Hello everybody, I'm a junior in high school, and I'm in a bit of a predicament. West Point has been my dream school since freshman year, based on academics, leadership preparation, cost, location, reputation and rigor. Currently, I believe myself very well qualified, with a 34 ACT score (will retake through school), strong, although by no means unbelievable grades, rigorous curriculum undertaking, and probable NMSF, based on my score and previous cutoffs. I have good leadership undertakings, have been selected to attend boys state, and participate in athletics at a pretty high level. I do feel, however, that I lack the emotional maturity to allow me to be successful at west point. From talking to a friend who is doing a 'postgraduate' year at Phillips Exeter to better his chances and study habits for and ivy league school. I have talked to the coaches from four top-tier prep schools, all of whom would be interested in me participating athletically for them. I don't come from a ton of money, so I made sure that every school I talked to either gives copious financial aid or completely absolves students in my income bracket of any contribution. This extra year would probably enable me to compete for WP, as well as sharpen some academic skills. As I am graduating HS in 2014, would I be able to defer admission for a year, so I know I am not futilely completing the year at prep school? Would I be able to write to the admission officer explaining my situation?