SLS 2012 Application process!

Granuaile

Granuaile

Prospective - 2017
5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2011
Messages
25
Yes, yes, yes I know this thread is approximately 1436756890456343 years early but I'm super duper excited!

YES, I know that SLS will not make or break your WP application and

YES I know that a lot of people don't get into SLS anyway

BUT I'm still excited and already checking and double checking what I've got so far! It's kind of annoying, as I haven't filled out the candidate questionnaire yet and I'm pretty sure I need to do that, haha.

Aighhagahe so excited! Trying to work on the physical stuff, though... Everything else I've got pretty buttoned down. Does anyone know if they take a look at test scores for SLS?
 
Yes - to get into SLS, you need SAT, ACT or PSAT. They can be self-reported.

I think they require at least 1 sport being played - not sure about that, however.

Application starts in December.

And hey, don't overstress about the SLS. Just apply early.

And start working on that physical. If you need links for tips, let me know. Get the CFA out of the way while at SLS.
 
You have good reason to be excited for SLS, it's a great time.

Anyway, yes, they look at test scores. In fact, that's one of the biggest things they look at for qualification for SLS. I got to SLS with a 2130 SAT (690m, 700cr, 740wr) and a 33 ACT (30eng, 34ma, 32re, 35sci). It's definitely competitive though, two guys in my squad perfect-scored the math section of the SAT.


PS. The CQ doesn't open up for your class until mid-december. Yeah, I know. Waiting sucks.
 
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USMA2016 said:
PS. The CQ doesn't open up for your class until mid-december. Yeah, I know. Waiting sucks.
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Ok, that clears a few things up. I knew that the apps for SLS 2012 opened up in Mid-december, and I knew that the candidate questionnaire was part of that (as well as part of the application process for the school) but I didn't put two and two together so THANK YOU!

It says on the SLS FAQs that it's a 2-part application: the first part is the questionnaire, but what's the second part?

Yeah, sports and I don't get along... I'm probably going to take you up on that offer, BillSL. Right now I'm still proud of myself for running around like a (slow) maniac because I'm a total couch potato if left to my own devices.
 
i think they also look at your PSAT score because they realize that some people might not have taken the SAT yet (happened to me)
 
The second part just asks you about your seminar preferences and stuff like that. I did Electrical Engineering, Leadership and Ethics, and Civil & Mechanical Engineering.

I like EE the best and I'm probably going to major EE; we made two little electronic gadgets with soldering irons. I would not recommend Leadership and Ethics unless lectures and discussion really hit the spot for you. Civ and Mech was fun. Do that too. I heard from a lot of people that history, physics, and computer science were great ones too. It's really up to your personal interests.


PS. what Krovax says about PSAT is true.
 
USMA2016 said:
The second part just asks you about your seminar preferences and stuff like that. I did Electrical Engineering, Leadership and Ethics, and Civil & Mechanical Engineering.

I like EE the best and I'm probably going to major EE; we made two little electronic gadgets with soldering irons. I would not recommend Leadership and Ethics unless lectures and discussion really hit the spot for you. Civ and Mech was fun.
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Civ and Mech was awesome!

Leadership and Ethics? Yes, lectures. I liked them, though. There were some good discussions. Apparently, it boils down to your teacher.

I did Behavioral Science and Leadership Workshop too. Well, I guess if you like Psychology this could be interesting.



Granuaile said:
I'm probably going to take you up on that offer, BillSL.
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http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=16792

http://www.realitymod.com/forum/f11...-improve-your-physical-aptitude-army-way.html

Good luck, my friend!
 
PSATs work too. Got it.

Seminar preferences? Lorrrrrdy. I have no idea haha but I'm pretty darned fond of lectures, especially leadership-oriented ones.

See, I'm NOT a math person. Or science. I can scrape good grades and test scores in those fields, but I'm definitely going into something a little more wishy-washy. I know that kinda devalues me as a candidate... does admissions look at what you sign up for as a seminar for SLS? Like, if I picked Leadership, psychology, and international something or another (I have no idea what the options are) would they be able to look at that in another couple of months and label me an unbalanced candidate?
 
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USMA2016 said:
Anyway, yes, they look at test scores. In fact, that's one of the biggest things they look at for qualification for SLS. I got to SLS with a 2130 SAT (690m, 700cr, 740wr) and a 33 ACT (30eng, 34ma, 32re, 35sci). It's definitely competitive though, two guys in my squad perfect-scored the math section of the SAT.
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Wait- so they look at test scores, physical qualifications & sports, and that's it? Uh-oh... my test scores are rock-solid but the physical stuff I'm still getting nailed down...
 
Granuaile said:
See, I'm NOT a math person. Or science.
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You know, West Point is geared towards Math and Science... Better take a look into that.

Granuaile said:
Wait- so they look at test scores, physical qualifications & sports, and that's it? Uh-oh... my test scores are rock-solid but the physical stuff I'm still getting nailed down...
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For SLS, yeah. They don't look at physical qualifications though (your physician only has to sign a sheet saying you are able to do the events in the CFA and play dodgeball). That's why you sometimes saw a couple of people falling back on the runs.

Go physically fit so you can pass the CFA.
 
That said, not everyone at West Point is a math/science wiz. If you have something to give to USMA, whether that be your calculus skills or your strong writing abilities, that's great.
 
Granuaile said:
See, I'm NOT a math person. Or science.
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ArmyKid4 said:
That said, not everyone at West Point is a math/science wiz. If you have something to give to USMA, whether that be your calculus skills or your strong writing abilities, that's great.
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ArmyKid is right. My squad leader told me that you don't have to LIKE math/science necessarily... you just have to be COMPETENT in those subject areas. Because, hey, if you can't pass calc, chem, or physics then, frankly, you're up a creek. If I were you I would start to develop a very intimate relationship with your science textbooks; if you love them, they will love you back.:thumb:
 
Definitely work on the CFA, though even if you end up a bit underpar, its OK. Just keep working at it. Honestly a lot of the people end up not doing so well on the CFA at SLS but its a learning experience.

Also, you don't have to like science/math but you have to at least understand it. WP is an engineering school by nature and the Army relies on technology more than ever before so scientific aptitude is KEY. So you don't have to be a math/science person but at least understand the concepts of physics/chem/calc because today's world relies on these more and more as technology progresses. Its not just an army tool, its just a general trend that the world is going through.
 
I worried forever about the CFA. I do sports year round but I was never really geared toward upper body. Starting in December, I did P90X three times a week to build up. I passed the CFA without a problem at SLS.

To give you an idea of my SAT and ACT scores:

620 Math
610 Verbal
610 in whatever the other one is

29 composite ACT
 
USMA2016 said:
ArmyKid is right. My squad leader told me that you don't have to LIKE math/science necessarily... you just have to be COMPETENT in those subject areas. Because, hey, if you can't pass calc, chem, or physics then, frankly, you're up a creek. If I were you I would start to develop a very intimate relationship with your science textbooks; if you love them, they will love you back.:thumb:
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Baaaack. I took a super long hiatus (we were way out in the boonies... no internet for a month... I almost died), but I'm glad to be back and checking on my thread-baby!! Thank you everyone for the very comforting and hilarious words on math and science.

BillSL: I'm not bad at math and science, I just hate them. Seriously. I maxed the math section on the SAT as well (at least in practice tests. I WISH it were the real thing!), and I have never gotten anything lower than a B, in any class. However, I really work hard in order to keep that up, and I could never go into math and science... Oh well. Also, thanks for the info on the physical stuff that I need just for SLS, that's really good to know. Also, thanks for the links!

For some news on sports: I MADE THE CROSS COUNTRY TEAM AT MY SCHOOL! :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin: And yes, on the JV level it is no cut, but still. I'm super happy about that as it will really help me prepare physically and I now have my perhaps-obligatory sport, although it looks kinda wishy-washy to only have done one season of JV cross country as a junior. Oh well. I'm totally getting in shape!

Pellets 007: what IS P90X? Thanks for sharing the test scores btw. They really give me an idea of what ballpark I need to shoot for.

A final question (for now): How many girls did you all see at SLS?

I am so, so, so psyched. I know, I still have a looong time to wait but you guys are making it a lot easier.
 
USMA2016 said:
They were rare, but not extinct. I'd say there was one for every 10-12 men. We had two in my squad.
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That sounds about right. We had 3 females in my squad of 13, but another squad in my platoon only had 1 female, so there was some variation.

Granuaile, I don't know if this is really what you were asking, but speaking as a female, I can assure you that, at least at SLS, I didn't feel like I was treated differently at all, and none of the guys in my squad were anything less than awesome. So if you're asking because you're a female and you're concerned about how females are treated at SLS, you've got nothing to worry about. It was one of the best weeks of my life.
 
Branno the Bronze said:
That sounds about right. We had 3 females in my squad of 13, but another squad in my platoon only had 1 female, so there was some variation.

Granuaile, I don't know if this is really what you were asking, but speaking as a female, I can assure you that, at least at SLS, I didn't feel like I was treated differently at all, and none of the guys in my squad were anything less than awesome. So if you're asking because you're a female and you're concerned about how females are treated at SLS, you've got nothing to worry about. It was one of the best weeks of my life.
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I noticed you also went to NASS session 3 (I was Delta-1-2 at sesh 3). I feel there were definitely more women there.
 
USMA2016 said:
I noticed you also went to NASS session 3 (I was Delta-1-2 at sesh 3). I feel there were definitely more women there.
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Agreed. I was in Charlie-4-1 and all of the squad leaders were female, as well as our platoon leader. Also, each squad had about 2 females out 7 or 8 members total, so definitely more females at NASS.
 
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