WP Required Recommendations

[MrSTOCK]

Not sure if there is a thread about this already, I looked briefly. I am trying to save my teachers some time in writing recommendations since multiple of my back up schools require them. But can I use the WP required recommendations for a senator’s recommendation? My senator requires 3 Letters of Recommendation. I’m not sure if I should use the same one from my candidate portal if possible.

And one more thing. If I am requesting nomination to multiple academies, should my letters of recommendation not be geared towards why I am fit for West Point? This relates to my previous question, I am trying make it easier for my teachers/counselor.

 

[bt18]

The only required recommendations for West Point are your three SOE's, they require no writing it is just you getting ranked in several categories. You are able to submit letters of rec if you desire onto your candidate portal, but they are optional. If you already submitted some optional letters of rec into your portal I think you should be fine in using them for your MOC nom; from my understanding, the only people that can see your portal on that board would be your FFR if one is even on it, but I don't think it matters if you reuse good LOR's.

As for your second question, most MOC's will ask that you state your first choice of academy (especially senators, so they can spread the wealth so to speak) this means you should probably use your West Point LOR's if West Point is your first choice. Unless you plan on sailing the high seas as a merchant marine or piloting an A-10, it may make things awkward during a panel interview if they ask you something along the lines of "if you had to choose one nomination, where would it be?" and it was not West Point, given you submitted the LOR's geared towards WP.

 

[MrSTOCK]

The only required recommendations for West Point are your three SOE's, they require no writing it is just you getting ranked in several categories. You are able to submit letters of rec if you desire onto your candidate portal, but they are optional. If you already submitted some optional letters of rec into your portal I think you should be fine in using them for your MOC nom; from my understanding, the only people that can see your portal on that board would be your FFR if one is even on it, but I don't think it matters if you reuse good LOR's.

As for your second question, most MOC's will ask that you state your first choice of academy (especially senators, so they can spread the wealth so to speak) this means you should probably use your West Point LOR's if West Point is your first choice. Unless you plan on sailing the high seas as a merchant marine or piloting an A-10, it may make things awkward during a panel interview if they ask you something along the lines of "if you had to choose one nomination, where would it be?" and it was not West Point, given you submitted the LOR's geared towards WP.

Ok. So since I have my 4 letters of recommendation in my WP portal, can I ask those teachers to send me the file so I can use them for my senator nomination LOR’s?

 

[bt18]

Ok. So since I have my 4 letters of recommendation in my WP portal, can I ask those teachers to send me the file so I can use them for my senator nomination LOR’s?

If they are thoughtful, well written, and make you look like an appealing candidate (and assuming they are geared towards West Point, and WP is your first choice) I do not see a problem with that.

 

[USMA 1994]

Ok. So since I have my 4 letters of recommendation in my WP portal, can I ask those teachers to send me the file so I can use them for my senator nomination LOR’s?

No, it does not work like this. Your teachers will have to complete an evaluation of your performance and potential. They are not letters of recommendation. The SOE will list categories and the teacher gives you a rating based on the pre-defined scale.

The statements will include things like Influences others in a positive manner, adjust to demanding schedules, communicates effectively, etc. The teacher will respond to each question with a rating 1-5 from agree strongly to strongly disagree/

 

[bt18]

Ok. So since I have my 4 letters of recommendation in my WP portal, can I ask those teachers to send me the file so I can use them for my senator nomination LOR’s?

Are you referring to actual letters of recommendation in your upload docs category, or the green check marks under the overview tab of school official evaluation (SOE). Those are not letters of rec.

 

[MrSTOCK]

Are you referring to actual letters of recommendation in your upload docs category, or the green check marks under the overview tab of school official evaluation (SOE). Those are not letters of rec.

Yes I am referring to the green check marks. I am confused. When I asked my teacher to send me the PDF they had they were letters. How does the SOE work exactly?

 

[goalsetter2025]

Yes I am referring to the green check marks. I am confused. When I asked my teacher to send me the PDF they had they were letters. How does the SOE work exactly?

From what I know (at least from the USNA side, but very much likely that the SOE's are the same), my teachers all said that they were mostly "evaluations"... as in rank the student on a scale (1-10) in leadership, participation, academics, etc. For each option, teachers had the opportunity to write a short comment on it if wanted. Also, at the end of the evaluation, they had an Optional section for additional comments, and all my teachers wrote a solid letter of recommendation there.
But for the most part, SOE's aren't your traditional Letter of Recommendations. SOE's are tailored to the service academies specifically, and what the academies want to see (think leadership and initiative).
Good Luck.

 

[jl123]

Yes I am referring to the green check marks. I am confused. When I asked my teacher to send me the PDF they had they were letters. How does the SOE work exactly?

The SOE is considerably different than a letter of recommendation and would not be suitable for use as a MOC recommendation without substantial revision/editing.

SOE procedure:

1. Candidate requests teacher to complete SOE and informs them that USMA will contact them by email to complete online form
2. Candidate provides contact information for person selected to complete SOE
3. Admissions send evaluator email with link to online SOE
4. Evaluator completes and submits SOE
5. Green check appears in candidates file

As of a few years ago (may or may not have changed since), the SOE had the following sections:

1. 12 statements about demonstrated ability and asking the evaluator to rate the candidate from 1 (strongly agree) to 5 (strongly disagree) for each statement
2. A section asking the evaluator to explain any rating of 4 or 5
3. A section asking how evaluator believes the candidate will do at the college level in the evaluator's academic area