Conflicted about my LOA. Help please.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>Ok so this might be a little long, so usna gurus I'm going to need you to bear with me. This last Friday, I received a Letter of Assurance from the United States Naval Academy! Here are my stats and why I'm a little confused I got one.</p>

<p>ACT: 27 math, 25 english
GPA: 3.55 (UW) 4.15 (W)
Tons of leadership and great rating at summer seminar/great essay./ outstanding recs.
MD-3rd district.</p>

<p>Now I know I still need a nomination or I won't get an official appointment. I live in Maryland's 3rd district, so rather competitive. I know having an LOA usually gets you a nom, but in my situation with my rather low test scores/"meh" GPA, I'm worried my letter of assurance wont offset all my bad aspects. What do you guys think? Should I just hope for the best? Do I really have any shot for a nomination in the competitive district I live in? </p>

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<p>First… are you totally certain that this is a real “Letter of Assurance.” I have seen some people on this website who thought they had one, but didn’t. All they got was a very flattering recruiting letter.</p>

<p>Second… assuming this is a real LOA and that you actually want to attend USNA, you should definitely move ahead with applying for a nomination, even with your mediocre test scores. Your members of congress know about LOAs and they know what the Academy’s standards are. If the Academy is impressed with you, so will your MOC.</p>

<p>Third… yes, leadership and athletics can make up for modest test scores and academics.</p>

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<p>I just looked at your other posts. Your SAT is 1950, which is far better than your ACT scores. So, if it is not too late, only submit your SAT scores.</p>

<p>By the way, your SAT verbal score is in the upper 25% at the Naval Academy while your math score is about average. See this profile of the incoming class of 2018:
<a href=“http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/_files/documents/ClassPortrait.pdf”>http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/_files/documents/ClassPortrait.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Notice that it only shows SAT scores. This might suggest that USNA considers the SAT more important than the ACT.</p>

<p>In sum, if possible, ignore the ACT score and just move forward. You are an excellent candidate.</p>

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<p>My son received LOAs from the USMA and USAFA. Excluding your name…what does the first paragraph of your letter say? While not impossible…it is early for LOAs to be going out unless you are an extremely stellar candidate. Not saying you aren’t…but let’s first make sure you are interpreting the letter you received correctly. </p>

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<p>It says I am guaranteed appointment following the completion of the required materials (they put an x on the nominations box). </p>

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<p>Will my MOCs feel inclined to give me a nomination as long as I don’t mess up the interview too badly due to my LOA?</p>

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<p>Wow. The first paragraph in my son’s letters were considerably longer than one sentence and a check box. Good luck!</p>

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<p>

You can never assume something like that. Even if true, it might make you overconfident. I recommend that you behave as though you do not have the LOA. In other words, work hard and do your best. You still have a ways to go.</p>

<p>Also, congratulations!</p>

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<p>Speaking of overconfidence… don’t forget to go ahead and apply for ROTC scholarships and civilian colleges.</p>

<p>If you are at all inclined to attend a small liberal arts college, take a look at Rhodes College in Memphis. Next fall will be its first year having NROTC. Rhodes also provides free room and board to its ROTC scholars. ROTC classes and activities are actually held at University of Memphis, about five miles away (don’t worry, with the money you save, I bet your parents would by you a decent used car).</p>

<p><a href=“Rhodes College now has Naval ROTC - Naval Academy - Annapolis - College Confidential Forums”>Rhodes College now has Naval ROTC - Naval Academy - Annapolis - College Confidential Forums;

<p><a href=“http://www.rhodes.edu/finaid/27075.asp”>http://www.rhodes.edu/finaid/27075.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Other universities which provide free room and board to NROTC scholars include the University of Rochester and Tulane University.</p>

<p>=D> </p>