Prior Applicant Questions

I know there are a few threads on this already, and I've looked through what I could find as well as searching for it, but specific information has been difficult to come up with. So, I apologize if I'm asking questions that have been previously answered or that could be answered through another source.

I applied and was accepted last year. However, I was medically disqualified a few days before R-Day because I tore my meniscus. I've since had surgery and should be fine to go next year. USMA gave me a Letter of Assurance immediately, so I should have no problems getting in again as long as I get good grades at college for a year and get healthy in time.

I do have to go through the application again, though, and I have a few questions.

First of all, my understanding is that I need two college SOEs, preferably from a science (Chemistry) and math professor. Is that the case?

For the Request for Academic Information and the Candidate Activities Record, should my contact still be my high school counselor? And should that still all be high school information?

Can the CFA be administered by my high school phys-ed teacher/coach or should a college P.E. teacher do that?

Should I use the same candidate statements as last year, given that they are the same prompts as last year and my original ones were (presumably) good enough to gain acceptance?

I'm sorry if I've bombarded the forums with questions, here. I would appreciate any answers you can give!

I was a college applicant last year who did not receive a nomination and will be reapplying for the class of 2018. So from what I know...

Science,math, AND/OR english college SOE's are recommended.

CAR is all your HS info. Any college activities should be included in the supplemental activities.

As far as the CFA goes, I retook it with my HS gym teacher who administered it to me last year. I would ask admissions about that if you aren't able to retake it with whoever you took it with last year.

As far as the candidate statements, I edited mine slightly with details of my college experience and how it has helped prepare me for West Point. For you it might be different since you received an appointment.

If anyone else would like to add anything that would be great and if anything, I would email admissions. Hope this helped.

Great information, thank you. And best of luck with your application this year!

FYI: Directly from the "Instructions for Applicants":

If you were a candidate last year, the documents and examination results from your previous candidacy will normally remain on file in the Admissions Office. To update your application for the current year, see below:

Nomination Request........................................................................Seek new congressional or service-connected nominations.

Candidate Personal Data Record....................................................Resubmit online with current data.

Candidate Activities Record............................................................Resubmit online with current data, or request in the “Remarks”section to have the old form moved to the new file, if the data has not changed.

School Official’s Evaluation Forms..................................................Resubmit with current data by your current instructors.


ACT (including the optional writing portion)or SAT Scores ............Your previous scores will be used, unless Admissions receives higher scores from a subsequent exam.

Candidate Fitness Assessment Score ............................................You must retake the Candidate Fitness Assessment.

Employer’s Evaluation of Candidate ...............................................If you have worked since the submission of last year’s application, this form should be submitted by your most-recent employer.

Candidate Statements.....................................................................Rewrite and resubmit online.

Request for Secondary School Transcript .......................................Resubmit transcripts reflecting all eight semesters of your high school. Any college work requires college transcripts through the fall term.


Proof of Citizenship or Naturalization.............................................. None. Do not resubmit.

I hope this helps.

Lone Star said:

Should I use the same candidate statements as last year, given that they are the same prompts as last year and my original ones were (presumably) good enough to gain acceptance?

Click to expand...

DS was in a similar situation (had to reapply). Besides the specifics mentioned here, I might suggest this: simply because it was acceptable last time does not mean it will pass the bar this time.

Each year is competitive within itself, you may miss the mark when compared to your new competitive pool. Do even more this time. Emphasize both your persistence in achieving your goals and your excellence in becoming more outstanding. I could not say for sure but that seemed to help him on the second round. My two cents based on my DS.

Best of luck!
RLTW

That's true. Thank you for the advice. I'll certainly update the essays - especially the diversity one, since there's a lot more diversity here at college than there was in my small hometown.

I'm also glad to hear about the 'Remarks' section on the CAR. Thanks for that.

Don't forget that there is a form for you to list your college activities on that is different from the CAR...believe it is a Supplemental Activities Sheet or something on those lines...it isn't "approved" by anyone, but the RC will follow up if there are any items that stand out.