LoA and Triple Q - Page 2

mom3boys · 07-25-2009, 09:28 AM

Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason...could be there is something in his application that they really liked. Is he an under-represented minority? Maybe they don't have many cadets from your area and they want more? Perhaps he's just such a strong candidate they want to let him know up front they like him.

marciemi · 07-25-2009, 11:01 AM

He's a white male, so no under-represented minority there! Actually makes it even more surprising after reading all the recent threads on the forums about the quest for diversity and all.

We are from Wisconsin - so there probably aren't as many candidates from this area as others. I knew that would help him out in getting NASS, but wouldn't think it would make a huge difference at this point for an LOA. Maybe in getting a nom - in talking to his B&G officer, in his Congressman's district last year, they had 17 kids trying for the 10 slots for Navy.

I think some of it is that evidently his B&G officer emphasized in his interview notes to them that his first choice was AF. The regional director's office called him to discuss this with him and "sell" Navy - explain all the opportunities he could have there as well. So I think this was part of it - trying to grab a good candidate from somewhere else.

Also, I honestly believe all the trouble his principal had getting his academic info in (after 3 attempts, he ended up having to fax it and they went through and found his mistake and then reset it so he could resubmit it) meant that someone had to actually look at it and go "Hey, this looks like a good candidate". They told him they showed his application to the dean, who authorized the LOA. If everything had gone through without a hitch, it would probably be sitting somewhere, waiting for the first board in October or whenever!

Incidentally, I'm also a mom of 3 boys, but he's my oldest (so first time going through this process other than when I did it myself!) and my younger two have no interest in an academy whatsoever!

momoftwins · 07-26-2009, 11:05 AM

marciemi,

Such an early LOA can also mean that your son has a fabulous combination of academic, athletic and leadership experiences while in high school. Congratulations on raising such a wonderful young man.

I'd like to make a suggestion based on reading posts on this board for nearly 5 years now. Encourage your son to complete all 3 applications. We've seen a number of candidates who have been confident about their 1st choice, have struggled with what they expected to be an easy decision, selected a different academy, and have been very happy with their choice. Also, I'd like to suggest that he apply to civilian colleges and ROTC programs. Anything can happen during senior year - sports injuries, accidents, etc. that could mean putting off attendance at a service academy for a year. (That's why we recommend bubble wrap as soon as the appointment is received.

)

Best of luck to him and your family.

marciemi · 07-26-2009, 09:09 PM

Thanks for the support. Actually, I'm about ready to bubble wrap him up right now! He definitely will be applying to at least one civilian school (most likely UW-Madison) and ROTC. He just got an email about NROTC in the mail yesterday so will start on that once his nom stuff is a bit further along. A whole new plethora of forms to figure out!