<p>I can confirm that LOA’s are issued as early as July before the official applications are even available. However, I the early, non-recruited athlete LOA’s are not issued blindly. Most of the early LOA’s I’ve heard about were given to candidates who had previously opened a file with USMA when they applied for the summer leadership program. Much of the information provided when applying for the SLS is similar to that provided in the official application.</p>
<p>The LOA’s are contingent on a nomination, continued academic progress, completing a formal application and passing the DODMERG physical.</p>
<p>As I posted previously, my unscientific survey of LOA’s is that they are offered to candidates with high GPA, 1400+ SAT scores, multiple varisity letters and demonstrated school, civic or sports leadership positions.</p>