LOA

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GoArmy22

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Joined
Nov 29, 2016
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I was recently told that a LOA would be requested for me (yay).

Does anyone know how long the process usually takes and what the chances are of it getting denied? I just don't want to overlook the word "request", knowing that something may change in the process.
 
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Congrats! Last year DS received an email letting him know that the LOA was being requested for him and it took about a week/week & a half until he received the official letter.
The LOA is awesome but remember there is still some heavy lifting to be done. Finish your senior year strongly, get your nomination(s), do everything you need to get medically qualified (DoDMERB) as quickly as possible and do any other items listed in the letter.
While the LOA is nice to have, it is not an appointment and the appointment is the ultimate goal. Good luck!
 
Thank you @AZWPDad04 ! I'm actually a college re-applicant and have completed most of my candidate kit/MOC materials. Thankfully DODMERB lasts for 2 cycles. I'll keep working hard until I get that BFE :thumb: I hope your DS is doing well!
 
@classof2022 You can have a 33 ACT in a competitive area and not get in or have a 26 ACT in a non-competitive area and get in, so I think giving you my score is meaningless.

I know you'll roll your eyes at this one, but just try your hardest so that you can live with whatever decision comes. When I received the TWE in May, I had no regrets because I gave it my all with the circumstances that I was given (past threads for reference). I think taking ROTC at a college for a year actually worked out better for me because I can mature and strengthen my knee. Best of luck to you :)
 
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GoArmy22 said:
@classof2022 You can have a 33 ACT in a competitive area and not get in or have a 26 ACT in a non-competitive area and get in, so I think giving you my score is meaningless.

I know you'll roll your eyes at this one, but just try your hardest so that you can live with whatever decision comes. When I received the TWE in May, I had no regrets because I gave it my all with the circumstances that I was given (past threads for reference). I think taking ROTC at a college for a year actually worked out better for me because I can mature and strengthen my knee. Best of luck to you :)
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While that's correct, I think the LOAs may be a threshold thing so an act score may actually be pretty relevant information. That said you're of course entitled to privacy.
 
@BSCAR I repeat, some kids get in with a 26, some don't with a 33. There's just too much variation in the process for one test score to be used as comparison, especially with the other components of the application. The safest thing to do is to try your hardest.
 
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GoArmy22 said:
@BSCAR I repeat, some kids get in with a 26, some don't with a 33. There's just too much variation in the process for one test score to be used as comparison, especially with the other components of the application. The safest thing to do is to try your hardest.
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As someone who got a TWE and a 32 on the ACT I fully understand that some districts are more competitive than others. The point I'm driving at is that it seems as though LOAs are given out without regard to congressional district. Which means there is some standard that must be met which is likely based heavily on ACT/SAT given that HS students get them before submitting final transcripts and complete athletic records. I repeat: you are entitled to your privacy ;). What I'm saying is that raw data--in the form of ACT scores from LOA recipients in general--would be interesting to look at. It would give some insight into where the bar is placed for LOA qualification.

It would also interest me to know whether or not you had already completed your new CFA/candidate statements/college activity record.
 
An LOA offer may have nothing to do with SAT/ACT at all. It could be leadership is so outstanding that they decide they have to have someone. Or it could be athletics. You should probably stop making assumptions. Also, the OP has politely declined to post their scores twice now. Let it go.
 
I'm sure there is no magical formula and every applicant file is different. However, our experience was that when my kid was applying to USMA fall 2014, his RC reviewed his file, in-person, when USMA was here hosting local forums. DS had a lot of leadership (varsity team captain, Boy Scout Senior patrol leader, Boys State, etc.), strong athletics (4 sport varsity, First-team all state in a sport), strong academics (#1 in his class, 31 Composite ACT with 35 in math), etc. He was told if he could get his ACT up to a 33 composite, that he could expect an LOA. He did not get it up to 33 and did not get an LOA (He did for USNA, BTW), but was offered his appointment in the first big wave in January 2015.
 
Some RC's give LOA's and LOE's, and others don't bother with them. My 2020 never even got a LOE, but had a very good résumé, with 32+ ACT (math 34), two sport varsity captain, with four varsity sports, NHS President, while maintaining a job, as well as other highlights. He got an early appointment, but nothing in terms of the letters. His RC later told him that he didn't mess with those.

Getting an LOA is awesome, and worthy of celebration. Just need to be qualified after that. But for those who don't get one, don't fret. Just keep boosting your application, and praying.
 
I know a young lady Class of 2o21 who received her LOA early Sept last year. Her ACT score was on the lower end, she had good grades but not super with few APs. However, she is a first generation American & first to attend college. She speaks 3 languages fluently & very popular at school. No one size fits all for LOA.
 
I know a girl who got an LOA in October. She got a 1590 on the SAT and was recruited for a sport. She had good essays as well. Not really sure on the rest of her application.
 
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