Help Me Improve

usmahopefulnc

Member
Joined
May 16, 2015
Messages
15
Im not asking what my chances are- just some advice on what I can improve upon. Please be honest!

GPA Unweighted/weighted 3.8/4.3
Class rank 56/365
Sat- 2000
Act- 28
APs- world (91) us (98) english language (92) statistics (92) spanish language (94)
Taking ap calc, ap physics, ap computer science senior year

First varsity letter this year (junior) getting another one next year, going to be captain
Showcase baseball year round
Crossfit


Vice president of NHS
Boys state
House Page program (internship at nc general assembly)
Head delivery driver at Garofolas Italiano
Assistant to commander of local American Legion post
Founder of Speech and Debate Club
Founder of History Bowl team
President of Young Republicans
Head delivery driver at local restaraunt
Member of local charity group


APUSH award, Spanish 4 award, Physical Education award (all department awards)

Any advice would be great!
 
What are your individual SAT breakouts for Math and English?
 
Hopeful,
You will be up against applicants whose stats look just like yours. How can you differentiate yourself from the "crowd" so to speak. You want to be lighthouse in a sea of excellence and that is what the applicants for the SA's are...excellent. Stand out, shine, be passionate about something whether it be baseball or just being the best at whatever it is you love the most but most importantly, apply to WP and whatever other SA you will, because you want to serve as an officer-you want to lead. Don't just check the box...build the box.
 
Hopeful,

Your stats look pretty good. You will be "competitive." While your SAT/ACT scores are really good, the best thing you can do is try to improve them.

Whether you get a Principal Nom will depend on how you compare within your Congressional District.

While there will be around 1200 appointments, you will most likely really be competing for 1 out of about 500 slots if you don't get the Principal Nom. Why only 500?

1200 slots - ~500 Principal Noms = 700 left

700 slots - ~200 slots for prep school, recruited athletes, LOAs, etc. = ~500 slots left. (If you are in the qualified recruited athlete or LOA category great! That increases your odds a ton.)

According to the on line West Point Class Profiles, approximately 2300 applicants from across the nation will be "fully qualified academically and in physical aptitude" and also have a Nomination.

2300 "qualified with Nomination" - 700 "Principal Noms + LOAs" = 1600 "competitive applicants" for 500 slots.

These are of course rough approximate numbers, but they are in the ballpark

If your goal is to serve, make sure you also apply to AROTC and check out the Senior Military Colleges. AROTC is also very competitive. AROTC only awarded ~600 4 year scholarships this year. The stats to get one are similar to yours, but unlike USMA, there isn't the "geographical component" that is caused by the Congressional nomination component.
 
The best thing you can do at this point is raise your SAT/ACT. Keep taking them as long as your score keeps improving. Good luck!
 
Get those SAT scores up over 700.

So, you're a baseball guy. Have you contacted the coach? How well does your school team do in its league? Showcase baseball? Is this a traveling, club level, team?

Probably too late to bring up your class rank much, but I would strive to do so.

Also, MJP is right: what do you have that sets you apart from every other applicant? What can you bring to the table that the person just ahead of you in class-rank does not have?
 
Your stats look pretty good. Practice the standardized tests over the summer though. If you can get math and reading above 700 or get a 31 on the ACT sections you should be good. You didn't say anything about your CFA, make sure you do well on that.
 
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