Received Appt Yesterday, Some Tips

Doctor D

5-Year Member
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Dec 7, 2009
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My son received his Appointment yesterday. Very happy and ready to move forward. We were just wondering if anyone from Ct. has received their LOA or appointment yet. If so let us know.

I have been reading this forum for about six weeks and there are a number of very good recources here. I would like to add a few tips or hints that my be helpfull. There seems to be a number of questions over and over about grades, SAt /ACt scores, physical fitness test and what West Point looks for.

Grades: You do not have to be a straight A student to get in, however they do want to see good grades. Take all Honors and AP courses. Take what you can handle. If you can take three or four AP courses do it. If you struggle drop one. West Point wants to see the difficulity to which you aspire. It will only help you at WP. Getting, B or C in an AP class is better than an A in an academic class.

SAT and ACT scores, what are they looking for? Go on WWW.collegeboard.com and this will give you the range of SAT and ACT scores, low to high, Example: Math range 560-660 Reading 580-670 and Writing 540-640. West Point ask for class rank, will take %. Example: Top half of high school students consists of 94% of West Point freshman.

Physical Fittness test. Practice. Practice Practice. Do each one of these test three to four time a week. You will get better. If you have one you miss on, excell on the others. Example you only do 4 or 5 pull-ups but you did 87 situps and 60 push-up. You will be ok.

Lastly, make sure you get good references from your high school teachers and guidance counclor. Let them know the importance of their recomendation. Everyone wants to feel they had a helping hand in you getting in. It may make a difference. Also get a recomendaton from a business person in the community. Fill out all you online paper work on time and early if you can. Get your Senator and Congressman paper work in timly. Go to the interview in a suit and tie or sport jacket. May sound trival but you should have seen some of the individuals that came into our Senators office.
One last thing, you do not have to belong to four or five clubs in high school. Be a leader in whatever you do. One or two organizations is enough. My son did not do any high school organizations. He specialized in one sport and started his own little charity, something he was passionate about and that was enough. Hope this helps and good luck to everyone waiting for that envelope.
 
Physical Fittness test. Practice. Practice Practice. Do each one of these test three to four time a week. You will get better. If you have one you miss on, excell on the others. Example you only do 4 or 5 pull-ups but you did 87 situps and 60 push-up. You will be ok.

Admissions contacted me to let me know I failed my CFA - got everything except the BB throw (516 mile, 88 situps, 12 pullups, 50 pushups...) but I failed!
The letter stated "due to your performance in the BB throw, the Admissions board does not feel you are physically ready to attend the Military Academy..."

So I don't think this is applicable to all circumstances...
 
Admissions contacted me to let me know I failed my CFA - got everything except the BB throw (516 mile, 88 situps, 12 pullups, 50 pushups...) but I failed!
The letter stated "due to your performance in the BB throw, the Admissions board does not feel you are physically ready to attend the Military Academy..."

So I don't think this is applicable to all circumstances...

Wow, you did incredibly well on the mile and situps and your pullups were 3 above average.

Did they ask you to retake the test? If you don't mind me asking, what did you do on your BB throw?
 
Admissions contacted me to let me know I failed my CFA - got everything except the BB throw (516 mile, 88 situps, 12 pullups, 50 pushups...) but I failed!
The letter stated "due to your performance in the BB throw, the Admissions board does not feel you are physically ready to attend the Military Academy..."

Wow I'm sorry, that's a major bummer! I'm surprised they didn't ask you to retake it.

So I don't think this is applicable to all circumstances...

I dont think he meant excelling in an event would make up for failing in another. I think he was saying that a below average (but still passing) score can be offset by other above average scores...
 
Admissions contacted me to let me know I failed my CFA - got everything except the BB throw (516 mile, 88 situps, 12 pullups, 50 pushups...) but I failed!
The letter stated "due to your performance in the BB throw, the Admissions board does not feel you are physically ready to attend the Military Academy..."

So I don't think this is applicable to all circumstances...


Apparently, from what I've learned, BB throw is important at USMA/AFA but not as important at USNA (according to BGO). Why...why does the one thing I'm terrible at have to be important at my first choice SA...oh well, such is the proof of the saying "life's not fair."
 
In my opinion, the BB throw isn't especially important anywhere... you just have to pass it. And you have to pass it for every academy.

What's more important in the CFA is the run, sit-ups, pull-ups, and push-ups. You'll never have to do the BB throw again in your life.
 
In my opinion, the BB throw isn't especially important anywhere...

That's what I thought too...guess I thought BB throw might be important at USMA because it's kinda like throwing grenades.:confused:
 
I did terrible on the bball throw, because I have very small hands and cannot grip a men's basketball, and I still got an LOA and an appointment. It's definitely not the most important event.
 
That's what I thought too...guess I thought BB throw might be important at USMA because it's kinda like throwing grenades.:confused:

It's not anything like throwing grenades.... even my squad leader at SLS said the BB throw was basically a waste. :rolleyes:

Just like vampsoul, I have fairly small hands (compared to men's, anyway), couldn't grip the ball, and didn't do well. Yet, I still passed, have a LOA, and hopefully soon an appointment.

My advice for the BB throw for future candidates is to practice, practice, practice.... but practice on the other events more. Don't sweat it if you're a little below average on only the BB throw and nothing else. But, as always, you want to be as competitive as you can, so don't ignore it completely, either.
 
The stated objective of the BB throw is to measure the capacity of upper body strength in anticipation for a demanding physical program.
 
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