Question regarding W.P. SLS

Well, it is in comparison to my ACT score. Because my school gives us a chart that displays all of the SAT scores next to the equivalent ACT score.
Ex: 2400 SAT --> 36 ACT, etc. So my 185 PSAT was a ACT 26. But I got a 31 on my ACT, so I consider it to be "bombing."

Happy Holiday's Everyone,
TheChicagoan

I went online and found one of those comparison charts. The ACT score equivalent to my PSAT score was a 23. But this does not make me worry. Earlier this year, I took a practice ACT and scored a solid 27 or 28. That was with only a glimpse of studying. I plan on taking the SAT in March and I have already started studying.

But I feel that since I am going to include my PSAT scores into my SLS application (Which are the only scores I have) that my chances will be quite slim.
 
Hey all, I've actually been reading things off-of this website for a while now, but it's just now that I've finally decided to register and ask a question of my own!

So here it is:

Is there any "concrete" list of what W.P. is basing their acceptance of people into their SLS program?
Ex: Must have 1 extra curricular, varsity athlete, top x%, etc.

Also, I took my first ACT in October, and I am currently registered to take the coming up SAT-I this December (It's on the 3rd), so I was wondering if anyone knew any sort of cut-off's regarding ACT/SAT-I scores in relation to SLS, and even later on for the actual application to W.P

On my (first) ACT I got:

English: 34
Math: 29
Reading: 34
Science: 27
Writing Essay: 10 (out of 12)
English/Writing combined: 33

Composite: 31

And I'm planning on taking my ACT more times, I want a 35 or a 36 on it. Same with my SAT-I, I want a 23XX on it.
I am in the top 10% of my class, I have a schedule this year of 6 AP classes, gym and then Spanish 4. [Only 7 periods (out of 8) because AP Physics B is a period and a half] (No AP Spanish until senior year.) And yes, I have no lunch this year.

I am well prepared in the sciences (Bio - done; Chem - done; Physics B - attending... etc.)
As well as the math areas (Geometry - done; Algebra II - done; Trig/Calc. A - done; Calc BC - attending). And then next year, my senior year, my school does a program through University of Illinois for advanced math kids where we take "Multi-variable Calculus" through UofI.

So, I'm just wondering how my stats stack up really for SLS, and I guess even for the actual appointment to W.P. I'll probably make a new thread like this later on with more complete info, I don't want to do that right now. But I am also well covered in my extra curriculars, leader of 2 clubs, etc - I can add those if anyone here asks of them.

Thanks,
TheChicagoan

P.S - Every class I've taken at school is at the "max" level, as in every class (when available) is honors/AP. Thanks.

I would think you should be in for SLS- also depend greatly on where you live. I was accepted to SLS last year with lower scores.

Also, it would be to your benefit to get a really high math ACT score.
Academically, I think you are competitive as long as you keep it up.

Do you play a sport/engage in some sort of organized physical activity? Even a JV team sport is a lot better than nothing.
I don't think there is a list of musts for SLS acceptance but it does pay off to be doing well academically, having quality Ec's, and actively serving as a leader in some group.
 
I would think you should be in for SLS- also depend greatly on where you live. I was accepted to SLS last year with lower scores.

Also, it would be to your benefit to get a really high math ACT score.
Academically, I think you are competitive as long as you keep it up.

Do you play a sport/engage in some sort of organized physical activity? Even a JV team sport is a lot better than nothing.
I don't think there is a list of musts for SLS acceptance but it does pay off to be doing well academically, having quality Ec's, and actively serving as a leader in some group.

Yea I have sports as well as a bunch of leadership positions. And I'm working on getting higher ACT scores - my next ACT is the February 11th (or is it 3rd?), and I'm really preparing for that one. But thanks for the encouragement navy2016, makes me feel a-lot better!
And btw, I'm from a suburb of Chicago - I live in the 10th Illinois Congressional District :D

Thanks,
The Chicagoan.
 
I wouldn't worry too much. I went to SLS last year and met a variety of people. Most likely, you'll get in with the stats that you have. In the event that you do, I would strongly reccommend on preparing for two events that caught me slightly off guard. 1) The CFA. 2) Interview process. For the CFA, do make sure you practice, but be aware of the fact that you'll be doing it at West Point and you probably won't do nearly as well as you like to (for my platoon, we were made to eat a full-fledge breakfast, marched about 1.5 miles, and then took the CFA; yeah, some people had some nasty experiences during the CFA). I can't speak for the other platoons, but the interviews that occured for my platoon was during one of our "social nights" when most of us were pretty much napping. So be ready for the unexpected, or just learn to adapt real fast. I didn't do nearly as well as I like to on the interview, so if learn from my mistakes and plan ahead on what you want to say. But most importantly, enjoy SLS if you end up going.

______________
Candidate Cadet of 2016
Nomination Recieved, waiting for appointment...
 
I wouldn't worry too much. I went to SLS last year and met a variety of people. Most likely, you'll get in with the stats that you have. In the event that you do, I would strongly reccommend on preparing for two events that caught me slightly off guard. 1) The CFA. 2) Interview process. For the CFA, do make sure you practice, but be aware of the fact that you'll be doing it at West Point and you probably won't do nearly as well as you like to (for my platoon, we were made to eat a full-fledge breakfast, marched about 1.5 miles, and then took the CFA; yeah, some people had some nasty experiences during the CFA). I can't speak for the other platoons, but the interviews that occured for my platoon was during one of our "social nights" when most of us were pretty much napping. So be ready for the unexpected, or just learn to adapt real fast. I didn't do nearly as well as I like to on the interview, so if learn from my mistakes and plan ahead on what you want to say. But most importantly, enjoy SLS if you end up going.

______________
Candidate Cadet of 2016
Nomination Recieved, waiting for appointment...

Will do ds93math! Thanks for, again, making me feel better about my app. :)

EDIT: Anyone know how competitive my district is? Remember: I live in a suburb of Chicago, no part of the city is part of my district, though the city is approx. 40 minutes away from my home in semi-good traffic. So anyone know where I could find this data? Or how people even know this stuff? - Thanks!

Sincerely,
TheChicagoan
 
I wouldn't worry too much about the competition. I live in the Bay Area of California and have about 7 high schools that have API scores of 900+ out of 100o. So if I got in, chances are that you will too. But do keep in mind that there might be a chance that you won't be accepted.

Also, I'd reccommend applying to the other SS. Although they'll be slightly different in rigor/style, it'll give you a sense on what the academies are like in general.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about the competition. I live in the Bay Area of California and have about 7 high schools that have API scores of 900+ out of 100o. So if I got in, chances are that you will too. But do keep in mind that there might be a chance that you won't be accepted.

Also, I'd reccommend applying to the other SS. Although they'll be slightly different in rigor/style, it'll give you a sense on what the academies are like in general.

Will do! Already applied to USAFA SS and NASS, got accepted into the USAFA SS, so looking forward to that as it is my second SA choice (behind USMA of-course)

Thanks,
TheChicagoan
 
I'm sensing some itchy fingers tonight among some 2017 hopefuls.
Here is some info about the SLS application that might make the application go smoother and faster.

Applying to SLS is a 2 step process.
1st - you have to open a file by filling out the Candidate Questionnaire (CQ). Once you fill that out - you will receive an email which will acknowledge your completion of the CQ and will it also give you the all important Candidate Password and Candidate ID.

2nd - with your Candidate ID at your fingertips - you will need to go back to the SLS web page (there will be a link in the email), click on the 'Apply for SLS' link and enter that ID along with your Date of Birth. You will then be instructed to fill out the 'Workshop Preference' form. Hit send - and viola - you have applied for SLS! :thumb:
You will receive an email confirming your Workshop choices.

Information needed to fill out the CQ:
1) SSN
2) Date of Birth
3) Year of High school graduation
4) Personal info (name, address, email, ethnicity, race, phone number, citizenship)
5) Congressional District
6) High School info (name, ETS code [there will be a link to help find yours], class rank out of class size
7) Test scores (PSAT, ACT and/or SAT) *You must have at least one of these to apply*
8) Athletic Activities ( per sport - years played, Varsity letters, years as Captain, years of special recognition [ you will be able to explain these in a 'remarks' section])
9) Non-Athletic Activities - there is a 'check the box' list and also a box where you can enter others
10) Military Service/ROTC - a few questions concerning military service
11) List of other schools you are applying to
12) Majors - that you are interested in
13) Release of Information Authorization
14) a 'Remarks' box
 
You do 3 different workshops at SLS.

Just saying this because I didn't know XD
 
Congrats! Now I would suggest that you start running like you've never done so before if you haven't already. USAFA is after all 7,200ft above sealevel. So unless your really well acclimated already, or you're a very good swimmer (sprinter of course), I suggest that you get lots of cardio workouts every week. Otherwise, you might find yourself bending over the fields with your lunch spilling out in front of you, looking up at the sky on your back, or staring at the cracks in the pavement. The cadres are very nice people when you've been deemed out of action though, at least from what I heard. Good luck and have fun!
 
I'm sensing some itchy fingers tonight among some 2017 hopefuls.
Here is some info about the SLS application that might make the application go smoother and faster.

Applying to SLS is a 2 step process.
1st - you have to open a file by filling out the Candidate Questionnaire (CQ). Once you fill that out - you will receive an email which will acknowledge your completion of the CQ and will it also give you the all important Candidate Password and Candidate ID.

2nd - with your Candidate ID at your fingertips - you will need to go back to the SLS web page (there will be a link in the email), click on the 'Apply for SLS' link and enter that ID along with your Date of Birth. You will then be instructed to fill out the 'Workshop Preference' form. Hit send - and viola - you have applied for SLS! :thumb:
You will receive an email confirming your Workshop choices.

Information needed to fill out the CQ:
1) SSN
2) Date of Birth
3) Year of High school graduation
4) Personal info (name, address, email, ethnicity, race, phone number, citizenship)
5) Congressional District
6) High School info (name, ETS code [there will be a link to help find yours], class rank out of class size
7) Test scores (PSAT, ACT and/or SAT) *You must have at least one of these to apply*
8) Athletic Activities ( per sport - years played, Varsity letters, years as Captain, years of special recognition [ you will be able to explain these in a 'remarks' section])
9) Non-Athletic Activities - there is a 'check the box' list and also a box where you can enter others
10) Military Service/ROTC - a few questions concerning military service
11) List of other schools you are applying to
12) Majors - that you are interested in
13) Release of Information Authorization
14) a 'Remarks' box

Congrats! Now I would suggest that you start running like you've never done so before if you haven't already. USAFA is after all 7,200ft above sealevel. So unless your really well acclimated already, or you're a very good swimmer (sprinter of course), I suggest that you get lots of cardio workouts every week. Otherwise, you might find yourself bending over the fields with your lunch spilling out in front of you, looking up at the sky on your back, or staring at the cracks in the pavement. The cadres are very nice people when you've been deemed out of action though, at least from what I heard. Good luck and have fun!

Haha thanks for the advice ds93math. As a tennis player I have no issues with sprinting, but I'm still preparing for USAFA SS. And thanks allot for that information buff81 - that's EXTREMELY helpful for both me as well as others out there! Just a quick question though - does W.P. care if you put down other SA's on the "other colleges you're applying to" - I would imagine they wouldn't but I guess it doesn't hurt asking.

Thanks for the info ds93math and buff81,
TheChicagoan
 
@Chicago, W.P. won't care if you put down other SAs as far as I'm aware of. I believe there should be a box for you to check if you are considering applying for the other SAs. As always, you should be faithful to the upmost and put it down if you are applying. I would and did put it down. If you get into both the SLS and USAFA SS, they both offer you great experiences and the different styles of academy life.
 
@Chicago, W.P. won't care if you put down other SAs as far as I'm aware of. I believe there should be a box for you to check if you are considering applying for the other SAs. As always, you should be faithful to the upmost and put it down if you are applying. I would and did put it down. If you get into both the SLS and USAFA SS, they both offer you great experiences and the different styles of academy life.

Once again, thanks for the reply ds93math! And yes, I was accepted into SLS! (Woooo!!) So I'll be going to USAFA SS Session 3, and USMA SLS Week 2!

(And I did end up putting all the SA's on my college list on the SLS app. for others who are interested.)

I guess anyone can really post here and ask questions, as of this moment I don't have any.

Good luck everyone,
TheChicagoan
 
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