LOA

Szpieg

Szpieg

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2010
Messages
273
Can someone please enlighten me about this? I know Admissions sends this out, but when. Around what time do they send these bad boys out? Also as a sort of related topic, I know that USMA sends out letters telling you that you are like qualified...

"The Admissions Office has received all your information and the Admissions Committee had reviewed your application and you have been found fully qualified."
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does everyone get this? Will they tell you if you are on the right track?
 
LOAs can vary. I have heard rumors of someone getting one in july, but they are typically sent out after your file is complete, but before the nominations and the final decision part of the admissions process begins. So usually august to November would be a fair estimate. Fully qualified letters can go out at various times as well, there isn't a way to determine when you will hear, the best advice is to just get everything done early.
 
My son completed his file in September but was waiting for a medical waiver. He received his 3q'd letter the first week of December and the LOA followed just a couple of days later. I have seen other questions about who gets LOA's and why. I don't know the answer for that. I did read about the academy wanting balanced classes as far as minorities, certain strengths in academic areas, males/females, etc.
 
I got mine in October. The earliest I've heard of anyone having one is July.
 
Son knew several people from SLS who got a "LOA of an LOA" the very beginning of August. Basically said that based on what they had reported for SLS, IF everything was as portrayed, that they would then receive the actual LOA once official transcripts, activities, etc. were submitted.
 
marciemi said:
Son knew several people from SLS who got a "LOA of an LOA" the very beginning of August. Basically said that based on what they had reported for SLS, IF everything was as portrayed, that they would then receive the actual LOA once official transcripts, activities, etc. were submitted.
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If I understand this correctly, my ultimate goal for SLS is to stand out from everyone else, and try my hardest and hopefully I will get this letter...I will work my ass off; I have been going to the gym almost everyday to train for the CFA and have been busting butt at school.
 
My new cadet did not attend SLS, did not receive an LOA, but received his appointment months before another student who had attended SLS and had received an LOA. (The other student had not even applied to other colleges as a backup plan.)
 
MY Sons experience

My son did not apply for the summer seminar. We visited West Point in early August of 2009, on a trip where we went to 6 schools. My son had already opened a file, and provided a lot of information to USMA, prior to our visit. During the visit, we attended a daily briefing, and were offered an opportunity to talk to the admissions person that handles our area of the country. We had a great conversation with him, and he looked at my son's file while we were there. During the conversation, he stated that he was pretty sure he could get my son an LOA, but could not officially open his file for consideration until the middle of August. Sorry, but I forget the exact date. In the middle of August my son received his LOA.

He is not a recruited athlete. It sounds like their might be a different time frame for those that are recruited. My advice is to make sure you have as much information as practical in by July 31, 2010, but do not be in to much of a hurry, because you will drive yourself crazy during the long process ahead of you. One thing I have learned during this process is that it is a marathon, not a sprint. Even with an LOA in hand.

My son will be reporting next month on June 28.
 
My daughter received her LOA early November. All of her application was complete including DodMerb except for personal statements which she was still revising. Appointment was contingent on her completing statements by Jan 1st, nomination and continued academic excellence. She was also a recruited athlete.
 
Just to clarify, the kids my son knew were not recruited athletes. I also don't think that it was a function of how they did at SLS (although I know there was some sort of evaluation), but more just having the info in their files before the possibility for most people to start files (who hadn't applied for SLS). Although since everything for SLS was self-reported, WP was basically saying that "once you send us everything officially, if it looks the same as what you said", then they'd get the LOA.

That said, as I look in the WP MALO database, it looks like this year at least, the high majority of LOA's went out in October. I see a few from July and August, but hardly any in Sept, or much later than early November. Probably only for those who submitted a file later in the game. I do know they gave a lot out early this year and then got very cautious as much higher acceptance rates came in. Definitely get your file done early - should open sometime in August - a good goal would be to have everything complete by mid-September or so.
 
marciemi said:
Just to clarify, the kids my son knew were not recruited athletes. I also don't think that it was a function of how they did at SLS (although I know there was some sort of evaluation), but more just having the info in their files before the possibility for most people to start files (who hadn't applied for SLS). Although since everything for SLS was self-reported, WP was basically saying that "once you send us everything officially, if it looks the same as what you said", then they'd get the LOA.

That said, as I look in the WP MALO database, it looks like this year at least, the high majority of LOA's went out in October. I see a few from July and August, but hardly any in Sept, or much later than early November. Probably only for those who submitted a file later in the game. I do know they gave a lot out early this year and then got very cautious as much higher acceptance rates came in. Definitely get your file done early - should open sometime in August - a good goal would be to have everything complete by mid-September or so.
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"once you send us everything officially, if it looks the same as what you said", then they'd get the LOA. "

What if it isnt...on the questionnaire, I entered something incorrectly and I have been trying to get it changed for a while but they never change it...I assure you that it was an honest mistake, but i dont think they even take into account your sls profile because you are changing and updating everything anyway
 
I would say if it was an honest mistake and you've let them know about it, it won't make a difference. And of course a lot of things are going to change like your GPA, class rank, SAT scores, activities. I would just expect it to be reasonable. If you reported your SAT scores as 800/800 and "meant" to type 600/600, well, yes, that might make a difference. Same as if you put your GPA as 4.0 instead of 3.0. If it's anything that critical, I would be trying harder now to contact your RC and let him know to change it in your file just so it doesn't come back to look like you lied in order to get into SLS in the first place. You could also contact your MALO if you're not getting a response from your RC. However, since they're looking at the overall picture, anything minor being off probably isn't going to matter. Good luck!
 
I kept trying at Major Belmont's office, but they always said that it doesnt matter, your real application matters most.

Actually, can I send you a pm about this?
 
Szpieg, are you trying to get an LOA or just curious about the process? I was about to respond until I remembered that you had already received a principle nom and were already good to go (or at least thats what your siggy suggests).


Dixieland said:
My new cadet did not attend SLS, did not receive an LOA, but received his appointment months before another student who had attended SLS and had received an LOA. (The other student had not even applied to other colleges as a backup plan.)
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Well technically, you could put off completing what the LOA required you to do for a long time and still get appointed by submitting information weeks later, as long as it was before the due date. If thats what the other guy did, its probably why your son got the appointment first (either that, or your son was prompt in finishing his app :smile:). Sort of doesn't make sense though lol, since an LOA is supposed to motivate recipients into finishing their application...which is what happened to me at least. I remember feeling really bleary and hopeless about getting in until the LOA arrived in late November :rolleyes:
 
Chockstock said:
Szpieg, are you trying to get an LOA or just curious about the process? I was about to respond until I remembered that you had already received a principle nom and were already good to go (or at least thats what your siggy suggests).




Well technically, you could put off completing what the LOA required you to do for a long time and still get appointed by submitting information weeks later, as long as it was before the due date. If thats what the other guy did, its probably why your son got the appointment first (either that, or your son was prompt in finishing his app :smile:). Sort of doesn't make sense though lol, since an LOA is supposed to motivate recipients into finishing their application...which is what happened to me at least. I remember feeling really bleary and hopeless about getting in until the LOA arrived in late November :rolleyes:
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just curiosity...yeah my congresswoman's director of constituent services guaranteed me a principle nomination, so i guess i dont need a LOA?
 
I suppose...if everything is truly set, then I think getting an LOA for you would be redundant
 
Feel free to PM me if you'd like. I do agree that an LOA would be redundant with a principal nom, but I've also never heard of one this early and would be very hesitant to count on that so would certainly strive for the LOA!

I can let you know your MALO by PM if you want to let me know your congressional district/state. Good luck!
 
Just shoot for an appointment. You can't TRY for an LOA. Do your very best to get into USMA, and if an LOA comes one day in the mail it will be an extraordinary surprise. I did not expect mine; it came in November, and I can remember every second of that night.
 
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