Beginning my Junior year of HS...What should I be doing?

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theosays

5-Year Member
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Mar 9, 2010
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Hey everyone,
I apologize in advance if this is the wrong location for this topic, or if the topic isn't deserving of its own thread. My question is, as I enter Junior year of HS, what should I be doing to get ahead in the application process? I know about the week-long camp at the beginning of this coming summer, but besides that and continuing to work on my resume, is there anything I should be doing to get a jumpstart on the actual application process? Like, should I be getting in touch with West Point or anything like that? I already put myself on their "information" list (I suppose that's what it's called). Any help for a relatively directionless new junior would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
 
PM me your state and district and I'll look up who your MALO/FFR is.
 
You can also send an e-mail directly to admissions.

The first time I started regularly talking with my MALO I just e-mailed him. A phone call wouldn't hurt either.

Oh, I'm also a Junior/Prospective for 2016 if you guys have any general questions.
 
buff81- I sent you a pm.

I guess I will send my MALO an email when I get his contact information. I am curious, what is his official job? Is it USMA recruitment? And what would he tell me or do for me when I contact him? Thanks!
 
You haven't mentioned any of your honors or recognitions but I would recommend asking your guidance counselor how your school selects their delegate to American Legion Boys' State. Some schools let you just throw your name in the hat and other schools use faculty recommendation/selection. West Point regards Boys' State highly. You attend Boys' State the summer between your junior and senior year.
 
Dixieland said:
You haven't mentioned any of your honors or recognitions but I would recommend asking your guidance counselor how your school selects their delegate to American Legion Boys' State. Some schools let you just throw your name in the hat and other schools use faculty recommendation/selection. West Point regards Boys' State highly. You attend Boys' State the summer between your junior and senior year.
Click to expand...

When you say honors or recognitions do you mean extracurricular involvement and academic achievements or are you specifically referring to American legions.

And I feel pretty embarrassed asking but what is a MALO?
 
MALO/FFR 101

MALO - Military Academy Liaison Officer
- an US Army Reserve Officer who earns points towards retirement for Admissions service

FFR - Field Force Representative
- a volunteer

West Point has scaled down using MALOs recently because being in 2 wars, Reservists were needed in other roles. So they turned to recruiting volunteers (FFRs) to help with admissions. A force of 400 MALOs has now been reduced to around 60. They are being replaced with FFRs.

Both serve the same role - that is to be the bridge between our district and Admissions at West Point, namely the Regional Commander (RC) for our region.

Our job is to :
- help candidates with the admissions process
- inform and educate candidates about West Point to help them make the best decision for them
- represent West Point at college fairs and Academy Days ( sponsored by MOCs)
- serve as liaisons with schools and school counselors
- interview qualified candidates
- host By-Invites (Admissions Information Meetings)
- help identify potential candidates and
- whatever else we need to do to help Admissions in our district.

How do you find your MALO/FFR?
- contact Admissions
- it's not the candidate's responsibility to find out who their MALO/FFR is. Once you have a file opened (ie through SLS application or on-line application), we will know about you once it is posted to us. If you want to contact us before that time - that is fine.

What will a MALO/FFR do for you when you contact them?
- as a junior, you will not be their focus right now. The 2015 class will be. You could introduce yourself, tell him/her that you are interested in West Point, ask what they would recommend you do in preparation to apply next year, and ask them to inform you of any All Academy Days and/or By-Invites.

We are here to help the candidates.
We are in this position because we love helping those who desire admission to West Point and service as an Officer in the Army.
 
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theosays said:
Hey everyone,
I apologize in advance if this is the wrong location for this topic, or if the topic isn't deserving of its own thread. My question is, as I enter Junior year of HS, what should I be doing to get ahead in the application process? I know about the week-long camp at the beginning of this coming summer, but besides that and continuing to work on my resume, is there anything I should be doing to get a jumpstart on the actual application process? Like, should I be getting in touch with West Point or anything like that? I already put myself on their "information" list (I suppose that's what it's called). Any help for a relatively directionless new junior would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

First - make sure that West Point/Army is what you want. Learn all you can about West Point and the Army. Do this by reading books, watching videos, youtube and series/movies about West Point. Talk to grads and MALOs/FFRs.

After that:
- Make a day visit to West Point. Go to: http://admissions.usma.edu/ and follow instructions to schedule a day visit.
- Keep your grades up. Class rank is important!
- Plan on taking ACT/SAT at least twice - at the end of your Junior year and the beginning of your Senior year. Study for them with an emphasis on math and english. West Point superscores test scores. IOW - they take the highest score on each segment of the exam each time you take it, so there is no penalty to taking the tests as many times as possible. Here is the profile of the Class of 2013 (2014 has not been released yet). It will give you a good idea on the scores of that class and what you need to be aiming for: http://www.usma.edu/Class/2013/profile.asp
- Take the hardest classes you can take and make an A or B in.
- Make sure when you graduate that you have 4 years of math (including Trig and Pre-Cal), 4 years of English, 2 years of lab science, 1 year of US history, 2 years of foreign language and 1 year of computer technology. You will need recommendations from your math, english and chemistry or physics teachers. Get to know these teachers.
- Apply to SLS. Usually in December but watch the website for the latest information about that. Applying to SLS will automatically open a file for you with Admissions.
- Make a 'Plan B' on what you will do if not offered admission. Look into AROTC at colleges that you are interested in AND plan on applying to those schools and the AROTC scholarships. A good reference is: www.goarmy.com
- Excel in your sport(s). Strive towards being Captain of team sports.
- Stay involved in extracurriculars.
- since you have filled out an interest form/card, you should start receiving mailings from West Point in October.

Hope this helps! :thumb:
 
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