LOAs

<p>Im effin mad, i look at the stats of previous years students and those of this years, and mine are no different... I sent my transcript a month ago, and because of SLS, they kno my SAT and ACT scores... Yet i still havent gotten one and im gettin really nervous. I hold a 3.82 GPA, 5 APs to date, 780 math, 630 readin, 730 writing SAT, and a 33 composite ACT. I dont know what else to tell them. Do you think i should send a copy of my official scores, because theyve never seen that. They would only know of my scores through the SLs survey thing. any advice would be helpful, cuz i want an LOA really badly.</p>

<p>Wow, I think first you need to relax. Remember, you can still get in without an LOA.</p>

<p>Alright, so you've got pretty decent grades. West Point wants the whole person, not just your brain!</p>

<p>Whoaa fella! First of all it's very early in the process...you seem to want everything to be over and done with in late August. Your stats don't blow me away nor do I think they would the admissions board. A very small number of applicants get LOA's. I will await others thoughts on this but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for one at this point in time. Your screen name identifies you as a "U of M" hopeful...where does this leave West Point in your expectations? Lots of questions out there.</p>

<p>No offense, but your academic stats are not extraordinary enough to grant you a LOA. It's not just about the academic stats, but more importantly, West Point is looking for people with leadership potential.</p>

<p>Ok, with that out of the way, take a deep breath and calm down. It's only August and most people get their LOAs a month or two from now. Next, consider your competition. You'll be competing with America's finest, and if you think you stand out from that crowd, then you should be justified in expecting something as precious as an LOA from West Point.</p>

<p>Finally, consider this: my GPA was a solid 3.9 and I got a 2100 on my SATs. I was also president of NHS, Battalion XO in a military school, and a captain of my football team. My roommate had 3.8 GPA and is a nationally ranked rower. We were both waitlisted last year and now we are West Point preps at NMMI. My point? Don't just think scores and GPA will get you noticed because West Point is a very, very tough school to get into.</p>

<p>of course WEst Point is tough, and I made this screen name maybe 2 years ago, when i didnt really think about usma. Plus, i didnt list my extracurriculars, which range from 500 hours of volunteer service to the conception of multiple clubs in my school, including an IASA(Indain AMerican Student Asociation) chapter at my school. Im also a member of a world champion robotics team(we won world championship 2 years ago, and this past year, we ranked 3rd). I also play school sports... I dont want to list everything else, because i dont want to sound cocky and overconfident of my chances. I just looked at som of the other stats on the other LOA thread and noticed that mine werent very different. By they way, should I make a resume and send it to the WP admissions office?</p>

<p>There is often no rhyme or reason to LOA's. It is what USMA is looking for at the moment. Sometimes it is an athlete that a coach is recruiting who gets an LOA (happened to my son who's academics were good, but weren't as strong as other's), sometimes you can't figure out a reason at all. I also know candidates without an LOA who received their appointment well ahead of some holding the treasured document. Keep your chin up! It is WAY too early to get discourgaged now!</p>

<p>uofmhopeful: It is very early in the application process - if your stats reflect what WP admissions is looking for in an LOA candidate you will receive one. WP admissions know what they are doing and have been doing it for a long time. Having a sense of entitlement based on the stats posted on the internet by other LOA recipients is not a good idea. I would not send a resume at this point. You MALO may be helpful in giving you guidance.<br>
Good luck!</p>

<p>I'll chime in on this. Your stats are very good. You should be proud of yourself. </p>

<p>It is really, really early for any LOA's. They have likely gone out to those who have been on the radar screen for a while, are recruited athletes, or those who are Ivy League competitive. When my daughter was going through the Admissions process, the only LOA in our area was given to a young man with a 36 on his ACT. Don't worry - please. Don't be mad either. And I know it's easier said than done. The anxiety over this can really raise stress levels.</p>

<p>Don't forget that only about 200 LOA's go out in a year. And the class of 2010 had 1300+ show up on R-Day. Even if the number of LOA's offered increases by 100, it means the vast majority do not receive LOA's.</p>

<p>Now for resumes. I personally think you should have a resume as you'll be going on at least 2 interviews. One will be for a nomination and one will be with your MALO. A one-page resume listing your academics, athletic, community service, and work experience is a good thing to have. It certainly is not a requirement, but it can enhance your package by showing a level of professionalism. The type of person who will be conducting an interview with you is used to seeing resumes from candidates for jobs. It makes an interview easier for them. So, go ahead and make it easier for those who will interview you. I bet they'll appreciate it.</p>

<p>Now, you should submit your test scores formally. I can't imagine that they will make a decision without receiving the scores. Is all of your other paperwork in? How did you do on the CFA? You mentioned that you play school sports. Are you expecting to be a team captain senior year? If so, remember to update your file immediately. </p>

<p>And you may want to start some relaxation exercises. It can be a long wait to receive an appointment and staring at the mailbox doesn't really help. ;)</p>

<p>The interview situation seems to vary from region to region. My son did not have any formal interviews. The "one on one" with his squad leader at SLS was deemed to be his interview by WP admissions and his MALO was told he did not have to do an additional one. None of the MOC's conducted interviews - all of their decisions were made using the material they requested - so yes it is really important that they have all of the relevant information they need in a clear format.</p>

<p>Ann,</p>

<p>I suspect that your son's experience is not necessarily the norm. I think most of the kids will have at least 1 interview. What I'm recommending is that any applicant be as prepared and professional as possible. Since most will not have been on too many interviews, preparing a resume will also help them to focus on the important, relevant points that may be discussed. They'll be old enough to have guns in their rooms next year, :D so they might as well have a resume.</p>

<p>Hi momoftwins:
I was agreeing with you with regard to the resume, and it would seem to be more important if there is no "formal" interview (son did have one, just didn't know it at the time :)). I read uofmhopeful's question as asking whether he should submit a resume to WP admissions at this point in the hopes of getting an early LOA. My comment was that I don't believe he should submit one at this point. I would wait until he submits his official application.</p>

<p>Can someone explain to me what an LOA is. I think I remember hearing that it meant letter of acceptance. Today in the mail I got a letter from a colonel saying that I was recommended for a nomination and that a spot at WP was being reserved for me. Is this an LOA.</p>

<p>Big Al: Could be. </p>

<p>The LOA should indicate that the USMA Admissions Committee has recommended you for an appointment to the USMA and that a cadetship is reserved for you contingent on you receiving a nomination and a medical qualification from DODMERB.</p>

<p>If the letter contains this type of information, congratulations!</p>

<p>LOA is a limited offer of admission, contingent on getting your first semester grades from senior year, finishing DODMERB, chasing down paperwork, etc. Congrats Big Al!</p>

<p>My MALO tells me that the two items necessary for a LOA are simply a transcript and standardized test scores. I understand the "whole person" concept, but the admissions board can make a pass on the CFA contingent and they already have your pre-cad questionnaire.</p>