Reapplying to West Point 1st Year College

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mjdgmom

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DS received TWE mid-April last year as a high school senior. He was 3Q qualified with a nomination from his Senator. In mid-May he started receiving offers for ROTC 4-year scholarship opportunities (note- he did select ROTC interest on the WP application). DS was accepted to plan B school at UW-Madison, and the 4-year ROTC scholarship is working well he is part of the Badger Battalion.

DS is reapplying to WP. His profile is complete with the exception of first semester transcript, this likely won’t be available until the latter part of Dec, and is preventing his application from being 100% complete and advancing. He is waiting on status of senatorial nominations; he has two current nominations, one from his Congressman and one from ROTC. Last year DS received a LOE, this year he has not received any communication LOE or LOA.

Academics is the final piece. DS understands the importance of solid grades. In his classes grading will be done on a sliding scale, this is new to us, and makes it difficult to gauge how he is doing throughout the term.

I am just wondering if anyone else has had experience with sliding scale grades at a larger, competitive university and if grades don’t turn out all A’s, does high school academics also factor into Academic qualification?
 
High school academics will still be considered on subsequent reapplications which is why high school transcripts must be submitted again. The service academies know how difficult college is and will in no way expect your son to get a 4.0 GPA in his first semester in college. A's and B's in college will take you far into a reapplication and will show the academies that you can handle a challenging course load. SATs/ACTs will also be evaluated.
 
mjdgmom said:
DS received TWE mid-April last year as a high school senior. He was 3Q qualified with a nomination from his Senator. In mid-May he started receiving offers for ROTC 4-year scholarship opportunities (note- he did select ROTC interest on the WP application). DS was accepted to plan B school at UW-Madison, and the 4-year ROTC scholarship is working well he is part of the Badger Battalion.

DS is reapplying to WP. His profile is complete with the exception of first semester transcript, this likely won’t be available until the latter part of Dec, and is preventing his application from being 100% complete and advancing. He is waiting on status of senatorial nominations; he has two current nominations, one from his Congressman and one from ROTC. Last year DS received a LOE, this year he has not received any communication LOE or LOA.

Academics is the final piece. DS understands the importance of solid grades. In his classes grading will be done on a sliding scale, this is new to us, and makes it difficult to gauge how he is doing throughout the term.

I am just wondering if anyone else has had experience with sliding scale grades at a larger, competitive university and if grades don’t turn out all A’s, does high school academics also factor into Academic qualification?
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My DS is currently a cadet at USMA but he too received a TWE, went to plan B school & did ROTC. Many re-applicants do not start hearing until late Feb. if you look at last year’s dates on the thread, you can see dates & who’s a reapplication. DS didn’t hear until beginning of March even though everything was in & yes last requirement was his college transcript. My cadet is right we’re he belongs ~ I wasn’t so sure when he announced in fall of his first semester at college that he was re-applying, but he knew what he wanted. Now- he is so happy to have had that year under his belt. Good luck to your DS!
 
LOE, 4-year ROTC scholarship, a senatorial nomination, and 3Q, but still TWE?

Wow, OP's son must be in a very competitive district! He should get an appointment this time since he improved even further through ROTC.
 
If he needs Professor recommendations, he should start showing up to Office Hours regularly so they get to know him ( and he can get help and do better!)
 
dreamwiz said:
LOE, 4-year ROTC scholarship, a senatorial nomination, and 3Q, but still TWE?

Wow, OP's son must be in a very competitive district! He should get an appointment this time since he improved even further through ROTC.
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Happens to hundreds every year !
 
bopper said:
If he needs Professor recommendations, he should start showing up to Office Hours regularly so they get to know him ( and he can get help and do better!)
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DS has completed the required SOE, one from his English professor and one from military science.
 
DS was a college re-applicant and is currently a member of the Class of 2023. He received his appointment 06-Feb.

When he initially received his TWE, he had outstanding leadership & ECAs. was in Natl Honor Society and the Top 20% of his class, etc. But, his ACTs were just slightly above average. He retook the ACTs as a college student and improved dramatically (34 composite). As a college freshman, he took Chem (w/lab), Calculus, History, English and Philosophy. While his grades were very good, they were not all As.

You need to show admissions you are committed and to improve your application. Solid grades in challenging classes prove you can do the work at USMA. If standardized test scores are lacking - retake them. It shows dedication
 
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The waiting is hard but admissions will not review the file until the first semester transcript is received which will most likely be after the holidays. If he has taken a challenging plebe like schedule, As and Bs are sufficient to demonstrate success. Please do not think that he needs a 4.0 to be competitive. It still is a sliding scale so it is hard to say what number he actually needs. My DD had like a 3.25 in her first semester taking what amounted to the second year of a pre-med track due to course validation and AP credit. She had strong test scores, was also a DIV 1 athlete and member of her ROTC Battalion. I remember the phone call with her in tears that her 3.25 was not going to be good enough to get her in the second time. She is now in the middle of Cow year and doing extremely well. The year of college will be a blessing for your DS.
 
Objective said:
DS was a college re-applicant and is currently a member of the Class of 2023. He received his appointment 06-Feb.

When he initially received his TWE, he had outstanding leadership & ECAs. was in Natl Honor Society and the Top 20% of his class, etc. But, his ACTs were just slightly above average. He retook the ACTs as a college student and improved dramatically (34 composite). As a college freshman, he took Chem (w/lab), Calculus, History, English and Philosophy. While his grades were very good, they were not all As.

You need to show admissions you are committed and to improve your application. Solid grades in challenging classes prove you can do the work at USMA. If standardized test scores are lacking - retake them. It shows dedication
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Between this semester and next semester DS will take Physics w/lab, Chemistry w/lab, Algebra, Calculus, English, and Kinesiology. He also signed up for the Ranger Challenge.
 
I’m a re-applicant 3Qd with a nomination. I’m doing plan B. I’m at a major state university doing ROTC and taking a plebe like schedule. This year I was DQd they said I had a back condition they did not notice last year. My admission officer has requested a waiver but who makes the final decision USMA or DoDMERB?
 
Zooman said:
I’m a re-applicant 3Qd with a nomination. I’m doing plan B. I’m at a major state university doing ROTC and taking a plebe like schedule. This year I was DQd they said I had a back condition they did not notice last year. My admission officer has requested a waiver but who makes the final decision USMA or DoDMERB?
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I don’t think USMA can offer an appointment without a waiver and I’m not sure who issues the waivers? Stay positive and focus on improving aspects of your application that you have more control of like first semester grades and positioning yourself academically.
 
Zooman said:
I’m a re-applicant 3Qd with a nomination. I’m doing plan B. I’m at a major state university doing ROTC and taking a plebe like schedule. This year I was DQd they said I had a back condition they did not notice last year. My admission officer has requested a waiver but who makes the final decision USMA or DoDMERB?
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Waivers are granted by the commissioning source and each one is different. In your case USMA and Cadet Command will evaluate your condition and make the final determination. It may be the same for both sources or it may be different between the two. Your RC will initiate the waiver process at USMA if you have a competitive file.
 
USMA 1994 said:
Waivers are granted by the commissioning source and each one is different. In your case USMA and Cadet Command will evaluate your condition and make the final determination. It may be the same for both sources or it may be different between the two. Your RC will initiate the waiver process at USMA if you have a competitive file.
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My RC did initiate the waiver. I’m otherwise competitive. Thanks
 
DS received LOE by mail. Trying to encourage him to register for the Dec ACT, this is an uphill battle with many college adjustments- away from home, college course load, staying involved with extra-curriculars, and ROTC Rangers.

However, with the university system sliding grade scale, too many uncertainties. FFR says DS should focus on first semester grades. I agree. I also wonder if DS is this far into the process, why not retest, progress is progress with a 29 composite?
 
Zooman said:
I’m a re-applicant 3Qd with a nomination. I’m doing plan B. I’m at a major state university doing ROTC and taking a plebe like schedule. This year I was DQd they said I had a back condition they did not notice last year. My admission officer has requested a waiver but who makes the final decision USMA or DoDMERB?
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DS was a re-app, ROTC, plebe like classes, Dean’s list, etc. He also was DQ’d beginning of Feb, waiver was requested. We were nervous bc that letter said requesting waiver ( great!) but that it would take 90-120 days. It specified his records would be reviewed by WP head doctor ( apology for not knowing specific title [emoji15]). DS was so disappointed he would again have go through the grueling wait process. Thankfully, 2 weeks later he rec’d letter his waiver was approved. It was less than 2 weeks after his waiver was approved he rec’d call from congressman. Just make sure they have everything so they can make an informed decision that’s best for both parties. Good luck!
 
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