How to Prepare for Reapplication

R.Martin95

5-Year Member
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Aug 10, 2012
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Hey, guys, I'm one of the 2000+ qualified candidates sitting anxiously on her hands until February 26th, hoping to recieve a BFE from the gods of the admission boards. Despite working ever day for an appointment for over a decade, I understand there is still a (very good) possibility that I might not make the cut, competing against thousands of very qualified applicants. If I am not accepted to West Point for the class of 2017, I plan to attend college (anywhere from Community college to Cornell, I'll figure that out in the very near future) and reapply next year.

My question is how can I best improve my file in the 12 month rest period I might be handed. I have very strong academics (2200 SATs, top 5% of a highly competetive class), but my leadership potential and athletic involvement (2 years crew, 4 years martial arts, scouting, NHS, a meager handful of leadership titles, part-time job) is much weaker. I'm willing to throw myself head-first into any activity that might improve my chances within the next eight months before the next go-round. I really can't think of anything that I could work for to show my commitment to self-improvement and self-correction, especially with the transition to college looming in the near-future.

Thanks so much in advanced! Happy New Year
 
Get good college grades in classes that are similar to the Plebe courses and while at college you can join leadership groups and other organizations. Another idea is being captain of an intramural team! You like your in good shape!
 
+1 to Whistle Pig. Mimic the freshman year class load at WP as much as possible. Do intramural sports if nothing else. Get involved in ECs etc. Oh, and drop the 12 month rest period frame of mind. There is no rest. Ever. When you excel at something that's difficult to do, guess what your reward is? You get to do it again! :thumb:
 
It's definitely not a time for rest. It's time to find another gear( not that you haven't been trying up until now.)

Mimic the WP freshman curriculum.

Nail your grades and make an active investment in making a difference in the classroom/ with student groups. The letters of recommendation from the professors are invaluable, as you will be doing college level courses. Give them some substance about which to write.

You might consider a strong ROTC program or similar opportunity to demonstrate leadership and physical fitness.
 
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I didn't really mean "rest period," I just couldn't think of the right words to put XD

What if I've already completed most of the plebe courses with my AP credits? I have Chemistry, History, English and Calculus done (5's on all, and most of the colleges I am applying to take APs); would it be okay if I just took higher levels of those courses in my first year of college?

Any specific intramural or extracurricular I should be involved in? I've applied for ROTC and I'm just waiting on their response, but even if I don't get a scholarship, I'll join the on-campus program.
 
I didn't really mean "rest period," I just couldn't think of the right words to put XD

What if I've already completed most of the plebe courses with my AP credits? I have Chemistry, History, English and Calculus done (5's on all, and most of the colleges I am applying to take APs); would it be okay if I just took higher levels of those courses in my first year of college?

Any specific intramural or extracurricular I should be involved in? I've applied for ROTC and I'm just waiting on their response, but even if I don't get a scholarship, I'll join the on-campus program.

Glad to hear your planning on doing ROTC with or without a scholarship. I didn't really think you meant rest period but one never knows, so best to make sure.

Yes, taking the next level in those courses would be fine. There is no point in wasting time repeating courses the college is willing to give you credit for. The key is getting good grades, and excellent grades in most of them. I would say do whatever sports you're interested in. If they have a crew team and your still interested in that then go for it. I would suggest you try to make it something that involves a team if possible. Some team frisbee sport would be OK if nothing else available appeals to you. You'll also have ROTC and its PT working for you too, and they would encourage you to do a sport as well.

Just so you don't have your expectations set too high... Your academics, ROTC, and a sport is a very heavy load for someone putting in the time to excel at ALL of it. This will not be easy so set your expectations accordingly.
 
I know that you are anxious right now while you are in the 'waiting' period - but - try to relax! Easy for me to say, right? :wink:

But really - Don't worry about something that hasn't happened yet (not getting the BFE). You are fretting about something that you may not have to concern yourself with.

If you are not accepted, who knows - you may be one of the fortunate few that gets offered an AOG scholarship to one of the prep schools. These are offered to those who are academically qualified but QNS.

IF you don't get accepted this year - talk to your RC and see where your file was weak. They can give you some suggestions to improve your file. Plus - it's good to let them know that you are going to apply the next year.

Do you know if you have a nomination?
 
Yup, have the nomination from my congresswoman. I don't know if I'm principal or not, though.

I might be worrying over nothing, but the distance between me and the end of February seems mammoth XD my RC said my file is "strong and very competitive," but I know that I still might be a long shot. I don't have anything notable or special going for me besides being having a decent SAT score XD
 
get your plan B in order.

Last year our DS was in your exact position, but had his Plan B set by January, I believe.

Then in March he got an innocent little brown envelope from AOG that changed things...:thumb:

Either way, he was not wondering if he had a destination the following Fall and was able to focus on closing out his grades and activities.
 
Glad to hear your thinking ahead. This is similar to what I did when I applied to WP. One thing I might suggest is with the ROTC program, try and make it a good fit. ROTC was my plan B and changed the ranking of my plan B schools based on the program. Consider visiting the battalion and talking to the PMS. (If you haven't already) I was set on WP for a few years before application and after it when I got NWL. I started the application again for this year as soon as I could along with nomination applications and ended up not completing them because I loved my Battalion that I'm at too much to leave. Just some food for thought.
 
All the prior posts are accurate as to what you need to do, so I won't repeat them. The only thing I did not see was to retake the SATs (saw your post that you have a 2200 composite - not sure how it broke out for you) - yes - swallow your pride and take the SATs again - even though you may be in college.

Also understand that around 40 % of the recent entering classes for USMA are NOT coming straight out of High School - most have at least one and many times two years of "something else" under their belts - College , Active Duty, etc...
 
My SAT scores are as follows: Math 790, Reading 740, Writing 670. In my eyes, for the score of 2200, my breakdown is nearly as perfect as possible for an Engineering School (thank my lucky stars XD). I'll probably take it again, but there are certainly other parts of my application that I am way more concerned about. :rolleyes:

Thank you so much, everyone!
 
My SAT scores are as follows: Math 790, Reading 740, Writing 670. In my eyes, for the score of 2200, my breakdown is nearly as perfect as possible for an Engineering School (thank my lucky stars XD). I'll probably take it again, but there are certainly other parts of my application that I am way more concerned about. :rolleyes:

Thank you so much, everyone!

IMO retaking the SAT with those scores would be a waste of time.
 
I would be optimistic with stats like your's. If it does not work out, a year of college with ROTC (while you reapply) is a great experience to prepare you and you also get a taste of what ROTC is like.
 
I would just keep plugging away by taking a competitive course load and expanding your leadership experience. In addition I think joining the ROTC program to try it out would be very beneficial because in the end what is most important, WP or an Army commission?
 
Am I missing something... do the thin white and big fat envelopes go out February 26th? My heart literally just started to race.
 
The current plan is for notifications and offers to start on 26 Feb. However, some recruited people and minorities are getting offers now.
However, if you do not make it as part of the 26 Feb notifications, you still have a chance. Some % (about 10-15%) will not accept their offe,r creating new vacancies.
Many decisions are being made now - of course Admissions can not wait until late Feb to make 1200 decisions.
 
So essentially, the longer you don't hear from admissions from the 26th, the worse your chances of admission? I assume if a BFE doesn't arrive around that date, it will be national waiting list?
 
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