Step 2 Kit-LOR questions

[blueandgold123]

It is my understanding Step 2 is supposed to open June 1st. DS will need letters of recommendations from teachers: Math, English, Chemistry, PE and school official--is this correct? DS last day for Junior year is 5/21 and he wants to go ahead and ask them if they will write the letters before school is out. Is there a specific format or things they need to discuss? Do they just give the letters to DS and he uploads on his portal when step 2 opens? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Tropic Justice]

It is my understanding Step 2 is supposed to open June 1st. DS will need letters of recommendations from teachers: Math, English, Chemistry, PE and school official--is this correct? DS last day for Junior year is 5/21 and he wants to go ahead and ask them if they will write the letters before school is out. Is there a specific format or things they need to discuss? Do they just give the letters to DS and he uploads on his portal when step 2 opens? Thanks in advance for any help!

My understanding is that the teachers will be provided a SOE form to complete and return.

 

[St.Katherine]

With recommendations, I think each HS has its own system/format. Only ask teachers with good rapport. These recommendations are needed for the MOC nomination applications.
With USMA online application, there’s a prompt to click and type the teachers’ names who will receive the evaluation requests for PE, Math, English, Physics, and CFA.

 

[HopefulArmyMom2025]

If it’s the same format as it was this past application cycle, your son will input the teacher name and email address on the portal and a (what I’m assuming is) link will be sent to that teacher for completion and submission. Your son will also see on his portal which teachers have submitted the assessment. It’s a good idea for your son to be ahead of the process by sending a personalized email or individually talking to the teachers he’s selected, letting them know that he’s applying to an academy, why he’s chosen them to provide the assessment and generally letting them know what to expect, especially if they’re going to be receiving the email over summer break.

 

[St.Katherine]

If it’s the same format as it was this past application cycle, your son with input the teacher name and email address on the portal and a (what I’m assuming is) link will be sent to that teacher for completion and submission. Your son will also see on his portal which teachers have submitted the assessment. It’s a good idea for your son to be ahead of the process by sending a personalized email or individually talking to the teachers he’s selected, letting them know that he’s applying to an academy, why he’s chosen them to provide the assessment and generally letting them know what to expect, especially if they’re going to be receiving the email over summer break.

Concur. Spring of Junior year is the best time to let the teachers know about requesting for a recommendation. Teachers have all summer to write.

 

[HopefulArmyMom2025]

And to @Banzaipipeline’s point - there are actual recommendation letters needed, completely separate from what’s been described as required for the USMA portal, for MOC nomination applications. The MOC will say exactly who they want a letter of recommendation from, at least that was the case with the ones my daughter applied to. Each MOC will have their own specific application requirements detailed on their website somewhere - should be easy enough to Google with their name + service academy nomination process. In my daughter’s case, those applications with recommendation letters were submitted directly to the MOC. Some via email, some via mail - I’ve even seen talk on this forum of some requests of hand delivery but we didn’t experience that. The requested delivery method should be detailed on their site as well.