Nominations Towards Sueccessful Enrollement

IcedZealot

IcedZealot

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2013
Messages
75
I've heard that a nomination doesn't guarantee acceptance, but are there ever candidates who get accepted without a nomination?
 
Straight to the point :biggrin: Now although grades are important, aren't standardized test scores basically the crown jewel of your profile? And, what is the average test scores for a nomination? Thanks!
 
IcedZealot said:
Straight to the point :biggrin: Now although grades are important, aren't standardized test scores basically the crown jewel of your profile? And, what is the average test scores for a nomination? Thanks!
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Yes, ACT/SAT scores and class rank are more important than gpa. Remember it's the WCS, so many things are important. Go to the USMA website and look at the Class of 2017 profile for the average test scores, among other things.
 
IcedZealot said:
Straight to the point :biggrin: Now although grades are important, aren't standardized test scores basically the crown jewel of your profile? And, what is the average test scores for a nomination? Thanks!
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If only 9 kids apply in your MOC district, you will get a nomination, even with 600 combined SATS (your MOC will give you a certificate, but you won't have any chance of getting in). If you are in Fairfax County, you will be competing against many rockstars for 10 noms and fewer appointments. Its an appointment, not a nom, that is what the prize is. The nom is necessary, but insufficient. Each district/state has its own level of competiveness to get a nom. Some are automatic. Some are brutally competitive. There is not an answer to your question.

The Academies want the best they can legally choose from -- but their choices are limited by those with noms, class balance, etc. They will take the very best from each nominating source that are presented to them to build the strongest class they can. Lots more people get noms than there are appointments, so you have to win admission from the SA (AND have a nom)

So, to confirm the fundamental theme of this forum, no one knows what the bar is, and it is different for every applicant based on District, school, need of the Academy, so try to excel at everything you do.
 
Thank you for the info! My best ACT so far is a 25, and my combined score is a 26: 27 English, 25 Math, 26 Reading, 24 Science. I will try my best to raise that math score to a 29. In context of things, how is a 26 ACT towards admission?
 
IcedZealot said:
Thank you for the info! My best ACT so far is a 25, and my combined score is a 26: 27 English, 25 Math, 26 Reading, 24 Science. I will try my best to raise that math score to a 29. In context of things, how is a 26 ACT towards admission?
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Well I got a 27 composite but most of my scores were 28's. And I just got accepted today! Hope that helped a little
 
CONGRATS! I can hardly imagine the thrill of acceptance xD. If you don't mind, what kind of info made you so competitive in order to become accepted. I feel I'm in okay shape at the moment, but anything to improve upon would be more than great :D
 
Not to take away from blwarnock's accomplishments, but his nomination type had a significant impact on him receiving a nomination already. S&D of deceased and 100% disabled veterans is a small and exclusive pool of candidates probably second only to S&D of MoH winners.
 
Appt

Blake (DD) did not have the greatest standardized scores. She really excelled in class rank, tough courses, leadership and teacher recommendations. She did get an LOE within days of posting the composite 27 ACT scores. The SDVET NOM probably got her the appointment this month versus March.
 
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Do most people get and LOE? And wouldn't that be a good thing? And a lot of people don't get an LOA, but does one necessarily promise you a seat? It is a letter of "Assurance".
 
To be a 3Q you have to be medically, academically, and physically qualified. Physically - On the CFA, for example, if you don't do well in the BB throw, but max out on most other parts, will it make up for where you didn't do as well?
 
You have to hit the minimums on all events (and no, we don't know what they are) but the CFA is also pass/fail. It is a bit confusing. LOL!
 
The nomination and acceptance processes leading to an Appointment are very complicated so it is impossible to make statements that are always true in every situation.

Of course, to get an offer you must be 3Qd by West Point and have a nomination so everyone that gets an offer is fully qualified. However, hundreds of people each year with nominations and 3Q are NOT admitted due to the limited number of slots (about 1200) per year.

For those of you depending on Congressional nominations, you need to realize that basically you are competing with other applicants in your Congressional District. Therefore it is difficult to look at a record and determine if it is a competitive file. Your record might be very strong in some Districts and not competitive in others.

For example - I am the FFR in two Congressional Districts. One District this year had 5 super, highly qualified 3Qd candidates with nominations. One of them (maybe 2) will get in WP.

The other District had two very good - but not super candidates (both 3Qd with a nomination). One of them will get in WP.

If any of those 5 super candidates were in the other District they would very likely get an offer to WP.
 
So basically, if I live in a Rural area (Small district), I have a higher chance to get a nomination, but not any better chance to be accepted?
 
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