LOE

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skimmilk13

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Aug 13, 2022
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Hello, I just received an LOE from West Point, and I know that there is something call a LOA. I know that they are two different things, but can someone please clarify me of what the key difference is between an LOE and an LOA.
Also, does anyone know how many LOE's are given out?

Thank you!
Sean Kim
 
skimmilk13 said:
Hello, I just received an LOE from West Point, and I know that there is something call a LOA. I know that they are two different things, but can someone please clarify me of what the key difference is between an LOE and an LOA.
Also, does anyone know how many LOE's are given out?

Thank you!
Sean Kim
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Both are tools used by Admissions to support class-building. They can send as many or few as they wish. A number of threads here recently has indicated LOEs are being sent out.

LOEs do exactly what they say - USMA encourages you to finish the rest of your application.

LOAs usually assure you if you complete specific things, such as obtain a nom, pass DoDMERB, pass CFA, etc., and are otherwise fully qualified, you will be offered an appointment.

The majority of cadets and midshipmen at the service academies do not receive LOAs. We like to think of them here like unicorns. If one wanders into your portal, rejoice, but don’t spend any energy trying to figure out how to get one. Put your effort into submitting your best-quality application as soon as practicable.

Do not look left or right and wonder why someone has received an LOA, and you know their (pick a stat) is lower than yours. Think unicorn free will.
 
To add to Capt MJ's post, both LOAs and LOEs permit a cadet candidate to schedule an overnight visit to WP. Functionally, this is probably the only quantifiable benefit of a LOE.

If you do make such a visit, you ought to try to meet your RC in person. Good luck.
 
dddad said:
To add to Capt MJ's post, both LOAs and LOEs permit a cadet candidate to schedule an overnight visit to WP. Functionally, this is probably the only quantifiable benefit of a LOE.

If you do make such a visit, you ought to try to meet your RC in person. Good luck.
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Thank you for adding - I was going to circle back today and you had it covered.
 
Capt MJ said:
Thank you for adding - I was going to circle back today and you had it covered.
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This is an important fact I believe unique to WP worth noting. In order to get an overnight visit, you need an LOA or LOE.
 
Capt MJ said:
Both are tools used by Admissions to support class-building. They can send as many or few as they wish. A number of threads here recently has indicated LOEs are being sent out.

LOEs do exactly what they say - USMA encourages you to finish the rest of your application.

LOAs usually assure you if you complete specific things, such as obtain a nom, pass DoDMERB, pass CFA, etc., and are otherwise fully qualified, you will be offered an appointment.

The majority of cadets and midshipmen at the service academies do not receive LOAs. We like to think of them here like unicorns. If one wanders into your portal, rejoice, but don’t spend any energy trying to figure out how to get one. Put your effort into submitting your best-quality application as soon as practicable.

Do not look left or right and wonder why someone has received an LOA, and you know their (pick a stat) is lower than yours. Think unicorn free will.
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Understood. Thank you very much Capt MJ! What would you say the general percentage of getting an appointment if you get an LOE?
Also, would you know approximately how many LOAs are given out?
 
skimmilk13 said:
Understood. Thank you very much Capt MJ! What would you say the general percentage of getting an appointment if you get an LOE?
Also, would you know approximately how many LOAs are given out?
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Q1 - No way to determine a correlation or make a prediction. You don’t know how you stack up as a whole candidate vs your competition. You don’t know how many are applying, how many will be found fully qualified, how many will get a nom, how many LOEs were given out.

I advise you to simply not spend your valuable time trying to figure out your chances. There are too many variables involved. Focus on what you can control. You will gain previous time back if you divert the mental energy into moving forward in other areas. This is a life skill.

Invest that time in working on your application, tending your alternate plans, staying fit/preparing for the CFA, finishing this academic year strong, leading a balanced life spending time on people and activities you care about.

Q2: You can find the answer in my original post.
 
Capt MJ said:
Q1 - No way to determine a correlation or make a prediction. You don’t know how you stack up as a whole candidate vs your competition. You don’t know how many are applying, how many will be found fully qualified, how many will get a nom, how many LOEs were given out.

I advise you to simply not spend your valuable time trying to figure out your chances. There are too many variables involved. Focus on what you can control. You will gain previous time back if you divert the mental energy into moving forward in other areas. This is a life skill.

Invest that time in working on your application, tending your alternate plans, staying fit/preparing for the CFA, finishing this academic year strong, leading a balanced life spending time on people and activities you care about.

Q2: You can find the answer in my original post.
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Understood. Thank you very much!
 
My plebe co2026 actually got an LOE last year. As part of the document, it mentioned a specific person in charge of following up and updating his records. It also seemed like his portal gets updated as soon as he submits something. So we felt like LOE applications most probably get fast-tracked to the next stage. This is just our experience for the admissions part.

As for the nomination process with LOE, it also seems like USMA notifies the MOCs before the interviews whether a candidate/constituent in their area will be offered admission. This happened to my plebe - the MOC staff mentioned they knew my plebe was being offered a spot and only needed a nomination. That was end of November and everything had been submitted, just waiting for the nominations to come in. My plebe really wanted USMA as first choice, he received two nominations and the official USMA offer was given December 14.

Submit the requirements ASAP especially if you have LOE. Continue to do your best and present your best. While nothing is guaranteed, I feel that receiving LOE is better than none. Wishing you the best.
 
Candd82026 said:
My plebe co2026 actually got an LOE last year. As part of the document, it mentioned a specific person in charge of following up and updating his records. It also seemed like his portal gets updated as soon as he submits something. So we felt like LOE applications most probably get fast-tracked to the next stage. This is just our experience for the admissions part.

As for the nomination process with LOE, it also seems like USMA notifies the MOCs before the interviews whether a candidate/constituent in their area will be offered admission. This happened to my plebe - the MOC staff mentioned they knew my plebe was being offered a spot and only needed a nomination. That was end of November and everything had been submitted, just waiting for the nominations to come in. My plebe really wanted USMA as first choice, he received two nominations and the official USMA offer was given December 14.

Submit the requirements ASAP especially if you have LOE. Continue to do your best and present your best. While nothing is guaranteed, I feel that receiving LOE is better than none. Wishing you the best.
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Did you send a copy of your LOE to your MOC? I have an LOE and my congresswoman interview is coming next week. Should I send it to her representative? Should I send it to my senators as well?
 
One does not send LoE's to the Member of Congress. Reserve that for an LoA. It just means you need to finish your packet. It is not an obligation.
 
Agree with @DrMom. Sending your LOE to MOCs is simply telling them that USMA is encouraging you to finish your application. While an LOE can be a good “kick in the pants” that you need (and perhaps entitles you to a visit to WP), it really doesn’t carry any weight beyond that. So don’t bother.
 
OK. Thanks. I keep hearing that about the LOE but my packet is finished. Even medical. On another post someone told me to think of it as a "Like" on my application. I was just wondering if that "Like" would have any sway with MOC.
 
James8284 said:
OK. Thanks. I keep hearing that about the LOE but my packet is finished. Even medical. On another post someone told me to think of it as a "Like" on my application. I was just wondering if that "Like" would have any sway with MOC.
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It likely have zero affect on MOC boards/panels. Focus on what you can control: applications and Plans B, C, D.
 
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