Application closed before the start of college?

[Chris_GoArmy]

Good evening everyone,

I have a quick question. I am reapplying to USMA and my application was recently closed for one or more of the following reasons: "rank in class, standardized test scores, and/or leadership activities". This, however, was based on my high school records from my application last year. My candidate file was never closed once last year, although I remained on a "risk" status because of one of my low SAT scores since. This year, however, my application was recently closed a month before I even started college. Does this usually happen? If my application is closed, how will I enter my college information such as grades, activities, and etc.? I will be applying every year if I have to, but I want to know if my high school career will still cause my file to close even before the academic year of college starts.

Thanks,
Rey Aparece

P.S. Please note that I am currently applying from a different region. Last year, I applied from NYC and my regional commander was MAJ. Belmont (NOTE: If you haven't heard yet, he is no longer the northeast regional commander). This year, I'm applying from the Southwest Region, since I will be attending the University of Houston.

[mng249]

hey bud why on Earth are you switching to Southwest? I go to NYU and would kill if I could apply for a nom from Maloney/Nadler, I'm pretty sure the competition is not as fierce at it is with the gun-totting, flag waving Texans. That of course is ridiculous stereotyping, but I mean you get the idea.

Email your RC or your admissions outreach guy if you're a minority. I applied for the first time when I was a freshman in college and they didn't even consider my application until after my fall semester transcripts were sent in. SEriously though, retake whatever you gotta retake. The RC that I have talked to has been incredibly helpful in applying the second time around, I'm sure he'll let you know wahts up.

[Chris_GoArmy]

Originally Posted by mng249

hey bud why on Earth are you switching to Southwest? I go to NYU and would kill if I could apply for a nom from Maloney/Nadler, I'm pretty sure the competition is not as fierce at it is with the gun-totting, flag waving Texans. That of course is ridiculous stereotyping, but I mean you get the idea.

Email your RC or your admissions outreach guy if you're a minority. I applied for the first time when I was a freshman in college and they didn't even consider my application until after my fall semester transcripts were sent in. SEriously though, retake whatever you gotta retake. The RC that I have talked to has been incredibly helpful in applying the second time around, I'm sure he'll let you know wahts up.

Thanks for the reply.

My decision to move back to Houston is personal and it relates to family and financial issues. I did receive a nomination from Congresswoman Maloney last year but I wasn't admitted and I wasn't considered for Prep because a fellow competitor in my JROTC unit was recruited for wrestling. If things don't go well I might as well return to NY and attend NYU or Fordham and reapply there since I know the congresswoman.

Regards,
Rey Aparece

[MemberLG]

Originally Posted by Chris_GoArmy

Good evening everyone,

I have a quick question. I am reapplying to USMA and my application was recently closed for one or more of the following reasons: "rank in class, standardized test scores, and/or leadership activities". This, however, was based on my high school records from my application last year. My candidate file was never closed once last year, although I remained on a "risk" status because of one of my low SAT scores since. . ..

You need to get in touch with your RC to get your file reopened.

Things have changed as to RCs are supposed to get more deligent about closing application files that are at "risk." Since your SAT score has not changed, you are staill at risk. Unless you think you are going to get straight at at the college, recommend you take SAT/ACT again. The misperception is that since I am at a college, SAT/ACT don't matter - it still does matter.

Have to remember SAT/ACT supposed to predict your performance at college and one semseter at a college is just 1/8 of your college time.

[buff81]

Originally Posted by MemberLG

The misperception is that since I am at a college, SAT/ACT don't matter - it still does matter.

Have to remember SAT/ACT supposed to predict your performance at college and one semseter at a college is just 1/8 of your college time.

Excellent point. I hear that quite often - why should I (college student) keep taking the SAT/ACT? Also remember that you get WCS points based on your test scores. The better your test scores, the more WCS points you get. You are building on your high school record. Improve it or you won't get a different result than the first time you applied. Good luck!

[Chris_GoArmy]

Originally Posted by MemberLG

You need to get in touch with your RC to get your file reopened.

Things have changed as to RCs are supposed to get more deligent about closing application files that are at "risk." Since your SAT score has not changed, you are staill at risk. Unless you think you are going to get straight at at the college, recommend you take SAT/ACT again. The misperception is that since I am at a college, SAT/ACT don't matter - it still does matter.

Have to remember SAT/ACT supposed to predict your performance at college and one semseter at a college is just 1/8 of your college time.

Thanks for the reply.

Each year competition has been getting somewhat tougher. Last year we had five students gain direct admission into the class of 2015 and two other students who have been admitted into USMAPS class of 2012. This year, my school only had one direct admission and two have been admitted to USMAPS since our JROTC unit was allowed up to two nominated cadets for USMAPS. . As you said, the SAT does play a vital role regardless of whether your in high school or starting college, so I do plan on retaking it. My Senior Army Instructor also highly suggested that I retake the SAT.

Regards,
Rey Aparece

[Chris_GoArmy]

Thanks for the replies guys,

Unfortunately, my admissions officer won't allow me to compete again this year since he sees me as unfit for the long gray line due to academic performance in high school. I was informed that even if I retake the SAT and make a substantial improvement, I won't be competitive in his eyes as my AO. Nothing was mentioned about prep. All that was said was "Best of luck in the future and I hope you'll consider ROTC at UofH". I understand the concept of ROTC and USMA being two different paths leading to the same goal (officership in the army), but being a cadet at USMA has been my goal even before high school. I've been dedicated to my goal of becoming a cadet and I've tried my best throughout high school and I've stayed active in serving my community despite the familial and financial issues I faced at home. This news was pretty painful to take. I hope this really isn't the end of the line for me. I'm planning on enlisting in the NG with the SMP contract and reapply from there if there's absolutely no way for me to compete again this year. Best of luck to everyone competing for admissions this year.

[TheKnight]

Times are different. The standards are still relatively the same, but the pool to draw from grows larger and the amount they can choose grows ever smaller. Ultimately, keep fighting for it. Don't let the fact that they've said no stop you from trying to improve yourself and trying to get in if you really want it.

[Chris_GoArmy]

Originally Posted by TheKnight

Times are different. The standards are still relatively the same, but the pool to draw from grows larger and the amount they can choose grows ever smaller. Ultimately, keep fighting for it. Don't let the fact that they've said no stop you from trying to improve yourself and trying to get in if you really want it.

Thanks for the reply,

Unfortunately, my Admissions Officer informed me about 2-3 weeks ago that he will not allow me to compete this year... or any other year, even if I perform well in college and/or improve my SAT scores substantially. I've been told many times to keep fighting for it, and I am still doing so (I'm trying other paths such as applying while enlisted in the NG while doing the SMP program), but I still can't dig in the news that I've been told. I thought that admission decisions weren't given until the first semester college grades came in. My SAI from my old high school JROTC program even spoke to my AO, but he told him the same thing. This was tough news to take, and like anyone, I wouldn't see how it's fair that I wouldn't be allowed to compete this year or any other year, even if I perform exceptionally well in college. I'm still questioning my AO's decision but I have to respect the choice that he made. It seems like USMA is no longer an option from a civilian standpoint, but I'm going to try enlisting while in college and see where I can go from there. If there's no luck, then I'm probably going to stay with the National Guard until I gain my gold bar through the ROTC program. Wish me luck guys. Until I'm told that there's absolutely no other way for me to become a cadet at USMA, I won't give up on a goal I've had far before I even attended high school.

[BigNick]

I things are tougher this year. I am one of the West Point Field Force people working in two Congressional Districts. I have conducted about 15 official West Point interviews in the past month. Four of these candidates said their Portal was not open. It turns out that the Regional Admissions Officer decided to not open their portal for the next level of applications due to poor SATs, insufficient leadership positions etc.
Clearly, there are many applicants this year for the class of 2017. In my Congressional District there are about 40 applicants for the one Congressional West Point vacancy. About 10 of these are outstanding candidates with great academic, leadership, and physical credentials. I do not want to discourage people but I think that the above average candidates have little chance this year- you must be outstanding.