College transcrips and CFA

Jarhead1775

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2012
Messages
147
Hi all,

I'm a Rat coming to you from VMI. Pretty much done with my application packet, got 2 nomination interviews on lock with both of my senators and will hear from my congressman here pretty soon too. The only things I don't have in are my CFA and my college transcripts. Considering the semester doesn't even end until December, what can I do about this? Any suggestions on that?

As for the CFA, I passed it last year when I did it at the Naval Academy Summer Seminar, can I just get them to resend the scores? Or do I have to do it again? If I have to do it again, is it acceptable for me to submit it around Thanksgiving? I can't exactly ask someone around here to set up and administer it. I'm planning on doing it when I come home.

Looks like I got a pretty good shot at an appointment this year. Got 3Q'd last year and I'm only building off of what I had last year. Besides, a year of prep at the HARDEST military college in the country must help! :wink:

Anything helps!
 
It is what it is with respect to the transcript. They will review it when it gets in and potentially reward you for your college experience depending on your grades. They will not qualify your file until they receive those transcripts.

That makes taking the CFA in November ok in your case as long as you do not get injured before then. With that said, yes, you have to retake it. The CFA is only good for the year that you are applying to.
 
So what would you say is a competitive GPA for a college reapplicant? Was my status of being academically qualified last year help my chances at all?
 
Unless you bomb your grades, academic qualification shouldn't be an issue since you were qualified last year.
 
Not necessarily true. Your college grades will have heavy weight with Admissions. They recommend you take Plebe courses(Calc, Chemistry, Comp, etc) and they want to see you can do well. If I had to say for sure something above a 3.0(maybe even 3.5) is in the ballpark of what they expect. If you had a 4.0 in HS and are getting by with a 2.XX in college then you'll have a hard time at USXX.


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So it's too late to change classes but I'm taking 14.5 credits at the toughest military school in the nation. I'm an International Studies major and already have knocked out 12 credits here from AP (does this get looked at by USMA?) I'm looking at a 3.3 GPA this semester, 3.0 at the worst. I've improved quite a bit since HS and am in the best shape of my life and am hungrier than ever to get an appointment. I have 2 nomination interviews pending with my Senators, looking for another nomination from my congressman and I'm pursuing one through Army ROTC. I was so close last year (nominated, 3Q)do you think this will be enough to push me over the hump I need to get an appointment?

Thanks again for the input!
 
Qualification and appointment are two different problem sets. Qualification, even with a 2.0 is possible (would you fault someone with an extremely demanding schedule at an academically rigorous school), as long as you aren't failing any classes. Appointments depend on your competition - you could do extremely well earning a 4.0 and still not earn an appointment. It depends on how you and your competition stacks up in terms of Whole Candidate Score and how the nominations are awarded (principal nomination trumps WCS, could be competing against another college re applicant who had a better high school record and similar college performance, etc). There are too many variables that those of us on this forum do not have access to make a determination as to whether your expected college performance will lead to an appointment. All you can do is put your best foot forward in your classes and in your nomination interviews while not burning any bridges in your ROTC program.
 
So it's too late to change classes but I'm taking 14.5 credits at the toughest military school in the nation. I'm an International Studies major and already have knocked out 12 credits here from AP (does this get looked at by USMA?) I'm looking at a 3.3 GPA this semester, 3.0 at the worst. I've improved quite a bit since HS and am in the best shape of my life and am hungrier than ever to get an appointment. I have 2 nomination interviews pending with my Senators, looking for another nomination from my congressman and I'm pursuing one through Army ROTC. I was so close last year (nominated, 3Q)do you think this will be enough to push me over the hump I need to get an appointment?

Thanks again for the input!

In addition to what 845something stated above, which I fully endorse, you need to change your attitude about this re-application. This isn't a race where you get a head start because you've run it before. This is a whole new race. You might be able to get through the race a little more efficiently because you have past experience to rely on. However you still have to run and win the race from the same starting line. I think if you tackle it with this attitude you will do well, if not then you're not expending all the effort it deserves. Good luck! :thumb:
 
Thank you both! I am also competing for an ROTC scholarship here and honestly if I got it, it'd be hard to leave the Institute for USMA, however I need to open up that door first!! Regardless, I'm going to do my very best here this semester and whatever happens, happens. While I know this is a brand new application, I know I'm building off of a solid foundation, and the past experience will hopefully give me an edge. Thanks for the continued input, I'll be waiting with great anticipation for a BFE arriving in the mail this year!

Until then, this Rat is still a Rat.
 
To add my two cents, a 3.3 with only 14.5 credits won't be seen as extremely impressive by USMA, especially since as a USMA cadet, 18-19 credits is closer to the norm per semester. Try your hardest to improve that 3.3 to at least a 3.5, because with academics being 60% of your profile, any extra push is beneficial.
 
Jarhead1775

Too much negativity on this thread.

From what I have seen, many good kids don't get into West Point for whatever reason and some kids that shouldn't get into West Point get in. Seems like you gave 100%. Can't really give 105%. Hanging in there. Attending West Point is a way point, not the finish line.

Good luck.
 
To add my two cents, a 3.3 with only 14.5 credits won't be seen as extremely impressive by USMA, especially since as a USMA cadet, 18-19 credits is closer to the norm per semester. Try your hardest to improve that 3.3 to at least a 3.5, because with academics being 60% of your profile, any extra push is beneficial.

I completely understand that. Academics, while never my strongset, are improving. I just hope that West Point sees that improvement and gives me a shot.
 
Jarhead1775

Too much negativity on this thread.

From what I have seen, many good kids don't get into West Point for whatever reason and some kids that shouldn't get into West Point get in. Seems like you gave 100%. Can't really give 105%. Hanging in there. Attending West Point is a way point, not the finish line.

Good luck.

Thank you sir, I really did put out 100% in high school and I'm doing it again this year here at VMI. If I don't get in, that'll bet that and I'll get my commission in 2018 with my Brother Rats. Either way, I'll be in a good place next year.
 
If you don't mind me asking (I'm sure you are very busy, so I apologize), how is this Rat liking VMI? West Point is certainly my top choice and dream school, but I will very happily settle at VMI if West Point doesn't turn out as I'd like it to. I visited last November and was impressed by it, but, I'll admit, nervous about the very spartan environment. What're your thoughts about your time so far? Thanks so much and good luck on making it through the Rat Line and making it to West Point, if that's what you choose.
 
If you don't mind me asking (I'm sure you are very busy, so I apologize), how is this Rat liking VMI? West Point is certainly my top choice and dream school, but I will very happily settle at VMI if West Point doesn't turn out as I'd like it to. I visited last November and was impressed by it, but, I'll admit, nervous about the very spartan environment. What're your thoughts about your time so far? Thanks so much and good luck on making it through the Rat Line and making it to West Point, if that's what you choose.

Ohhhhhhh bro, I can tell you ALL about this place. I was the same way! Don't sweat it, I'll send you a PM after I finish up some homework.
 
Some call me "Captain Obvious" for my propensity for stating such. Here goes: MiddyB, 845Something currently works at West Point. It is really bad form to correct him.

Second, is there quantifying data that says VMI is the toughest military school in the nation? While I know my DS isn't at the "toughest" school, he's at a school that works for him and our family. DS is taking chemistry, calc, et al, adding up to 17 hours. The school thought he should take less; he thought more. This is the compromise. BTW, it was suggested to DS that he retake the SAT to further improve his chances in our competitive district. Just what every college freshman wants to do on an off weekend. RC suggested it...so of course he did it. Have you considered doing that as well?

As far as "almost getting in" goes, I thought I read that about 1000 were qualified, not selected. Many of those QNS candidates were offered 3-year ROTC scholarships.

Obviously I'm very interested in the whole reapplication scenario, as my DS is in this boat as well. We are still waiting to hear from senators and congressman about nomination interviews. I'll give you the same advice DS gets from me weekly: go meet w/ your professors and find out what you can do to improve your grades. Bust it working for A's...show West Point and yourself that you are indeed capable of the rigors of college work. Hope to see you at the 90 second goodbye.

-Mom
 
Some call me "Captain Obvious" for my propensity for stating such. Here goes: MiddyB, 845Something currently works at West Point. It is really bad form to correct him.





-Mom


Not correcting but rather addressing the actual question. The OP asked about "competitive" GPA. 845Something addressed qualification. It's well known just being qualified is not always good enough. The information I shared was given to me by several sources and from personal experience. Maybe better wording needed to be used on my part.

So, in short, yes the candidate could be qualified as long as he doesn't bomb his grades, as 845Something said. However, a >3.0 or >3.5, I think, is necessary to be competitive for the appointment.

Also, as 845Something said, there's too many variables. MOC District, ECAs, etc. Someone with a 2.0 could get in while the person with the 4.0 may not. In my eyes a good rule of thumb for a college (re)applicant is to get at least a 3.0.


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Some call me "Captain Obvious" for my propensity for stating such. Here goes: MiddyB, 845Something currently works at West Point. It is really bad form to correct him.

Second, is there quantifying data that says VMI is the toughest military school in the nation? While I know my DS isn't at the "toughest" school, he's at a school that works for him and our family. DS is taking chemistry, calc, et al, adding up to 17 hours. The school thought he should take less; he thought more. This is the compromise. BTW, it was suggested to DS that he retake the SAT to further improve his chances in our competitive district. Just what every college freshman wants to do on an off weekend. RC suggested it...so of course he did it. Have you considered doing that as well?

As far as "almost getting in" goes, I thought I read that about 1000 were qualified, not selected. Many of those QNS candidates were offered 3-year ROTC scholarships.

Obviously I'm very interested in the whole reapplication scenario, as my DS is in this boat as well. We are still waiting to hear from senators and congressman about nomination interviews. I'll give you the same advice DS gets from me weekly: go meet w/ your professors and find out what you can do to improve your grades. Bust it working for A's...show West Point and yourself that you are indeed capable of the rigors of college work. Hope to see you at the 90 second goodbye.

-Mom

The attrition rates at VMI from matriculation to graduation should say something about how hard it is here. I honestly think that Rat year is harder than plebe year. I don't need to prove that though. Regardless, I'm still going to bust my butt here to get the appointment. I understand what the competitive GPA is and that even though I'll still probably get 3 Q'd, just like last year, that's no guarantee.
 
The attrition rates at VMI from matriculation to graduation should say something about how hard it is here.

Taking the discussion to a different direction, but the marticulation to graudation rate is not a definite metric to determine how "hard" a school is.

Have a local college that has less than 30% marticulation to graduation rate.

In the Army TRADCO, low graduation rate sometimes result in scrunity on instructors.

My personal view, in the admissions process numbers matter the most, not the name or reputation.
 
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