A few questions about USMA

jps7892

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
13
Hi, I'm a candidate for the 2014 class and have quite a few questions I can't find the answer to anywhere else.

1) Can you wear contacts during Beast? I always see pictures of people in glasses, but it would be nice to be able to wear contacts. Do they issue you these glasses, or do you need to buy them before? I'm asking this because I am thinking about having lasik surgery as my graduation present.

2) I have seen people say the prep school is mostly for candidates that do not qualify academically for West Point. I am already triple qualified, but have not received an LOA. (30 ACT and 1300 SAT are my test scores). I think my biggest problem is my nomination. I live in a very very competitive district in Texas, and am afraid I won't receive a nomination, but I will know by Jan 31. Is it possible to still be appointed to the prep school if I fail to receive a nomination, even though I am triple qualified unlike the normal prep school students that are not academically qualified?

3) My understanding is that they issue you a laptop. Is it possible to still bring your own personal laptop or have it shipped to you? I have seen both answers to this so I figured I would ask now.

4) I have seen the 6 hour National Geographic documentary "Surviving West Point," and have read Absolutely American and In a Time of War. Does anyone have something else to suggest in that same category?

Thank you to everyone in advance, this helps very much.
 
1. No you cannot wear contacts... But don't get Lasik!!! From what I have read on these forums (especially in DODMERB), Lasik is a DQer before admission.

2. just a note: not everybody receives LOAs, just a small number, so don't worry about that part.

I don't have the rest of the answers and I am sure others will fill those in. Someone correct me if I am wrong about question 1. Good Luck!
 
3. Not sure about West Point specific, but there was a good thread on The Naval Academy forum about computers, may or may not apply to West Point.

4.Here is the link to another thread in the General Discussion area about books on SAs
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=9790

I also watched a 4 episode mini-series on the Military Channel called Inside America's Military Academies. It's from 1999 but I thought it was still pretty informative. The episodes aren't on often so if you have DVR you could search for it and record it whenever it does come on.
 
Regarding your question about nomination...sorry to tell you that nominations are an absolute must to be admitted. Prep school or not, LOA or not, without a nomination from one of your congressmen/women or the vice-president, you cannot gain entrance into WP. Call West Point admissions if you are still unsure

Good luck!
 
Hi, I'm a candidate for the 2014 class and have quite a few questions I can't find the answer to anywhere else.

1) Can you wear contacts during Beast? I always see pictures of people in glasses, but it would be nice to be able to wear contacts. Do they issue you these glasses, or do you need to buy them before? I'm asking this because I am thinking about having lasik surgery as my graduation present.

2) I have seen people say the prep school is mostly for candidates that do not qualify academically for West Point. I am already triple qualified, but have not received an LOA. (30 ACT and 1300 SAT are my test scores). I think my biggest problem is my nomination. I live in a very very competitive district in Texas, and am afraid I won't receive a nomination, but I will know by Jan 31. Is it possible to still be appointed to the prep school if I fail to receive a nomination, even though I am triple qualified unlike the normal prep school students that are not academically qualified?

3) My understanding is that they issue you a laptop. Is it possible to still bring your own personal laptop or have it shipped to you? I have seen both answers to this so I figured I would ask now.

4) I have seen the 6 hour National Geographic documentary "Surviving West Point," and have read Absolutely American and In a Time of War. Does anyone have something else to suggest in that same category?

Thank you to everyone in advance, this helps very much.

1) No, you have to wear the issued glasses until A-Day. Do not get laser eye surgery as it could disqualify you.

2) Most people do not receive a LOA so don't worry. You cannot get an appointment to USMAPS if you are qualified for USMA. I have heard many people here who got a letter saying they were overqualified for USMAPS and ended up having to go to a civilian prep school instead.

3) You will get issued a laptop with access to outlook and many programs you will need. It also has a CAC card reader so you can use wireless on campus. You can bring your own personal laptop after A-Day. Your personal laptop will not be able to replace the issued one since the one you are issued is a government computer and has things you need. You can bring it for personal use if you want though.

3) No idea. You won't really need to read any books about USMA before you come but if you would like to I recommend "The Unforgiving Minute". It is not all about USMA but will give you an idea of the Army in connection to USMA.

Regarding your question about nomination...sorry to tell you that nominations are an absolute must to be admitted. Prep school or not, LOA or not, without a nomination from one of your congressmen/women or the vice-president, you cannot gain entrance into WP. Call West Point admissions if you are still unsure

Good luck!

Civilian Prep schools do not require one.
 
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Regarding your question about nomination...sorry to tell you that nominations are an absolute must to be admitted. Prep school or not, LOA or not, without a nomination from one of your congressmen/women or the vice-president, you cannot gain entrance into WP. Call West Point admissions if you are still unsure

Good luck!


I believe some people thought I was asking about still getting into the actual academy without a nomination, but I was only talking about the prep school. But thanks for clearing that up. I hate this because it seems to me that getting my nomination will be harder than getting into WP, my district is so competitive. which is why I was seeing if you could still attend the prep school without one, but nevermind.

Thanks everyone for the responses

Also, I forgot to ask earlier:

Is it possible to purchase the little book that you are drilled questions from everyday? It would be nice to have a head start. ;)
 
I believe some people thought I was asking about still getting into the actual academy without a nomination, but I was only talking about the prep school. But thanks for clearing that up. I hate this because it seems to me that getting my nomination will be harder than getting into WP, my district is so competitive. which is why I was seeing if you could still attend the prep school without one, but nevermind.

Thanks everyone for the responses


You might want to check back with America's Finest - he says you don't need a nomination for a CIVILIAN prep school. I'm not sure if thats what you meant. I assumed you meant USMAPS, and I'm pretty sure that you need a nomination for that. If you really are unsure about important admissions related questions, I suggest you try calling your MALO
 
Two more books are Duty First by Ed Ruggero and Tough as Nails by Gail Dwyer.
 
You might want to check back with America's Finest - he says you don't need a nomination for a CIVILIAN prep school. I'm not sure if thats what you meant. I assumed you meant USMAPS, and I'm pretty sure that you need a nomination for that. If you really are unsure about important admissions related questions, I suggest you try calling your MALO

No, I meants USMAPS, but I believe you're right, you do need one
 
Is it possible to purchase the little book that you are drilled questions from everyday? It would be nice to have a head start. ;)

There was a whole debate about this last year. There is a reason they don't send you the book ahead of time, it's meant to be part of Beast.
 
3) No idea. You won't really need to read any books about USMA before you come but if you would like to I recommend "The Unforgiving Minute". It is not all about USMA but will give you an idea of the Army in connection to USMA.

I second this. The Unforgiving Minute was a great read that wasn't just about the USMA. It also talks about life as an Army officer. Coincidentally, I just received Absolutely American a few hours ago in the mail. I hope its good.
 
You do NOT need a nomination to be appointed to USMAPS.

Just to confirm what Just A Mom said I can attest to the fact that a nomination is not necessary to attend USMAPS. I know because I currently attend USMAPS. Also, don't diss your prepster classmates, they have valuble knowledge you don't and they do watch the forums.
 
Just to confirm what Just A Mom said I can attest to the fact that a nomination is not necessary to attend USMAPS. I know because I currently attend USMAPS. Also, don't diss your prepster classmates, they have valuble knowledge you don't and they do watch the forums.

And they make it a point to always say how much they know. :shake:
 
Ha, just a bit of his own medicine. Was that wrong of me? :shake:

What do you mean? :confused:

I'm sure you already knew but just in case to other prepsters (and future cadets): if you use your student ID as your username all it takes is a few clicks to find out your full name and a few more to find your facebook. :shake:
 
How did I ever diss them? I said that I was academically qualified, and on the USMAPS website it said that it is for candidates that are not qualified, which is why I was asking about it. I would be honored to be taught there, there was no way I was talking bad about them at all.
 
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