Letter of Assurance (LOA) - Class of 2012

Colleges & Universities A-Z Military Academy - West Point
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<p>Thank you all for the advice-</p>

<p>Although I am afraid a campus visit is quite out of the question, at least at the present. I am an Airborne Infantryman currently serving with the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq. I don't want to discuss deployment timetables due to OPSEC. I just hope that I get back early enough to get my tab. I had discovered West Point as a possibility for junior Enlisted through my chain of command, after I discussed my desire to obtain a comission with them, and after talking with several leaders I realized that it is an outstanding oppertunity that few of my buddies I graduated with can even begin to compare with, in terms of their civilian colleges versus USMA. I remembered from my time in High School and seeing some other people apply that West Point was extremely competitive to get into, but I figured that I couldn't lose anything by giving it a shot. Looks like it's paying off! Hope that explains my motivation a little bit better to yall. I was also wondering, do any of yall have any insight on how prior service cadets get treated in general at West Point? Also, any clue what the percentage of combat vets is in the Corps?</p>

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<p>Moshjath,</p>

<p>First, thank you for your service to our country. You have my utmost respect. Second, the prior enlisted cadets at West Point get a lot of respect from all levels and are a real asset to the Corps of Cadets.</p>

<p>Congratulations on receiving an LOA!</p>

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<p>Great to see things are working out. </p>

<p>I think I saw on the WP website some stats about how many of each class are prior enlisted. Seems the number was quite small, but that is not to say that is good or bad. Others would have to comment on the overall treatment by upperclassmen, but my guess would be for your peers, you will have experiences to draw on that virtually none of them have had.</p>

<p>Best of luck with your efforts !!!!</p>

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<p>"I was also wondering, do any of yall have any insight on how prior service cadets get treated in general at West Point?"</p>

<p>I suspect you'll be treated like the hero you, and your fellow soldiers, are.</p>

<p>Thank you for your service, and best of luck at the greatest school in the world, West Point.</p>

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<p>well it wouldnt be a true CC discussion if this question goes unasked...</p>

<p>any LOAers mind posting their stats?</p>

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<p>^^^^^
My duaghter's stats:</p>

<p>EDUCATION
[ul][<em>]Cumulative GPA: 4.22917
[</em>]Class Rank: 13 out of 450
[<em>]ACT English: 34 Math: 29
[</em>]3 Honors, 14 International Baccalaureate courses
[li]Candidate for International Baccalaureate Diploma[/ul][/li]HONORS AND AWARDS - Numerous awards and honors</p>

<p>ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES
[ul][<em>]Varsity Cross Country
Member: 11, 12 Varsity Letter: 12 All State/District/City: 12
[li]Varsity Swimming[/li]Member: 9, 10, 11, 12 Varsity Letter: 9, 10, 11, 12 All State/District/City: 10, 11, 12
[li]Varsity Track & Field[/li]Member: 9, 10, 11, 12 Varsity Letter: 9, 10, 11, 12 All State/District/City: 11, 12
[li]Curtis Park Seahawks Swim Team, Rappahannock Swim League[/li]Summer 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007[/ul]
VOLUNTEER HISTORY
[ul][li]2007 Curtis Park Swim Team, Rappahannock Swim League[/li]Volunteer Swimming Coach
[li]2007 Youth Track Camp, Colonial Forge High School[/li]Volunteer Coach
[li]Crossover Ministries – Bahamas[/li]Participated in a mission’s trip to the Bahamas. On this trip we cleaned a park, cleaned churches, and cleaned and painted fences. I was part of a team that visited public schools and gave presentations that incorporated the use of puppets, clowns, music, dance, and drama. I had to raise my own funds to participate in this mission’s trip.
[li]Back2Back Ministries – St. Croix[/li]Participated in a mission’s trip to St. Croix. On this trip we made presentations to children at numerous elementary schools. I also worked with a group of volunteers to pick up litter in local parks. In the evenings we made presentations to residents in the local community. I had to raise my own funds to participate in this mission’s trip.
[li]Back2Back Ministries – Mexico[/li]Participated in a mission’s trip to Mexico. On this trip I was part of a team that worked at an orphanage repairing roofs, installing plumbing and ceramic tile, and various concrete projects. I was also part of a team that visited orphanages and gave presentations that incorporated the use of puppets, clowns, music, dance, and drama. I had to raise my own funds to participate in this mission’s trip.
[li]Mountain View High School Ambassador 2007-2008[/li][li]Miscellaneous[/li]Participated in numerous food drives, fund raisers, and cleanup projects.[/ul]
SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS
[ul][</em>]National Honor Society
[<em>]National Art Honor Society
[</em>]Fellowship of Christian Athletes[/ul]
LEADERSHIP
[ul][<em>]Mountain View High School, Class of 2008
Class Secretary
[li]2007 Girls State Delegate[/ul][/li]MISCELLANEOUS
[ul][</em>]Church Group
[<em>]Martial Arts
[</em>]Certified Lifeguard
[li]U.S. Naval Academy Summer Seminar[/li]Attended the Naval Academy Summer Seminar 2 - 7 June 2007[/ul]
WORK EXPERIENCE
[ul][li]Planting the Seed Too – Summer 2005[/li]Child Care Assistant
[li]Stafford County Parks and Recreation Department – Summer 2006[/li]Life Guard (40 hours per week)
[li]Stafford County Parks and Recreation Department – Fall 2006 to Present [/li]Life Guard (14-16 hours per week)
[li]Stafford County Parks and Recreation Department – Summer 2007[/li]Life Guard (40 hours per week)[/ul]</p>

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<p>Moshjath,</p>

<p>I echo usservicemom's sentiments. Thank you for your service and again, congratulations on receiving the LOA. </p>

<p>Prior service are highly respected and able to assume "unofficial" leadership roles during Beast and plebe year. Upperclassmen also respect anyone with prior service. They understand that you have already been in the real Army. That said, you'll still be a new cadet next summer and a plebe during your first academic year.</p>

<p>Perhaps somebody remembers the name of the soldier who was supposed to return to Iraq and didn't want to leave his company to attend West Point? He ended up accepting the appointment. He should be at Buckner right now. Or bzzzt and possibly some current cadets can give a better perspective?</p>

<p>Here's hoping you accept the appointment. Stay safe!</p>

<p>** Just checked. The screenname for the soldier who accepted the appointment was mrgreenapple. I understand he was discussed from the poop deck at West Point just after accepting the appointment. As you can imagine, many of us here were crazy about him. You should be able to look at his posts and, if he's still checking in her3 from time to time, reach out via private message. He may have some great insights for you.</p>

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<p>Moshjath,
From everything I have heard prior service cadets are regarded highly at West Point. When my son did his daytime visit in March 2006 one of the plebes at his table during lunch was a prior service cadet. He was a combat medic. My son asked him about the adjustment to West Point. He said the hardest thing for him was getting used to being told what to do by men & women less experienced than him. </p>

<p>If you want to be an officer go to West Point. If you don't, that is great too. (My husband is former enlisted and had no desire to be an officer.) Either way...thank you for serving!</p>

<p>Note to WPSON2010 - I didn't know about the PBS DVD. Thanks for listing it.</p>

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<p>Here's another place to order the "West Point First 200 Years" DVD. Profits from these sales are returned to the West Point and Highland Falls communities.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.dusagiftshop.org/product153.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.dusagiftshop.org/product153.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The next link is to their home page with more books and videos.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.dusagiftshop.org/page5.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.dusagiftshop.org/page5.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>And another great place to shop. The store is across the street from the Visitors Center in <em>downtown</em> Highland Falls.</p>

<p><a href="http://vasily.com/index.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://vasily.com/index.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>"Also, any clue what the percentage of combat vets is in the Corps?"</p>

<p>The percentage is small, but as the war continues the number is growing. 85 cadet slots are allocated for enlisted soldiers in the regular army each year. Unfortunately this allocation is never filled (not many know about the WP option).<br>
Moshjath: Congratulations on your LOA - you have been given a great opportunity!</p>

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<p>Can Someone Explain To Me What Loa Is?</p>

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<p>Wow, Congrats by the way. Your daughter has some nice stats. Can anyone tell me how many candidates are usually given LOA's? I'm just alittle confused. Does this letter guarantee that you get into West Point even though the applications process hasn't started yet?</p>

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<p>LOA= Letter of Assurance</p>

<p>A LOA guarantees you a spot at the academy pending your dodmerb and CFA qualifications.</p>

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<p>A letter of assurance (LOA) is a reserved cadetship contingent upon the candidate receiving a nomination, medical qualification, passing the CFA, and file completion (usually within 45-60 days).
Early LOAs are given based on the initial candidate questionaire, receipt of the 6th semester transcript (including class rank) and SAT/ACT scores. Additional candidates may be given LOAs when additional information is submitted to a candidate file.</p>

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<p>Mine says pending. Was I suppose to send my transcript to West Point? and CFA is the physical performance test right?</p>

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<p>CFA is Candidate Fitness Assessment. This is different than the medical exam required by DODMERB</p>

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<p>Wait.. so LOA is determined by the questionnaire? Don't you plug in your own credentials? I guess its based on the honor system than.</p>

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<p>My D got an LOA last year based on the preliminary application online. Yes, it's the honor system, but I guarantee that everythng you put down will be checked and confirmed. Your transcripts will be sent from the school in a sealed envelope with a stamp on the flap, an employer will fill out an evaluation, ACT and/or SAT scores will be sent directly from those entities. </p>

<p>Some of her letters of recommendation had to be in sealed envelopes and signed across the flap, thus giving those who are asked to write them an "out" if they really can't tell you no to the request but have concerns about your ability. We stil do not know what those letters said.</p>

<p>When you take your CFA it will be administered by a coach or P.E. teacher who will sign and certify that you did everything it states.</p>

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<p>Mister Sinister: Understand that LOAs can be withdrawn by admissions. They are contingent on file completion, and the information you provide initially is verified before an appointment is awarded.</p>

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<p>^^^^^
My son had an LOA last year. After completing his file, the appointment was held up because he was deficient on the basketball throw portion of the CFA. The admissions officer let him retake the CFA. If my son had not passed the CFA, he wouldn't have received an appointment.</p>

<p>LOA's are conditional.</p>