SLS Question

Szpieg

Szpieg

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2010
Messages
273
Hey guys, I have a quick question...Does SLS have a good impact on your chance of being accepted? I know that alot of people who do not get accepted to SLS do get into USMA. Does it just show interest for the school, or does it help because you sort of live the life of a cadet for a week?
 
I have heard it both ways. Yes it does and no it doesn't. But I think it might at least help us get a nomination from our conressmen and senators. I think it shows them that we are serious and we applied and that the academies accepted us to come. I heard that if they accept us that we kinda have the qualifications to actually go there. But don't take my word for this, it's just my opinion and I don't know any of this for sure.
 
I am in the same boat as you are. While I do not think attending SLS has a direct impact it certainly does help. As ^ said it should help with the nominations. From what I hae gathered though it does not help, instead you get to see a small preview of life at USMA. Also getting accepted to SLS is something to be proud of and not everyone gets in. If you get in are you getting an appointment? Not for sure, but it does show that you are at least on the right track and are a good applicant. Just me two cents, I am only a highschool Junior though.
 
My liason said that the Academies look highly on all of the Academies' summer program participants.
 
Here's my opinion on SLS as a MALO and as a parent of a son who attended last year. SLS can help you by giving you the chance to experience cadet life for a week and gain a better appreciation for the West Point experience. You can also create a great first impression by showing your interest and motivation to your squad elader (their interview goes in your admission file). You will be adminstered the CFA there and those scores count so if you do well you can check off that box early on in the admissions process. I certainly encourage you to apply to attend SLS and if you go to make the most of the experience. Many cadets did not have the opportunity to attend because there aren't enough slots (there are 1100 slots this year) so if you don't attend it's not the end of the world. Perhaps you can attend the summer seminar at USNA, USAFA or USCGA or perhaps Boys or Girls State or another leadership activity. Best of luck!
 
you have an interview during SLS? got any advice for what they ask or what happens?
 
The interview is with your squad leader who is a 2nd class cadet (junior). The interview covers the normal questions of why do you want to go to West Point, what have you done to prepare for the academy and topics like that.
 
Dadandgrad said:
...You can also create a great first impression by showing your interest and motivation to your squad elader (their interview goes in your admission file). You will be adminstered the CFA there and those scores count so if you do well you can check off that box early on in the admissions process...
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Do you know if the AF does the same thing?
 
Dadandgrad said:
The interview is with your squad leader who is a 2nd class cadet (junior). The interview covers the normal questions of why do you want to go to West Point, what have you done to prepare for the academy and topics like that.
Click to expand...

I know why I want to attend, but what is "what you have done to prepare for the academy"...is that your extra curricular activities? I mean I have 5 extra curriculars, but 2 of them are from the past, earlier in my high school life

Any tips for this interview?
 
You could say something like I'm taking 2 AP and 2 honors classes to prepare academically. I'm participating in varsity track, cross country, and basketball, and I do 50 pushups and 100 situps every night to prepare physically...blah blah blah

I don't think we should worry about the interview, it's not like they're going to try to trick us or ask us any super hard questions.
 
true, but still; it is better to be prepared then unprepared
 
Yes, it's definitely better to be prepared, but at the same time, I think sometimes people take that too far. It's probably a good idea to have some idea of how you'll answer, but you don't want to have answers that sound rehearsed and memorized.
 
Depending on when you are interviewed it is possible your squad leader has gotten to know you pretty well so having rehearsed answers is going to sound pretty stupid if that isn't you. They will probably be able to tell if you are just feeding them what they want to hear. On the flip side having your squad leader do it is a good thing to because you have gotten to know them as opposed to your nomination interviews where you will be interviewed by someone you know nothing about (in my case at least). So I wouldn't worry. Going into my interview I feel like my squad officer already had a good idea of what he was going to write down based on what he had seen that week. Just work hard during PT, don't mess around during formation, get everywhere on time, and have try to have fun while being a positive impact on your squad.
 
BAJohnson said:
Depending on when you are interviewed it is possible your squad leader has gotten to know you pretty well so having rehearsed answers is going to sound pretty stupid if that isn't you. They will probably be able to tell if you are just feeding them what they want to hear. On the flip side having your squad leader do it is a good thing to because you have gotten to know them as opposed to your nomination interviews where you will be interviewed by someone you know nothing about (in my case at least). So I wouldn't worry. Going into my interview I feel like my squad officer already had a good idea of what he was going to write down based on what he had seen that week. Just work hard during PT, don't mess around during formation, get everywhere on time, and have try to have fun while being a positive impact on your squad.
Click to expand...

will do man
 
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