LOA Questions

Jayhawk2325 said:
Despite the fact that LOAs will not go out until September, will those candidates who completed their applications very early (July) be taken note of and acknoweldged for their early completion?
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Yes!
LOA consideration is not the only benefit of completing your file early.
Other benefits:
- it shows your RC and FFR that you are a dedicated and determined candidate
- medical waivers will not be requested unless your file is complete
- you're more likely to get an authorization for a CFA retest if test was failed
- there are some issues that arise in a file review that take time to resolve - like citizenship verification, risk review, and legal or discipline problems -to name a few
- one thing that you may not have thought about is the impact that early file completion has on the MOCs. If your file is complete, it then can move to the next step which is to be Qualified. Being Qualified before you go to your MOC interview sends a message to the MOC that you are a 'no risk' to nominate because WP has already Qualified you. Noms are wasted on candidates who are not Qualified. Therefore, MOCs like knowing this kind of info before they make their slates.
The Qualifying process takes about a month so you want your file complete in time to be Qualified before any MOC interviews!

From our RC:
The best candidates tend to complete their files early because they ARE the best candidates. They complete everything in their life early and can manage the numerous activities going on in their life. They have established relationships with their teachers and school administrators and know how to work through the high school bureaucracy that stymies other candidates. They are motivated and West Point is their first choice.

I think that speaks volumes!

So - if you don't get a LOA, you have not 'wasted' your time getting your file completed during the summer :thumb:
 
Class composition goals

Ive repeatedly read on these forums: "class composition goals," Can anyone give an example of class composition goals and how they may change from year to year? Do they, in fact, change from year to year?Is there a listing of previous past class composition goals?
 
Vista123 said:
Ive repeatedly read on these forums: "class composition goals," Can anyone give an example of class composition goals and how they may change from year to year? Do they, in fact, change from year to year?Is there a listing of previous past class composition goals?
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Although you'll never get any official confirmation from anyone in the Government or Army, the "Class composition goal" is a fancy way of saying "we want x% minorities and y% females" even if it means bypassing other applicants with higher qualifications."

Just another way to say "quota."
 
Goals and quotas are two different things.
A goal is something to aspire to reach.
A quota is to be met.

West Point has composition goals. They make efforts to reach the goals but will not fill the class with unqualified candidates just to meet the class composition goals.

The Director of Admissions at WP sets the goals each year. They do change but not much. Most of the goals are in a percentage range.

WP wants the classes to be a composed of scholars, leaders, athletes, women, soldiers, African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and other minorities. Each of those categories has a % goal range.
For example, a recent class composition goal for women was 14-16%, for scholars 20-25%, for soldiers 13%.
 
buff81 said:
Each of those categories has a % goal range.
For example, a recent class composition goal for women was 14-16%, for scholars 20-25%, for soldiers 13%.
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Thanks for all your clear and insightful answers. To follow up, I, of course understand the definition of women and soldiers, but how is scholar defined?
 
Vista123 said:
Thanks for all your clear and insightful answers. To follow up, I, of course understand the definition of women and soldiers, but how is scholar defined?
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Over 1400 SAT
Over 31 ACT
High class rank
 
I am applying for the class of 2017, and nearing the completion of my application. When I was at SLS a in June, the admission team seemed unsure as to whether or not LoAs were going to be sent out this year. Is there anyone who can confirm or deny that? While I'm not going to say I deserve one, I just want to know whether or not I should be discouraged if I don't receive one. Thank you so much!
 
Our Regional Commander is still staying no, other than diversity candidates and recruited athletes. Last year though none went out until Sept - if none go out then I'd say they're not going out. I haven't heard of any yet.
 
marciemi said:
Our Regional Commander is still staying no, other than diversity candidates and recruited athletes. Last year though none went out until Sept - if none go out then I'd say they're not going out. I haven't heard of any yet.
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Any idea if those with high scores could get one? Eg: I have a 35 ACT, great academics and what-not. Or is it ONLY limited to minorities/athletes?
 
I really don't have any idea what the standards are yet for this year, nor does anyone I don't believe. The latest thing we heard was the minorities/recruited athletes thing. When I hear any more, I'll definitely update this thread! :thumb:
 
No.
For purposes of admissions at West Point, a minority is:
African American
Hispanic
American Indian
 
LOA-Latest information from a VERY reliable source.

There will be LOAs this year but they will be reserved for minorities and VERY strong candidates.

The definition of a very strong candidate is something like this (my opinion - not official):

Top 10% of HS Class
Math SAT over 700
Other SATs about 680 or over
Many Honor Courses especially in Math and Physical Sciences
Adjusted GPAs 4.0 or higher
Varsity Letterman and Captain of major sport or contact sport (Football, wrestling, basketball, baseball, track)
Class President or at least high position in Student Government
NHS
Very high teacher recommendations
Very high Interview evaluation
Other significant club and/or communty activity

Believe me - there are MANY candidates with similar records. There are 4 of these in my Congressional District competing for one open Congressional slot. For those of you without these numbers, keep trying but realize who you are competing with.
 
Loa logic

If there are many of these highly qualified candidates, which I don't doubt, then there either has to be many Loas or some way to distinguish between these folks. Since the Loas seem to be limited, how does the academy distinguish between these candidates?
 
Davidk6813 said:
If there are many of these highly qualified candidates, which I don't doubt, then there either has to be many Loas or some way to distinguish between these folks. Since the Loas seem to be limited, how does the academy distinguish between these candidates?
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Race and sex.
 
Do you know if those LOAs are going to be sent out in September? I believe they started getting sent September 15th last year.
 
My DS received his LOA last year early September - it was dated August 30, 2012.
 
BigNick said:
LOA-Latest information from a VERY reliable source.

There will be LOAs this year but they will be reserved for minorities and VERY strong candidates.

The definition of a very strong candidate is something like this (my opinion - not official):

Top 10% of HS Class
Math SAT over 700
Other SATs about 680 or over
Many Honor Courses especially in Math and Physical Sciences
Adjusted GPAs 4.0 or higher
Varsity Letterman and Captain of major sport or contact sport (Football, wrestling, basketball, baseball, track)
Class President or at least high position in Student Government
NHS
Very high teacher recommendations
Very high Interview evaluation
Other significant club and/or communty activity

Believe me - there are MANY candidates with similar records. There are 4 of these in my Congressional District competing for one open Congressional slot. For those of you without these numbers, keep trying but realize who you are competing with.
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What about ACT scores? Mine are far better than my SAT scores.
 
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