Should I apply to USMA?

Hello all,

I have recently been finalizing my choices of where to apply and I posted on the ROTC forum.

Here is a link to the post with my stats: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/where-do-i-apply.43854/

I like USMA a little more than USMMA but I do understand that I am statistically more likely to be accepted and receive nomination to the USMMA. Please take a look at my stats and help me reason with which choice is more promising/better for my future. I am trying to manage my expectations and remain as realistic as possible. I know that there is no way of knowing without applying, but I can't decide whether or not I should put USMA or USMMA as my first choice nomination. Please keep in mind I live in a very competitive district.

Thanks as always!!

You have a very competitive profile, but I didn't see your class ranking listed which is a valuable piece of info. Listing USMA as your first choice isn't going to hurt your chances for your other choices. Just make sure you really want it because, as I said, you are very competitive. In your list of why you want a service academy I don't see "I want to be a leader", or " I want to become an officer." Those statements should be at the forefront of your decision. Do not take this decision lightly, as many will be looking to you for leadership in your role as an officer. As for your interest in swimming you can check on the USMA website for details at goarmysports.com.

As long as your Congressman and Senators don't have no double nomination policy , apply to both.

whitewolf said:

You have a very competitive profile, but I didn't see your class ranking listed which is a valuable piece of info. Listing USMA as your first choice isn't going to hurt your chances for your other choices. Just make sure you really want it because, as I said, you are very competitive. In your list of why you want a service academy I don't see "I want to be a leader", or " I want to become an officer." Those statements should be at the forefront of your decision. Do not take this decision lightly, as many will be looking to you for leadership in your role as an officer. As for your interest in swimming you can check on the USMA website for details at goarmysports.com.

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My school doesn't rank, but I am in the top 25%. My school is considered "very prestigious". The major determining factor in my questioning of if I should apply is the acceptance track record from my school. 12/15 have been accepted from my school (I know this is amazing), but the average GPA is somewhere around a 4.05-4.1. I understand there are probably applicants with lower GPAs and higher GPAs, but I took a look at my schools naviance profile and every single person accepted had a 4.0+.

OP, bottom line is apply if you want to attend USMA and be an Army officer. You can look at all the numbers in the world and compare yourself, but do you want that to be the deciding factor if you apply or not. Multiply folks have told you that your profile has some things such as ACT scores that are probably above average. A few things like GPA might be lower than average. The fact your school is competitive probably will help. SAs look at school profiles. So if you have 10 kids going Ivies year in and year out and others attending schools like UNC, Duke, Cal, Stanford, etc. those things all play in your favor. The worst they can say is no. Heck, maybe you get in, maybe you get a prep school slot. Maybe you don't get in and go to a civilian school next year, pull a 4.0 and reapply. Bottom line, apply if you want to go to USMA and be an Army officer. You will go nuts if you keep playing a guessing game of chances and should I apply.