<p>No, unfortunately I can not get a Presidential nomination as neither of my parents were in the service. My Nomination Applications are in as of 12Oct. Only my Congressman req. and interview which is in the second week of Dec.</p>
<p>But here's what happened with my CFA. It was the last part of my packet to be finished and I had not received my LOA yet so I was rushing to get it done so my file would be finished. I play a fall sport for my school so most of my training had been dedicated to that rather than the CFA. I took a practice CFA and did poorly. I trained really hard for one week (sport and CFA) and took it for real and got the scores I posted above. Everything had improved, partly b/c of training and partly b/c the first time I took it I didn't pace myself. I thought you could only take it once, so after I took it I went back to training for my sport (districts was coming up). The week after districts I had remedial DoDMERB tests so I didn't work out. Long story short, I'm not in the same shape I was when I took the test. It would probably take 2 weeks for me to get back and 2 more weeks for any improvement in my scores. That would put me at the end of Nov.</p>
<p>I know I did poorly on the Sit Ups. Like I said, the first time I didn't pace myself and so the second time I over compensated a little too much.</p>
<p>I'm a distance runner (Cross Country and Track) so the mile wasn't really a problem. That and the pull ups are probably the toughest things to improve.</p>
<p>You can improve the B-Ball throw by changing you technique and just practicing a lot.</p>
<p>navypilot ... 1st congrats on your loa. Now complete any outstanding issues and stay healthy. As you are, you should be proud and thrilled. And cherish that moment. There are few in life like that one.</p>
<p>But an old reminder to others. Do not "focus" on an LOA. They are somewhat random, rare, and none can intentionally receive one. They are strictly the purview of the Admissions Committee, i.e. THEY control that function which is not necessary for appointment (although great to receive for sure, and I've never heard of one being "declined.") Focus on doing your best in your qualification issues, nomination preparation, and with your application.</p>
<p>LOA dated 19 OCT 2007. I kind of expected to get an appointment because of my brother's attendance, but this is still a great load off my back. It feels nice to know that I am accepted to my number one school while all of my friends stress over their applications.</p>
<p>Remember, few of the applicants receive an LOA. The exact numbers vary slightly from year to year. MOST APPLICANTS DO NOT RECEIVE A LOA. The process for most individuals works like this:</p>
<p>1) Applications are reviewed and analyzed as they are complete. A whole person score is assigned to each applicant. The applicants are then filed according to their geographic area.</p>
<p>2) When the MOC nominations are received in January, a giant spreadsheet is created that is divided by the various slots allocated to those MOC.</p>
<p>3) Candidates are then ranked within those MOC slots. If a MOC designates a principal nominee and that individual is triple Qed, that individual is offered an appointment. This individual MAY not have had the highest whole person score from that congressional area. The remaining candidates have two chances for an appointment, first if the principal declines, the next candidate in the ranking receives an offer of appointment or secondly, a candidate can compete for an at-large appointment. Most MOC do not utilize this system. Most do not designate a principal nominee and they allow the admissions board to make the choice of the most appropriate candidate. In that case, the individual with the highest whole person score receives the appointment.</p>
<p>Most of these appointments are offered by early April. I know this is a very trying time to wait but trust me when I say it can take a LONG time. My son received his appointment in April. Don't give up hope and continue to work to improve your applications. If you receive awards/honors, etc during this time, send that information in to be added to your file. Contact coaches if you are an athlete that can compete at the Division I level. You never know what can be that one thing that can tip the scale to your favor. Good luck!</p>
<p>USNAMom ... good info presented clearly. I'd edify your first statement a bit ... MOST APPOINTEES DO NOT RECEIVE AN LOA.</p>
<p>And I've a question here about one of your points. You state ...
[quote]
Most MOC do not utilize this system. Most do not designate a principal nominee and they allow the admissions board to make the choice of the most appropriate candidate.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I've read this before here ... and I've read the contrarian view that most DO use principal nominations.</p>
<p>Is there clear evidence or just conventional wisdom, speculation, etc. re: this point?</p>
<p>^^^^^
The correct answer is that nominations are done both ways. My understanding from talking to the Admissions Office is that most Congressional Representatives do not rank nominees, which is the method preferred by the Admissions Board because it provides the academy with more latitude in the selection process. On the other hand, most Senators rank their nominees which restricts the Admissions Board.</p>
<p>This is a case of the Upper House vs. the Lower House; the elite vs. the common folks. Just joking.</p>
<p>As always, good timely info, GA. Thanks. You may be joking, but we might agree there's much to your "joke." ONce again, congrats on your dd's LOA/Appointment.</p>
<p>Another question that 69er has raised in my mind. He notes that LOAs are not a lock. That they must "bubble up" if they fail to get an MOC, presidential, VP nom. </p>
<p>Given that LOAs complete their parts ... get the Nomination, get triple Qed, stay in good legal, moral, academic, health shape prior to I Day ...</p>
<p>Has anyone ever heard of an LOA failing to be appointed?</p>
<p>There was a poster on the USMA forum a couple of years ago who had an LOA revoked. He had a some sort of an honor situation at school - perhaps a bad letter of recommendation. I will see if I can find it.</p>
<p>They also don't turn into appointments if there is a DoDMERB DQ that fails to get a waiver - this is probably the most common.</p>
<p>^^^^^
LOAs are conditional. If the candidate doesn't satisfy the conditions of the LOA, s/he won't receive an appointment; end of story. Conditions include: </p>
<p>[ul][<em>]Nominations
[</em>]Medical Qualification
[<em>]Blue & Gold Officer Interview
[</em>]Required Application Documents:
[list][<em>]Personal Data Record
[</em>]Personal Statement
[<em>]Candidate Fitness Statement
[</em>]Candidate Activities Record
[<em>]English Teacher Recommendation
[</em>]Math Teacher Recommendation
[<em>]High School/College Transcript
[</em>]Official Test Scores[/ul][/list]
Unless a candidate is a recruited athlete, who may receive an LOA during the Summer, the only conditions on an LOA will be a nomination and/or medical qualification. Once the regular Admissions Board starts meeting in September, candidate files are not reviewed until they are complete including the CFA and BGO interview.</p>
<p>Candidates with an LOA who do not receive a nomination are given a Superintendents nomination (limited to 50).</p>
<p>All candidates should be aware that all LOAs and Appointments are conditional and can be rescinded for failure to maintain continued excellent work in school, moral turpitude, or failure to use good judgement. A word to the wise: Don't slack off after receiving an LOA or Appointment.</p>
<p>I heard from a representative at an admissions briefing that most MOC do not designate a principal nominee but allow the admissions board to make the decision. Not sure about Senate vs House members and their approach. Our Congressman used the principal and competing alternates formula. Ask the MOC's office which approach they utilize. When my son received his nomination, the letter he received did not distinguish what type of nomination he was receiving. The bottom line is that if you do not know what system they are utilizing, it may be a bit more difficult to know where you stand. For instance, if you know that your MOC utilizes a principal and competing alternates system and you know that you are the principal nominee you can bank on an appointment if you are triple Qd. If you are not the principal nominee you are competing for an at-large spot or waiting for the principal to decline their appointment.</p>
<p>Again, I believe you're right on the $$, and notably that in many if not most cases, it is impossible to know what system one's senators or congressmen use. Ours refused to tell us, but our Mid received notification of his appointment within 10 days of receiving notice of his nomination, so we are inclined to think he may have been a principal nominee.</p>
<p>Coming back to my question for asking about the LOAs and if any knew of any that had failed to be appointed upon fulfulling all points noted by GA above. 69er notes, and I would not bet against his knowledge of how it works, that if LOAs for whatever reasons are placed into the national pool, they must "bubble up", implying that it is possible that a fully qualified LOA to NOT receive an appointment. I'm just looking for a reality check on what may be an accurate "legal" or procedural interpretation.</p>
<p>The reason is that an LOA asked if he would have reason for concern even in the event that he successfully fulfills all noted obligations noted by GA above. And the real issue is should the LOA be concerned about this issue or is there undue hair-splitting.</p>
<p>I have read many postings about recruited athletes. We are late to the process (started in Sept), but my son is a recruited athlete. We have no LOA. He has done CFA, dodmerb, and has his BGO tonight. The coach has called twice, but not frequently. The coach said to make sure he had asked for MOC nom because "he looks bad if he asks and the athlete hasn't." I am not sure how serious the coach is about him. Meanwhile, Army is persuing hot and heavy. The MOC interview is this weekend, and after the essay is finished, file will be complete. any thoughts or advice?</p>
<p>
[quote]
implying that it is possible that a fully qualified LOA to NOT receive an appointment.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The LOA, For the Class of 2010, stated You are guaranteed an offer of appointment if your remaining admissions requirements are completed.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Nomination - as explained to us at the CVW parents brief a nomination is a nomination - even if you are #10 on the slate and the MOC used a Primary with competing alternative candidates - just means you will be "charged against the national pool - and not the MOC" In other words automatically move to the head of the national pool for the purpose of Placing the appointment. Once you have a nomination you are guaranteed.</p></li>
<li><p>Medically qualified - this will get you is you fail to become Medically qualified.</p></li>
<li><p>(for the Class of 2010) The Blue and Gold Interview did not need to be completed for the LOA - just needed to be completed to get the Appointment</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Very important As GA states: LOAs and Appointments are conditional and can be rescinded for failure to maintain continued excellent work in school, moral turpitude, or failure to use good judgement. A word to the wise: Don't slack off after receiving an LOA or Appointment.</p>
<p><a href="for%20the%20Class%20of%202010">quote=Profmom2</a> The Blue and Gold Interview did not need to be completed for the LOA - just needed to be completed to get the Appointment
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The admissions office specifically states that they will not present a package to the board until the interview is complete. It has been that way for several years. With that said, I have seen several athlete's who received LOAs without a BGO interview. If the interview was not held and the candidate was not a recruited athlete, it was somehow a special case, not common procedure.</p>
<p>The web sites for our Senators and representative state that all nominations are based upon the "competitive" unranked basis. This may not be true for all MOCs but the language is so canned that it looks like it was adopted by a committee. They are probably all adopting this method.</p>
<p>Mom3boys-----by all means, have your son apply to your MOC for a nomination. He should do whatever he can on his own to secure his nomination by himself. That being said, if the coach wants your son, he will help him find a nomination if he does not receive one from his own MOC. Look at it from their standpoint, if they can have a recruited athlete secure his own nomination, that leaves that nomination available for another athlete that maybe does not have a nomination. It also demonstrates to admissions the interest that your son has in the academy. There are limited blue chip slots available for athletic recruits and if the coach does not have to utilize those resources for your son, that means that there are more slots available for the athletic department to use as they need. If you have any doubts where you stand with the coach....CALL THEM AND ASK THEM DIRECTLY. We have lived through the recruiting business with our son and the direct approach is the best approach. For example, what if anything are you doing to help me with the admission board? How am I designated....blue chip recruit? recruit? When will my file be presented to admissions? Nothing like knowing exactly where you stand versus trying to figure it out on your own. You might even mention that you are being recruited by Army and where that process stands if it is appropriate.</p>
<p>I don't know how they decide to send out LOAs but if you did not receive an early one don't despair. My daughter's LOA was dated February 9, 2007. Long after she received her nominations, had a CVW and five months after her applications were submitted.</p>