexasAggie204 said:
My son brought a copy of the LOE with him to each interview and gave it to the receptionist for dissemination to the interviewers. In every case, the letter was handed over to the interviewers and was discussed (sometimes at length) during my son's interview.

We feel the LOE was a huge plus to adding to the positive outcome of the nomination interview. My son interview with our Congressman, and ONE of our Senator's and got nom's for USMA from both.
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Thanks for the tip. By the way, who actually does the interviews? Staff members of the congressman or senator, the congressman or senator themselves, or outside graduates of the academies, or a combination of the three?
 
Keep in mind that not getting an LOE does not mean you will not be admitted. My DS did not receive one and is a cow.
 
They usually have a combo of ex-military and local dignitaries. I imagine some have a staff member there, probably the one coordinating all this.

Always bring an LOE or LOA to the interview. Also good to notify the MOC's office beforehand.
 
DeepWaters said:
When you say "could be helpful in a nomination interview" will the fact that an interviewee have obtained an LOE or LOA be known to the interviewers before the interview?
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While I agree it is always good to make sure they know, the information is available to them prior to the interviews per our discussion with our MOC’s offices.
 
DeepWaters said:
Thanks for the tip. By the way, who actually does the interviews? Staff members of the congressman or senator, the congressman or senator themselves, or outside graduates of the academies, or a combination of the three?
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Elected officials can set up their process however they want. Some do not interview at all.
 
Do most who get LOAs first get an LOE? If not, why would someone get an LOA without first getting an LOE? Is it because he/she has completed the application entirely? Or does someone who gets an LOA without first getting an LOE mean that this person is an admissions no-brainer?
 
LOE and LOA are not necessarily linked in some step-wise process.

LOE: We like what we’re seeing. Keep going. Let’s go on a date; you can have an overnight visit. Please understand our relationship might not work out this year.

LOA: We’re in love right now and want to get engaged. Make us happy by meeting this specified condition(s), and we’ll get down on one knee.
 
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