LOA for the Class of 2015

LOA received on Sept. 9th -North Carolina.
Didn't get accepted to summer seminar but I am attending the October
CVW
 
Reminder to all those receiving a LOA: Congratulations but don't forget - You still need a nomination!

Do not let up until you've completed all of the submittals required by each MOC.
 
To those who have received LOAs, heed osdad's advice. Apply to EVERY nominating source you are qualified for - this helps demonstrate your desire to go to the academy. For most, this will be BOTH senators representing your state, the Representative for your voting district AND Vice President Biden. My current Plebe received an LOA in early Sept. last year (not a recruited athlete) and started the nomination applications as soon as they were available. Our MOCs had all the application information available online which made things easier. Also, the MOC application deadlines vary, so make sure to check the dates and mark your calendars! Last, if most MOCs are like ours, you will need letters of recommendation, so it is good to get started now as your teachers, coaches, etc. will be getting requests from your classmates who are starting to fill out college applications.
 
Essays

Anyone have any thoughts about how much help can be given on essays? My B and G officer made some editorial suggestions on my applicant essay. How about others?
 
N.Leondaridis.Mena said:
Just received my LOA in the mail this past evening


I was technically considered medically disqualified earlier due to my Astigmatism. I suppose I received or will receive a waiver for it? The only items it said I had to complete to be offered a full appointment is a nomination.
Click to expand...

An LOA does not equal a medical waiver. Be sure to check on your status with Dodmerb.
 
Guess I'm a little late on the ball here.

LOA-dated 24 Aug. 2010

Just those noms now. Hopefully, those will go through okay.
 
How long?

Does anyone have any idea how long it takes the Academy to send out LOA's after an admissions board meets? I know the board met Sept. 9. My life dream is to attend the academy. When should I begin waiting outside for the mailman?
 
LOA

There seem, however, to be a lot of people on this site who have gotten LOAs. How many of those do they give out and should I be discouraged if I haven't gotten one? I've been told I'm a strong candidate and my application is complete.
 
Actually, there are not that many LOA's given out and when they are given out it can be for various reasons. Strong package, recruited athlete...

The majority of candidates do not get LOA's. Most of the appointments go out starting in late January through end of March, once the Nomination process is sorted out.

Enjoy your senior year, you have made you application and it is now in Admissions and your nominating sources hands. There is no point waiting by the mailbox - it will just drive you and your parents crazy! Also, make sure you have completed your applications to your backup plans. My son was admitted to one of his back up schools a few weeks before the LOA/Appointment arrived - I recall that all of a sudden USNA was not the the focus but it changed to "I can go to College" Truly a sense of relief even though he thought his first choice was USNA. Getting the backup college admits also caused him to have some self reflection as to why USNA - a good process to go through. He decided that he would not accept his Appoinment until he could visit USNA again either for CVW or on his own. We thought "what are you nuts" but in hindsight it was a mature decision.

His time frame - Package complete in late August/ early September, LOA end October, Nomination interviews first weekend in November, Appointment week of Thanksgiving, CVW end of January, accepted appointment February. Graduated May 28th 2010!
 
Hey everyone just received an LOA today, September 23rd. It says all I need is a nomination and it says that USNA already sent them to my potential nomination offices.

So does this mean I have a better chance at getting a nomination since they know I have an LOA?
 
Congrats, HHS2011! And to answer your question, I don't think it's guaranteed, persay, but they do see that you have an LOA, so I'm sure it looks good.

I've also heard of cases where the USNA finds an unused nomination to get really wanted candidates in. I'm not an expert, but common sense tells me that if your nominating sources sees that you have an LOA, they'll probably look a bit higher on you. Correct me if I'm wrong!
 
Some Congressmen may be more likely to grant a nomination to a candidate with an LOA, knowing he/she has a strong package. Others may not, figuring that USNA will find a nomination for that candidate. Hence, MOC ultimately winds up with multiple kiddos in his district attending USNA.

Now, about that comment about an "unused nomination." To be clear, USNA has at it's disposal, nomination sources including Presidents, VP, Supe that they can assign to someone. If there is a supposed "unused nomination" from an MOC in some locale where no one applies, well, then it goes unused. You must reside in the district/state of the MOC whose nomination slot you are assigned to. You cannot be assigned to a nomination for Senator X from Wherever who had no applicants. Just doesn't work that way.

Candidates with LOA's need to pursue nominations as vigorously as those without LOA's. USNA is far more likely to assign a nomination from one of the sources it has control of to a candidate who exhausted all sources to obtain a nomination. DO NOT assume USNA will find you a nomination because you are in possession of an LOA. Do all you can do to get one on your own.

USNA1985 had a candidate last year with an LOA who ultimately never received a nomination. Remember, the competition is fierce here at all levels.
What if a bunch of LOA holders do not receive noms from their MOC's and USNA does not have enough to go around?

LOA is not the goal. Appointment is the goal.
 
jennyp said:
Some Congressmen may be more likely to grant a nomination to a candidate with an LOA, knowing he/she has a strong package. Others may not, figuring that USNA will find a nomination for that candidate..

..DO NOT assume USNA will find you a nomination because you are in possession of an LOA. Do all you can do to get one on your own..

..What if a bunch of LOA holders do not receive noms from their MOC's and USNA does not have enough to go around?..
Click to expand...
This brings up an interesting question. Obviously most candidates would prefer to have an LOA rather than not...if given a choice. However, would you rather NOT have your MOCs know that you have one so that you have an equal opportunity to receive a Nom from them, or does the fact that you have an LOA increase your odds of receiving a Nom from some source enough to offset the chances that your MOC won't give you his/her Nom? Any opinions? The SAs advising your MOCs of an LOA seems like a double edge sword.
 
Of course an LOA in hand is a good thing...

As far as whether you want MOC to know, well, the outcome of that is beyond your control. Totally. So, I would think you want the MOC to know that you are a strong enough candidate to receive an LOA.

MOC's have staff, committees who evaluate nomination applications. There is turn over in these positions. You have NO idea who you are playing to. It is not worth it to try to game the system.

Sounds like the SA's are notifying them anyway.

This whole process has many elements you cannot control. Concentrate your efforts on those you can control or at least influence, like SAT scores, etc.
 
jennyp said:
Sounds like the SA's are notifying them anyway.
Click to expand...
Yes they are, and it is not something that a candidate can control, My question was just one of speculation. Do people think it is helpful or detrimental to the probabilities of receiving a MOC Nom? I 'guess" that the SAs must believe it helps your chances of receiving a MOC Nom otherwise what would be the benefit of notifying a candidates MOC?
 
If a candidate receives and early LOA, which means the USNA really wants them,does the nomination count against the number that a MOC can have in the SAs at one time? I heard a rumor that if the academy wants the candidate the MOC gives them a nom as a favor and that it does not reflect the number they are allowed. True? False?
 
If a candidate receives and early LOA, which means the USNA really wants them,does the nomination count against the number that a MOC can have in the SAs at one time?

Maybe, maybe not.


I heard a rumor that if the academy wants the candidate the MOC gives them a nom as a favor and that it does not reflect the number they are allowed. True? False?
Don't believe all/any rumors you hear. False
 
I didnt receive my Letter Of Assurance today. I recieved my Letter of Appointment instead. I guess I will post on here then.

Vignesh 56- Germantown MD
 
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