SOE question

Hello! Just wondering about the SOE forms. Is there a specific West Point SOE Form that my chemistry/math/English teacher has to fill out and then give the recommendation or is it just a simple recommendation from each of these teachers without a specific SOE type form. if there is a specific form, where and when can I find it? Thank you!

845something

5-Year Member Joined Feb 22, 2013 Messages 738

It is a specific form, it will become available on your portal if/when you are given access to the second step of the application, and you won't handle it physically. You'll put your teachers' contact info into the system and they will get an email with a link to a unique page to fill out your form and when they submit it, it transfers electronically into your file.

nsbUSNA

5-Year Member Joined Oct 23, 2013 Messages 71

What is an SOE? A teacher recommendation? Also what teachers does WP ask for, I know Annapolis wants english and math, is that the same?

ca2midwestmom

5-Year Member Joined Oct 23, 2013 Messages 1,335

What is an SOE? A teacher recommendation? Also what teachers does WP ask for, I know Annapolis wants english and math, is that the same?


School Official Evaluation. And if I remember correctly you need your English, Math and Chemistry or Physics teachers' recommendations. You will enter an e-mail address for these teachers and they will be sent an e-mail/link to fill out. It shows on the portal when you submitted their e-mail address and also when the teacher(s) responded.

AcademyHopefulOne

5-Year Member Joined Jan 21, 2014 Messages 56 Does the SOE need to be from a junior year teacher?

tug_boat

10-Year Member Joined Jun 18, 2012 Messages 2,101

midwestmom is correct. And its teachers from your senior year.

Push Hard, Press Forward

AcademyHopefulOne

5-Year Member Joined Jan 21, 2014 Messages 56

midwestmom is correct. And its teachers from your senior year.

Push Hard, Press Forward


Really? I've read on here a few times that it's good to talk to teachers about it before Summer break.

ca2midwestmom

5-Year Member Joined Oct 23, 2013 Messages 1,335

My DS used Junior year teachers, as his app was open because of SLE and he was able to get the e-mail links to the teachers in May; I think they all responded by June/July.

EDIT: I just looked at DS's portal -- he submitted their e-mail addresses 5/18/13; one teacher responded 5/20 and the other two responded in June. And they were definitely Junior year teachers (had same Chem/Physics teacher Soph & Jr yrs).

flightsurgeon

5-Year Member Joined Feb 9, 2014 Messages 60

I didn't take chemistry this year (junior) but took it last year. Is it okay if I have a sophomore year teacher write my SOE?

buff81

10-Year Member Retired Moderator Joined Oct 31, 2008 Messages 2,946 It can be teachers (Math, English and Chemistry/Physics) that you've had during 9-12 grade.

hawk

ButterBar Dad
5-Year Member Joined Jan 31, 2010 Messages 846 midwestmom is correct. And its teachers from your senior year.

My understanding was that it has to be teachers from specific courses. What I recall from DS's time was that he had to go back to Sophomore / Junior teachers for a couple due to block scheduling.

But I could be fuzzy on that!

NewJersey2019

5-Year Member Joined May 6, 2014 Messages 65

I didn't take chemistry this year (junior) but took it last year. Is it okay if I have a sophomore year teacher write my SOE?

Same situation here. English will be sophomore & senior, math will be junior. I hope chem. sophomore is ok.

Also, is there the availability for a recommendation from an extracurricular leader (i.e. a Scouting leader) and/or an athletic coach?


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MemberLG

10-Year Member Joined Jan 4, 2011 Messages 2,935

Same situation here. English will be sophomore & senior, math will be junior. I hope chem. sophomore is ok.

Also, is there the availability for a recommendation from an extracurricular leader (i.e. a Scouting leader) and/or an athletic coach?


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Just to be clear, don't confuse SOE with letters of recommendation (LOR). LOR does not replace SOE.

You can have your scouting leader/coach write LOR and send it directly to the admissions office - including your candidate number will help with the LOR ending up in your application file.

From what I was told, a LOR stating you are a great person/student doesn't help much at all regardless who signs it. A good LOR should have recommender's qualification (i.e. former military, work with kids that graduated from SA, and etc) and strong relationship (I.e. known him/her last 10 years attending same church).

I serve on my Congressman's nomination panel, so have read many LORs. Not so good ones are LORs from guidance counselors summarizing SAT/GPA/school activities; a SA grad saying the kid will be very successful at SA when the kid has very bad grades; and a minister (no military experience disclosed) saying the kid will make a great military officer.