<p>I have received a LOA to USMA. It is contingent upon a nomination. How many people get an LOA but do not get a nomination?</p>
<p>I really depends on where you live. If you are in N. VA, MD, TX, NY, CA, it could happen. If you live in a less populous area you have a better chance of it not happening. Anyplace with a strong military presence is going to have a plethora of amazing candidates. I would imagine many, many LOAs are given out in N. VA and MD (retired military working at the Pentagon…). Bottom line: if USMA wants you bad enough, they will help you find a nomination. Make your file as desirable as possible. Best of luck!</p>
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I would say very very few and even those are candidates who have failed to vigorously pursue all nominations available. All LOAs who don’t receive primary MOC nominations are eligible for the national pool which is ‘where-you-live’ neutral and from which a substantial portion of the class is drawn. So long as USMA limits the number quality of LOAs to the anticipated amount which will require national pool nominations, which I assume they do, you are covered.</p>
<p>Should you be one of those rare individuals who have applied to all sources available and the MOC has chosen not to nominate you based on the fact that you have an LOA and will not need their endorsement, there are several avenues available, two of which are the Vice Presidential and the Superintendent’s appointments. A third option which is not unheard of is for the Admissions Office to go back to one of the three MOCs who initially failed to nominate you and ask that they substitute you on the slate of 10 for someone who is definitely not going to use the nomination (medically or academically unqualified or have withdrawn their application, for example) , thusly making you eligible for the national pool. Bottom line, if you apply to your three MOCs and to a Vice Presidential and follow through, don’t worry about it.</p>
<p>Thank you. My dad still refuses to believe that I will make it in, and it is making me very paranoid. I had my second senator interview today, and now I just have my rep. interview left. Fingers crossed!</p>
<p>Make sure each of your nomination sources knows that you have an LOA. You may want to provide a copy of the letter. And let your dad know that only a small percent of candidates actually receive the LOA. </p>
<p>Every admissions cycle we hear that if a candidate with a LOA messes up their interview by being inappropriate, too cocky, etc. doesn’t receive a nomination. Whether this is urban legend or not, make sure you go into the interviews with the right attitude.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you. Let us know what happens.</p>
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Why???(10 character minimum)</p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>Because the purpose of the nomination interview is to demonstrate your qualifications and desire to attend West Point. Having an LOA is the ultimate determination that you are “qualified”, since you have to be qualified in the eyes of the academy and not just the MOC.
Telling the nomination committee that you will accept your appointment demonstrates interest.</p>
<p>That said - of course you don’t want to go in waving your LOA letter at the interview board. However, this is quite easy to mention casually during the course of the interview.</p>