How Do I Compare?

I would be mad if my class rank was the reason I wasnt accepted...
 
but doesnt west point or any school for that matter, take into account of how the school runs? like my school never gives us GPAs or they dont do class ranks. Does it work similar to what classes are provided and the classes you can take?
 
West Point, like almost all schools, has regional admissions staff. In West Point's case they happen to be Majors (at least the three I have met) in the Army. They focus on specific regions of the country, in part, so that they can become familiar with the different high schools in their region, and how they operate. All colleges and universities have some process to put applicants on an even playing field, because high schools around the country operate very differently from each other.

My advice to you is to focus on the things that you can control, such as your grades, test scores, and other activities. These are what will get you to where you want to be.
 
Class Rank is more important than GPA, especially in an era of inflated grades. Its great if Student A has a 3.6, but if 70% of his class does too, its not that impressive.
 
My kids high school is a top high school both academically and for athletics. They DO NOT RANK nor will they provide an estimate. Each year they send kids to the service academies. Like an earlier poster said, work on things you can control. Good luck in the future.
 
Szpieg said:
Hey guys, I am a candidate to the USMA class of 2015, and I would like to share my profile to see what you guys think or recommend...

Well my GPA is around a 90%

Classes I took 1st semester (im a junior in high school):
English 5 - 92%
Spanish 5 - 86%
Physics 1 - 98%
U.S. History 1 - 87%
Calculus 1 - 93%
2D Design - 93%

Second Semester (Current Grades As of Now):
English 6 - 95%
Spanish 6 - 88%
Physics 2 - 95%
U.S. History 2 - 98%
Calculus 2 - 86%
Digital Design 96%

Next year Im taking AP Calculus BC and AP Physics for sure

I took the SATs and I got a crappy 1680 but when I took practice tests I got 1850-1890,

PSAT I got
MATH - 64
Verbal - 63
Writing - 50

PACT I got Composite 25 (Estimated ACT Composite = 26-30)
Math - 28
Reading - 23
Writing - 21
Science - 26


My Extra Circulars Are:
Officer Non-School Club
Other Extracurricular Activities
School Club Officer
Scouting Member
2 Years Varsity Soccer


As a side note, I have been studying the Polish language for 11 years now and will finish the 12 year next year to take the SATII in this language.

Also I plan to attend Model UN next year...

Comment what you think please, and I hope to see some of you at this years SLS Week 1!!!
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My opinion from where I am right now and from stats I've seen:

GPA okay but its not as important as class rank, just keep working...it's good, don't get me wrong, but just saying.

Good class selection...academy likes APs

Just keep trying on those standardized tests...you'll get there.

Your strong suit right now is leadership and ECs...try to see if you can be a captain (if not already) of soccer team...other things can do...volunteer, tutor, etc.

Good that you are fluent in a lang...this will help you.
 
alright thanks guys ill work on what i can control...my school also refuses to give class ranks because it goes against our school "philosophy"...thas why we dont have a National Honors Society chapter
 
Navy15 said:
Class Rank is more important than GPA, especially in an era of inflated grades. Its great if Student A has a 3.6, but if 70% of his class does too, its not that impressive.
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I beg to differ with this. If you are in a very competitive public or private high school then many may have high GPA. And there is a difference between weighted and unweighted GPA's. Unweighted GPA's are not inflated.

We were just at the Founder's Day dinner and not only was a representative from admissions there, but the MALO, a staff member from West Point and the Superintendent of West Point. They were discussing admissions and they did point out that class rank was incredibly important AND they knew how the schools were as far as being competitive. They said not to worry if you were in a private school or very competitive school, they realized that your class rank may not be as high as if you were some place else.
 
cjs said:
I beg to differ with this. If you are in a very competitive public or private high school then many may have high GPA. And there is a difference between weighted and unweighted GPA's. Unweighted GPA's are not inflated.

We were just at the Founder's Day dinner and not only was a representative from admissions there, but the MALO, a staff member from West Point and the Superintendent of West Point. They were discussing admissions and they did point out that class rank was incredibly important AND they knew how the schools were as far as being competitive. They said not to worry if you were in a private school or very competitive school, they realized that your class rank may not be as high as if you were some place else.
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Very helpful post...thank you :thumb:

ALso thank you to 2012Cadet for your positive post
 
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I concur with the previous posts. The RC's (Regional Commander's) have a good knowledge of the schools in their area. They also have a network of MALO's and volunteer admissions representatives (like myself) on the ground in the region that can provide specific detail about candidates and their schools.
 
Navy15 said:
Class Rank is more important than GPA, especially in an era of inflated grades. Its great if Student A has a 3.6, but if 70% of his class does too, its not that impressive.
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While they "say" class rank is very important, let me share with you what happened to my son who applied for USNA,

Graduates #1 In his class, Valedictorian, never had a B on his report card from K-12th grade...all upper division, advanced classes such as calc, chem, physics
President of national honor Society
Camp Counselor
Altar Server at church
Graduate of Youth leadership of our valley
Math Tutor
3 Varsity Sport participant...Captain of Golf team, varsity lettered in all 3 sports
Voted Most likely to succeed by teacher and peers of his school
Who's Who Amongst American High School Students
Team captain for Academic Quiz Bowl
Big Brother with Big Brother Big sister program in our area
The list goes on...
NEVER any trouble, not even so much as a conduct slip or detention
2 nominations...one senator, one Congressional
Attended CWV
Attended Nass
Son was denied appointment to Naval academy, plain and simple, had his app completed in September of 2009...go figure...

My advice to all of you...have a plan B and a Plan C...do the best you can...the appointment process is unfair, get used to it, even son's BGO is stumped at the results... above all, don't sell yourself short, know in your heart you put your best app out there and did your best...my son DID, and him knowing that has brought him some peace with the rejection...as far as we are concerned, the Navy is missing out on some stellar potential leaders,(there are MANY out there with comparable stats as my son who also got rejected for the class of 2014) They(these high achievers) will go elsewhere and no doubt be extrememly successful anyhow. Just do your best, and let the chips fall where they may.
 
Wow. I'm so sorry for your son. I can say that this leaves me pretty worried about my chances. If you don't mind me asking, what were his SAT and/or ACT scores. Where is he going? I'm sure it isn't a community college from what you posted haha.
 
harmi, sorry to hear that your son did not get the nod from Navy. He seems like a great young man. Best of luck to him in the future. My son who has a comparable resume did not get the nod from Air Force, but did from USMA. It was tough for him to not get into Air Force, but like your son, he will be fine in the end!
 
Wow, what do you have to do?
It makes us feel better.
We're in good company.
 
'Thanks Potential Parent and plmmar...I really only posted this so EVERYONE can see how important it is to have several back up plans...Potential Parent, good luck to your son...I am sure you are so proud of him!!! And you deserve to be!! My son only applied for USNA...he will be going to school on a full academic scholarship to study Chemical Engineering...But he did not apply to USNA for the academic "ride" so to speak...he applied because he really wanted to serve our country as an officer in the Navy....His attitiude regarding his USNA "rejection" has shown me a new, even more admirable side to him...and really I could not be any prouder of him!!

I wish all the fine young men and women out there the VERY best...and really hope their dreams do come true in their pursuit...but above all..HAVE SEVERAL BACK UP PLANS...I am glad my son sent in his scholarship apps in December, or else he would of "MISSED THE BOAT" at all stops...(no punn intended!!)

Good Luck All!!
 
harmi said:
'Thanks Potential Parent and plmmar...I really only posted this so EVERYONE can see how important it is to have several back up plans...Potential Parent, good luck to your son...I am sure you are so proud of him!!! And you deserve to be!! My son only applied for USNA...he will be going to school on a full academic scholarship to study Chemical Engineering...But he did not apply to USNA for the academic "ride" so to speak...he applied because he really wanted to serve our country as an officer in the Navy....His attitiude regarding his USNA "rejection" has shown me a new, even more admirable side to him...and really I could not be any prouder of him!!

I wish all the fine young men and women out there the VERY best...and really hope their dreams do come true in their pursuit...but above all..HAVE SEVERAL BACK UP PLANS...I am glad my son sent in his scholarship apps in December, or else he would of "MISSED THE BOAT" at all stops...(no punn intended!!)

Good Luck All!!
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This article by a teacher who was on the admissions board may help to explain some of the "why" questions.

http://www.brucefleming.net/Intervie...t 021603.htm
 
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