<p>i've already had my interviews with my senators (still have my congressman interview left), but i just received an LOA to West Point. should i call their offices and inform them of my LOA?
thanks.</p>
<p>Very Good Idea. and dont waste time with snail mail.
Call them ask for a fax number and follow up with a phone call.</p>
<p>uh YES!!!!</p>
<p>hersheybear....congrats on your LOA to "the OTHER school" :-)</p>
<p>One thing that is a given that maybe most don't realize....The Congressman ALWAYS send a copy of the LOA to the respective Congressional (Home) Office. So you are always welcome to call the Office to inform them, but your LOA letter to YOU also was CC'd to them.</p>
<p>We had a really really wierd experience with that the year my kiddo was the recipient of her LOA. Her best friend was clerking/interning in the local Congressman's Office - her job? Opening the mail....so this young lady opens our daughter's LOA which had arrived there before it came to us. Once my daughter told everyone about her LOA - the young lady asked to see the letter and confirmed that it was the copy of what she had opened just a few days before.</p>
<p>thanks.
so the congressmen get LOA's but not Senators? or does everyone get them?</p>
<p>^^^^^
LOAs are sent to your Congressional Representative and both US Senators.</p>
<p>The Ohio Senators application's plainly state that if you recieve an LOA you are to forward a copy of it to thier office</p>
<p>Any candidate who loves the hersheybears is bound for glory ... good luck @ USNA and congrats on the USMA LOA. A great honor of your good work.</p>
<p>LOA's are CC'ed to your Senators and Congressman, but it is a good idea to double check with their office to make sure they received it.</p>
<p>are MOC's cc'ed on medical qualification, too?</p>
<p>I don't think so, but I might be wrong.</p>
<p>
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are MOC's cc'ed on medical qualification, too?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>no- it would violate HIPPA regulations, even if qualified.</p>
<p>^^^^^
The service academies do provide MOCs with the candidate's medical status (i.e., Qualified or Disqualified).</p>
<p>Last year my daughter was asked in her MOC interview if she was medically qualified. IMO - this is inappropriate and irrelevant at this stage but that doesn't prevent them from asking the question.</p>
<p>Of course if she was the easy answer would have been yes - but she was not. Not only that she knew she would be disqualified for a History of Asthma - her file was actually in the remedial stage.
When we talked about potential questions - we talked about if this should come up - I told her NOT to discuss her medical history - good advice I think since the MOC committee is not in a position to judge if a candidate would receive a waiver.
She honestly told them that she had had her exam and DoDMERB had not yet qualified her and left it at that.</p>
<p>It is very intimidating and awkward to be in front of a panel if this question arises - think about your own personal situation ahead of time and how to answer tactfully.</p>
<p>End of story - she got the nomination and eventually got a waiver.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Last year my daughter was asked in her MOC interview if she was medically qualified. IMO - this is inappropriate and irrelevant at this stage but that doesn't prevent them from asking the question.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree -- and disagree. I agree it's not something with which the MOC's office should be concerned. That said, my guess is that they are asking b/c they're trying to determine if the candidate has fulfilled the other parts of the application process; sort of like asking if the person passed the CFA. And, they may be trying to avoid giving a nom to someone who has been medically rejected (that, BTW, isn't very smart b/c medical status can change up to I-Day).</p>
<p>Asking about medical status, BTW, is not a HIPAA violation. Asking why a person isn't qualified (what the medical reasons are) could be a HIPAA issue. </p>
<p>
[quote]
I told her NOT to discuss her medical history.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Good advice.</p>
<p>It IS a tricky question b/c a candidate shouldn't have to reveal personal medical information. I think the best answer is either: (1) yes (if true) or (2) some version of "I'm still in the process" (if you've taken the exam but have not yet been found qualified). They shouldn't ask more.</p>
<p>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^</p>
<p>I agree totally - sometime kids (and adults) are in a position when asked a question give the answer and then keep on talking......</p>
<p>you know - volunteer information that isn't specifically asked for.
I can see a lot of kids doing this - I was glad that some very wise person - a BGO actually - suggested that she and I talk about this beforehand.</p>
<p>Two of our MOCs asked medical questions on their applications. The questions were about eyesight and asthma. Was wondering if that was common or if they were using it to screen out candidates with potential medical problems.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Asking about medical status, BTW, is not a HIPAA violation.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>the RELEASE of any medical information is in violation of HIPAA- unless, of course, the candidate signed a waiver. The academy requests such a waiver as part of the paperwork that is signed- the MOC offices do not. </p>
<p>The MOC offices can ASK anything they want- whether it is right or wrong is another issue. DoDMERB cannot RELEASE any info without express consent from the candidate, and can release it only to those parties identified. Anything else is in clear violation.</p>
<p>my LOA said my appointment is contingent upon completion of file at WP, medical qualification, continued excellence in high school, and a nomination. when i call my MOC's, should i tell them that i'm medically qualified and my application is complete at WP?</p>
<p>not sure I would call the MOC to tell them that- it would be something I would list in a cover letter requesting a nomination-
if that has already been sent in, then you can definately mention it during your interview.</p>