<p>I dont know anything about LOA's even though I have extensively combed the West Point website...what I mean is that I dont know what it means by getting one...yeah...its kinda like that</p>
<p>You get an LOA when West Point wants you, but something in your application isn't finished. Usually Nomination or DODMERB.</p>
<p>That's basically it.</p>
<p>I think.</p>
<p>Not Really, but almost.
LOA are issued to highly competitive candidates that a Service Academy wants for their incoming class. Many of these candidates are also applying to Ivy League "early action", and the academy needs to let the candidates know that they have had their applications reviewed, and are being offered an academy slot.</p>
<p>LOA are not a guarantee, as they stipulate that the remaining process must be completed satisfactorily, usually a nomination and a DoDMERB (medical screening) satisfactory review.</p>
<p>Receiving one is a very good thing.
Best of luck in your quest.
CM</p>
<p>As candidatemom points out, a Letter of Assurance (LOA) is kinda like an early action decision by a university. Technically when an LOA is issued, the USMA Admissions Committee recommends a "highly qualified candidate" for an appointment and the Director of Admissions "reserves" a cadetship for that candidate. That cadetship is reserved contingent "upon receipt of a nomination, medical qualification, continued excellent work in school, and file completion." Unlike an early action decision, an LOA does not obligate the candidate to select USMA or preclude them from pursuing alternative college or academy admissions.</p>
<p>I think that less than 200 LOA's are issued. Last year, the first LOA's were issued in July to candidates based on the information in their applications to the Summer Leadership Seminar(SLS) and their evaluation at the Summer Seminar. I know of several candidate who received LOA's before they had submitted the official candidate application materials that were sent out to candidates in August 2004. </p>
<p>Attendence at SLS is not required to get an LOA. However, the early LOA's I heard about were given to candidates attending SLS. If someone knows of an early LOA issued to a candidate not attending SLS, please speak up. </p>
<p>My understanding is that LOA's are issued primarily based on academic rather than athletic performance. Recruited athletes are handled apart from the "highly qualified" candidates. </p>
<p>As mentioned is a previous posting, the profile of the early LOA recipients was: SAT Score 1350+, high GPA and class ranking, varsity sport participation, and some demonstrated school/community leadership.</p>
<p>Good luck in your pursuits.</p>
<p>Ohhh for some reason I got an LOA confused with a nomination :mad:...thanks for all your help though.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, a nomination, while necessary for appointment, is not a guarantee of one. Each member of Congress may nominate up to 10 candidates for each academy. Generally speaking, only one candidate from a Member of Congress's slate will be offered an appointment to the particular academy. There are exceptions and you should read up on this for a more complete understanding. I believe that there is a link from the West point home page.
CM</p>