<p>My son received an LOA last week. He's already been notified that he is medically qualified. At this point, he needs to secure a nomination (currently still completing paperwork for those), and submit his CFA. We are really excited, but...how excited should we be? Is he likely to secure the nomination - how likely is it that he will get the nom? Does the LOA help him secure the nomination?</p>
<p>We are excited - but scared to get too excited!</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>mom43boyz,</p>
<p>First of all, welcome aboard! Secondly, congratulations to your son and entire family! It's a big deal to get an LOA.</p>
<p>He should make sure that he completes the nomination applications quickly. He may be required to participate in interviews, so pay attention to any instructions regarding this. Also, pass that CFA before there is a chance to hurt himself and delay receiving an appointment.</p>
<p>Be excited, but just wait until that appointment arrives. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>The LOA is not a big deal; it's a HUGE DEAL! However, getting the nom depends a lot on where you live. If you live in a super competitive region (i.e. near the Pentagon), it's much harder. The MOC's want to nominate kids who will get in (for bragging rights!). Having an LOA makes your son someone they desire to put on the list. Congrats!!</p>
<p>Congratualtions!</p>
<p>The LOA is West Point admissions telling your son that they WANT him!<br>
To receive an appointment every candidate must pass the CFA and receive a Nomination.
Hopefully, your son is in good physical condition and can take and pass the CFA soon.
As for the Nomination - These are basically Congressional or Service connected. Every candidate is eliglible to apply for 4 Congressional Nominations - 1 US Representative, 2 US Senators and the Vice President of the US. Please make sure your son applies for all - including the VPOTUS.</p>
<p>Your son can certainly include a copy of his LOA in his nomination applications - this will tell the members of congress that the Academy wants him and vice versa.
Most likely he will receive a nomination from his congressman or senator. If for some reason, he does not he will have covered his rear with an application to the VPOTUS - these are due soon.
Academy admissions picks those candidates who will receive a nomination from the VPOTUS.
There are also 50 nominations that the Superintendent can give - on his discretion if all else fails.</p>
<p>I don't think it's too soon to say - welcome to the Class of 2013!</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info and advice! DS hasn't 100% made up his mind - his backup plan was to go to Pharmacy school and, of course, West Point doesn't offer that. I think he had in his head that he wasn't going to get in to WP (maybe a coping mechanism?) and so his backup plan started being more the likely option. He definitely is excited though and working hard to complete his nomination paperwork. We visited WP this summer (he did SLS) and it is such an awesome place! He loved it there!</p>
<p>He's physically fit - I don't think he'll have any problem passing the CFA - he took it once at SLS and didn't pass - but was very close - I think now he knows what to expect. He plays football though - I hope he doesn't get injured before the CFA, which is scheduled for a week or two away from now. (Of course - I hope he doesn't get injured at all!)</p>
<p>He's talked about going to WP since he was about 7 years old - I'm so proud of him for sticking with it and doing everything it takes to be considered.</p>
<p>Thanks again for the replies - this is a great site for info!</p>