Show interest prior to 17?
- Thread starter KarenH
- Start date
KarenH- USMA goes by class years and not necessarily by age like enlistment. The requirements to opens a file with them are as follows:
• be at least 17 years old by July 1 of the year you enter the Academy
• not have passed your 23rd birthday on July 1 of the year you enter the Academy
• be a U.S. citizen (international students authorized admission are exempt from the U.S. citizenship requirement)
• be of high moral character
• meet high leadership, academic, physical and medical standards
• be unmarried, with no dependents
When is you DS going to graduate from high school? At this point in the process, it may be a little late to start with the class of 2016 if your DS is currently a senior, but if you DS is graduating with the high school class of 2013, then the file will open up for him in May for the class of 2017.
• be at least 17 years old by July 1 of the year you enter the Academy
• not have passed your 23rd birthday on July 1 of the year you enter the Academy
• be a U.S. citizen (international students authorized admission are exempt from the U.S. citizenship requirement)
• be of high moral character
• meet high leadership, academic, physical and medical standards
• be unmarried, with no dependents
When is you DS going to graduate from high school? At this point in the process, it may be a little late to start with the class of 2016 if your DS is currently a senior, but if you DS is graduating with the high school class of 2013, then the file will open up for him in May for the class of 2017.
He is a junior, so looking at class of 2017. Thought about SLS but it would mean him missing 5 days of school right before regents exams - not a great option. A Boys State slot might be a possibility. Just didn't want to miss anything, but sounds like we wait for May, when he is 17, and open the file?
I will not say with 100% certainty the exact process for USMA because that was the one application I never opened (I am at USAFA). From what I have read though, you will open a Pre-Candidate kit sometime around May for the class of 2017(I believe it changes a few weeks here and there every year but don't quote me on that). From there, if your scores are high enough and you fulfill the other requirements that they ask for, they will send you a candidate kit which is the actual application. May (or is it March??) is the standard time that they open the files for the next class. Again, his age has no bearing on when he can open a file, except for what class he would enter in. The fact that he is 17 or not 17 doesn't matter for opening the file as long as he is 17 by July 1 (which he will be). Sorry if I was a little confusing. The fact that he turns 17 in May is just a coincidence for when the application opens for the whole class.
Dixieland
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This thread has a lot of helpful information: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=15394 Scroll down to the middle where it says "If You Are a Junior". This says you can open a file in December of your junior year. If you have questions, send a PM to buff81.
My cadet did not do SLS because he did not want to miss a week of school or reschedule his exams. My cadet did attend Boys' State; his MALO told him West Point values Boys' State as much as Eagle Scout.
My cadet did not do SLS because he did not want to miss a week of school or reschedule his exams. My cadet did attend Boys' State; his MALO told him West Point values Boys' State as much as Eagle Scout.
I am a younger student compared to the majority of my class. I was barely 16 when I started a file for SLS (last December). I just turned 17 recently and I have worked extensively on my application process already. The actual portal didn't open until late June/early July though, so I was a bit over 16 and a half.
I wasn't accepted to SLS, but I did go to Boys State. It was the exact week of finals, so I took the majority of them early and some after I returned.
I wasn't accepted to SLS, but I did go to Boys State. It was the exact week of finals, so I took the majority of them early and some after I returned.
"The application window for current High School Juniors will open mid-January 2012."
Just found this on USMA web site. I must have missed it last time. So, it appears he can start process then and not have to wait for May birthday.
Anyone have words of wisdom regarding obtaining a Boys State slot? Guidance counselor has said he will ensure DS has an application.
Thank you all for your help as DS embarks on the long and winding road.
Just found this on USMA web site. I must have missed it last time. So, it appears he can start process then and not have to wait for May birthday.
Anyone have words of wisdom regarding obtaining a Boys State slot? Guidance counselor has said he will ensure DS has an application.
Thank you all for your help as DS embarks on the long and winding road.
WP is considering adding a 3rd SLS week which may work out for your son's schedule. Keep checking the USMA website for that update or here on SAF.
He might consider going to another Academy's summer program. In the past, they have had later dates than USMA. Some kids have gone to as many as 3 of these summer programs.
If your DS has not had any exposure to the military, going to any of the summer programs will expose him to a snippet of what it is like to go to a Service Academy.
Boy's State is also a great thing to do if it interests him. It factors into the Leadership part of the USMA application.
What helped me earn my Boys State slot is I showed interest to my guidance counselor. I asked him about it and we talked about it, so he knew I was the most interested. Normally in my school they just pick two boys for the program, but he knew I wanted to attend.
Buff, I know the post is talking about Boy's State specifically, but... does any of the other youth leadership type conferences factor in as well- like MOWW ( Military Order of World Wars), and others? I'm guessing everything is factored in...but some more than others?
If at all possible have him go to SLS. Once R day starts it won't matter much but if he goes to SLS then he will have an advantage over applicants who did not. The reason is simple: one, he can take his CFA at SLS, and two, he will get an initial interview out of the way. By preparing and doing well on his CFA AT SLS he will be able to open his candidate kit earlier than his peers. This is true because my DD did well on her CFA at SLS and her portal opened before many of her other applicant candidates. This allowed her to move forward to the next several steps allowing her to complete her file quickly and before others. The advantages of early application completion CAN be extensive. Also, in Jan when he opens his file, apply at midnight of that first day and by 7:30 the next morning the SLS application will open and he should complete that one ASAP! Being first or close to first is a very good thing. After the SLS application is opened, once every 2 weeks or so have him contact admissions and ask how he looks. Hopefully he will get in and start himself on a journey that will have many ups and downs like the craziest roller coaster he has ever been on! As far as Boys State my DD stayed in constant contact with the guidance councilor and those involved in the selection process. He will achieve many things just by asking the right people. My DD was always wanting more and more leadership and was always up the administrations butts asking for it. Play sports and run for every club office he is a member of. All of this will not be of any value if his ACT/SAT scores are not well above average. Class rank is next important and GPA is next. Remember this and never waver: 60% academics, 40% leadership, and 10% athletics. Nothing gets in the way of academics, after that, athletics stays out of the way of leadership! If he does this his chances will be better than most. However, West Point can only accept around 1200 cadets, so they MUST turn down many qualified applicants. That being said, he should also apply to ALL the other academies and see what happens. My DD has dreamed of WP all her life and applied to the USMA and USNA and so far has been given an LOA to USNA. She would rather go to USMA but will take Navy if WP has no room. It is the service to their country they want anyway so tell him we are proud of his decision to serve and we wish him the best of luck. This journey has been the thrill of our lives. ENJOY!
Ah - the mysteries of the WCS point system.
How many WCS points a certain activity gets is something that we aren't privy to.
I just know that every activity that a candidate could possibly list has a certain number of points assigned to it.
So rest assured, being a part of MOWW will add points to the candidate's WCS but just how many and whether it is more or less than some other leadership activity is something that I don't know.
So to answer your question - each activity will add points to the WCS but some will add more than others.
Correction, I have a typo on my above comment. It should say: 60% academics, 30% leadership, and 10% athletics. Sorry, my fingers failed me again. I'm not the shell answer man but I will do what I can to help where I can. I am only a parent that is near the end of an incredible journey that has so far been successful. That said, every year things are a little different and then we will all be back in the dark again, but for the most part there is a trend to follow. Good luck!