Second Step Kit questions

soccmomer

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Jan 28, 2013
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Does the 2nd step kit open for all who have filled out the Candidate Quetionnaire? I have read in a few places on here that the candidates are given an initial screening before they get to that step. Does that mean that some never even get that far? That they are turned away before they even start the application process? And if they are screened initially, what are they looking for specifically?
 
Second Step

When you fill out the initial information and start your file, you will fill out your three statements. After which your second step will be SOEs from teachers in your senior year. When you finish your SOEs you should receive a letter for a DoDMERB exam. Remember to submit every single one of your certificates and awards you may receive. WP looks for the best well rounded in Academics, Athletics and Leadership, the three pillars.


Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Does the 2nd step kit open for all who have filled out the Candidate Quetionnaire? I have read in a few places on here that the candidates are given an initial screening before they get to that step. Does that mean that some never even get that far? That they are turned away before they even start the application process? And if they are screened initially, what are they looking for specifically?

Yes - some files are closed in an initial screening before the 2nd Step Kit is opened to the candidates.
Files closed in the initial screening are done mainly because of low test scores. If your SATs are 560 or greater in both Math and CR OR your ACT is greater than 24 on all sections - then you should be fine.

Make sure that WP has scores from the ACT, SAT or PSAT. If they don't have at least one of these scores, they will not evaluate your file until they do.
Make sure you take the ACT with Writing.

If your file is closed - you will receive a letter within a few days of the evaluation telling you that your file is closed.
HOWEVER, your file can be reopened if test scores improve to the numbers listed above.

If your file passes this first screening, your portal will be activated (2nd Step Kit) and all the things you have to fill out will be available.
 
Thank you. DS is a bit low in the Reading and Writing sections after taking the SAT once. He is in a study course for the SAT and taking the ACT next month and the SAT again in May. We will hope for the best.
 
If DD gets to the second step this school year, then can you get the SOEs from the teachers this school year(Junior) or do they have to wait until they are a Senior?
 
^this past year, the rest of the application did not open until July. However you (or your son) can talk to the teachers you would like to ask (math, english and science teachers) and see if they would be willing to complete an on-line evaluation once the application opens. If they agree, you should ask for a summer email address. Note though, that if things stay the same, and the application cycle is as long, there's no race to finish before September. So long as the majority of the application is completed by mid-October, you should be fine, so while you should ask now, there's no need necessarily for them to complete the evaluation during the summer.
 
SOEs can be from teachers the candidate has had 9th grade forward.
You really want to finish the application as soon as possible, so if your Second Step Kit is opened this summer, you will request the SOE's from 9th -11th grade teachers. If fact- every 2018 candidate should be talking to the teachers they want to do SOEs for them. Get an email where they can be reached this summer. Let them know that they will be getting an email from West Point with instuctions for filling out the SOE.
Get the SOEs submitted before school starts in the Fall!

Cross posted with another13mom. Even without rolling admissions, candidates will still want to complete their files early. Reason being is that WP will not authorize the scheduling of the DoDMERB exam until certain parts of the file are completed. Candidates will want plenty of time on their side to resolve any DoDMERB issues.
Another reason to complete your file early is so that you can have your file qualified by the time the MOCs start filling their slates. MOCs may prefer knowing who is already qualifed when they are selecting their nominees.
 
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Are the SOE's

to be only from certain Subjects? If DS is going in for Management/Economics at some point is it possible to have an Econ Teacher do one? Thanks.
 
3 SOEs are needed.
They have to be:
- one from an English teacher
- one from a Math teacher
- one from a Chemistry or Physics teacher (can not be from a Biology teacher)
 
Ds has not yet taken Chemistry or Physics. He will be taking Pysics next year (senior year). However, it is going to be a newly hired teacher. His choice would be Earth Science teacher (he also had her for Biology) or Forensics teacher (who also teaches Chemistry). So which should he ask?
DS did a Technology sequence for high school, therefor did not take a lot of science classes (taking Forensics this year instead of Chemistry). He also did not take a 2nd year of foreign language. Math he did take though - currently Pre-Calc, and next year AP Calc.
 
Chem CLasses

I would encourage you to take the Chem class with lab. And also get strong in math. When you study the SA selection process, you will notice that having a strong back ground in math and science will help you become more competitive. Chem is the great Plebe killer at any of the SA. The ACT/SAT scores that are high in these two areas are markers to what SA look for. You must obtain scores in the 30/700.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
He will have to get his science SOE from his Physics teacher since he has not taken Chemistry. He will take both Physics and Chemistry at West Point so it would be good prep for him to take both in High School. It would also be a good idea to take another year of Foreign Language.
 
Unfortunately, due to the technology track, he cannot take both science courses or the foreign language. However, we are going to sit down with his guidance counselor over the next few weeks and plot the best course. If he had only decided to try for West Point BEFORE his Jr year instead of during....
 
Multi-Faceted

Admissions into WP or any of the SA is multi faceted. What is more important is class ranking over GPA. Keep that in mind. WP looks for a well-rounded candidate who is strong in Academics, Athletics and Leadership. During his junior year he will need to really put an effort in these areas. I cannot emphasize the important of getting the highest scores possible in the ACT/SAT. This is an area that you can control in the short term, long term for example, Scouting/Eagle Award; Short term Boys State.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
His class rank (7/110) and GPA(97/100) right now are really good, he will have completed his Eagle Scout in the next month and was just nominated for Boy's State (interview Monday!). SAT reading/writing are a concern, but we are working on that, that is why I was wondering how and when they are initially "screened".
 
On The Right Track

His Eagle Scout will be huge as well as Boys State, (good luck on the interview) also have him apply for Senior Patrol Leader/Junior Asst Scoutmaster in his troop. These are things you can check off on his portal.

It is common for student to peak on the ACT/SAT tests after 3 or 4 attempts. This is when you'll need to have some help in learning the methodology of taking these test. You will see many applicants who have taken these tests up to 5 or 6 times. WP will super score or use the highest score. Some applicants do better on the ACT for what ever reason.

My DS had taken the tests 8 times each to obtain scores 34/730 in math and science.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
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