Candidate Statements

J

Jayhawk2325

Jayhawk2325
5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2011
Messages
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The only thing left for my application are the candidate statements, and I feel I may be spending too much time on them. It says 2500 characters max, but do they absolutely have to be roughly 2500 characters, or if I feel like I can get my point across in less, will that suffice?
 
Well, I can only tell you what my DS submitted and that was an essay as close to 2500 without sounding ridiculous:biggrin: The portal will not let you submit over 2500 characters--which will include punctuation. This is perhaps an area where your MALO can assist you--DS's offered to review the rough draft and then called with some very non-specific general advice. Mind you--advice only, he did not edit, rewrite, etc. Hope this helps
 
I did mine in maybe 1200. I think my longest was the third and that was 1300. Dont add fluff to take up space.
 
answering the question first, than add details.

For example is, why do you want to attend West Point

What is your answer? Perhaps to

- Serve our country
- become an Army Officer

Why do you want to serve our country?

- individual responabilty/contribution to the society.

Why do you want to become an Army Officer

- serve my country/family tradition/past experience


You could add details to develop your answers, but what I have seen (reading essays for Congressional nomination) is that many candidates focus too much on details (to build up to the answer).
 
RC told us in SLS that they want a mature and honest response - not how "you have always wanted to join the Army since you were in your mother's womb" kind of answer :thumb:

Source of this tip: MY RC.
 
Do a good job on your essays. It is a fantastic opportunity to introduce yourself and in doing so show just why you should be selected over the other applicants even if they have better grades. These essays could very well be the difference between an appointment or a TW(thin white envelope). Expect that there will be approximately 10 applicants for every appointment and most of those will have very similar backgrounds and grades as you do. One of the criteria used in judging applicants is the best use of Academy resources. In my opinion that is another way of saying that they are trying to identify future cadets who have the ability to graduate the Academy and the motivation to spend a career in the service. They are not looking for students who want a free education for just a five-year commitment.

I would recommend that you write your essays at least twice the maximum size and then rewrite several times to reduce it to within size limits. They don't want to hear that you dreamed of being in the service repeated in different words 100 times. They want to hear about the real you and what you have to offer and what you have done to indicate that you would be a special candidate.

Remember that the reviewing people will be going over thousands of applications and essays. They will appreciate it if you get right to the point and then move on without giving them a bunch of insignificant details. Get to the point, move on to the next point and say what you have to say in as few words as possible. They would rather here about 10 or 15 of your accomplishments in concise words than one accomplishment in detail for the whole essay.

Needless to say, word use, grammar, punctuation and spelling should be impeccable.

Good luck
 
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Essay questions?

I know the questions change year to year; can anyone share what the prompts are now?
[School guidance counselor is looking for examples]
 
First prompt: Explain why you want to attend
the United States Military Academy and serve on active duty as an Army officer.

Second prompt: What are the most important qualities in
becoming a successful USMA cadet and a successful Army officer?

Third prompt: West Point and the Army are committed to the idea that respect for others and
an understanding of diversity are important leadership traits. Why will you be successful in working with leaders, peers, and
subordinates of a gender, color, ethnicity, and/or religion different from your own?


My personal tip is to remember that these are multi part questions.
 
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