Westpoint Applicant Class of 2018

J

JR1996

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2013
Messages
17
Hey guys I received my SAT scores and ACT scores and I am a bit disappointed with it :frown:

SAT 1360/2400

Critical Reading - 440
Math - 490
Writing - 430

ACT 22/36

English - 18
Math - 22
Reading - 23
Science - 24
Writing score - 8

Update on achievements:

Received ROTC Recognition award from AMVETS
New Jersey American Legion Boys State Delegate 2013
Appointed JROTC Battalion Commander 2013-2014
Appointed Student Council Officer 2013-2014
JCLC Platoon Leader 2013
Drill Team Captain 2012-2013
JROTC S-3 Operations and Training Officer 2012-2013

Sports

Cross Country [Varsity Letter]
Track & Field [Varsity Letter]
Wrestling
Raider Team [Varsity Letter]
Drill Team [Varsity Letter]

Volunteer Work

Conducted a color guard for the Association of the United States Army [AUSA]
Volunteered in a post Halloween event due to Hurricane Sandy
Participated in Veterans Day Parade
Participated in Memorial Day Parade

Also I will be taking Pre-Calculus, AP Physics, AP English [might include with a program known as ODASIS] and AP US History.

For the SAT/ACT, I will have a tutor during the summer :thumb:

As far as everything looks, I am still concerned on whether or not to send my scores in the summer or take both tests again and then send them
Any reply would be greatly appreciated :biggrin:
 
Straight answer - you did not mention your class standing. I expect it is not in the top 10% based on the SAT/ACT scores.

I have been in this business for a while- here is what I would tell my son in your situation or a candidate in my Congressional District. I am not trying to discourage you - I just want you to be realistic.

My advice is to not apply now. Some people will not agree with this. You want your first impression with West Point Admissions to be a good one.

Your low SAT scores are not even close to the range they need to be. I think most Regional Commanders would close your file if you submitted these scores. Of course you could ask for your file to be reopened later if your scores GREALY IMPROVE. Make a 100% effort to get the SAT scores up - not just work hard - 100% effort. Get a SAT book that has questions in every category with answers and explanations of the answers. Study several hours a day taking parts of the practice tests. Take a good SAT course with an instructor and study HARD. If you can get your scores at least in the mid-600s apply - if not, get a Plan B to another school.

These are hard words but good advice. Your current scores are simply not near to being competitive.
 
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JR1996 said:
Hey guys I received my SAT scores and ACT scores and I am a bit disappointed with it :frown:

SAT 1360/2400

Critical Reading - 440
Math - 490
Writing - 430

ACT 22/36

English - 18
Math - 22
Reading - 23
Science - 24
Writing score - 8

Update on achievements:

Received ROTC Recognition award from AMVETS
New Jersey American Legion Boys State Delegate 2013
Appointed JROTC Battalion Commander 2013-2014
Appointed Student Council Officer 2013-2014
JCLC Platoon Leader 2013
Drill Team Captain 2012-2013
JROTC S-3 Operations and Training Officer 2012-2013

Sports

Cross Country [Varsity Letter]
Track & Field [Varsity Letter]
Wrestling
Raider Team [Varsity Letter]
Drill Team [Varsity Letter]

Volunteer Work

Conducted a color guard for the Association of the United States Army [AUSA]
Volunteered in a post Halloween event due to Hurricane Sandy
Participated in Veterans Day Parade
Participated in Memorial Day Parade

Also I will be taking Pre-Calculus, AP Physics, AP English [might include with a program known as ODASIS] and AP US History.

For the SAT/ACT, I will have a tutor during the summer :thumb:

As far as everything looks, I am still concerned on whether or not to send my scores in the summer or take both tests again and then send them
Any reply would be greatly appreciated :biggrin:
Click to expand...

I am on your boat. Got denied my first time and now I am going for the gold again. To be honest SAT/ACT is huugggeee! (especially if you live in a competitive district) my highest math was a 470 and verbal 550, and that wasn't enough. If your SATs/ACTs are high and you have that leadership stuff and sports under your belt you are SAFE (high shot for you to get nominated and directly appointed) even if your GPA is sub 4.0 (3.50-3.7)

Lets keep in touch my friend, we will conqure this
 
I will take that into consideration BigNick. I was actually leaning towards applying after I was comfortable with my scores. Stay motivated gridironkid :thumb: Hopefully both our scores would increase to be considered competitive soon.

Btw, I would greatly appreciate if anyone knows or is a minority candidate/appointee who wouldn't mind sharing some advice on the initial process and with the Outreach Officer.
 
Prep Schools

Your scores are low. I would like to throw this idea out. Apply. After high school ends look into a prep school. Look into a school that will focus on preparing you for the ACT/SAT tests. Maybe a prep program that doesn’t focus too much on military duties, the service academies do a very good job at that. Think about a “free agent” position, SA take this into serious consideration when you reapply. The credits do not transfer but it is idea for you. Think about it, please.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
That ACT is a killer man; I recommend studying hard, now. I used the Official ACT Study Guide (big red book) and it was expensive, but so worth it. I literally studied every single night and was able to get a 29 on my first try.

Maybe you should apply for the ROTC scholarship to a Military College if you want an experience similar to USMA?
 
Regarding to tug_boat advice, Valley Forge interests me and has a service academy prep program but I am concerned on the acceptance rate for free agents to this programs.
Strength and Honor, I am also going to apply for a ROTC scholarship to VF
 
JR1996 said:
Regarding to tug_boat advice, Valley Forge interests me and has a service academy prep program but I am concerned on the acceptance rate for free agents to this programs.
Strength and Honor, I am also going to apply for a ROTC scholarship to VF
Click to expand...


Those JMC prep programs are very expensive for a free agent as well, too expensive in my opinion, for what you get out of them.
 
JR1996 said:
I will take that into consideration BigNick. I was actually leaning towards applying after I was comfortable with my scores. Stay motivated gridironkid :thumb: Hopefully both our scores would increase to be considered competitive soon.

Btw, I would greatly appreciate if anyone knows or is a minority candidate/appointee who wouldn't mind sharing some advice on the initial process and with the Outreach Officer.
Click to expand...

Not to confuse you, but my recommendation is apply. Once you send your SAT scores, West Point will see your previous scores also. And can't work with the Outreach officer if you don't apply. The application process itself is no different for diversity candidates, but Outreach officers gives you more attention than your RC.
 
JR1996 said:
Regarding to tug_boat advice, Valley Forge interests me and has a service academy prep program but I am concerned on the acceptance rate for free agents to this programs.
Strength and Honor, I am also going to apply for a ROTC scholarship to VF
Click to expand...

I was a free agent at VF and got in; the guys I saw that didn't make it self-selected. They either decided military college was not the right fit for them, or they didn't put the work in to get good grades and boost their test scores
 
BigBear said:
I was a free agent at VF and got in; the guys I saw that didn't make it self-selected. They either decided military college was not the right fit for them, or they didn't put the work in to get good grades and boost their test scores
Click to expand...


Would a large percentage of appointees be free agent prepsters though? There are some posts here going back a looooong time that debate that program to death, and usually it comes down to a very low percentage of folks that go this route get an appointment being the crucible in the argument, especially when the price is considered.
 
Not sure what you mean. I know that at least at Valley Forge, I knew who I had to compete with; if my scores were the same or better than the sponsored prepsters' scores, I had a good chance at getting in. Sure enough, all the free agents that met that standard got in. I don't know how much that factored in for admissions, but I know it helped me stay on track and definitely prepared me more than a year at a normal university would have
 
JR1996,

If I read your earlier posts correctly, you anticipated your GPA at the end of your junior year would be around 3.2. What was your final GPA.

That GPA with your current test scores would not be competitive for a ROTC scholarship.
 
Maybe that should be a a more touched on topic of discussion then, especially when you factor in the direct competition with sponsored prepsters, which I never took into consideration. Traditionally this forum sees JMC's, unless one is sponsored, as an expensive distraction from the end goal of commissioning, which I always agreed with.
 
Actually my GPA is exactly 3.2 <<<<<

It seems that going to a JMC as a non sponsored prepster would be a expensive non guaranteed route to get an appointment.. Also, I will go with the majority who suggested that I send my scores to have contact with my Minority Outreach Officer to get a deep understanding of my whole candidate aspect and what needs to improve
 
Full Metal Bulldog said:
Maybe that should be a a more touched on topic of discussion then, especially when you factor in the direct competition with sponsored prepsters, which I never took into consideration. Traditionally this forum sees JMC's, unless one is sponsored, as an expensive distraction from the end goal of commissioning, which I always agreed with.
Click to expand...

Again, not really sure what you're saying. A jmc is no more expensive than a private university, and no more "distracting." For someone deciding between a ROTC scholarship and a jmc, sure, but in this case, or any case where the individual is going to need another year to be considered competitive for either USMA or ROTC, jmc's are an option
 
The debate is whether or not that cost is worth the preparation opportunity of the small community college, which costs next to nothing, and the lack of military lifestyle is seen by some as an unnecessary distraction. I'm not disagreeing with you, just pointing out a common opposing viewpoint.
 
Full Metal Bulldog said:
Maybe that should be a a more touched on topic of discussion then, especially when you factor in the direct competition with sponsored prepsters, which I never took into consideration. Traditionally this forum sees JMC's, unless one is sponsored, as an expensive distraction from the end goal of commissioning, which I always agreed with.
Click to expand...

Bigbear is being modest, he should have gotten into West Point right after high school, but for he didn't. If I recall correctly, he received a fair amount of scholarship from VF.

JMCs are only expensive distractions if non-competitive candidates believe somehow attending JMCs will make them competitive.
 
gridironkid said:
I am on your boat. Got denied my first time and now I am going for the gold again. To be honest SAT/ACT is huugggeee! (especially if you live in a competitive district) my highest math was a 470 and verbal 550, and that wasn't enough. If your SATs/ACTs are high and you have that leadership stuff and sports under your belt you are SAFE (high shot for you to get nominated and directly appointed) even if your GPA is sub 4.0 (3.50-3.7)

Lets keep in touch my friend, we will conqure this
Click to expand...
Me three, my sat scores were a little higher, and we have about the same extra curricula's minus the JROTC. PM me, i think we can trade some knowledge.
 
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