USMA LOA/No LOA Help a mom out

USMAMom2Be

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May 26, 2024
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My DS received an email back in late July saying he was a top candidate and could apply for an LOA. He completed the required steps and sent everything in. He continued to complete all of the requested application steps including the DoDMERB, the CFA, and interviews for NOMS. We believe his CFA scores are high enough but are concerned (Ball throw-50', Situps-115, pushups- 47, shuttle run- 9.13, pullups- 11, mile run- 5:40). The DoDMERB is all good except they want further information from his hospital stay for seizures back 7+ years ago (he had a form of epilepsy that is related to puberty and has been off all meds and without any issues for 7+ years).
He hasn't heard anything else and I am a nervous wreck. I had heard they were doing the LOA's differently this year so I am trying not to worry but he hasn't heard anything at all. For reference, he was an early selection for SLE and at the area admissions meetings he has been told, several times, that he is a great fit for WP. The NOMS interviews were in the last 3 weeks.

Anyone have any insight on what to look for or when he might hear something? PLEASE!
 
Break it up into pieces.
Focus on what he can control.
Tend alternate plans.
And wait for a decision anytime between now and May.

Even though USMA seems to be giving out more LOAs as part of their strategy in recent years, I believe the majority of SA cadets and midshipmen do not receive one. The goal is always a full offer of an appointment.

USMA may only make full offers of appointment to fully qualified candidates.
Medical: DoDMERB Q or waiver.
Physical fitness: passed CFA.
Academic/Scholastic: all the other elements of the entire application which USMA evaluates and considers.

Plus a nomination from any source.

USMA, I believe, does tell its candidates at some point if they are considered fully qualified in the 3 areas above.

The application process itself tests for determination, attention to detail, grit, executive coordination, patience, etc.

There are many, many outstanding candidates each year who are fully qualified, who have a nomination(s), who are not offered appointments for that cycle. There is simply not enough room in the class.

There are thousands each year who might be considered a good fit in a general way - strong academics, fit and active in sports, leadership positions. There are many who did other things than SLE or could not attend for some reason. When it gets down to who the candidate is competing against in their nom category, that’s where the competition gets real and fierce. If he earns a nom on a MOC slate of up to 15, he competes against the other fully qualified candidates on that slate for the appointment that is charged to the MOC. USMA can go back to that slate, however, and choose additional appointees and charge those appointments to other nom authorities they manage.

I re-read your post a few times. It wasn’t clear whether he had received an LOI, which essentially says “we like what we see, complete your application please.” Or was it an actual LOA, which is something all candidates are considered for by virtue of their applications. The LOA is very clear in assuring the candidate an appointment will be offered if X and Y are satisfactorily completed. LOAs late in the cycle might not have conditions but are still clearly a definite promise.
 
If he has an LOA, there will be a link to it in his portal and he would have received an email laying out the conditions of the LOA. Once the LOA conditions are met, there is a banner at the top of the portal saying that. I've never heard of candidates applying for an LOA...that is a new one to me. My ds#2's just showed up in his email inbox amd portal.

To highlight an important point in @Capt MJ's post: an LOA is not the goal. An appointment is the goal. My DS#1, did not receive an LOA, but received an appointment to USMA days after his nomination was received in late January. Ds#2 has an LOA, but no nomination yet. Your ds won't be eligible for an appointment until his medical is resolved and he has a nomination in hand. Even then, it can take some time to hear yes or no.
 
Break it up into pieces.
Focus on what he can control.
Tend alternate plans.
And wait for a decision anytime between now and May.

Even though USMA seems to be giving out more LOAs as part of their strategy in recent years, I believe the majority of SA cadets and midshipmen do not receive one. The goal is always a full offer of an appointment.

USMA may only make full offers of appointment to fully qualified candidates.
Medical: DoDMERB Q or waiver.
Physical fitness: passed CFA.
Academic/Scholastic: all the other elements of the entire application which USMA evaluates and considers.

Plus a nomination from any source.

USMA, I believe, does tell its candidates at some point if they are considered fully qualified in the 3 areas above.

The application process itself tests for determination, attention to detail, grit, executive coordination, patience, etc.

There are many, many outstanding candidates each year who are fully qualified, who have a nomination(s), who are not offered appointments for that cycle. There is simply not enough room in the class.

There are thousands each year who might be considered a good fit in a general way - strong academics, fit and active in sports, leadership positions. There are many who did other things than SLE or could not attend for some reason. When it gets down to who the candidate is competing against in their nom category, that’s where the competition gets real and fierce. If he earns a nom on a MOC slate of up to 15, he competes against the other fully qualified candidates on that slate for the appointment that is charged to the MOC. USMA can go back to that slate, however, and choose additional appointees and charge those appointments to other nom authorities they manage.

I re-read your post a few times. It wasn’t clear whether he had received an LOI, which essentially says “we like what we see, complete your application please.” Or was it an actual LOA, which is something all candidates are considered for by virtue of their applications. The LOA is very clear in assuring the candidate an appointment will be offered if X and Y are satisfactorily completed. LOAs late in the cycle might not have conditions but are still clearly a definite promise.
The email says: "This puts you in a select group that may be eligible for a Letter of Assurance (LOA) for the Class of 2028, pending the completion of some additional requirements." Then goes on to say that they need transcripts, ACT scores and possibly, an interview (this was completed in SLE)
 
The email says: "This puts you in a select group that may be eligible for a Letter of Assurance (LOA) for the Class of 2028, pending the completion of some additional requirements." Then goes on to say that they need transcripts, ACT scores and possibly, an interview (this was completed in SLE)
I've never heard of an email that encourages applicants to complete their application for an LOA, maybe it was an LOI? Also, this current cycle is the class of 2029, so hopefully that was just a typo in the email. I wish your son luck, but for now, lets talk about those sit-ups...
 
The email says: "This puts you in a select group that may be eligible for a Letter of Assurance (LOA) for the Class of 2028, pending the completion of some additional requirements." Then goes on to say that they need transcripts, ACT scores and possibly, an interview (this was completed in SLE)
That, I believe, is an LOI or LOE, which many here reported receiving. It’s a good thing - essentially says the candidate is in play - and may even receive an LOA down the road. They want the candidate to move along and get everything in when it’s ready to go.

For others reading this:
- You can be offered an appointment and never see a whiff of LOI or LOE (I scramble which SA gives what, but it’s a similar candidate outreach/engagement touch) or LOA.
- You can receive an LOI/LOE and receive an appointment offer if you are fully qualified with a nom. Or not.
- You can receive an LOA, having never seen an LOI/LOE, with or without specific conditions to fulfill, for any reason, at any time in the cycle. If you don’t fulfill a condition or are not fully qualified or don’t receive a nom from any source (USCGA NOT an issue), you will likely not get offered an appointment.
- Receiving these class-building communications from 1 SA does not mean you will receive them from others. Ditto appointments.
- All candidate applications are thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for prep offers, LOA, etc.
 
I've never heard of an email that encourages applicants to complete their application for an LOA, maybe it was an LOI? Also, this current cycle is the class of 2029, so hopefully that was just a typo in the email. I wish your son luck, but for now, lets talk about those sit-ups...
I got the same email, it said 2028 on mine as well. It's a typo
 
My son received an LOA to USMMA last year (and a full appointment that he turned done) but he didn’t have to apply for the LOA. He just had to accept it and email something back to admissions. He was a recruited athlete and was qualified by DODMD. Best of luck to your son.
 
That's what my dad heard when I did my overnight. Was it due to competitiveness of the class?
Probably just a return to the norm. Historically, USMA has given out far fewer LOA's than other SA's.

The problem with giving out LOA's is that if the LOA holder gets beat on the slate by a non-LOA candidate, admissions must then find an authorized category to charge the LOA holder's appointment. They can not simply create more slots. Appointment numbers are governed by law. That is why USMA admissions has normally only given LOA's to candidates they were sure were going to win a slate.
 
Probably just a return to the norm. Historically, USMA has given out far fewer LOA's than other SA's.

The problem with giving out LOA's is that if the LOA holder gets beat on the slate by a non-LOA candidate, admissions must then find an authorized category to charge the LOA holder's appointment. They can not simply create more slots. Appointment numbers are governed by law. That is why USMA admissions has normally only given LOA's to candidates they were sure were going to win a slate.
Got it, thank you for the explanation. That does explain my LOA and also reassures me that USMA is confident I’ll get the nomination (which at least has to count for something).
 
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