Is there any hope?

[Skinnymun]

Hey everyone,
I just looked at a few of the posts on here concerning getting into west point and was wondering I you could all evaluate me, and what I need to work on.

Academics: So right now I at the end of my sophmore year in high school and I have a 3.4 GPA by the end of junior year I calculated that with almost all A's in each Class I will be at a 3.7 GPA exactly. In the honors class section I have been in the honors History program since freshman year. I am currently finishig up AP European History which I expect to get a B in. Hopefully next year I will be in honors Pre-calculus and English but that is not certain. I am an okay student, Science and Spanish are Not my strong points and Ive been getting B's my whole high school career. Another thing to add is that my school abolished the class ranking system because of so many students having good grades(a 4.0 student would probably be at top 25% instead of most schools where they would be top 15%.) I talked with my counselor about getting in to WP specifically and he said that a 3.5 would do me good. However, I am not confident in this statement because all the former west pointers from my high school had a 3.9 or higher. As for the ACT, I took a practice test and got a 24. I know this is exceptionally bad for West point but I expect to push this higher to a 27 to 29. Lastly, My high school is mostly know for have pretty good academic program.
Congressional nomination: As far as congressional nominations go I live in the 10th district which is highly competitive, because it is Chicagos north shore area. I don't know I can compete with hundrends of kids for a nomination. The only thing that may be able to save me is my family friend who is a representive from Detroit. Im unsure I she can nominate me because she is out of state but I can still be nominated right?

Extra circular actvities: outside of school I am a good leader. Here are some of the things that I have done/awards:
•3rd grade character counts winner in class
•6-8th grade Student ambassador( chosen by teachers to help out new middle schoolers and help the principal.
•As far as volunteer service goes, I have 36 hours that I've done since 8th grade.
•Brother of special needs sibling. My sister has had epilepsy since she was 1 though her I have acheived patience and kindness that few obtain.
•Board member of Publicity in the Model United nations club. Hopefully next year I will be vice prez then president of the club senior year.
•Next year I will be running for captain for the cross country team and track team. I have a great shot at XC but not sure about track. Also I am just an average runner, who obtained the 300 mile club badge(those people who run 300 miles or more over the summer)
• next year I also plan to run. For secretary in student council.

That is about everything that's going on in my life, if you've managed to read all of this THANK YOU!!!!!!! Your patience has been greatly apriciated!
Thank again!
Luke

 

[lightfoot]

Don't forget-GPA isn't the only thing that matters. Does it matter-Yes! But you will need to also have leadership and physical fitness. For the most part, anything you do before high school "doesn't count" meaning that it most definitely taught you things, but you probably won't be able to list it on your application. Also, keep taking the hardest classes you can handle and keep applying for (and getting) leadership roles. And stay fit. If you do everything to the best of your ability, then you're most likely going to be in decent shape.

 

[GoArmyBeatNavy]

Hey everyone,
I just looked at a few of the posts on here concerning getting into west point and was wondering I you could all evaluate me, and what I need to work on.



That is about everything that's going on in my life, if you've managed to read all of this THANK YOU!!!!!!! Your patience has been greatly apriciated!
Thank again!
Luke

From what I have read on here, go to American Legion's Boys/Girls State, get a Varsity Letter and be an Athletic Captain. Try to be a student body president and be in the top 10% of your class. Get a 31 on the ACT or a 2100 on the SAT. You should be good with these.

/edit/ also...be able to do eight pullups, run a mile in 7 minutes, do 60 pushups and 60 crunches and do your shuttle run in 9 seconds and throw a basketball 70 feet.

The key to all of this. You can still do it (except maybe the class rank)

 

[linkgmr]

Whoa man...Third grade? I don't know if I would include that. Kind of makes it seem like you're scraping the bottom of the barrel there. Up to you though.

You have as much of a chance as anyone else who applies to the academy, so you might as well. Try and improve grades/athletics/leadership, and I'm sure you'll be competitive. Contrary to popular belief, WP is not comprised entirely of freakishly smart rocket scientists. Just keep working and you should do fine.

 

[USMA2016]

You mentioned that you don't like science. Keep in mind that at the academy you will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science regardless of your major (even if it's english or history). If you're looking for more of a BA curriculum you might consider ROTC.

Also, while the 3rd grade character counts award is nice, they probably won't really look at it that seriously. Most colleges consider freshman year the starting point for what should be on your resume (unless of course there is something particularly outstanding before that).

Varsity athletics. Varsity athletics. Varsity athletics. Captaincies!

Since your school won't post class rank most of the academic part of your WCS will be based off your transcript and your SAT/ACT scores. Grub/Grovel for As in all of your classes. Keep taking APs. Take both the SAT and ACT. Take them as many times as you can. In fact, you might even start taking them now. The first time I took the ACT was in April of my sophomore year!

Stay the course!

 

[kennyvoet]

My suggestions,

Email the regional admissions director to ask them about what they would like to see you improve in (take a moment to introduce yourself and express your desire to attend, be very courteous). You could also try the same thing with the congressmen and senators.

Get involved in anything you can without hurting the quality of everything else you do (Salvation army, toys for tots, classic movie clubs, church groups, debate teams, those kinds of things)

Take the ACT whenever you have the time to do so

Apply for the Summer Leadership Seminar as soon as you can

Apply for your Academy as soon as you can (very important, is shows commitment and there are fewer applicants early on)

 

[Skinnymun]

Thank you all for replying! One more thing I would like to add is that I am a DJ for my schools Radio program each weekend, don't know if it helps but it is somthing more to add oh and can I still get my family friends recommendation? Even though she is out of state?

To GoArmyBeatNavy: thank you for your advice I will look into the American legion Boys state. Also Do I have to get a 31? I was looking at the website and the average cadet ACT score was 28-29 from the class of 2014.

To USMA2016: As far as Science goes I have only had Biology and Chemestry. Out of both I liked Biology the most and hated chemestry. Next year I am taking physics and I'm not sure if I will like it or not. Do you think I will?

 

[Skinnymun]

By the way, I know the service academies do not count your scores in AP tests but does that influence them in any way if you get a 5 on an exam?

 

[USMA2016]

To USMA2016: As far as Science goes I have only had Biology and Chemestry. Out of both I liked Biology the most and hated chemestry. Next year I am taking physics and I'm not sure if I will like it or not. Do you think I will?

Chances are: no.

I took Biology freshman year, chemistry sophomore year, AP Chem this year, and I will take AP Physics next year. I like chemistry, I think the mix between science and math is just delicious. That being said, my AP chem teacher told me that physics involves even more math and reasoning. So... kind of like a super-chemistry. That's why I don't think you'll be a fan of physics.

However, you must learn them. From what I've heard two of the toughest classes for many cadets is plebe chemistry and yuk physics (if any cadets are reading this please confirm or correct me on this). Then, you'll have to take a three-course engineering sequence anyway (unless you're an engineering major, which I assume you will not be since you said you dislike science). All in all, I would advise getting cozy with your math and science textbooks.

can I still get my family friends recommendation?

I don't think so. For USMA I'm pretty sure they just want three teacher evals from a math, chem/physics, and english teacher. However, maybe you could use that letter for a nomination letter of rec. I know that for my MOC he just wants two letters of recommendation but they can be from anyone, it doesn't have to be teachers.

 

[GoArmyBeatNavy]

Thank you all for replying! One more thing I would like to add is that I am a DJ for my schools Radio program each weekend, don't know if it helps but it is somthing more to add oh and can I still get my family friends recommendation? Even though she is out of state?

To GoArmyBeatNavy: thank you for your advice I will look into the American legion Boys state. Also Do I have to get a 31? I was looking at the website and the average cadet ACT score was 28-29 from the class of 2014.

To USMA2016: As far as Science goes I have only had Biology and Chemestry. Out of both I liked Biology the most and hated chemestry. Next year I am taking physics and I'm not sure if I will like it or not. Do you think I will?

You don't HAVE to get a 31. But if you want to increase your chances, that is what you should aim for. I am sure a lot of people who didn't get in had 28s-29s on the ACT. Better to aim higher.

 

[BigBear]

1. You cannot recieve a nomination from a family friend that is not the representative for the congressional district that you live in.
2. As of now, you probably would not be very competitive. However, one of the biggest things is improvement- so if you really go all out and strive to get straight A's for the next to years, earn some Varsity Letters, be selected as team captain, etc., then mention that in your essays, it will look good.
3. The general disclaimer you will get is this- there is nobody who can tell you for sure what your chances are. The process is very complex, and there is no surefire way to predict its outcome. For example, even the smartest, most athletic student in the country could be disqualified by DODMERB, and might never make it to WP, but another candidate whose scores are all lower could get in because they made it through the system.

*Bottom Line: if West Point is something you really want deep down, you need to dedicate yourself NOW. Start practicing the CFA, GO ALL OUT IN SCHOOL, take the SAT and the ACT multiple times, volunteer in your school and community, and volunteer to be a leader, not just another person in the background. Talk to all your teachers and explain to them that west point is your goal and you will need their help to get there. And finally, keep your options open. Apply to West Point, but also look into Army ROTC and lots of other schools. If you dont get in first try, look at prep schools. Where there's a will, there's a way to make it happen*

 

[hkim93]

I am an okay student, Science and Spanish are Not my strong points and Ive been getting B's my whole high school career.

I wasn't very competitive at all when I first started my file for USMA and I definitely didn't have A's across the board. So my input is to keep pushing your academics even if it gets tough because that's one factor USMA looks into, perserverence

As for the ACT, I took a practice test and got a 24. I know this is exceptionally bad for West point but I expect to push this higher to a 27 to 29.

Your efforts are respected, but don't aim for a 27-29. Try aiming for the top, even if it SEEMS impossible, because it IS possible.

Congressional nomination: As far as congressional nominations go I live in the 10th district which is highly competitive, because it is Chicagos north shore area. I don't know I can compete with hundrends of kids for a nomination.

I'm from NY-03. It was a rough crowd over here too, but aside from strengthening your application, be prepared for the interview. Ask yourself, "why do I want to attend West Point?" Don't be discouraged; it took me 9 months to figure that out

 

[gamernotwatcher]

Ques on Varsity

When kids come from large schools, 3000+; there are still ONLY 11 players on the basketball team and only 5 on the court. To expect multiple years of Varsity Letters seems daunting at best. Does perseverance through the system of participation in multiple Sports vs PE add credence or not?

Also, if kids sports are EC in Nature ie competitive skiing, sailing, lacrosse, fencing, open water swimming, surfing (the list goes on) is there equilibration to "lettering on the high school varsity team"?

I can only hope that the bias towards "Varsity" in weighted to fitness level. DS is captain of his club team, and I do not want to push him back to concentrating on the "high school sports offerings" if he loves participating in his current sports.

 

[USMA2016]

When kids come from large schools, 3000+; there are still ONLY 11 players on the basketball team and only 5 on the court. To expect multiple years of Varsity Letters seems daunting at best. Does perseverance through the system of participation in multiple Sports vs PE add credence or not?

Also, if kids sports are EC in Nature ie competitive skiing, sailing, lacrosse, fencing, open water swimming, surfing (the list goes on) is there equilibration to "lettering on the high school varsity team"?

I can only hope that the bias towards "Varsity" in weighted to fitness level. DS is captain of his club team, and I do not want to push him back to concentrating on the "high school sports offerings" if he loves participating in his current sports.

This is so true. My school isn't as insanely huge (~1750 kids) but still varsity teams are extremely competitive. Like I only have 2 letters in wrestling from 3 years on the team.