Yes, there are 2 very important parts of LOA's that have been brought up here. 1: LOA's are NOT intended for Athletes. Not that some athletes don't get them, they do, but that is NOT what they are designed for. Yes, the athletics department has "X" amount of LOA's (Mind you I said athletics department, NOT just the football team or whatever). The rest of the air force academy also has "X" amount that they give out. So, what they heck then IS an LOA???
When applying to a civilian college, do you remember the term or phrase, "APPLYING FOR EARLY ADMISSIONS"? Well, THAT is an LOA. When you had those Kick-Butt scores and you applied for Early Admissions to The UniversityofwherevertheheckIamgoing, and they OFFERED YOU early admissions, they are hoping you will be uber excited, and accept their school. This way you won't turn around and accept another school. They are competing for your business. Well, so is the academies. And when they see someone that they REALLY WANT, they offer them an LOA. This is to impress you, make you feel special, get you to say yes, and hopefully stop you from looking any further at other schools. For what it's worth, the Air Force Academy will/can offer an LOA to someone who has their ENTIRE APPLICATION COMPLETED, minus a nomination and possibly their medical clearance. But everything else MUST BE COMPLETED. The Army on the other hand, offers LOA's all the way starting in August. They base it sometimes just off of ACT/SAT/GPA and the profile application your provided. All of the LOA still say you must complete the application, get a nomination, bla bla bla... But it most DEFINITELY IS NOT something just for athletes. Matter of fact, the majority of those who receive an LOA, have nothing to do with being a recruited athlete.
2: As already said, forget that LOA's even exist. you CAN'T apply for them. You have absolutely NO SAY on whether you get one or not. There isn't a darn thing you can do to "Increase your chances" of getting one. So FORGET IT EXISTS. If you get one, great. If you don't, then you're part of the majority. And normally, I don't even respond to LOA questions because of all of this. But I did feel compelled to correct the part about athletes. The two have nothing to do with each other. Other than yes, some athletes get them. Well, considering that 90% of all academy applicants received a varsity letter in sports, there's a real good chance that someone who got an LOA was an athlete.
"Sorry, but there's still this stereotype, even when applying to the academy, that "Jocks are dumb". Or that academy athletes didn't have to reach the same standards. They do have to meet the same standards. Here's the real difference. The average applicant's scores are WAY ABOVE THE MINIMUM STANDARD. But the average applicant isn't a recruited athlete. Football as an example. They will recruit 50-60 for football. (Even though only about 20 will still be on the team their senior year). Of those 50-60, a handful also attended the prep school. Of the other 50-55, some were offered LOA's. The majority were in the same pool of people competing for the same nominations as you. Many, like my son, had actually received an early appointment in the end of October. (No, not an LOA. He already had a presidential Nomination, so they went straight to an appointment.) But an early appointment, would have been an LOA, if he still needed a nomination. Same purpose as the "Early Admissions". Get you excited and not accept another school. Anyway, my son was also a recruited football player. But he already had an appointment by the time they were even thinking of LOA's, let alone for some athletes.
So, as mentioned, don't look into LOA's. Don't expect an LOA. There is absolutely NOTHING you can do to get an LOA. You can be the 4.0gpa, 32ACT, #1 class ranked, etc... and NOT GET AN LOA. For what it's worth, I know personally of a 4.0gpa, 33ACT, 2240SAT, Class president, #1 ranking student...... And they DIDN'T RECEIVE AN APPOINTMENT TO THE ACADEMY. They did get a nomination and they passed the physical, but they didn't receive an appointment. They are starting their 4th year at Yale this fall. Anyway, I hope this sort of explains part of the LOA. I don't normally go into details, because it doesn't matter. you have no control over it, so why worry about it. later... mike....\
