Is this a good sign?

kbaek

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2010
Messages
85
Just today I received an email from my Regional Commander, asking if I am taking a math course for my senior year. (Unfortunately, I am not, and I received a D in Honors Math Analysis) I explained to him that my senior schedule is VERY tight, since I previously lived in Boston and my credits overlapped, requiring me to repeat some classes for the THIRD time.

Anyways, I am also a member of my school's Academic Decathlon program. Our school has a very prestigious program (currently the leader in national titles), and I explained to him that I take informal math courses (Alg 1 & 2, Geometry, and Trigonometry) and that recently I won a silver medal in math within the LAUSD school district.

I also mentioned to him that I won 2 other medals in speech and interview, hoping to somewhat boost my chances.

THIS IS WHERE I NEED HELP

After I mentioned to my RC that I won the other medals, he sent an email saying:

Understood. I think I have enough to present your file to the committee. Good Luck.

Personally, I feel that my leadership experience and awards will help me get closer to an appointment (I founded the Breakdance Club, am a Treasurer of Boxing Club, church leader, ROTC member, Robotics Team National Champion, Local Korean quizbowl competition 2nd place).

BUT my GPA and class rank are VERY low. My GPA is around 2.99 and my class rank is 319 out of 823 (2nd fifth) . Hopefully my test scores will help me (SAT: M730 CR 630 W 650 Total 2010 and ACT: M32 Read30 Eng33 Writ28 Sci29 Composite 31)

I am afraid my low academic standing will result in my rejection, but my RC's email made me feel 10 times more anxious. Do you guys think his email was a good sign? Thank you guys so much!
 
No one can tell you anything beyond conjecture. Generally, I've found it to be wise to prepare for the worst but hope for the best. Good luck!
 
Hey kbaek.
Yeah, its definately a good sign. Whenever an admissions officer emails or calls you for info, then they want to get you in. He'll argue for you when the admissions board reviews your file.

I understand youre the the president of a club and a treasurer of another club, but you should really strive to gain leadership in your JROTC.
Military-orientated ledaership is ALOT ALOT ALOT ALOT better than club leadership cause its just more practical. Military academy should have military leaders. I understand the roles of both do overlap at areas, however you should really strive for a leadership position there.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
 
Hey kbaek.
Yeah, its definately a good sign. Whenever an admissions officer emails or calls you for info, then they want to get you in. He'll argue for you when the admissions board reviews your file.

I understand youre the the president of a club and a treasurer of another club, but you should really strive to gain leadership in your JROTC.
Military-orientated ledaership is ALOT ALOT ALOT ALOT better than club leadership cause its just more practical. Military academy should have military leaders. I understand the roles of both do overlap at areas, however you should really strive for a leadership position there.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

It has been stressed many times that JROTC is not viewed as being better than anything else. Leadership is leadership, plain and simple. I would even go as far as say JROTC "leadership" is not as good as team leadership based on my experience (4 years of JROTC in 3 different high schools) because the majority of it really is just management and overseeing day to day activities. Also, being elected shows your peers most likely look up to you or at least believe you are capable of holding a position of responsibility.
 
Hey kbaek.

Military-orientated ledaership is ALOT ALOT ALOT ALOT better than club leadership cause its just more practical.


This is incorrect. I feel as if too many people focus all of their time on JROTC under this misconception.

Just an anecdote:

There have been five people appointed to service academies from my school.
5 of them have been the captains of varsity sports teams
5 of them have earned multiple varsity letters
5 of them are in the national honor society
4 of them have jobs outside of school
3 of them have been involved in public speaking
3 of them are officers in NHS
0 of them have ever participated in any type of JROTC.
 
Seriously...pchoi619 could not be farther off the mark on this one. USMA does not seek to appoint 1500 little soldiers to the incoming class. They seek scholar-athletes with demonstrated leadership potential.

JROTC leadership is not weighted over leadership in other areas. USMA views JROTC as simply another extracurricular activity which rounds out an applicant's profile. Being the commander of your JROTC unit is not given greater weight than being class president, National Honor Society president, etc. In many cases, JROTC can be a hindrance because candidates will do it in lieu of a sport or sports. The only time that isn't a detriment is if a candidate participates in the military challenge team AND if the candidate's school considers said team a varsity sport. If the school considers it as such, USMA will honor that. If not (which is usually the case) then USMA will treat it as an extracurricular club activity.
 
Seriously...pchoi619 could not be farther off the mark on this one. USMA does not seek to appoint 1500 little soldiers to the incoming class. They seek scholar-athletes with demonstrated leadership potential.

JROTC leadership is not weighted over leadership in other areas. USMA views JROTC as simply another extracurricular activity which rounds out an applicant's profile. Being the commander of your JROTC unit is not given greater weight than being class president, National Honor Society president, etc. In many cases, JROTC can be a hindrance because candidates will do it in lieu of a sport or sports. The only time that isn't a detriment is if a candidate participates in the military challenge team AND if the candidate's school considers said team a varsity sport. If the school considers it as such, USMA will honor that. If not (which is usually the case) then USMA will treat it as an extracurricular club activity.


I've seen that many many times. A friend of mine wants to apply next year, but he hasn't done any sports or much of anything outside of JROTC. He's pretty much put all of his eggs in that basket. He's a smart kid too; he got a 2200 something on the SAT his first try as a junior.
 
I think the only thing weighted more over leadership is prior service, or already being enlisted
 
I think the only thing weighted more over leadership is prior service, or already being enlisted

Well, we're in an entirely different boat competing for different slots, so not really even that. There are soldier slots in general because we bring a little more maturity and life experience to round out the classes.
 
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but the class rank, GPA and D in a class are not going to help.

I wouldn't give up hope, but keep an open mind as well.
 
Well, we're in an entirely different boat competing for different slots, so not really even that. There are soldier slots in general because we bring a little more maturity and life experience to round out the classes.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It is not wise to assume that prior service cadets always bring those assets to the table.
 
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but the class rank, GPA and D in a class are not going to help.

I wouldn't give up hope, but keep an open mind as well.

But, test score of 31 on ACT is very good. I seem to recall that is in the 96-97% percentile nationally. I would also assume that admissions will consider URM to round out the class. Good luck!
 
But, test score of 31 on ACT is very good. I seem to recall that is in the 96-97% percentile nationally. I would also assume that admissions will consider URM to round out the class. Good luck!

Asians are not considered a minority for admissions purposes at USMA (assuming the OP is Korean)
 
Have a plan b, c, d...West Point is not the only path to officership..
 
Back
Top