What are my chances?

Armyhopeful

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2011
Messages
16
Hey guys,

I'm currently a junior at one of the top high schools in America. (top 25 i believe) I've been interested in attending West Point since the start of middle school and was wondering if any of you guys(hopefully some recently admitted cadets as well) could chance me.

So overall, my stats are as follows,
GPA: 3.65 UW
SAT: 2340 (800 math)(800 Writing)(740 reading)
High School tennis: Jv as freshman, Varsity as soph, will be Varsity and captain this year.
High school Cross COuntry: Jv junior yr, hopefully become a senior captain next yr
High School Winter track: According to my coach, will receive a varsity letter for this yr.
I am the editor in chief for my school newspaper, President of the Habitat for Humanity club, the secretary of the physics team, praise director of our school's christian club, fundraising coordinator of the Amnesty International club, and the co-president of World Vision. I may soon become my grade's representative for the National Honor Society. I also participate in the math team (Passed the amc 10 last yr) and am part of the jv team for debate.

For volunteering, I have over 1000 hours. I volunteer at a hospital, did field research at a destitute African village over the summer (As well as taught math to the students of the school there), participate in an annual volunteer summer camp, and teach taekwondo 6 times a week for one hour since freshman year. I also have monthly performances at a local veterans nursing home and volunteer at a Habitat for Humanity site once a week for two hours.

It seems that I lack a lot on the academic side, particularly with my gpa. (However, my school is very competitive. There were almost 40 early action acceptances to ivy league schools in a senior class of about 230 students)

So, how are my stats? Your responses are greatly appreciated!
 
Hey guys,

I'm currently a junior at one of the top high schools in America. (top 25 i believe) I've been interested in attending West Point since the start of middle school and was wondering if any of you guys(hopefully some recently admitted cadets as well) could chance me.

So overall, my stats are as follows,
GPA: 3.65 UW
SAT: 2340 (800 math)(800 Writing)(740 reading)
High School tennis: Jv as freshman, Varsity as soph, will be Varsity and captain this year.
High school Cross COuntry: Jv junior yr, hopefully become a senior captain next yr
High School Winter track: According to my coach, will receive a varsity letter for this yr.
I am the editor in chief for my school newspaper, President of the Habitat for Humanity club, the secretary of the physics team, praise director of our school's christian club, fundraising coordinator of the Amnesty International club, and the co-president of World Vision. I may soon become my grade's representative for the National Honor Society. I also participate in the math team (Passed the amc 10 last yr) and am part of the jv team for debate.

For volunteering, I have over 1000 hours. I volunteer at a hospital, did field research at a destitute African village over the summer (As well as taught math to the students of the school there), participate in an annual volunteer summer camp, and teach taekwondo 6 times a week for one hour since freshman year. I also have monthly performances at a local veterans nursing home and volunteer at a Habitat for Humanity site once a week for two hours.

It seems that I lack a lot on the academic side, particularly with my gpa. (However, my school is very competitive. There were almost 40 early action acceptances to ivy league schools in a senior class of about 230 students)

So, how are my stats? Your responses are greatly appreciated!

Your class rank is...? That's where your GPA comes into play.

As far as ECs, it's possible to be spread too thin, which is something I see a lot when reviewing a candidate file
 
Armyhopeful,
Your profile thus far looks outstanding! As a junior you are in an excellent position! Your SAT's are top notch and it seems as though you are a very good athlete! 60% of getting in has to do with academics - it is highly weighted by your gpa/class rank and SAT's. By your post, it appears your SAT's are fine! Make sure you continue with your grades and try very hard to get (or remain) in the top 10% of your class! I would recommend you go on the West Point website to get a better overall picture of the academic, athletic and leadership qualities needed to succeed at the USMA.
Also, start getting in touch with your MOC's - you will not be able to attend West Point without a nomination. The earlier you make you intentions made with them, the better prepared you will be when you interview with them. If attending West Point is what you really want, then NOW is the time to start your process. Best of luck and use this forum - there are many people on this forum who can help you along the way!
 
@scoutpilot:

Hi! My school does not rank due to the competitiveness. And what do you mean by spread too thin?

@VonFritz

Hello! I actually will intern with one of my senators this summer so hopefully I can learn more about the government and grow closer to him as well!


On a side note, is there a limit as to how early one can apply?
 
Although your GPA could always be improved, I would say you have a good chance, especially with those SAT scores.
 
Thats a great internship! That Senator will get a first hand view of what type of person you are! Regarding how soon you can start your application. Right now, the class of 2016 is in the "thick of it"! West Point starts their rolling admissions in mid November. The majority of the appointments go out in January and February. My DS (dear son) is re-applying this year. Last year, while a senior, he began his file in June (2010). You won't be able to start it much sooner than that - for you it would be around June of 2012. You will have to go on the West Point portal to start this process. Most of the application process, if you are diligent, can be completed in 3 months. Depending on what state you live in, nomination interviews begin in November and go until the end of January. But, as I said earlier, you can start the process now by researching what needs to be done and timelines. Also, very important, check out the CFA (Candidate Fitness Assessment) requirements. This is a physical test that has to be done and passed before you can receive an appointment. Try very hard to excel at the CFA - 30% of your WCS (whole candidate score) is determined by your athletic history and how you perform on the CFA!
 
Armyhopeful,
I won't speak for scoutpilot (he has been on the forum a lot longer than I), but i would hazzard a guess that spread "too thin" simply means that the USMA is not looking for quantity when looking at EC's. They are looking for quality - That you pick something you believe in, stick with it and show your leadership qualities in what you choose!
 
Oh I see.

Well I definitely try my best to do as much as I can for each club. I hold monthly fundraisers for Habitat for Humanity and bring my club members to the sites. (Will hold a benefit concert soon as well) For amnesty, we will have a benefit sports tournament soon and try to spread awareness at the local mall etc. For World vision, I recently did a solo benefit concert performance and we also held toy drives and had write-a-thons etc. And I love physics so I participate in the Physics Olympics as well which is a building based competition. I was a state finalist last year and hope to go further this year. In addition, I really love the Christian club at my school and the leaders and I think of coffeehouses, praise nights, retreats, fundraisers, performances, etc.

Is there a section of the application where I can describe what I do with the clubs I'm involved with? I do hope the admissions office understands my involvement with the clubs :D
 
Armyhopeful,
I won't speak for scoutpilot (he has been on the forum a lot longer than I), but i would hazzard a guess that spread "too thin" simply means that the USMA is not looking for quantity when looking at EC's. They are looking for quality - That you pick something you believe in, stick with it and show your leadership qualities in what you choose!

Essentially, yes. There are only 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week, regardless of how motivated you are. So when we see candidates with huge EC resumes, one of the questions we ask ourselves is "how much time/effort does this kid REALLY dedicate to these activities?" That's not to say that you don't do an admirable amount for each club, it's just that you have to be very careful to articulate that.
 
Your EC's sound great. But remember in the application itself there is not much room for explanations. It is best to only include the clubs in which you hold a position and one that is commendable. Personally I think that a writer for the school newspaper sounds more legitimate than the president of a physics club. I can tell you that at my school all you need is a teacher and fifteen signatures to become president of a club.
I would also suggest practicing for the CFA and try to participate in contact sports. USMA takes a liking to that.
As far as grades go, just keep what your doing. USMA is not looking for kids who just stay at home and study. They are looking for leaders who excel in every aspect such as academic and athletics.
Also if tennis is your top sport, I would suggest speaking to the coach at USMA. He won't be able to get you in, but he could speak nicely on your behalf.
You should also apply to SLS. The application process for SLS has already started. With SAT scores like yours, it is likely you will offered a spot to attend.
 
Would you say taekwondo is a legitimate extra-curricular? I devote almost every day of my week to teaching classes. Although I don't participate in competitions anymore due to my schedule, I do try to teach adult classes at least five times a week.

Also, does the rigor of my school classes play a role in my competitiveness?
My school only has honors classes. Freshmen year, I doubled up on science. Sophomore year, I took three sciences. And this year, I am taking three sciences once again. On top of that, I am taking AP chemistry, IB Literature, AP microeconomics, and AP Calc AB. Next yr, I will be taking IB history, AP Stats, AP multivariable Calculus, AP macroeconomics, and maybe AP physics. However, to sum up my point, my whole schedule consists of either honors or AP's since there are no regular level courses in my school.
 
Taekwondo I'm assuming is your job. There is room in the application for hours per week you work, as well as an employee evaluation form.
It is always best to take the hardest classes you can. By the looks of it, that is what you are doing.
 
Ok. Thank you!

Also, I understand that there is a physical fitness assessment that has to be done. Can the test be administered by a phys ed teacher from high school?

And on a side note, I understand that West Point has a rolling admission policy; however, is it possible to continue to update one's profile after submitting the application?
 
Armyhopeful,
I posted you a PM (personal message) regarding several of the questions you've been asking.
 
Also, I understand that there is a physical fitness assessment that has to be done. Can the test be administered by a phys ed teacher from high school?

Yes & Yes. Download the CFA pdf and it has the specifics. Per the most recent, it can be given by any PE teacher or coach.

You'll want to read the pdf, as it provides averages. You'll want to start training to be above average in all, and max any you can.
 
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