Having a back-up plan

2

2ndLTgray

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2010
Messages
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I know that West Point is a rigrious school to get accpeted to and I have already faced the fact that I might not get accepted on my FIRST try. I do plan on trying again if I dont succed the first time.

What I'm worried about is having/making a back-up plan. I dont want to fall into the trap where I have no where to go.

I dont exactly know what to do if I dont get accpeted the time I try. I will more than likely keep on trying until I get accpeted or I dont meet the prerequsities anymore (e.g. being 17-23)

I am going to be a Sophomore during the 2011-2012 school year so I have a while till I have to make these choices but West Point has been my dream since the 7th Grade and I would like to know what other opprtunites I have besides West Point.
 
Just apply for ROTC scholarships and a few civilian schools. Or you could go enlisted, because the academy reserves around 100 slots for enlisted applicants and you would probably be competing against a smaller pool that way.
 
Oh but definitely talk to admissions or someone before you enlist. I have thought about this because i thought that it would make getting into the academy easier since most enlistees probably don't have stellar grades and standardized scores like some of the kids on this site. But i don't know my parents would definitely say no to that idea and I think that if you do well enough in school your parents will say the same thing.
 
DS was a reapplicant and was accepted on his second try--always have a backup plan. He spent his freshman year at a very good and challenging college on scholarship. Apply to at least 5 if not more civilian universities and visit as many as you can, go after scholarships, apply to rotc, work on having a strong resume. Talk to admissions officers at your districts service academy events--you get the picture--persevere. :thumb:
 
Let your RC/AO know that you would be interested in the USMAPrep, if you are really serious about WP.
 
Don't enlist as a way to get into West Point.
 
I agree with Buff, don't enlist just to go to West Point. Enlist if you want to serve your country and get a better feel and understanding on what you will be committing to in the five years after graduating a service academy. Speaking as a current active duty enlisted service member I have been very blessed to experience the things I have and know that it will make me a more effective Officer once I Commission. I was not ready for college after high school, certainly not a service academy. I was immature, undisciplined, and self-centered. While I did not enlist just to attend West Point the door was opened to me by my service, giving me a chance I would not have otherwise had.

That's just my two cents. Think long and hard about why you want to go to West Point and subsequently become an Army Officer. My original rationale was very selfish but over time I grew and now see the big picture. In any road you take I wish you the best of luck! Blessings!
 
I do not plan on enlisting. It's something I DO NOT want to do.

I am not going to do something that I don't want to do just because it would like good on a resume or make it "easier" for me to get accepted.

How does USMAprep work?
 
Normally candidates who would otherwise get in but have not reached a certain academic level (for example- you are a recruited athlete with low Standardized Test Scores).

As I understand, you are considered on Army Reserve while attending USMAPrep, which means you are eligible for a Presidential Nomination. Also, your year at the USMAPrep counts towards your 20-year requirement for retirement from the Army (but it does NOT count to the 8-year obligation after USMA).
 
My cadet applied to two good state universities and VMI. He also received an ROTC scholarship. He did early notification at the state schools so he knew before Christmas that he had somewhere to go. He had his nomination and appointment to WP not long after Christmas.
 
DS's situation was similar to Dixieland's--he applied to several state schools, and a few private ones. He also included his MALO in his decision making process. He carried classes and credit hours as close to SA's as was possible. He also was able to make the Cross Country team as a walk on.
Agree with Buff, and Stealth on their advice
 
Consider VT or Texas A&M for your public schools. I didn't and a little part of me regrets it.
 
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