How's my profile looking for admission? Any input welcome

abeastlybeast

USMA Class of 2015
5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2010
Messages
307
I know there are tons of these threads on this forum, but it helps to know where my profile stands strong, and where it needs improvement. Any comments and information would be appreciated. Thanks.

Academics:
I will be a senior attending Oviedo High School in Florida next year. I don't know if it really matters, but OHS is one of the top schools in my state, academically and athletically.
- I finished Junior year with straight A's for both semesters
- All honors and 2 AP classes, with the exception of weight lifting (honors one semester, standard the second). [I have no idea how a weight lifting class is honors, btw haha]
- Finished rank 4 out of 518
- Currently I have had straight A's every semester of high school
- Weighted GPA: 4.6 (Junior Year), 4.413 Overall HS GPA (average GPA for 9, 10, 11 grade)
- Unweighted GPA: 4.0 (All HS)

I think my academics is probably the strongest part of my profile. I have worked incredibly hard all high school for my grades and really hope it pays off.

Athletics

- I used to play baseball as a kid, probably for about 8 years
- I used to play basketball as a kid as well, for 2 years
^^ I don't know if me playing sports in the past has any effect on my profile
- I have received a varsity letter in weight lifting (I will also be varsity next year, as long as I have time to compete)
- I technically have received a JV letter in wrestling, but the coach said he would acknowledge me as Varsity if I'd like since I practice with varsity during club season and most likely will next year during season [my school is known for wrestling, we are 5x state champions, 2A division I believe]
- If I do not receive a varsity letter for wrestling next year I am going to ask to be team captain of JV

I realize I do not have an extensive athletic record, but I believe I am in great physical shape and definitely capable of any physical training for West Point. I'm hoping my CFA will be indicative of that.

Extracurricular
- Treasurer of Spanish Honor Society
- Member of Math Honor Society
- Member of English Honor Society
- Wrestling Club
- Volunteer work (extensive in the past, I will be volunteering again soon for a scholarship I'm applying for)
- I will be in ROTC next year at my school (already enrolled)
- Hopefully I will have a part-time job over summer (currently applying to places)
- I will be in National Honor Society next year

SAT and ACT:
640 Critical Reading
650 Mathematics
710 Writing

28 on ACT, I retook it because I received a low score on science section and I wanted to improve it. However, the new test results are not yet in.


That's pretty much everything I can think of. Any suggestions for improvement? How am I standing as of right now?

Thanks again :wiggle:
 
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Academics are obviously great, considering you are number 5. Sports are light as mentioned. Make sure you score high on the CFA to atleast semi counter-balance that aspect. Try to get some leadership in there as well.
 
Yeah, unfortunately during freshman and sophomore year I did not have an interest in any sports except working out and running in my spare time. Fortunately I've found two sports I really enjoy now (wrestling and weight lifting) but there's not much I can do to make up for the lack of an extensive athletic record. Hopefully my CFA shows my athletic ability and that future letters I obtain will boost my record.

For leadership, what activities would you recommend? I'm Treasurer of an honor society but I feel like I should do something else.
 
You might want to improve the ACT score a little bit.
 
Academic - strong
Athletic - not strong
Leadership - weak
You must try to get some leadership positions and try to get on at least two athletic teams
 
Do you have the new ACT scores yet, to share?

The best sports to get involved are the group sports, such as football that also have intensity.

Leadership in sports is great but club president or such positions should help.
 
Do you have the new ACT scores yet, to share?

The best sports to get involved are the group sports, such as football that also have intensity.

Leadership in sports is great but club president or such positions should help.

Yeah I received the new ACT score. I got a composite score of 30 with 28 math, 28 science, 30 reading, 32 writing, 35 english.

I would play football if I wasn't so horrible at it haha. I'm not really that great at sports like football or basketball. I'm more of a weightlifter, and I like to train for sports like wrestling. I really don't know how I could be doing more for my resume. Keeping my grades where they are while playing both wrestling and weightlifting is incredibly hard.
 
Again-your record is very weak in leadership. You need to seek leadership positions in clubs and teams.
 
Again-your record is very weak in leadership. You need to seek leadership positions in clubs and teams.

I'm already a Treasurer of one club, I'll try to become a leader in another but I don't know if I'll be able to. My school is very demanding in academics, I have about 3 hours+ of homework a night on average. I also have practice monday through friday for sports. I don't know how much more I can do haha
 
Also, I've recently been hired to work in a restaurant. Does that count towards leadership? I most likely will be engaging in community service soon as well.
 
Your new ACT looks great. Must have spend good time practicing it.

What remains is to improve leadership role. I understand the homework is often crazy and other activities, even resting, all take time. But you must prioritize. Quit that restaurant job for now if it does not enhance your leadership. Community service is important but if I were you, I would do the things as people here recommend: seek more leadership position(s), and write about what you did and learned through those roles in your essay. Stop saying I don't know what else I can do. You know, and you're a good kid and can do better.

Focus on the leadership, save all the fun stuff for after the application is completed when you have time.
 
Keep your grades up. It sounds like this is a major commitment you've made.
Consider retaking SAT early in the fall. Maybe even the ACT in order to achieve a higher composite (Score is very good, though.) making you even more competitive academically.
NHS is a big deal. Congratulations.
Continue competing in the sports you enjoy. Excel as best as you can. Make sure any honors/titles/etc. earned are noted in your application materials.
JROTC is also a good move.
If you need a job, it's great that you have one this summer. It helps to develop responsibility and accountability. Even with a job you should be able to fit in some community service over the summer. There should be many opportunities.

Good luck and keep us posted!
 
From what I've heard, a huge part of being a successful cadet is balancing academics, athletics, and leadership.
 
BTW, be very cautious about the "advice" you get from other candidates. None of them has been accepted yet. If you're concerned, ask an admissions rep.
 
haha that's very true. What advice can you offer me Scout? I realize my athletic side of the resume isn't too strong, but unfortunately the only thing I can do is make sure I play some sports next year. I'm also playing club sports over the summer right now, but I'm not sure if that counts towards anything.

Any advice you could offer though Scout? Thanks
 
ScoutPilot-I agree that asking your admissions officer is the best advice.
I am a West Point grad, taught 4 years at West Point, was on the Admissions Committee for two years and have a son at West Point, but I still agree that the admissions officer is the best source.
 
ScoutPilot-I agree that asking your admissions officer is the best advice.
I am a West Point grad, taught 4 years at West Point, was on the Admissions Committee for two years and have a son at West Point, but I still agree that the admissions officer is the best source.

:confused:
In other threads you talk like you're applying this year...or is this a father-son account?
 
:confused:
In other threads you talk like you're applying this year...or is this a father-son account?

I have noticed this also, tallbutshort.

Read scoutpilot's last response again, "BTW, be very cautious about the "advice" you get from other candidates. None of them has been accepted yet. If you're concerned, ask an admissions rep." It is very easy to send an email question to your admissions rep through your candidate portal. I'm sure one of the Field Force reps who post here would not mind answering a question by PM either. Unless the advice comes from an official West Point rep, I would take everything with a grain of salt.
 
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We understand that this is not the West Point admissions board.

Op should still appreciate the inputs from others. I believe that was what he was looking for, asking for thoughts from others on this board.

When my son was going through the application process, we benefited greatly from others on this board. This is also a father-son account. I am more taking over his account now he is in Beast so to contribute to the next year applicants. If this can make some people wonder, then count me in as well, lol.
 
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