HS senior, but applying as "prior enlisted"

Ranger96

5-Year Member
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Apr 26, 2014
Messages
15
I am on here because my unit is nominating me for the Military Academy. Honestly, I was stunned. I went from looking at SMP (which is ROTC and Reserves at same time) at San Jose State to looking at the Academy within a minute. They told me at my first battle assembly that they were looking for somebody of age to fill their slot. USMA apparently has Reserve slots going unfilled, as does my MI BN. My NCOs have distinguished me as being the hardest working Future Soldier (pre-BT) they've seen, and am "preparing" me to make Honor Graduate at BT. West Point has always held a special reverence in my life, but I had not previously considered it due to my not being in varsity sports. I can either apply to the Academy while in AIT (35F have the only MOS that can apply during AIT), or anytime with CO's recommendation.

Now that I consider it, I believe that I can be competitive with a CO's nomination, going the enlisted route. My ASVAB is 96, 289 APFT, and US Army Reserve Scholar Athlete Medal (awarded to high school recruits that are scholar atheletes). I have a 29 ACT, several leadership activities in school, and love to practice Krav Maga and read about military operations and history. What concerns me however is that my GPA may fall. I am taking three AP classes, and while I took the same number last year and did very well, I am unsure of this year. My WGPA may end up being a 3.5-3.7 this year, which has me worrying.

Is there anything about applying to the Academies via the enlisted route that I should know about? I am still trying to discern the value that the ADCOM puts on stuff like high school GPA. If I were put into USMAPS or ROTC, I would still be grateful too.
 
I assume you are applying for admission next summer (2015) as the application cycle for 2014 is over. And I encourage you to go for it! You may get a 'no,' but at least you will have given it a shot. (and it is not your only shot, unless you want it to be)
You said you are a senior. So, since you are not going to the academy this coming year, what is your plan in September?
You, I hope, are still planning to go to school and should work toward getting great grades in classes there. I think that will clear up any possible questions bout your HS GPA; which, by the way, is not a problem in my view. Others posting on the forum suggest taking a course load similar to what you would take at the academy. Shows you can do the work. It is a tough load, and your GPA could suffer.
All that said, I think your CO's recommendation will go a long way in the admissions process. It is not the whole way, but is a big boost.
Now having run 3 kids through the teens and getting into college and frosh year in college thing, I know you are at the age where 'stupid pet tricks' with friends can seem like a great way to have fun. Other distractions (particularly those of the opposite sex and alcohol/other substances) can be too hard to resist. These are all ways one can take something like your CO's recommendation or even a letter saying 'you're admitted,' and throwing it away. Don't be that kid.
 
There are 85 slots for National Guard and Reserves soldiers. Those slots go unfilled because not enough qualified soldier candidates and some soldiers end up at the Prep school.

There are no specific slot for your unit, all slots are at larger.

You must complete basic training to be qualified for the soldier nomination. Soldier nomination is basically your CO's recommendation.

It sounds like you are willing to serve in the Army regardless, so there are very little pitfalls. Could be an issue to some candidates that only joined the National Guard to get into West Point. If you don't get into West Point, you still have to fulfill your service obligation.

If you check the Admissions Website, there is a POC for soldier applicants.
 
JMS,
Thanks for the reply and support!
You are correct, I will be applying USMA/USMAPS in the 2015 season. I will be attending BT in August after HS graduation. My grades are going up in my AP classes, and I am confident that I will end HS with a ~3.8 weighted. I will have taken 7 APs by the end of my high school senior, and am still not in the top decile!
Thank you for your advice, I will definitely try to stay out of trouble (except with regards with the senior prank. I'm already planning my mission for that! :p)
 
MemberLG,
Thank you for the info regarding prior enlisted. I knew about the 85 slots, and inferred the reason why there were few applicants going that route.

I understand that there are no specific slots for my unit, what I meant is that my unit has not put anybody in front of the adcom in a loongg time.

And you are right about my serving regardless of an Academy/ROTC/OCS slot or not. I honestly would be content with an enlisted career too. It's what I wanted to do my whole life.
 
JMS,

Thank you for your advice, I will definitely try to stay out of trouble (except with regards with the senior prank. I'm already planning my mission for that! :p)

Careful with that. There are numerous stories of kids who were prevented from graduating hs because of especially stupid senior pranks. Don't hurt anybody physically or emotionally. Don't cause any property damage. Don't be part of a group that does those things even if it could be proven that you didn't directly participate in it. Don't break any school rules. This is not legal advice. There may be other warnings.
 
Careful with that. There are numerous stories of kids who were prevented from graduating hs because of especially stupid senior pranks. Don't hurt anybody physically or emotionally. Don't cause any property damage. Don't be part of a group that does those things even if it could be proven that you didn't directly participate in it. Don't break any school rules. This is not legal advice. There may be other warnings.

Roger, kinda figured that out. I won't participate in any pranks.
 
I took my 3 AP tests this week and last, and am confident I (sur)passed all of them. As for my WGPA, I believe I will end up in the 3.8 range.

I am very excited for BCT. Can't wait to be shipped off in August to Ft. Sill!
 
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