Would you agree that if they have everything sent, whether that is seen on the applicant portal or not, is not a problem to worry about?
Yes, at some point we have to make a reality check and go for ED + NROTC that would increase chance of admissions rather than wait for USNA to figure out its IT issues. Therefore, LOA in this case is being used as an indicator that USNA has a slight interest in the DS. Nothing more and nothing less. I am aware that there is a nomination process and bunch of others factors.
I worry about lack of consistent responses.
You are making some SERIOUSLY WRONG assumptions. Absolutely incorrect. It’s apparent that no one here can change your incorrect thinking. Which is really unfortunate and sad for you son. I’m really sorry about that for him. Because it’s potentially life altering for him.
You are worrying about things outside your control.
What is your recommendation? Apply EA or RD to college, hence lowering the chances of admission and then hope that USNA would work itself out somehow?
Of course they need to fix the system. It generates so much extra work for everyone involved.
If USNA is truly your DS’s top choice, yes. That was the conversation I had with my DD in early July, and that’s what *she* chose to do. When discussing it, I reinforced that, at her top civilian school(s), she would have a much better chance of being admitted via ED. She decided she wanted to roll the dice on getting a medical waiver. We then discussed whether or not she wanted to apply to a couple other of choices via Restrictive EA (which still allows you to apply to public’s and service academies) - she doesn’t. In the meantime, while we work through the waiver process/waiting, she’s applying to a number of other competitive schools that offer EA. And, even if gets her waiver, will still apply RD to her Ivies. It’s tough but, at this point, I think it’s probably best to lay out scenarios, get the hell out of the way, and let them spread their wings and exercise their agency. Support however you can in the process (I’ve created spreadsheets, edited essays, provided input when asked, and offered gentle reminders re: timeline and family schedules if she wants us to edit things), but let them steer the ship.
As I see it, the problem with this "reality check" is that it seems to make a wrong assumption about the award of a LOA. Yes, a LOA provides a certain degree of assurance about a future appointment - a degree only. No, the lack of a LOA doesn't mean your DS is unlikely to receive an appointment to USNA if he is an outstanding candidate and there is no superior candidate on his slate(s) or he has a very high candidate score.
Whether to go EA or RD is a question most SA applicants face.
That is how 95% of the candidates who apply to SA's have to do it. ED is for people that REALLY want to go to that institution. You have a better chance at admission, but you are locked into that institution. No other options. So if your DS really wants that ED college, then he should go for it. If he wants a chance at USNA, then he has to go EA or RD. It is a gamble, but life is full of gambles.
I don’t think this is necessarily true. My son was intentionally on time but not early. His interest in USNA wasn’t less than anyone’s- he only applied to USNA (and a backup state school - they approved his application the moment he submitted it).
Good point about NROTC. Some units at highly desired/highly competitive schools fill up with incoming NROTC scholarship winners very quickly. If the student is not a scholarship winner out of HS, they can still join a unit via the college programmer route, if there is room for them.
Generally speaking, the only way to get out of an ED admit is if you can’t afford to attend.
Honestly it’s a really tough call. I’m glad my 3 applicants were not in the ‘ED’ pool.
And further, NROTC is the application where ‘earlier’ submission can benefit. As in, if it’s ready, it goes into the pile of applications that can be reviewed at the first boarding. Where they meet and *can* make an offer at the 1st board. They review as many as time allows. NROTC is a whole different process. NROTC is where @mike1979 ’s son should be focusing on early submission.
Same for my DS - NROTC scholarship awarded on first board, USNA application CPR mid September. No LOA. He contacted the NROTC unit at three of his five school choices and was told by all three that (for their particular schools, which were highly selective for out-of-state applicants) ED would substantially improve his chance of acceptance and that already (October) the unit had scholarship recipients committing via ED. Because he applied to USNA (and that was his goal), he went RD and received a FOAD letter from all three institutions. It's just the reality of it all. He failed to show the schools the love they craved (and the yield they desired). He was accepted tp our state flagship university and the next door state's flagship and placed his NROTC scholarship at our state school with the intention of being a re-applicant (but keeping an open mind on staying). In late February, he received an offer of appointment, along with a whole bunch of others - right there, in line with past years. My DS was a stellar candidate (NROTC board thought so, too) who would fit right in with the stats for any top-line university but that meant he was also pretty much like every other highly qualified USNA applicant. So he waited. His overall goal was to be an officer and he had a good route via the NROTC scholarship. On this forum, over and over, you read about the importance of the goal - to be an officer and not to go to USNA or to XXX university. Of course parents and applicants are going to be sorely disappointed if they don't get into their first choice. But most of our sons and daughters are not as special as we all would like to think.