I need advice

S

Sean93

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2012
Messages
11
I was practically told today by my RC that My chances of gaining admission this year are non existent. I have decided after much thought that this is not going to be the end for me. I am going to go to KU and attempt to transfer to WP for the class of 2018.

Here is what I have so far
-Eagle scout
-Lifeguard
-Boy's State delegate
-3.54 high school GPA
-1870 SAT (670M, 640CR)

CFA
-Max pushups
-max pullups
-85 situps
-6:09 mile time
-75ft bb throw
-8.6 second shuttlerun

Militarily
-son of career military officer
-grew up in military environment (was born at West Point)
-mother, father, brother, and sister went to academies.

What do I need to do to make my second shot at USMA stronger? What advice is there for people trying to transfer to USMA?

Right now I really need to get something done.
 
What are your goals? Why do you want to go to WP so bad? Is it just because of your family ties?

I would try a year of non-scholarship ROTC at KU then reapply with hopefully a high college GPA. Who knows you might like it and decide to stay at KU...
 
I have asked myself the same question countless times in the application process, however my parents and siblings never expected me to want to go, they, especially my older brother and mother emphasized that I should explore other options.

But right now I believe with every ounce of sincerity that West Point is where I want to go. I know what life is like there better than most, the good and the bad, I am confident that If I were to be selected sometime in the future I would be a good cadet.
 
What's your class rank now? My advice get the best damn grades you can in college, in classes that resemble Plebe year courses. Also, ROTC will help it really will. Maybe join a leadership organization and do some intramurals. Also what region are you from?
 
Sean93 said:
I have asked myself the same question countless times in the application process, however my parents and siblings never expected me to want to go, they, especially my older brother and mother emphasized that I should explore other options.

But right now I believe with every ounce of sincerity that West Point is where I want to go. I know what life is like there better than most, the good and the bad, I am confident that If I were to be selected sometime in the future I would be a good cadet.
Click to expand...

Maybe because they see the commission as the most important of the equation. As I walk around with my "butterbar" metting people of various ranks and working with a myriad of different units both active and reserves not one person has asked me where or how I commissioned.
 
Re Apply

Again, it’s always stated here to have a Plan B. Continuing with education is important. So looking at your post you do have some obstacles to overcome. One you can’ just take a freshman year at another school and transfer into WP, you will have to re-apply. That means you’ll need a nom again.

WP looks for three pillars, academics, leadership and athletics. You don’t mention any athletics and you already know your ACT/SAT scores are too low. Take the ACT/SAT again and again.

So you have a few options, at KU get involved in club team sports. If at KU, your grades drop below a “B” you’re toast. Or you may want to investigate being a “free agent” at one of the many prep schools.

At this point, WP want to see if you can handle college level academics, Prove that you can.


Good Luck

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Sean93 said:
What do I need to do to make my second shot at USMA stronger?
Click to expand...

The best thing that you can do to improve your chances is to raise your test scores.

Keep taking the SAT and try the ACT.

No sports? Maybe you omitted that as I find it hard to believe that with such a long line of grads in your family, they didn't emphasize that you need to play one or more sports.
 
-3.54 high school GPA
-1870 SAT (670M, 640CR)

Sean93, you know it is not over for the year until you receive the TWE but if that happens there are previous posters with excellent advice ie, mimic Plebe year classes, get all A's, enroll in ROTC etc... For my DS, he received the LOE very soon after he brought up his SAT scores. His Math had been a steady 770 but his CR had never broken 600. He was able to jump from 590 to 630 on his last SAT.
I believe another factor in receivng an LOE (indicating a high WCS) was that he received a very detailed write up (letter of recommendation) on his work for Wounded Warrior Project. This was submitted the same time as his last set of SAT scores posted. My DS did not have the hundreds of volunteer hours accumulated over the years but found something he was passionate about and funneled his extra time to raising money for this group in his junior year. This non-profit group supports our wounded military veterans. DS personally raised several thousands of dollars and his hs lacrosse program, as a whole, raised over $18K last spring. I would like to think that caught the admissions board's attention.

I suggest retaking the SAT until you reach at least 700 but higher is always better. Try the ACT as well and achieve a composite over 30 with math over 30 as well. DS did not take the ACT so not as familiar with that.

Remember it is not over until Admissions sends you the TWE. They are off this week so no one is hearing anything.

Best Wishes!

DS USMA 2017 appointed and accepted
48/351
GPA 3.86 (U) 4.75(W)
SAT CR630 M770
Lacrosse 3yr varsity, currently in 4th yr and captain
Boys State
not many school ECs-had to study or sports practice :redface:
 
Those SAT scores look pretty good to me. Are they not?
 
To be a competitive candidate (per RC):
Academics (60%):
- top 10% of your class
- 31ACT or 2100 SAT
Leadership (30%)
- Boy's State
- Varsity letter
- Captain of a sport
- try to be class President or Student Body President
Fitness (CFA)
-8 pull-ups, 7 minute mile, 60 push-ups, 60 crunches, 9 second shuttle run, 70" Basketball throw
or better
 
Let me add to hmza

The dollar amount his DS raised is not the emphasis here. The goal setting, administration, leadership skills, motivating others to see his vision and follow his lead, salesmanship, and passion is what speaks volumes of his DS character. hmza did not pay out of his pocket to "buy" DS his recognition, his DS earned his recognition.

If I'm out of line hmza, sorry.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
What..

@hmza my future is safe and secure with your DS attending WP! We need leadership like that. I have always said, the down fall of our country is the lack of clean moral leadership and the break down of the family unit.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
I was not heavily involved with athletics, I wish I could have been but I wasn't able to. I was home schooled until senior year when I transferred to Shawnee Mission East (which ranks something like 17th in the nation and first in kansas) I went on to any sport I could in the short time I had. I made junior varsity during the first meet of Cross Country. And Varsity for Swimming in the first week, and even made it to the league championship taking first in my heat. I'm now in Track and have my eyes on varsity.

The problem is that most sports at my school only award varsity letters to athletes who are part of the team all four years, or make it to state. I am athletic, but I think I just didn't have enough time.

Also, I'm pretty sure my SAT scores aren't a problem, they're above average for USMA.
 
LLL, those SAT scores are decent, but West Point looks for the very best. The best thing is they superscore tests so take it as many times as possible.
 
EagleScout13 said:
LLL, those SAT scores are decent, but West Point looks for the very best. The best thing is they superscore tests so take it as many times as possible.
Click to expand...

I'll have to get onto my boy, I guess. He's about at the same level as the OP. I was just going by the class stats from recent years. I do understand that it's gotten even more competitive.
 
See Buff81 note above.

Make sure you take "Plebe Type" classes - science and math - AND MAKE GOOD GRADES ON THOSE COURSES - NO EXCUSES FOR A "C" - GET AT LEAST "B"s BUT "A's ARE MUCH BETTER

Get your SATs in the 700 range for every part - especially math.

Ask your RC what you need to do - he knows the relative weakness (whatever it is) in your record that stopped you this year.

Work hard to get a P-Nom.

You did not mention the sports part - look at the stats for incoming classes. There is a large % of varsity lettermen with a high number being Captains of a team sport.
 
LLL

@LLL I would be surprised if Class of 2017 "mean scores" increase from Class of 2016. The key is "I need to get on him more" to "How much does he want WP." On R-Day when your lil guy, who you used to skip rocks with, crosses that line after 90 seconds, will be a man. And the motivation will have to feed from the fire in his heart.

But you were the first strike of the match.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top