What are my chances?

tsolomo1

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Nov 29, 2015
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I am currently a Freshman at The Citadel in South Carolina. I started my application to West Point last year but decided to withdraw it and pursue a 4-year Army ROTC Scholarship instead. I ended up getting it but I have made the commitment to apply again this year. My application is almost finished (still need to take the CFA - trying to max the pull-ups).

Unfortunately because I started applying late, the only nomination I received is the ROTC Nomination from the COl of the Army department here at The Citadel. Also applied for the VP nomination but I know that is very, very competitive. Just wanted to see if anyone knew how competitive I am for an appointment for the class of 2020.

4.01 GPA in High School (class rank 27 out of 129)
33 ACT. 11 on writing
4 year letter in cross country and 3 year letter in track. Team captain of track Junior year. Senior year team captain for cross country. Individually qualified for states in XC since Sophomore year
National Honor Society
President of a club I started on my own
IB Math, Physics, and Bio
Debate team member freshman year
Camp counselor

I am currently a D1 varsity track and cross country athlete at The Citadel
Mechanical Engineering Major (20 credits) Not sure if they take major into account
One of 22 Citadel Freshman in the Honor's Program (this means I take accelerated honor's courses)
Two B's.
Some volunteer work at local elementary schools
PT every morning
I am also a 4-year Army ROTC contract so I've been on FTX's to nearby bases and have weekly lab and class for ROTC
I am very close with the professors that wrote my SOE's because of the smaller class sizes of the Honor's Program
LOR written by West Point Grad (Ret. LTC in the Special Forces)

Also, because The Citadel is a school based on military lifestyle and strict discipline (I'm sure some of you have heard stories), will this have any sway in the decision process? I have heard of Citadel Cadets applying to the FA's but I know they are few and far between.

Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
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@tsolomo1 if you only have an ROTC nom, then you better be in touch with your RC and FFR so they can lobby your case. Most of the 20 ROTC vacancies go to AOG Civil Prep candidates and LOA candidates. Your RC will have to convince the director that you are worth bringing to West Point in one of those spots over the normal uses as well as why they should even bring you to West Point since you have a clear path to becoming an Army officer by virtue of your scholarship. Waiting until late in the cycle to take the CFA is not going to help make that case either.
 
I disagree. The academy loves perseverance, and he does have a nomination, albeit the ROTC nom.

If they want him, and I'd bet they will, they can juggle noms to make it happen.

Tsolomo1... please respond to this in April when you hear good news. (Me being over optimistic)
 
I made the point of letting my ffa know that this would be my only means of a nomination. We are in contact a lot. He said that they usually will try to shift nominations around to get those most qualified in.

That being said, I am aware of the small amount of ROTC Nom slots they have.
 
tsolomo have you contacted the WP track or XC coach about coming in? If your times are competitive then they may be af great assistance with the whole process, especially getting a nom.
 
tsolomo have you contacted the WP track or XC coach about coming in? If your times are competitive then they may be af great assistance with the whole process, especially getting a nom.
I emailed him a couple months ago about running. Never heard back from him.

Although The Citadel is a D1 school, our program doesn't compare to West Point or any of the FA's for that matter.

I will try to contact him again when indoor track starts in a few weeks if my times get faster.

Even if I didn't run at WP does being an NCAA athlete help with my application?
 
I disagree. The academy loves perseverance, and he does have a nomination, albeit the ROTC nom.

Perseverance isn't quitting the application the first time, coming back to it a year later, but not starting it soon enough to get the nominations from your MOCs. These little details matter to the director when making the determination to deviate from the norm. Yes, West Point can and does move things around to make sure that they get the people that they want, but outside of some strong stats, what has this candidate done/proven that they are worth the juggling act.

I'm glad tslomo1 is in touch with his FFR, but it will also take his RC being on his side if he wants any shot. Again, get that CFA done now, have your counseler send those college transcripts in as soon as they are ready over the holidays. You want your entire application complete early as possible as a way to send a positive signal to your RC that you are serious this time around about gaining admission. You probably need to take a few minutes and craft up a few talking points, call your RC, and then follow up with a strong email.
 
I disagree. The academy loves perseverance, and he does have a nomination, albeit the ROTC nom.

Perseverance isn't quitting the application the first time, coming back to it a year later, but not starting it soon enough to get the nominations from your MOCs. These little details matter to the director when making the determination to deviate from the norm. Yes, West Point can and does move things around to make sure that they get the people that they want, but outside of some strong stats, what has this candidate done/proven that they are worth the juggling act.

I'm glad tslomo1 is in touch with his FFR, but it will also take his RC being on his side if he wants any shot. Again, get that CFA done now, have your counseler send those college transcripts in as soon as they are ready over the holidays. You want your entire application complete early as possible as a way to send a positive signal to your RC that you are serious this time around about gaining admission. You probably need to take a few minutes and craft up a few talking points, call your RC, and then follow up with a strong email.
I've talked to my region's RC a few times throughout the process this year. Just scheduled my CFA for the end of this week with one of the officers here at The Citadel as well. Are there any major points you suggest I hit when I call my RC? Thank you for the input.
 
I'm curious, why would you pull out an application to the military academy to go to another military academy?
 
I disagree. The academy loves perseverance, and he does have a nomination, albeit the ROTC nom.

If they want him, and I'd bet they will, they can juggle noms to make it happen.

Tsolomo1... please respond to this in April when you hear good news. (Me being over optimistic)

Well, I am not surprised, (as you can read in my prophetic post above).
CONGRATULATIONS!
 
I'm curious, why would you pull out an application to the military academy to go to another military academy?
civic29,

This is a common misconception, The Citadel is not a federal academy. Not everyone has to join the military upon graduation. Only 40% or so do via ROTC Scholarships/Contracts.
 
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