Qualified letter, reflecting placement on NWL...what does this mean?

[DeepWaters]

I received a letter indicating that I have been qualified "academically, medically, physically." The letter went on to explain that I am now on the National Wait List until I receive a nomination. I understand what this all means. But does this mean that I am not likely to receive an LOA? Or is this still a possibility?

 

[Soldiergriz]

It means you are in the hunt. Keep your powder dry and focus in that nomination!

 

[usma_2025]

This website has some info on it (though it's pretty old)

FAQ: The Admissions Process

 

[DrMom]

Don't focus on the LOA...which you cannot control. The NWL is a great place to be.
Get your nomination. Once you get a nom, you are in the group of people who are more than 50% likely to receive an appointment.
So...great job getting to the NWL...you are in the running. Go get a nom so you can be appointed between now and 1 May.
Remember, it is a marathon, not a sprint.

 

[jl123]

This website has some info on it (though it's pretty old)

FAQ: The Admissions Process

The explanation of the NWL in this link is not correct. The NWL is not similar to a wait list at a civilian college. Every qualified candidate goes on the NWL once they are determined to be 3Q.

As far as LOA's, USMA gives far fewer LOA's than other SA's, although there have been more in recent years. The majority of USMA LOA's go to recruited athletes and diversity candidates. Not getting an LOA is in no way a sign that a candidate is less competitive than other qualified candidates.

 

[jl123]

Part of the confusion about LOA's is that each SA has its own admissions process.

For example USNA uses a "rolling admissions" selection process and divides qualified candidates into two categories, one of which leads to an LOA:

Applicants who qualify for admission are categorized by the following:
1. Outstanding Achievement - Students who have an outstanding achievement record will receive a Letter of Assurance. This letter indicates our intent to extend an Offer of Appointment and could be received as early as September of your senior year in high school.
2. Board Qualified - Students who do not receive a Letter of Assurance will be selected from within your nominating sources for an Offer of Appointment.

West Point does not use rolling admissions (stopped several years ago). Competition is open until the application deadline. Candidate files are classified using ten categories that may change during the admissions process.

None of of these categories leads to an automatic LOA. Why? Because if an RC gives a candidate an LOA and a more qualified candidate later comes along in the same district before the application deadline, USMA then has to find an appointment for the LOA holder - a logistical mess when applied across hundreds of districts.

USMA only offers LOA's to candidates certain to win an appointment such as: win a slate or be appointed as a Qualified Alternate (hard to project early in process), or be appointed as an Additional Appointee (easy to project - primarily recruited athletes and diversity candidates). For simplicity I left out other appointment categories, since they don't apply to most candidates.

 

[SADad]

DS got the same letter. He's a plebe now. No guarantees, but you're in a good place. As many have said, get the nomination, don't sweat the details that you can't control, and work on your plan B.

 

[USMA222]

If you already have a nom will USMA notify you if you qualified "academically, medically, physically" ?

 

[bt18]

If you already have a nom will USMA notify you if you qualified "academically, medically, physically" ?

If you have an application open with them, and you are not a RISK candidate, you are academically qualified (check with FFR to know status). If you are granted a waiver or deemed medically qualified by DoDMERB, you are medically qualified. If you pass the CFA, you are physically qualified. Once all three of these are done you will be 3Q, and I think you will get a message in the official correspondence box on the portal.

 

[jl123]

If you already have a nom will USMA notify you if you qualified "academically, medically, physically" ?

Yes. The nomination is a separate process.

In theory all 3Q candidates get this letter prior to appointment. In practice, due to timing and logistical issues, occasionally a candidate may receive an appointment before they get the 3Q letter.

 

[USMA222]

Yes. The nomination is a separate process.

In theory all 3Q candidates get this letter prior to appointment. In practice, due to timing and logistical issues, occasionally a candidate may receive an appointment before they get the 3Q letter.

Interesting, I was getting a bit worried because I turned in everything a month ago (including the CFA and medical qualification) and I haven't gotten an update from admissions.

 

[bt18]

Interesting, I was getting a bit worried because I turned in everything a month ago (including the CFA and medical qualification) and I haven't gotten an update from admissions.

Maybe email your FFR, or your RC.

 

[fdavis2025]

I have been sent a letter saying that I am academically and physically qualified. I have also gotten a waiver for my medical DQ and it has been changed to qualified. Does this mean I am on the NWL? Should I expect a letter combining the two separate ones (one that says 3Q in one letter)?

 

[jl123]

Interesting, I was getting a bit worried because I turned in everything a month ago (including the CFA and medical qualification) and I haven't gotten an update from admissions.

Applications are not reviewed/qualified in chronological order. How an application winds its way through the black box of admissions is a mystery; some applicants finish the application early and then wait for months, while some finish quite late and hear something shortly thereafter.

The RC may have an idea about the sequencing of an individual's application, the FFR likely won't. Probably not a good idea to bother an RC to solely find out when an application will be reviewed, but fine to work it in if in contact regarding a more pertinent issue.

 

[jl123]

I have been sent a letter saying that I am academically and physically qualified. I have also gotten a waiver for my medical DQ and it has been changed to qualified. Does this mean I am on the NWL? Should I expect a letter combining the two separate ones (one that says 3Q in one letter)?

I am not that familiar with procedures for situations in which a candidate gets a "2Q" letter and later is granted a medical waiver. If you are 3Q, you are on the NWL. Someone else may be able to chime in about whether or not you get another 3Q letter.