LOA Received!

Wanted to second the thoughts of Memphis 9489.

First of all to those of you that have recieved a LOA or been told you are 3Qed.... Congratulations!! Your kids have taken some big steps and are almost done with the process. However, as several previous posters have mentioned you do not have an offical appointment until you secure a nomination from one of the availalbe sources. Things may seem in the bag and you can see the finish line but you have nothing until you cross it. The day that the "blue folder" with the signed appointment letters enclosed shows up is the day that you can truely breath easy. Until then keep stroking.

To all the rest of you keep your hopes up. There are very few LOA's that go out and the majority of appointments are yet to be given out. Over the past couple of years I've had the chance to meet several of my mids friends and ask them how they got into the academy. The stories range from LOA's to applicaton submitted on the last day, to getting the word "you are in the academy" 6 days before I Day. Point is everyones experience is different, everybodys story of how they got in is different. The number 1 thing they had in common was they beleived and did not quit until the last card had been delt.

Keep plugging and don't stop until all your options have been exausted.
 
From our experience (son is Class of 2013):

***Simply restating what others have said: LOA's go out to something like 100 students. There were 1250 +/- in the Class of 2013. Don't fret. The goal is appointment. And you don't have one until you have one.

***Apply to all nom sources. If you have an LOA and don't get a MOC nom, USNA will likely find a nom for you from Supe, VP, etc. But they will not be inclined to do so until you have exhausted all nom sources.

***Plan B. Get one and continue to work it until you or your child has raised their right hand on I-Day. So many things can happen. Get some bubble wrap. Skydiving as a graduation gift? Maybe not. Little party celebrating turning 18? Think again!

And then of course, there's all the things you cannot control. A young man from here started at USAFA for Class of 2012, got sick, missed 17 days of their summer (Basic, I think they call it) and was sent home to await Class of 2013. He enrolled at Plan B and took "plebe style" classes.

Or the kiddo who fell and busted an ankle in May. No plebe summer for him! As I understand it, once they are there, sworn in, USNA will do everything to keep them there. Even if they break that ankle. But if it happens BEFORE I-Day, you will be utilizing that Plan B.

*** One more note on Plan B: Ours was Texas A&M University, Corps of Cadets. We were up front with them from the get-go. Son accepted, paid dorm deposit, paid freshman orientation, etc. They know some kids are going to do so and yet ultimately go elsewhere. He wrote several letters, to housing, corps, admissions, etc .....dated them July 5. Thanked them for teh scholarship offers, opportunity and told them he was at USNA. We mailed them when we returned to Texas from I-Day in Annapolis. If you notify your PLan B school in a timely fashion, you will not be "taking" a spot or a scholarship for someone else. They will have time to re-route scholarship monies, etc. Apparently, some folks who choose to attend elsewhere and have done as we did....accepted, paid deposits, etc, just do not even let the schools know they are not coming.

***Son did not receive letter stating 3-Q'd or scholastically q'd. I was told in person while he was at a CVW from someone in Admissions that he was 3-Q'd and that we'd be getting a letter. No letter ever came. They said something about they were re-working the letters.....this was Nov 2008. If you call them, they will tell you if you are 3-Q. I do caution about not calling often. You may be able to get this info from BGO. Ours was unresponsive about anything.

Right now, October, November, December, January is the toughest time for all of you who have completed applications in to USNA. If you have done your best with application and apps for the noms, take a deep breath. Waiting is hard, but concentrate on enjoying your senior year.

Appointment packages don't generally start rolling out until late January. MOC's have until the last of Jan to get their slates reported to the academys. Many wait until the very end. Even if your MOC gets their slate in early, some of the applicants on that slate may not have their applications in to USNA completed yet! Remember they aren't due until March.....

So, here's what is happening. Congressman XX gets his slate reported to USNA. Admissions looks at those ten names, but only 7 have complete apps. They will likely wait to see all ten apps before issuing appointments. And they will wait to see what the two Senators from that state submit for slates. And what other nomination sources some of those applicants have qualified for........USNA is trying to work the nomination slates to get the members they want to fulfill their needs for the Class of 2014.

Although you have had your app complete since Sept 1 and the MOC gets his part done, your decision may be in limbo due to someone else! You can only control your part of the process! It is not as simple as having your app complete and your MOC putting you on his slate of ten nominees. There's a lot more to the whole process.

And a note to those with LOA's. MOC may put you on their slate or may not. They sometimes reason that USNA will find you that Supe nom, so they want to extend their noms to others in their state. It is not uncommon for one congressional district to have well over 5 kids at USNA at any one time. Just not all charged to that MOC's allotted spots. But you MUST apply for all sources.

So, waiting is your job right now. If you get a significant anything to update your file, do so. Not once a week. But something worthwhile. My son wanted a better CFA, although he was deemed physically qualified. He retested and made a lot of improvement, so, he resubmitted right before Christmas. It cannot hurt to let USNA know that you are doing all you can and you REALLY WANT to be a part of the Class of 2014.

Good luck to all!:groupwave:
 
Thank you for all that helpful information! It really is good to know, especially about the "why" for the waiting part. I guess I really wasn't considering that part - that all 10 of the noms had to be complete before they could decide!
 
Congrats! i am not even in high school yet (8th grade) but i am hoping i will beable to send out an excited post like this as they say in ireland slainte! and go Navy beat Army!!!!!
 
Here are few observations I made regarding this subject:

The needs of the Navy weigh heavily into who gets a LOA. Right now, the Navy needs people who speak critical languages, represent diversity in ethnicity and demographics, and of course, are going to beat Army (foremost) in every possible sport. There are many other deficiencies, such as lack of submariners--it looks like dozens of first class (mostly women) are going to "volunteer" for submarines this year--but they don't really pertain to the application.

There are plenty of overachievers who do not get LOAs because there are other less qualified candidates who happen to be better assets to the academy and/or the Navy. It just seems impractical to stack all cards in one hand since it doesn't work for every play.

In my opinion, very few people have the credentials to really anticipate getting a LOA, even out of those who actually get one; so don't be discouraged!

Good luck to everyone!


-Ark
 
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Son got a letter stating he is scholastically qualified to compete for an appointment to USNA...he is 3"Q"'d...although we are thrilled....but does this mean he will not be getting an LOA? Anyone else have this happen? Thanks
 
what does that mean

There are many other deficiencies, such as lack of submariners--it looks like dozens of first class (mostly women) are going to "volunteer" for submarines this year--but they don't really pertain to the application.



-Ark
[/QUOTE]


Are you saying the this year grads are being put in submarines even though they didn't want that choice - ("needs of the navy"). If so, are they top or bottom of class rank?
 
Are you saying the this year grads are being put in submarines even though they didn't want that choice - ("needs of the navy"). If so, are they top or bottom of class rank?

No, the vast majority of those who end up on submarines list subs as one of their top 5 choices. Subs usually take priority over other prefrences, even if they aren't ranked as high. What happened last year, and probably even more so this year, was that people didn't get their top choice because they were selected to go subs.
 
Son got a letter stating he is scholastically qualified to compete for an appointment to USNA...he is 3"Q"'d...although we are thrilled....but does this mean he will not be getting an LOA? Anyone else have this happen? Thanks

I would anticipate that if they wanted to send him an LOA, he would have gotten that instead of the 3-Q letter.

People, stop obsessing over LOA's. Very few get them. There is no set scores on tests, CFA, etc that cause USNA to spit out an LOA. As Ark said above, LOA's are issued to meet the needs of USNA. And no one, except the folks who sit down every Thursday and go through application packages, is privvy as to what that is this year. And likely it changes throughout the course of the process. For eg, they favor applicants who speak or want to major in Arabic and are outstanding football players, specifically a few key positions where USNA expects to graduate key players. And have high math scores........Along comes three or four applicants who seem to fit that mold. Maybe those applicants are waffling between USMA and USNA. Or Ohio State and USNA. Whatever! Out go three or four LOA's. So, that perceived "need" is filled. On to something else.

You absolutely cannot predict or control anything about LOA's. Make sure your packet is as strong as possible. Don't find yourself on April 1, 2010thinking "I should have studied and retaken the SAT again." or "Man, I wish I'd run more and gotten my time for the CFA lower!" Do all you can now to have the best packet possible.

FORGET THE LETTERS "LOA!"
 
One more thing on this difficult waiting time....

Tell yourselves that you do not expect to hear anything until mid March. Son and I both memorized that answer as we were asked frequently, "Have you heard if you are going to USNA." It became our mantra. So, when Senator's office called in late January, it was a big bonus!

Plan on waiting and you will not be disappointed every time you go to the mailbox.
 
Congratulations! It's an amazing feeling. I received my LOA on September 17th dated September 11th. My file was completed on September 5th, so it was a very quick process, obviously.

My stats:

GPA: 4.0 Unweighted
Class Rank: 1 of 242
ACT Composite: 33
---English: 35
---Math: 34
---Reading: 31
---Science: 32
10 Varsity Letters:
---4 years Varsity Cross Country (Captain 2yrs)
---2 years Varsity Swimming and Diving (Captain 1yr)
---4 years Varsity Track and Field (Captain 2yrs)

I hold a 20hr/week job at a local meat market and volunteer at our area's Veteran's Hospital once to twice per week. I also am enrolled at two local universities, taking classes at each.
 
One more thing on this difficult waiting time....

Tell yourselves that you do not expect to hear anything until mid March. Son and I both memorized that answer as we were asked frequently, "Have you heard if you are going to USNA." It became our mantra. So, when Senator's office called in late January, it was a big bonus!

Plan on waiting and you will not be disappointed every time you go to the mailbox.

Thanks Jenny...you are so right! It is good to hear from a parent who has been there...we are adopting your mantra...Thank you...wish my son LUCK...have a GREAT evening!!
 
My BGO said my LOA was sent out Friday, Nov. 6 and I should be receiving it by the end of the week. Conditional on a nomination. SWEEEEET. My file was completed on November 2nd. It really went quick compared to the 4 months that it took to complete all of the requirements. My stats were not outstanding but I had a lot of leadership rolls, volunteer activities, and All-State athletic honors.

GPA: 3.6 out of 4.0
Class Rank: Top 20%
SAT Composite: 1260
Math: 670
Reading: 590
 
So I recieved an LOA on November 5th for USNA pending on only a nomination. I had my first nomination interview on Monday, November 9th, and the board was NOT impressed with my SAT/ACT scores (which they shouldn't be). I have an 1180 SAT and 25 ACT. I have a 3.6 out of 4.0 and I take really hard classes. I am being recruited for track, so I know that helped me recieve the LOA. I also recieved a letter saying i am 'scholastically qualified' and my LOA said I am 'guarenteed admission with a nomination'.

The nomination board told me I should re-take my SATs AGAIN in December, or NAPS would be looking good for me. I would go to prep school, but I would much rather go straight there. Does the board have the power to send me to NAPS or would my LOA already have said i need to go to NAPS?
 
MOC or their committee CANNOT "send" you to NAPS. However they can decline to grant you a nomination. They suggested you retake SAT/ACT.....so why wouldn't you? USNA may well come up with a nom for you after you have exhausted all other possible sources. Why not retake the tests (after you study) and give this nomination source your best shot?
 
congrats everyone with LoA's! I recieved mine not too long ago dated 30 October. Unfortunately I have to wait all the way untill December for my interviews...does anyone have any tips for these upcoming interviews?
 
MOC or their committee CANNOT "send" you to NAPS. However they can decline to grant you a nomination. They suggested you retake SAT/ACT.....so why wouldn't you? USNA may well come up with a nom for you after you have exhausted all other possible sources. Why not retake the tests (after you study) and give this nomination source your best shot?

If you are scholastically qualified for USNA, it is extremely unlikely that USNA would send you to NAPS/Foundation. Those schools exist to help students who need additional academic preparation to be successful at USNA; if you don't need that prep (b/c USNA considers you qualified for a direct appointment), it doesn't make sense to "waste" a space at NAPS/Foundation -- a waste b/c you don't need it.

In some cases, USNA will "find" a nom for a student they really want who was unable to secure a nom after exhausting all possibilities. Do NOT count on it. There are only so many "alternative" noms out there and USNA has told BGOs that there have been situations where candidates with LOAs did not get a nom and thus did not get an appointment.

Thus, when USNA says that an LOA is conditional upon YOUR securing a nom, they mean it. Failure to do so could put your appointment in jeopardy. Again, not saying this will happen but, for those of you with LOAs, please do NOT sit on your laurels and figure USNA will sort it out for you.

Also, there is that huge group of candidates without LOAs who are equally qualified who are also competing for those same noms. As the OP has seen, having an LOA is not a guarantee of an MOC nom.

And, for the OP, I agree with JennyP that you should retake your SAT/ACT. And, spend the next month+ studying the areas in which you are weak.
 
congrats everyone with LoA's! I recieved mine not too long ago dated 30 October. Unfortunately I have to wait all the way untill December for my interviews...does anyone have any tips for these upcoming interviews?

My son has his senator interviews this weekend, but also doesn't have his congressman's until December. He has been doing several interviews with people my husband works with - some academy grads, some prior military, even one who was on a senator's board previously. Obvious caveat here - my son hasn't done his interviews yet or gotten the noms. We were just working on summarizing these for the weekend! Some of their tips to my son (of course these may or may not apply to someone else's personality or MOC's committee):

1. Biggest thing he was told was to show emotion/sound excited. My son is fairly serious and quiet, and I think comes across as though he's reading a teleprompter or just giving a "canned" response. I think each person he interviewed with told him he was giving great answers, but needed to sound like he "meant" them!

2. He was told not to tell them anything they had in front of them. Ie, don't say "I have an 800 on my math SAT" because it kind of implies they couldn't look down and see that themselves (and wastes time you could be telling them something more about you). Also, he was pretty much told to focus on what makes YOU different than the other 100 or so kids they'll see that day. This shouldn't be your scores or grades, but something they can't see.

3. Explain why you will graduate from the academy, not just why you should get in. If asked about your activities, tell why you did them and what you learned from them, not just that you were on varsity for 3 years or whatever. Give an example of what you learned about leadership, teamwork, determination, effort - whatever fits.

4. Be prepared for a question about failure. What was your biggest failure? If you get a C in a class at the academy, will you consider that a failure? Lots of other possibilities. Similarly, he's been told by many people (or read examples on the boards) to be prepared for a totally off the wall question - "If you were a kitchen utensil, which would you be?" or something equally wacky. Obviously no right answer, just to see how you present yourself and if you can talk calmly under pressure without getting all flustered. Another big suggestion for him at least was to pause and think a second before starting talking right away and ending up babbling some while trying to come up with an answer. Thinking about an answer for a few seconds is better than stumbling.

5. Since this is an LOA thread, I'd also add this tip in for that. Find out if your MOC boards will have that information in front of them or not. Two of my son's MOC's will NOT allow that information in front of the board members. One allowed him to include copies of it. The first two suggested, however, that he make it known. Recommendation is not to bring it up immediately (which may come across as "I have an LOA - give me the nom darn it!"). When they discuss backup plans you could mention it then or at the end if they ask if you have anything else for them. Too early = cocky. Basically they told him that they don't care if the academy wants him, they want to know why they should choose him.

So the overall impression he got was that examples, conversation, confidence, stories all went a lot further than your stats do. They know that part - that's why you got the interview. Now show them that you're someone they can visualize at an academy.
 
Oh, and an obvious based on my last post - try to find someone to do practice interviews with you. Doesn't have to be an academy grad - even a friend's parent or a teacher at school. Just someone you don't normally talk to much where you can practice saying "sir/ma'am" and making eye contact. Then definitely ask them for feedback afterwards.
 
Woohoo, just received my LoA in the mail today!! Got one about a week back from USAFA, but Annapolis is where I truly want to be.

Gotta love the timing though, the day immediately *following* my CVW. Still had a great time out there though.

And thanks for the further advice about MOC interviews. Already had one, and felt that I did fine, but more perspectives are always nice.

BTW - On my USNA LoA I think at the very end it says the MOC's that it was copied to. Can anyone confirm this? It looks like mine was accidentally sent as if I was in California, not Pennsylvania (CA-13 vs. PA-13)
 
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