Whole Candidate Score

molloy09

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Just curious about the WCS. Does anyone know how it works? Also, is anyone aware of the weight of different activities. (i.e. is there a point system involved?)
 
The breakdown is 60% academics, 30% leadership and 10% CFA.

Academics includes your SAT's, courses you have taken and the grades you have received in those courses and your class rank.
Leadership - teacher recomendations, the activities in which you have been involved and the degree of your involvement, demonstrated leadership and athletics.
CFA - your score on the Candidate Fitness Assessment test.
 
Is that broken down even further by admissions? For example is Girls State 10 pts, NHS 7 pts ect. is top 10% class rank a certain amt of pts.? Thanks
 
Hi, molloy,

This is an answer that was posted on College Confidential tonight answering this same question. :wink: I'm assuming this information is correct, but I personally do not know.



Here is a repost of an earlier posting I made putting forth my understanding of the components of the Whole Candidate Score and its weighting factors. However, the WCS is only part of the information used by admissions. Also, there are other standards used for recruited athletics and targeted group candidates. Yes, there are points assigned for each of the items within the WCS. As you can see, academics, expecially the SAT/ACT score are heavily weighted.

Academic (60%)
Class Rank (15)
SAT Score (35)
High School Grades (10)
Extra points for valedictorian/salutatorians/national merit scholar/national honor society,

Leadership (30%)
School leadership – extra points for class or student body president
Athletic Participation – Team captain status important
Team sports valued higher than individual sports
Faculty evaluations
Extra Curricular Activities - eagle scouts, newspaper/yearbook editor, debate

Fitness (10%) - Candidate Fitness Analysis
 
I heard the whole candidate score is out of 1000; 1000 being the highest you can get but that may just be a rumor. I've read tons of stuff about WP admissions though.
 
A few questions. I I am in forensics but on the Speech side of things instead of Debate, does it still count?

Also, I'll be playing soccer next year (Junior). I letter for sure senior year but I'll probably be starting JV next year. Will this hurt me? (I have 2 letter in forsics, will get 2 more also).

Finally, how many points does Eagle Scout count for?
 
Forensics/speech/debate team is an excellent extracurricular - especially if you and your school do well in competitions.

Eagle Scout is an outstanding example of your leadership/community service experience. The exact number of points for any of these activities is part of the WCS mystery. If you take a look at the class profiles, you'll see the activities that WP Admissions considers valuable.

Sports are great. Letters are better. Captain is even better. Do the best you can. The fact that you are in both an academic EC and playing a sport shows you to be well-rounded. This is an important factor that doesn't really show up in the lists.

Suggestion: Prep for the PSAT as best as possible. You'll take it next fall. The scores are used for SLS applications. Not being accepted to SLS or not applying will not impact your future candidacy, but it's a great experience.

Good luck!!
 
IMO...eagle scout is HUGE. Looking at the boys I've seen get appointments and those offered AOG, the major difference was eagle scout. Eagle Scout shows a sticking with a program over many years. It is impossible to earn Eagle without demonstrating leadership of some kind.
 
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I have heard that Girls/Boys State gets the same amount of points as the Eagle scout...is this true? Also, will something like having a Black belt in Martial Arts be looked upon like being an eagle scout... It shows athleticism, dedication and leadership. One more thing...can anyone tell me a little about Girl's state? I was just accepted, but I really do not know much about it(i.e - is there running and pt involved because I am getting screws taken out of my ankle the week before and I do not think that I'll be up to running) Any other info. would be greatly appreciated as well!

:rolleyes:Thanks for all of your help!
 
I have heard that Girls/Boys State gets the same amount of points as the Eagle scout...is this true? Also, will something like having a Black belt in Martial Arts be looked upon like being an eagle scout... It shows athleticism, dedication and leadership. One more thing...can anyone tell me a little about Girl's state? I was just accepted, but I really do not know much about it(i.e - is there running and pt involved because I am getting screws taken out of my ankle the week before and I do not think that I'll be up to running) Any other info. would be greatly appreciated as well!

:rolleyes:Thanks for all of your help!


Girl's State is a program of the American Legion Auxiliary. If you do an Internet search of Girl's State +American Legion + your state, you might find information about the program.
Here is a link that gives you some basic information: http://http://www.legion-aux.org/MO-Programs/GirlsState/index.aspx.

If you do an Internet search of Girl's State +American Legion + your state, you might find additional information about the program.

I have no idea how much weight it carries in your SA application.
 
I have heard that Girls/Boys State gets the same amount of points as the Eagle scout...is this true?

I doubt it. Girls State is a leadership activity - if you are chosen you attend a week long leadership conference. That is my understanding.

Earning the rank of Eagle Scout through the BSA involves years of hard work, organization and leadership. I don't see how the two can be compared.

That said - if you WANT to go to Girl's State then go. If you don't want to go then don't go. Find out what interests you and do it.
 
A black belt in martial arts shows athleticism, but also commitment to a goal. Martial artists achieve short-term goals along their way to a long-term goal. And becoming a black belt means that you actually have the skills to train to become a true martial artist. You have likely proven that you can follow orders, show respect to those more senior than you (has nothing to do with age) and can teach those more junior to you.
 
Thanks momoftwins! Hopefully West Point will look upon my martial arts experience favorably. Would you happen to know how WP and the other SAs look at Girl's State? Thanks.
 
Thanks momoftwins! Hopefully West Point will look upon my martial arts experience favorably. Would you happen to know how WP and the other SAs look at Girl's State? Thanks.

"Love for God and Country" are basic tenets of the American Legion. American Legion members are veterans of the US military. Whether it gains you points or not, Girl's State is an experience that will help you grow as a citizen of a country to which you aspire to be a leader.

Don't do anything just for the sake of putting it on your high school resume. . .
 
I am definitely going to go to Girl's State, I was just wondering how west point views it. But you are right...it will be a great and patriotic experience.
 
I am definitely going to go to Girl's State, I was just wondering how west point views it. But you are right...it will be a great and patriotic experience.

Congratulations for being selected! Where is the event going to be?
 
West Point views Girl's State as a leadership activity. It does get you points - it shows not only leadership but good citizenship as well.
Congratulations!
 
Our DS is a black belt, 2x state champ in AAU & TKA, national champ,instructor...here is my advice, get you instructor to write and explain that this sport takes dedication and effort. Our DS spent 3 yrs competing in this sport on a state and national level, but since it was not a school sanction sport the points were not awarded. Luckily his regional has experience dealing with TKD people and all we did was have his Master write a letter explaining that it took @ 2 yrs/52 weeks a yr. and 5 hrs a week, plus the competitive training time, and his instructor time. I also suggest to ask the master to allow you to teach the lower belt classes, by doing so you are showing more leadership.
 
molloy,

Girls/Boys State is a "favorite" leadership activity and awards huge points. I remember several years ago sitting with my daughter and being surprised when the speaker from WP Admissions answered a question from the audience. The applicant said that he had been invited to both IAW (SLS) and Boys State during the same week. He wanted to know which would be more important to West Point. The speaker told him it was "no contest - go to Boys State".
 
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