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The signer is still responsible for signing the letter. This person simply thanked us for including certain phrases he would not have thought of...
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<p>Might I suggest another option.</p>
<p>Our son put together "packets" for each person he requested recommendations from (this included his math and english teacher from junior year, and his coach).</p>
<p>Packets included the following: USNA essay (500 word personal statement), cover letter requesting recommendation, a copy of his athletic CV and activity CV, and one letter of commendation he received from the special olympics program for which he coached for 3 years. In each he placed stamped envelopes addressed to each of the 6 schools (military and civilian) to which he was applying, as well as an envelop for each MOC. </p>
<p>He prepared similiar packets for each MOC, but included a revised cover letter requesting their nomination, his application paperwork and any other requested documents. </p>
<p>In retrospect, this gave a succinct overview of his desire to attend his selected academy (contained in personal statement and cover letter) as well as his activities and accomplishments to date (as listed on his CV's) from which each could draw whatever was needed without any suggestion of "talking points" or suggested/pre-constructed phrases. </p>
<p>The process is meant to be as objective as possible, and while the candidate does have to call attention to why THEY should be selected, this method, IMO, kept things above board and as objective as possible from the candidates side of things. Honesty is the best policy, on all counts. </p>
<p>Hope this is of some help. (and while this is not intended in any way to draw attention to his accomplishments, the proof is in the pudding, and so I will post his outcomes for those interested.)</p>
<p>Our son received acceptances for 5/6 schools, including direct appointments to 2 different academies, with the 6th acceptance coming in the form of an offer of the foundation program to USNA. </p>
<p>He received a total of 3 nominations, one each for USNA, USMA and USMMA, from 2 different MOCs, in what, like most others, is a very competetive district/state. </p>
<p>As he decided on USNA via the foundation route, he applied again the following year for the required nomination and was again selected.<br>
T-21 days to the Class of 2010! :) </p>
<p>ps- Bill is correct as usual: the applicant still has to have the other qualities essential to the academy admissions board. While you must have a nomination to gain an appointment, all the nominations in the world will not get you in if the other components are not there.</p>
<p>Which brings me back to my original point: put your effort into where it really counts- GPA, SATs, ECAs, athletics, CFA, etc......Remember, over 3000+ will get noms- for a few over 1200 spots. Keep your eye on the ball and make sure you are aiming at the right thing! </p>
<p>~Best of luck to all!</p>