<p>I recently received a LOA to West Point and I have a few questions.</p>
<p>1.How does the LOA affect the congressional nomination process?</p>
<p>2.What will happen if a copy of the LOA is sent to the MOC?</p>
<p>3.Will I count against the MOC limit of 5 cadets? How will this work?</p>
<p>Congrats! I think you should. It sure would affect their decision.</p>
<p>hawkeye-
1. It makes it a sure thing that you'll be headed to WP if you get nominated. It also makes you look like a better choice for the MOC's to pick, because WP wants you.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>They should be aware, but definately make it clear.</p></li>
<li><p>They have 5 slots @ ea academy. 10 nominees can be chosen per slot. so every year they have a list of 10 nominees. You will count against their nominees list, but not against their slots.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Kohl's office was bragging that of their list of 10 nominees, 5 were chosen for the Academy last year. Kohl has 5 slots, but only 1 counts against him, LOA winners dont, and those chosen by the Academy after the initial drafting of candidates count against WP. LOA means you are accounted for under WP slots, not your MOC's. But he must nominate you, therefore taking up one name on the list of nominees, to make the LOA work.</p>
<p>Just don't be overconfident going into the nomination interviews. It's great to have an LOA and it's important for your MOC to know about it. However, you still have to earn the nomination. Whether it's urban legend or not, each year we hear about a candidate with an LOA who didn't handle himself appropriately during the interview and then did not receive a nomination.</p>
<p>Yes, momoftwins brings up a good point. Don't get cocky with the LOA, it wasnt mentioned in my interviews, so I never brought it up. I did just recieve confirmation that it was in my file too.</p>
<p>Note, an LOA does not "guarantee" entrance into the Academy even with a nomination, medical, and physical. It is what is says, "assurance". My brother was denied entrance after he had received all the necessary things, without any weird occurance etc. Stay sharp and keep your file clean.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Not true. Something had to have gone into your brother's file that kept him from getting an appointment. An adverse recommendation from a teacher comes to mind.</p>
<p>Quote from my daughter's LOA:
[quote]
Congratulation! The Admissions Committee has recommended you for an appointment to the United States Military Academy (USMA). Accordingly, I have reserved a cadetship for you contingent upon medical qualification, continued excellent work in school, and file completion. You must send the Admissions Office your Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) results, the Candidate Personal Data Record, and the Candidate Statement by October 15, 2007 or this letter of assurance will be withdrawn. When these matters are resolved, you will be appointed a member of the USMA Class of 2012...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>My daughter mailed the last items from her Candidate Kit on 15 October 2007. Her appointment arrived in the mail on 2 November 2007. The appointment was signed and dated on 2 October 2007; the appointment was already approved before she completed her application.</p>
<p>GreatAmerican- I believe RCap was refering to his brother completeing the application, but not getting a nomination? Please correct me if I am wrong. </p>
<p>Also, Congratulations for your D. The dating confuses me on her acceptance letter, it opens up another perspective on the academy. Being prepared to accept candidates as soon as they are qualified and nominated...</p>
<p>^^^^^
The way I read the post, RCap's brother had completed everything including a nomination.</p>
<p>I'll pm RCap to find out.</p>
<p>Yes, he had everything including a nomination. It is possible that an adverse letter of recommendation was sent. Although we have tried to ask the Academy for more detailed info, they have refused to release any information concerning their admission process, which I can understand.
I do know the exact wording of the LOA. I received one several months ago for the class of 2012.
Just saying, don't let you're guard down.</p>