LOA's??

justdoit19 said:
Basically, the reality is that you don’t COMPETE FOR AN LOA. So, there is nothing to do to obtain one. Imo, what people are trying to say, is to not worry about not getting one. If you put forth your best package, you may, or probably won’t, receive one. So, in the big picture, that’s why people say ‘don’t concern yourself with an LOA’.

A small percentage of each class receives an LOA. Not receiving one doesn’t mean you aren’t competitive. Receiving one doesn’t mean you are better than others. Not receiving one doesn’t mean you are a less desirable candidate.

IMO a better way of saying it, is to not assign a lot of self-worthiness to an LOA. Yes, it’s an endorsement of your application. But, it doesn’t mean you are a better/superior candidate than others. And it also doesn’t guarantee/ensure an appointment (all conditions must be met).

One of my own kiddos had one for about a week (until conditions were met). My other kiddo, a better candidate imo (from my perspective as a BGO - USNA), was placed on the waitlist. No LOA.

You don’t compete for one. It basically is an early appointment, if conditions are met. DO NOT RUSH an application in the hopes of obtaining an LOA. Dont worry one bit if you aren’t given one.

Good luck!
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To add more this this, as justdoit19 said, its also not an indication on how they will do at USMA. LOA or early appointment mean nothing for the future at USMA or the Big Army. My son was a later appointment, but starting his Yuk year, he is top 100 of his class. His good friend was an LOA candidate, but is part of the comma club (one of the lowest in the class.)
 
beantownkid said:
I totally disagree. You should absolutely be hoping for a Letter Of Assurance. If you are lucky enough to get one it is a huge stress relief for you and your family. The LOA tell you that the academy wants you, and if you pass all the requirements listed in ther LOA you are in. I never will understand why it is always told to just, "put your best application forward." Obviously, you are putting your best application forward at the time. If your application can be updated, great, do so and keep on hoping for the best.
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Agree ! Nothing wrong to hope for an LOA (of course that is not the goal ! because 90% appointees without LOA). My son class 2028 got his LOA just a year ago (Jul 28, 2023), He did struggled to clear his CFA, and West Point did extend his LOA deadline again.

He may eventually graduate at the bottom of his class, or he may not make it through on A-day (such as failing his BEAST (two weeks to go)), that is not the point for application process. Submit the best application for appointment, and do timely submission for LOA (in my son's case, SAT/ACT, 6th quarter high school transcript, and FFR interview)
 
gniyji said:
Agree ! Nothing wrong to hope for an LOA (of course that is not the goal ! because 90% appointees without LOA). My son class 2028 got his LOA just a year ago (Jul 28, 2023), He did struggled to clear his CFA, and West Point did extend his LOA deadline again.

He may eventually graduate at the bottom of his class, or he may not make it through on A-day (such as failing his BEAST (two weeks to go)), that is not the point for application process. Submit the best application for appointment, and do timely submission for LOA (in my son's case, SAT/ACT, 6th quarter high school transcript, and FFR interview)
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The point is, historically on this Forum, Cadet Candidates and their parents post things like "I or my child didnt get an LOA, so my/their chances are not good." Or on the flip side "I or my child got an LOA so I'm/their set, drop any prep for a plan B." Would it be nice for any candidate to get an LOA and have a little more confidence their Plan A will pan out? Of course! But, as its been said by members who have been on this forum for over 10 years and have experienced/witnessed the process MANY times, the goal is Appointment, not Assurance. And, always keep the Plan B in the back pocket. You could have an LOA and fail DoDMERs, or CFA or not get a Nom. OR, you could even have an Appointment, and suffer an injury or illness just before RDay that will cause you to be setback a year. It does happen, and more often than you think. I personally know cadet candidates that had every other box checked, just waiting on DoDMERs, and are failed. In one such case, the candidate failed due to a concussion they had at 14 where symptoms persisted longer than 3 weeks, this DQ'ed them, and they were NOT granted a waiver. Always keep the plan B going regardless.
 
West Point (or any other SA) gives out LOA for their admission objectives (similar to likely letters from some civilian colleges). For any candidate there is no harm for trying to get one, this is by no means to consider it as 100% as appointment -- by the time they are in the application process, they should know what leads to a full appointment (3Q plus nomination and winning the slate). My son did not try to get LOA -- he was just asked to schedule early for FFR interview which was required for LOA consideration and he did.

LOA (also known as conditional appointment) states very clearly on what conditions must be met for a full appointment.

My son's classmate also applied for West Point and even went to SLE He did not receive LOA and he failed CFA at SLE, he just gave it up. My son would have given it up if he were not given a West Point LOA for the same reason -- He took 4 trips to an army base to do his CFA, he spent 4 months working on CFA and during these four months he had a lot communications with admission office -- and he received a lot encouragement.

According to West Point admission -- CFA is number two reason (medical is number one) in our region for failed application.
 
I have a question DS is applying to USMA and would like to do an overnight visit to see what life is like as a student . We know that USNA will invite you during the application process or before to do an overnight visit so that you can see the Academy and what life is like as a midshipman, however when trying to find out how to do this at UMA, it says that they will not accept overnight visitors unless they have an LOA or LOE. Does anyone know another way to spend the night at the Academy to see what it’s like to go to school there? Is there anyway to do so without having an LOA since I know LOAs are few and far between?
 
LOA's are relatively few and far between, but LOE's are much more common. If your DS is a relatively strong applicant, there is a pretty strong chance he will receive an LOE midway through the application process.
 
MommaG said:
I have a question DS is applying to USMA and would like to do an overnight visit to see what life is like as a student . We know that USNA will invite you during the application process or before to do an overnight visit so that you can see the Academy and what life is like as a midshipman, however when trying to find out how to do this at UMA, it says that they will not accept overnight visitors unless they have an LOA or LOE. Does anyone know another way to spend the night at the Academy to see what it’s like to go to school there? Is there anyway to do so without having an LOA since I know LOAs are few and far between?
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To my knowledge, other than LOA, LOE, Offer of Appointment, the only other way to get an overnight is via a recruiting trip for sports.
 
gniyji said:
West Point (or any other SA) gives out LOA for their admission objectives (similar to likely letters from some civilian colleges). For any candidate there is no harm for trying to get one, this is by no means to consider it as 100% as appointment -- by the time they are in the application process, they should know what leads to a full appointment (3Q plus nomination and winning the slate). My son did not try to get LOA -- he was just asked to schedule early for FFR interview which was required for LOA consideration and he did.

LOA (also known as conditional appointment) states very clearly on what conditions must be met for a full appointment.

My son's classmate also applied for West Point and even went to SLE He did not receive LOA and he failed CFA at SLE, he just gave it up. My son would have given it up if he were not given a West Point LOA for the same reason -- He took 4 trips to an army base to do his CFA, he spent 4 months working on CFA and during these four months he had a lot communications with admission office -- and he received a lot encouragement.

According to West Point admission -- CFA is number two reason (medical is number one) in our region for failed application.
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just got that email today that asks to complete everything that is required for an LOA consideration, hopefully its a good sign and I am as lucky as your son
 
2029_Academy_hopeful said:
just got that email today that asks to complete everything that is required for an LOA consideration, hopefully its a good sign and I am as lucky as your son
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Hello, Congratulations. I wonder what specific items need to complete by when for an LOA consideration? Good Luck!
 
It is my impression last year we saw more and earlier LOAs from USMA, with some informal discussion that USMA may have had new leadership in Admissions and a ramped-up outreach/engagement strategy with candidates, as a way to influence multi-SA applicants. It’s all good marketing strategy. It feels good to be wanted!

As noted above, the candidate likely still has to navigate the rocks and shoals of being deemed fully qualified.
 
2029_Academy_hopeful said:
It said no specific date, but said the door is closing soon. The specific items that need to be complete are SAT/ACT scores, FFR interview, and a 6th semester transcript.
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I can confirm the above.

As one comedian once said (and it is not Jerry), Do you know what beats slow and steady every time? Fast and steady.

For my DD, some of these items won't get completed ASAP b/c it depends on the school counselor to send the transcript... may miss LOA window... gotta grease the squeaky wheel.
 
gniyji said:
West Point (or any other SA) gives out LOA for their admission objectives (similar to likely letters from some civilian colleges). For any candidate there is no harm for trying to get one, this is by no means to consider it as 100% as appointment -- by the time they are in the application process, they should know what leads to a full appointment (3Q plus nomination and winning the slate). My son did not try to get LOA -- he was just asked to schedule early for FFR interview which was required for LOA consideration and he did.

LOA (also known as conditional appointment) states very clearly on what conditions must be met for a full appointment.

My son's classmate also applied for West Point and even went to SLE He did not receive LOA and he failed CFA at SLE, he just gave it up. My son would have given it up if he were not given a West Point LOA for the same reason -- He took 4 trips to an army base to do his CFA, he spent 4 months working on CFA and during these four months he had a lot communications with admission office -- and he received a lot encouragement.

According to West Point admission -- CFA is number two reason (medical is number one) in our region for failed application.
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"My son's classmate also applied for West Point and even went to SLE He did not receive LOA and he failed CFA at SLE, he just gave it up."

This is exactly the point we are saying. Focusing on the LOA "if I dont get an LOA, I'm not in" when the majority of cadets dont get one, is the wrong attitude. As you will hear the seasoned folks on this forum say "Keep hope, and keep working" is critical. In addition to non-LOA candidate, there also is a large portion of second attempt, collage or prior service.
 
MommaG said:
I have a question DS is applying to USMA and would like to do an overnight visit to see what life is like as a student . We know that USNA will invite you during the application process or before to do an overnight visit so that you can see the Academy and what life is like as a midshipman, however when trying to find out how to do this at UMA, it says that they will not accept overnight visitors unless they have an LOA or LOE. Does anyone know another way to spend the night at the Academy to see what it’s like to go to school there? Is there anyway to do so without having an LOA since I know LOAs are few and far between?
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You can still do a half day visit to get a good feel for the culture, academics, etc. While the cadet candidate does their visit, the parents get a great briefing, and have an opportunity to sit with their Regional Commander. This was a great experience, and solidified my son's desire for West Point versus USAFA. During his visit, he felt these were more "his people" than USAFA cadets.
 
My DD got a LOA from USMA in mid August of her senior year.

The letter said she had until 15 October to get her application completed which, if I recall correctly, was only her essays and teacher evaluations/letters. She already had her qualified DoDMERB exam and a presidential nom on file.

She leveraged the LOA and sent very respectful emails to her teachers saying that she had until 15 October to submit the evals to keep her guaranteed spot in the incoming class.

Her teachers were really fond of her so they submitted what was required well before the 15 October deadline.
 
GoCubbies said:
My DD got a LOA from USMA in mid August of her senior year.

The letter said she had until 15 October to get her application completed which, if I recall correctly, was only her essays and teacher evaluations/letters. She already had her qualified DoDMERB exam and a presidential nom on file.

She leveraged the LOA and sent very respectful emails to her teachers saying that she had until 15 October to submit the evals to keep her guaranteed spot in the incoming class.

Her teachers were really fond of her so they submitted what was required well before the 15 October deadline?
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Thank you for the information! I am sure she must have been appointed and admitted? Did she attend SLE and what do you think are the reasons that she got a LOA, good sat and gpa?
 
GoCubbies said:
My DD got a LOA from USMA in mid August of her senior year.

The letter said she had until 15 October to get her application completed which, if I recall correctly, was only her essays and teacher evaluations/letters. She already had her qualified DoDMERB exam and a presidential nom on file.

She leveraged the LOA and sent very respectful emails to her teachers saying that she had until 15 October to submit the evals to keep her guaranteed spot in the incoming class.

Her teachers were really fond of her so they submitted what was required well before the 15 October deadline.
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Was she a recruited athlete? What parts of her application were complete that led to the LOA? What was her SAT?
 
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