Hello from an excited Mom

Basketcase

Proud mom of 2019 hopeful
5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2014
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I am usually a lurker to these type forums, but in this case I have already gained so much knowledge surfing around MANY postings, that I feel I should introduce myself, because I know I will probably be posting a question or two as things go on.:smile:
My son is a Jr. applying for Class of 2019 at USMA. His Dad was a grad in '85 and just retired after 28 years. DS has had his eyes set on West Point since he was very little. We actually lived there for three years when his Dad was a professor but that was when he was of preschool age. As he has matured we have not pushed the academy, because we wanted it to be HIS choice. As a Sophomore he did a day visit and came out of it more determined than ever to attend. He is not applying to the other SA's.
He met his FFR at a school event this fall, but never got a word in edgewise. The guy told him a lot about how he needed to be ready academically, but never asked him where he already stood. DS is hoping to have a better talk with him in the future. The first day possible, he applied for SLE, but is still listed as pending, which is worrying him. But on the upside, we sat down together and applied for both the Pres and VP nom and he has already heard back that he has the Pres Nom!
From what I see on these boards, he is very competitive, we get his first SAT scores tomorrow, but his PSAT was very good. He's an Eagle scout, Varsity track since freshman year, Varsity Volleyball this year, etc. The only things he lacks is team captain (which may come next year) and Boys State (which we do not plan on doing). So he looks good, but that doesn't keep me from worrying!!
Sorry this was so long, but I do feel like we are on the edge of a great adventure, and being the "be prepared" type A that I am, I am doing all sorts of research in order to understand the process. This forum is proving to be an excellent resource!:thumb:
 
Sounds great, but why would your son not attend Boys State? My son was wary of it going in, but made some great friends and learned to work with a diverse set of kids -- a key question people had on many college applications, not just for the Academies. And of course Boys State adds to the WCS. Decisions are often made at the margins -- why "give away" points. If your son can make it to Boys State, I suggest you reconsider.
 
I am usually a lurker to these type forums, but in this case I have already gained so much knowledge surfing around MANY postings, that I feel I should introduce myself, because I know I will probably be posting a question or two as things go on.:smile:
My son is a Jr. applying for Class of 2019 at USMA. His Dad was a grad in '85 and just retired after 28 years. DS has had his eyes set on West Point since he was very little. We actually lived there for three years when his Dad was a professor but that was when he was of preschool age. As he has matured we have not pushed the academy, because we wanted it to be HIS choice. As a Sophomore he did a day visit and came out of it more determined than ever to attend. He is not applying to the other SA's.
He met his FFR at a school event this fall, but never got a word in edgewise. The guy told him a lot about how he needed to be ready academically, but never asked him where he already stood. DS is hoping to have a better talk with him in the future. The first day possible, he applied for SLE, but is still listed as pending, which is worrying him. But on the upside, we sat down together and applied for both the Pres and VP nom and he has already heard back that he has the Pres Nom! From what I see on these boards, he is very competitive, we get his first SAT scores tomorrow, but his PSAT was very good. He's an Eagle scout, Varsity track since freshman year, Varsity Volleyball this year, etc. The only things he lacks is team captain (which may come next year) and Boys State (which we do not plan on doing). So he looks good, but that doesn't keep me from worrying!!
Sorry this was so long, but I do feel like we are on the edge of a great adventure, and being the "be prepared" type A that I am, I am doing all sorts of research in order to understand the process. This forum is proving to be an excellent resource!:thumb:

Welcome!

Just curious, if your DS is just a junior, how can he already have a Presidential nomination?

Any reason why he would not try to attend Boys' State? West Point places a lot of value on Boys' State and it adds to your WCS. JMHO, it is much more valuable than SLE.
 
In regards to Pres Nom, the window for class of '19 opened on March 1. He only sent in his information about a week or so ago, but already got an answer. There are only 100 slots, so applying early worked seemed like the best way to go.

As for Boy's State, I guess we don't see why there is such importance put on it. Being in Boy Scouts since 1st grade, holding leadership positions, earning his Eagle, and being awarded best Eagle project for his council for that year (very large council) should prove leadership. I agree it doesn't hurt to go for as much as possible, but he will be able to check the block in every other area. Plus, there is only so much time in the day and I don't see a way to fit it into this summer.

I am open for comments, but I am thinking that ship may have already sailed for us.
 
Don't know what State you're in, but go to the website and contact Boys State about a slot. It's late in the game, but I think there is still time.

My son is a USMA appointee for 2018. Also an Eagle Scout. He did Boys State for several reasons. First, I went way back in 1985 and had a GREAT time. Second, he knew that West Point and the academies valued it.

Why do they value it? One, it's typically selective. Sometimes, depending on the school, kids have to compete for the available slots. Otherwise, the American Legion wants well-rounded good kids for their program. Future leaders of America. It's my personal opinion that the service academies value the Boys State program is because it's basically uniformly administered across the nation by the American Legion. A boy who goes to Boys State in Texas is basically the same quality individual and receives the same experience as one who goes in South Dakota.

Lastly, Boys State participation factors into the Leadership portion of the Whole Candidate Score. Good teacher recommendations, Boys State, Eagle Scout and the athletic participation you mention are all part of that Leadership quotient. Get 'em all and you receive very high marks in that category of the WCS.
 
I did go check our state just now, and the week it is held conflicts with the Grand Canyon hike his Venture Crew (he is president) has been planning for over a year. After doing more research, it does look like Boy's State is a very neat opportunity. But as I stated, it will be bad timing and too late for him to participate. I still think he is very qualified and things are looking up already having a Nom. I am hoping by getting as much of his file completed as early as possible, he might be fortunate enough to get an LOA, which with the nomination would be super. Only time will tell.

Thanks for the words of advice. Navigating these waters will be much easier with this forum!
 
That makes sense. Leadership in Venture, Philmont Crew Leader, etc. is a going to provide leadership points. You can only do so much.

Last piece of advice - you cannot put enough emphasis on the SAT and/or ACT.
 
Welcome to the Forum! I'm glad that you have found this site informative and useful so far.

Re the Presidential nom -
Every candidate that qualifies for a Presidential nom will get the nom. Therefore, hundreds of candidates (500-600) will get a Presidential nom each year.
However, there are only 100 slots allowed for this nom (per US Code).
IOW - 500-600 candidates will be competing for those 100 slots.
This is why it is so, so important that every candidate apply to every nom that they are qualified for.
In your son's case, his Congressional Representative, his 2 Senators, the VP and the Presidential.
 
Boys State is a REALLY good idea

Honestly, I would do anything in your power to get Boys State on your resume... Boys State factors into the 30% "leadership" category, and from what I have heard (a very good source, although not confirmed), Boys State adds ~200/800 points in that category, with more being awarded for being selected to Boys Nation/Winning governor/etc... If you're set on the service academies, tossing away 7.5% of the application points isn't the best idea. In the eyes of admissions, attending Boys State is in the same league as being an eagle scout.

Also, why not apply to Annapolis? After being accepted to/visiting both, I see exponentially more similarities than differences. Also, Annapolis allows you to commission as Marine Corps/SEAL officer, which have at least a modicum of similarity to the Army. If you're accepted to West Point---great, no skin off your back---but you're much better off having a solid backup plan.
 
He already has Eagle (got it right before high school) and lots of other leadership in sports, crew, etc. Boys State does NOT fit into our summer, so we will forge ahead without it.

Why not apply to USNA too? Well, we live very close and many of his buddies are doing just that, but he still wants Army and only Army. His plan B is a very good engineering school that he would hopefully attend with an Army ROTC scholarship. We've asked about other SA's, but his mind is made up. He has known what he wants to do since middle school. Can't stand in the way of that determination. :wink:

Just got SAT's back yesterday and they were stellar. :thumb: I am not worrying too much about Boy's State. Like Sledge said, "you can only do so much"!
 
He already has Eagle (got it right before high school) and lots of other leadership in sports, crew, etc. Boys State does NOT fit into our summer, so we will forge ahead without it.

Why not apply to USNA too? Well, we live very close and many of his buddies are doing just that, but he still wants Army and only Army. His plan B is a very good engineering school that he would hopefully attend with an Army ROTC scholarship. We've asked about other SA's, but his mind is made up. He has known what he wants to do since middle school. Can't stand in the way of that determination. :wink:

Just got SAT's back yesterday and they were stellar. :thumb: I am not worrying too much about Boy's State. Like Sledge said, "you can only do so much"!

Sounds like my DS. He was dead set on Marine Corps. Further he was dead set on not attending an Academy. Even further he did not win an NROTC scholarship. He showed up as a college programmer and eventually won a side-load scholarship. Somehow they find their way. Welcome aboard. :thumb:
 
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