West Point Questions

[Josephabcdbacd]

I am applying for the class of 2021 and I have a few questions.

How are my chances?
Act:31
Gpa:3.9/4
Rank 12/80 (competitive school)
All advance math and science classes
3 Varsity Sports
Boxing
President of 2 clubs
Seinor Leadership Team
Student Council Represenitive
Boys State-5th highest position
SLE

Also, when will LOA and LOE be sent out? Do I have a chance of recieving either of these? Ive completed my application except for Teacher recs and Dodmerb

Lastly, does anybody know if TX-10 with Michael Mccaul is competitive.

Thank you, Beat Navy

 

[brovol]

You look competitive. Nice, well balanced resume. As you obviously know by your second question, your district will dictate just how competitive you are. Your FFR should be able to give you some insight there, as will your RC. I strongly suggest that you make a trip to WP for one of the morning briefings and campus tours, and then meet with whatever RC is on that duty for the day (may or may not be yours). In my sons case, we went to the briefings two times, and each time the RC literally looked at my sons application and the other most competitive applications in our district, and then told my son exactly where he stood. He also told him what he needed to be comfortable for an appointment. Very very valuable visit!!!

What is the math score on your ACT? You have a good ACT, but for sure there is still plenty of reason to keep taking it. There is a big difference between a 31 and a 32, so don't be satisfied.

I have no idea if your district is competitive. Others here probably will.

Team captain for varsity sports is a big deal which scores lots of points on the WCS. Maybe talk to coaches and let them know if you are interested in leading your team that way. My son was captain of his varsity soccer and baseball teams, and his RC suggested getting a letter from the baseball coach confirming he would be captain his Sr. Year, because that is a fall sport and wouldn't be verified in time without the letter.

LOE and LOA 's can come at any time, but frequently they don't come at all, even for very competitive candidates. My son was very competitive, and never even got a LOE. Some RC 's don't bother with them much. My suspicion is that you are competitive enough that if you want an overnight visit you can email your RC and get one. And I recommend doing an overnight.

 

[tug_boat]

There are some very good points given from brovol. You're way ahead of the game and in a good position. I would start to reach out to your RC and associate a face to your name. If your RC happens to travel in your area make every effort to meet and greet. In my opinion, you're very strong.

Push Hard, Press Forward

 

[AlphaBumchang]

LOE and LOA 's can come at any time, but frequently they don't come at all, even for very competitive candidates. My son was very competitive, and never even got a LOE. Some RC 's don't bother with them much. My suspicion is that you are competitive enough that if you want an overnight visit you can email your RC and get one. And I recommend doing an overnight.

About the overnight visit, there is a possibility of doing one without getting a LOA by asking my RC? Assuming I'm a competitive candidate. I'd really love to do an overnight visit but haven't received a LOA.

 

[jebdad]

About the overnight visit, there is a possibility of doing one without getting a LOA by asking my RC? Assuming I'm a competitive candidate. I'd really love to do an overnight visit but haven't received a LOA.

My understanding is that USMA only offers overnight visits for LOA recipients, athletic recruiting visits, diversity visits and for those applicants who have received an offer of admission.

 

[brovol]

About the overnight visit, there is a possibility of doing one without getting a LOA by asking my RC? Assuming I'm a competitive candidate. I'd really love to do an overnight visit but haven't received a LOA.

My son had neither a LOA or an LOE but was given an overnight visit last January, and when we picked him up the next morning his RC called us all to his office upstairs and advised that my son was being awarded an appointment. He was one of the first on the appointment thread last year. So yes, it is very possible to get an overnight visit without a LOA. My son loved staying with his host Cadet.

 

[brovol]

.....and my son is a white male, and wasn't a recruited athlete. Just a candidate with a solid application. He sent an email to his RC asking for an assessment of his status, and if there was anything he could be doing to improve his application. In same email he also asked if an overnight visit might be available. The RC replied, telling him to call office to schedule a visit. He got an email from the secretary advising what to do, and a week later he was a "drag" for his host Cadet (who he is now buddies with at West Point).

 

[tug_boat]

The nugget about an overnight stay is the ability to meet with admissions and look over your file. They will let you know how you are doing. Very honest, up close and personal.

Push Hard, Press Forward

 

[buff81]

Overnight visits are generally reserved for those with LOAs, LOE's and those offered an appointment.
My suspicion is that brovol's DS was given an overnight was bc they knew he was going to be offered an appointment.

LOAs and LOEs can be sent at anytime - up until the file completion deadline.
A few years ago, LOEs did not exist, only LOAs. WP is a master of statistics and they know %-wise about how many will accept appointments and about how many will decline.
That changed with the Class of 2014. The number of appointees accepting increased more than expected (per past statistical data). They had to honor the LOAs they sent out. The class ended up being larger than it needed to be (per US Code).
After that year, the number of LOAs given out were scaled back to help control the size of the classes. They are now really intended to 'grab' admissible candidates in target groups that are generally harder to get.
Without as many LOAs being given, WP still needed a tool to give overnight visits to admissible candidates who would not be receiving a LOA. That is when the LOE was born. It exists to encourage candidates to complete their files and to offer an overnight visit.

I know it is hard - but candidates do not need to fret about LOAs and LOEs.
Control what you can control by making your file as strong as you possibly can.

 

[brovol]

Overnight visits are generally reserved for those with LOAs, LOE's and thosered an appointment.
My suspicion is that brovol's DS was given an overnight was bc they knew he was going to be offered an appointment.

LOAs and LOEs can be sent at anytime - up until the file completion deadline.
A few years ago, LOEs did not exist, only LOAs. WP is a master of statistics and they know %-wise about how many will accept appointments and about how many will decline.
That changed with the Class of 2014. The number of appointees accepting increased more than expected (per past statistical data). They had to honor the LOAs they sent out. The class ended up being larger than it needed to be (per US Code).
After that year, the number of LOAs given out were scaled back to help control the size of the classes. They are now really intended to 'grab' admissible candidates in target groups that are generally harder to get.
Without as many LOAs being given, WP still needed a tool to give overnight visits to admissible candidates who would not be receiving a LOA. That is when the LOE was born. It exists to encourage candidates to complete their files and to offer an overnight visit.

I know it is hard - but candidates do not need to fret about LOAs and LOEs.
Control what you can control by making your file as strong as you possibly can.

This sounds completely spot on; however, I am not so sure that my son was pegged as an appointment before his RC green lighted an overnight visit. In the same email he offered the visit he also offered suggestions on what could be done to boost his application. And there was some time between the email and the visit. I do think though that the RC knew my son was at least very competitive. He told us that there were two other candidates in our district who were also very competitive and would likely still get a spot somehow. He also wasn't sure what nomination they were using for my son (and we still don't know).

Buff may be right though. Maybe they did know my son was getting the spot, and just didn't want to share that at the time. But it didn't seem to be the case.

My son maintained some dialogue with his RC, but without being a burden. I think he was to the point that he somewhat recognized his name, knew he was motivated, and that he was a strong candidate.

The RC's were extremely candid with my son. Son started, for example, with a 29 ACT, and the first RC he spoke with told him that was not good enough, based on his competition. He was told to get it to a 31, and then to have a very strong CFA. Son then got ACT to a 32+ and scored very well on his CFA. He also followed other suggestions about boosting his chances, and it all came into place. I really think the real motivated kids do just that, and the Academy likes to see that the kid is wired like that.