General application question

Hey everybody,

I just have a few question regarding my application to USMA:

1. I haven't received anything regarding an LoE- should I be worried? Just today I received a letter in the mail (dated Nov. 20th) notifying me of my nomination from Senator Durbin (Illinois), so I'm assuming that I have a competitive application. I just want to make sure nothing is wrong (due to lack of LoE), etc.

2. I've also never been contacted by my MALO regarding an interview, or really, anything. Should I email him regarding my interview? I am currently under the impression that he will contact me for the interview - as it will be done at a time that is good for him.

3. Regarding my DoDMERB - how do I get this done? I believe it's sent in the mail to me, but when? No, my application is not done, (I haven't finished my essays yet and my counselor hasn't approved my CAR) but do I need everything done before I get the DoDMERB information in the mail?

Thanks everyone + I really appreciate it,
TheChicagoan

EDIT: Realized there's a typo in my title - my bad! Should be "...question(s)"

That is great that you already have a nomination. Would you mind sharing your stats?

Do not be discouraged by not having an LOE. Only about 150 went out. The majority of the class WILL NOT receive an LOE.

You need to contact your MALO to schedule the interview.

As of this year, USMA will not offer you a DODMERB exam until your essays are complete. Candidate Activities does not have to be submitted to receive the DODMERB exam.

Yes stats will help for evaluation, I am a candidate as well. In regards to the DoDMERB, you will receive information for scheduling the two exams (Eye and Physical) once you submit your candidate statements. The DoDMERB process is not as bad as everyone says, I finished mine today. You simply go to two separate appointments;all directions and information will be sent to you via mail. Get those essays done!

I would definitely recommend getting in contact with your MALO, just so he/she can get to know you. They have a great wealth of knowledge as well as access to your file for help. You can contact admissions for their contact info. Regarding interview, I told asked my MALO about them, and he scheduled one with me several months later. Your mileage may vary, of course.

Regarding the medical process, the number of tests was cut back from previous years, so now you have to have a good portion of your file complete before they schedule it for you. I didn't get mine until my entire portal was complete, though my test from last year is still good, so it was pretty painless for me. The letter pretty much explains the steps, how to schedule, etc. The part where many Candidates get stuck is waivers; it seems like some candidates wait months for one. I'm not really up-to-speed on those as I never had to get one.

How could you possibly have expected an LOE if you haven't completed your essay's and your CAR? What are you waiting for? It's almost December!!! Get going on your file if you want to be considered a serious candidate...just my opinion.

Thanks for all the quick responses! I guess I really should finish my essays ASAP + try to "encourage" my counselor to verify my CAR

But regarding my stats:

GPA: ~3.6 Unweighted |~4.9 Weighted - Top 10 of my class (Not percent, but people) Really competitive high school, one of the best in the State of IL. All AP/honors/etc. classes since Freshman year and was in my schools "gifted" program - we're allowed to then drop our lunch periods to take additional AP classes + take courses "self-study."

ACT: 35 --> But this is actually 2 of my ACTs combined to make a 35, I have 2 34s, and since USMA lets you combine scores from various tests, I have a 35 ACT with a 10 on the writing.

ECs: I'm a black belt + teach Tae Kwon Do. I play club tennis - awards from winning tournaments, etc. Weight lifting team at school. I'm president/captain of my school's Model UN club/team - lots of awards listed on my resume for MUN. We have a business club at my school, called BPA, I am co-president of that. Last year I got 3rd at BPA Nationals, 1st at BPA State and 1st at BPA Regionals. I am also a Research Assistant at an Alzheimer's disease research lab at Univ. of Chicago. And this past election cycle I was one of Senator Kirk's interns - he wasn't running for election but he "loaned" all of us interns out to help out in other races. But that was great leadership experience as we were mainly in charge of the volunteers and coordinating volunteer activities, etc.

One of my nomination letters of rec. was from Sen. Kirk. One from my english teacher, one from counselor.

But for those juniors or other high schoolers reading this --> my mantra has been to excel in a few activities, and to also take the hardest classes possible, regardless of what it would do to me - I don't get much sleep

I also went to USAFA SS and USMA SLS this past summer. That's how I decided on USMA.

And I'm not Caucasian - if that means anything. I'm Indian - from India, not Native American.

I think that covers the main things in my resume - at least in my eyes. If anyone has more questions, you can post it here or PM me. But again, thank you everyone for the quick responses!

And sorry for any grammatical mistakes, etc.

-TheChicagoan.

SOE

Don't forget to pester your teachers and get your SOEs completed.

Push Hard, Press Forward

TheChicagoan said:

Hey everybody,

I just have a few question regarding my application to USMA:

1. I haven't received anything regarding an LoE- should I be worried? Just today I received a letter in the mail (dated Nov. 20th) notifying me of my nomination from Senator Durbin (Illinois), so I'm assuming that I have a competitive application. I just want to make sure nothing is wrong (due to lack of LoE), etc.

2. I've also never been contacted by my MALO regarding an interview, or really, anything. Should I email him regarding my interview? I am currently under the impression that he will contact me for the interview - as it will be done at a time that is good for him.

3. Regarding my DoDMERB - how do I get this done? I believe it's sent in the mail to me, but when? No, my application is not done, (I haven't finished my essays yet and my counselor hasn't approved my CAR) but do I need everything done before I get the DoDMERB information in the mail?

Thanks everyone + I really appreciate it,
TheChicagoan

EDIT: Realized there's a typo in my title - my bad! Should be "...question(s)"

Click to expand...

Do you know if you are the "principal" nominee? It should say on your letter from the MOC. Some designate a principal nominee and some don't. If you are unsure, perhaps you could call and ask the staff after you write them a letter of thanks. (hint hint) This makes a big difference since the principal nominee will get an offer of admission provided they are qualified. Read more on other threads about what it means to be "qualified". ...and get that app done... you are burning daylight! Congratulations and Good Luck.

TheChicagoan said:

Thanks for all the quick responses! I guess I really should finish my essays ASAP + try to "encourage" my counselor to verify my CAR

I also went to USAFA SS and USMA SLS this past summer. That's how I decided on USMA.

And I'm not Caucasian - if that means anything. I'm Indian - from India, not Native American.

-TheChicagoan.

Click to expand...

Since you attended USMA SLS, then you probably have an interview on file from your SLS Squad Leader. If not, then you may want to reach out to your MALO/FFR.

Also, if you are a diversity admissions candidate, you may want to contact the "USMA Diversity Admissions Team" http://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/SitePages/Minority Outreach.aspx I suggest you try to call/email anyone on the team and see who works with candidates in the Midwest Region.

Good luck!

If I'm correct, I believe that Asians are not considered under-represented at West Point.

Ken2012 said:

If I'm correct, I believe that Asians are not considered under-represented at West Point.

Click to expand...

I've heard mixed things about this from a friend who is currently at the Naval Academy, in his opinion, "not being white is a huge advantage." But regardless, I despise affirmative action, I believe I should only be judged on the quality of my grades, scores, ECs, etc.

And thanks everyone for the responses clearing up things a bit. Best of luck to other applicants as well, whether it be to USMA or any other SA!

-TheChicagoan

TheChicagoan said:

I've heard mixed things about this from a friend who is currently at the Naval Academy, in his opinion, "not being white is a huge advantage." But regardless, I despise affirmative action, I believe I should only be judged on the quality of my grades, scores, ECs, etc.

And thanks everyone for the responses clearing up things a bit. Best of luck to other applicants as well, whether it be to USMA or any other SA!

-TheChicagoan

Click to expand...

In general I agree with you. In this case I must disagree though. I do not believe any one gets in who isn't qualified. To me this is simply selecting a mix for reasons of diversity. I don't think anyone gets a "by" here due to the color of their skin or their racial heritage. If you aren't qualified, you aren't getting in regardless of anything else.

TheChicagoan said:

I've heard mixed things about this from a friend who is currently at the Naval Academy, in his opinion, "not being white is a huge advantage." But regardless, I despise affirmative action, I believe I should only be judged on the quality of my grades, scores, ECs, etc.

And thanks everyone for the responses clearing up things a bit. Best of luck to other applicants as well, whether it be to USMA or any other SA!

-TheChicagoan

Click to expand...

In general I agree with you. In this case I must disagree though. I do not believe any one gets in who isn't qualified. To me this is simply selecting a mix for reasons of diversity. I don't think anyone gets a "by" here due to the color of their skin or their racial heritage. If you aren't qualified, you aren't getting in regardless of anything else.

Color me naive if you want....

True Story: I used to do work for the Admissions Office as a cadet. I volunteered to give what I used to term "The Parent Talk"

So you go for a day visit, your cadet picks you up, and you leave your parents in the nice conference room to listen to the admissions officers.

And in walks this 5'2" 120 pound, female, Asian cadet.

I had PLENTY of oddball questions about that. Best was "Did you find it easier to be a woman or a....person of color at the Academy?"

Six years later, I still get "You went to West Point???" Yes. USMA graduates more than white males. Promise.

Being Indian doesn't matter-matter, but it will influence. USMA is like Harvard. They have thousands of fully qualified applicants. Grades, scores, ECs, nominations, everything. But I'm sure they try for diversity when all other things are equal.

Reach out to the Minority Outreach officers. If nothing else, it's someone who will check on your file for you.