Class of 2023 Tips

I just got an appointment a couple days ago. Here’s some things that helped me and things I wished I knew before applying:
-Be proactive! Get your every part of your application done as early as you can while still putting forth your highest quality work. If you’re on time, you’re late. You never know if something will pop up unexpectedly and set you back time wise.
-DODMERB is a HUGE pain in the rear end. Be prepared to have a doctor inspect your anus and scrotum. I’m not kidding. That caught me off guard. But seriously, get it done ASAP. It’s a long process that may involve remedial paperwork and/or a waiver, as was the case with me. On your questionnaire, ONLY say what is asked and nothing more. Do not elaborate and make things seem worse than they actually are. I would recommend downplaying any negative aspects as much as possible will still being honest. If you need a waiver, don’t stress excessively as I did. Sure, you have to wait 3.5 months, but pulling your hair out and grinding your teeth won’t do any good. Remember, if your condition does not adversely affect your performance or ability, then chances are you’ll get a waiver. I read about 25% of USMA cadets needed one.
-Prepare for the CFA (obviously). As long as you hit the average benchmarks on all the events and can go beyond that on several, you’re fine.
-Go to Boys’ State, run for Student Government, become a sports team captain, JROTC brigade commander, Eagle Scout, club president, or something along those lines that shows you have the ability to lead soldiers in the future.
-Make sure you have stellar test scores. It’s not everything, though. If a guy has a 36 ACT, but nothing else going for him, then he’s probably not getting in. However, there’s no denying that it’s a large factor. USMA superscores, so try to get at least 31s on every subject on your ACT. Preferably, aim for 33s. I got a 33 composite and 34 superscore if that helps. I used the ACT prep guide that the actual ACT company put out. Practice makes perfect. Practice the timing. I ended up taking that god forsaken test 7 times, so keep taking it until you get the scores you want. The more experience you have with it, the better, but be sure you study before taking it. Winging it is not a recipe for success. I speak from experience.
-Make sure you’re on good terms with your junior English and math teachers, your coach/PE teacher, and chemistry/physics teacher. They will all have to write letters of recommendation rating your character and performance. They have to write, so that leaves room for them to brag on you. Give them a reason to do so.
-Your nomination applications are every bit as important as your USMA application. Don’t neglect them. Write quality essays and put forth your best work. You have 4 shots at a nomination, but your Representative is your best shot. You can update those applications as needed, so there is no harm in getting them done early. I turned mine in in early July and ended up getting a principal nomination.
-I think a large part of that principal nomination was from my interview. Be sure to wear the nicest suit you have, be clean shaven, and be confident, but not cocky. Rehearse your responses with a family member or friend. Direct message me if you want to know the kinds of questions they ask. Also, sell yourself, but at the same time, don’t take yourself too seriously. My interviewers were very hospitable and laid back people who enjoyed humor just like anyone else.
-Make sure your English teacher or someone qualified gives feedback on your essays. They are important and you can only submit them once. Use your own ideas, but be open to suggestions. I spent around 2 months perfecting them (keep in mind I started right when the application opened), so take your time, but get them in early. I know that’s a paradox, but it’s the truth.
-Your family members can’t get you an appointment. I’ve seen many people on here wondering how big of an impact their dad being a West Point graduate Brigadier General would have on their admission. The answer is not much. It’s your name on the application.
-Be sure to apply for the Army ROTC Scholarship. Your goal should be to be an Army officer, not a graduate of a certain college. You’ll get there either route. If I hadn’t gotten in USMA, then my Army ROTC Scholarship would have saved me.
-Be aware that an unexpected interview from your ALO may happen. One day, he called me out of the blue and asked when and where would be a good place to interview for the USMA application. I did not know this was even a part of the application, so it caught me off guard. He actually came to my house and met my parents, but I kind of knew what to expect because he was also the interviewer for Senator Lamar Alexander. Point is: just know that can happen.
-Don’t take a bunch of joke classes or slack if your senior year. They still take your 7th and 8th semester transcripts and treat them the same way as any other year. Make smart decisions and don’t screw it up in the home stretch.
-Lastly, enjoy your junior and senior year of high school. You are about to embark on an arduous journey that requires dedication and grit, but don’t forget that you’re still a 16/17/18 year old. Go out with friends and have fun on the weekends. I wish I had had more fun in the first half of my senior year. It was all work that eventually paid off, but deep down, I was always anxious about this whole process, especially when I had to get a waiver. Do what you know you have to, don’t quit, relentlessly attack your goals, and it will all pay off.
 
BryceBryceBaby said:
I just got an appointment a couple days ago. Here’s some things that helped me and things I wished I knew before applying:
-Be proactive! Get your every part of your application done as early as you can while still putting forth your highest quality work. If you’re on time, you’re late. You never know if something will pop up unexpectedly and set you back time wise.
-DODMERB is a HUGE pain in the rear end. Be prepared to have a doctor inspect your anus and scrotum. I’m not kidding. That caught me off guard. But seriously, get it done ASAP. It’s a long process that may involve remedial paperwork and/or a waiver, as was the case with me. On your questionnaire, ONLY say what is asked and nothing more. Do not elaborate and make things seem worse than they actually are. I would recommend downplaying any negative aspects as much as possible will still being honest. If you need a waiver, don’t stress excessively as I did. Sure, you have to wait 3.5 months, but pulling your hair out and grinding your teeth won’t do any good. Remember, if your condition does not adversely affect your performance or ability, then chances are you’ll get a waiver. I read about 25% of USMA cadets needed one.
-Prepare for the CFA (obviously). As long as you hit the average benchmarks on all the events and can go beyond that on several, you’re fine.
-Go to Boys’ State, run for Student Government, become a sports team captain, JROTC brigade commander, Eagle Scout, club president, or something along those lines that shows you have the ability to lead soldiers in the future.
-Make sure you have stellar test scores. It’s not everything, though. If a guy has a 36 ACT, but nothing else going for him, then he’s probably not getting in. However, there’s no denying that it’s a large factor. USMA superscores, so try to get at least 31s on every subject on your ACT. Preferably, aim for 33s. I got a 33 composite and 34 superscore if that helps. I used the ACT prep guide that the actual ACT company put out. Practice makes perfect. Practice the timing. I ended up taking that god forsaken test 7 times, so keep taking it until you get the scores you want. The more experience you have with it, the better, but be sure you study before taking it. Winging it is not a recipe for success. I speak from experience.
-Make sure you’re on good terms with your junior English and math teachers, your coach/PE teacher, and chemistry/physics teacher. They will all have to write letters of recommendation rating your character and performance. They have to write, so that leaves room for them to brag on you. Give them a reason to do so.
-Your nomination applications are every bit as important as your USMA application. Don’t neglect them. Write quality essays and put forth your best work. You have 4 shots at a nomination, but your Representative is your best shot. You can update those applications as needed, so there is no harm in getting them done early. I turned mine in in early July and ended up getting a principal nomination.
-I think a large part of that principal nomination was from my interview. Be sure to wear the nicest suit you have, be clean shaven, and be confident, but not cocky. Rehearse your responses with a family member or friend. Direct message me if you want to know the kinds of questions they ask. Also, sell yourself, but at the same time, don’t take yourself too seriously. My interviewers were very hospitable and laid back people who enjoyed humor just like anyone else.
-Make sure your English teacher or someone qualified gives feedback on your essays. They are important and you can only submit them once. Use your own ideas, but be open to suggestions. I spent around 2 months perfecting them (keep in mind I started right when the application opened), so take your time, but get them in early. I know that’s a paradox, but it’s the truth.
-Your family members can’t get you an appointment. I’ve seen many people on here wondering how big of an impact their dad being a West Point graduate Brigadier General would have on their admission. The answer is not much. It’s your name on the application.
-Be sure to apply for the Army ROTC Scholarship. Your goal should be to be an Army officer, not a graduate of a certain college. You’ll get there either route. If I hadn’t gotten in USMA, then my Army ROTC Scholarship would have saved me.
-Be aware that an unexpected interview from your ALO may happen. One day, he called me out of the blue and asked when and where would be a good place to interview for the USMA application. I did not know this was even a part of the application, so it caught me off guard. He actually came to my house and met my parents, but I kind of knew what to expect because he was also the interviewer for Senator Lamar Alexander. Point is: just know that can happen.
-Don’t take a bunch of joke classes or slack if your senior year. They still take your 7th and 8th semester transcripts and treat them the same way as any other year. Make smart decisions and don’t screw it up in the home stretch.
-Lastly, enjoy your junior and senior year of high school. You are about to embark on an arduous journey that requires dedication and grit, but don’t forget that you’re still a 16/17/18 year old. Go out with friends and have fun on the weekends. I wish I had had more fun in the first half of my senior year. It was all work that eventually paid off, but deep down, I was always anxious about this whole process, especially when I had to get a waiver. Do what you know you have to, don’t quit, relentlessly attack your goals, and it will all pay off.
Click to expand...
BryceBryceBaby said:
I just got an appointment a couple days ago. Here’s some things that helped me and things I wished I knew before applying:
-Be proactive! Get your every part of your application done as early as you can while still putting forth your highest quality work. If you’re on time, you’re late. You never know if something will pop up unexpectedly and set you back time wise.
-DODMERB is a HUGE pain in the rear end. Be prepared to have a doctor inspect your anus and scrotum. I’m not kidding. That caught me off guard. But seriously, get it done ASAP. It’s a long process that may involve remedial paperwork and/or a waiver, as was the case with me. On your questionnaire, ONLY say what is asked and nothing more. Do not elaborate and make things seem worse than they actually are. I would recommend downplaying any negative aspects as much as possible will still being honest. If you need a waiver, don’t stress excessively as I did. Sure, you have to wait 3.5 months, but pulling your hair out and grinding your teeth won’t do any good. Remember, if your condition does not adversely affect your performance or ability, then chances are you’ll get a waiver. I read about 25% of USMA cadets needed one.
-Prepare for the CFA (obviously). As long as you hit the average benchmarks on all the events and can go beyond that on several, you’re fine.
-Go to Boys’ State, run for Student Government, become a sports team captain, JROTC brigade commander, Eagle Scout, club president, or something along those lines that shows you have the ability to lead soldiers in the future.
-Make sure you have stellar test scores. It’s not everything, though. If a guy has a 36 ACT, but nothing else going for him, then he’s probably not getting in. However, there’s no denying that it’s a large factor. USMA superscores, so try to get at least 31s on every subject on your ACT. Preferably, aim for 33s. I got a 33 composite and 34 superscore if that helps. I used the ACT prep guide that the actual ACT company put out. Practice makes perfect. Practice the timing. I ended up taking that god forsaken test 7 times, so keep taking it until you get the scores you want. The more experience you have with it, the better, but be sure you study before taking it. Winging it is not a recipe for success. I speak from experience.
-Make sure you’re on good terms with your junior English and math teachers, your coach/PE teacher, and chemistry/physics teacher. They will all have to write letters of recommendation rating your character and performance. They have to write, so that leaves room for them to brag on you. Give them a reason to do so.
-Your nomination applications are every bit as important as your USMA application. Don’t neglect them. Write quality essays and put forth your best work. You have 4 shots at a nomination, but your Representative is your best shot. You can update those applications as needed, so there is no harm in getting them done early. I turned mine in in early July and ended up getting a principal nomination.
-I think a large part of that principal nomination was from my interview. Be sure to wear the nicest suit you have, be clean shaven, and be confident, but not cocky. Rehearse your responses with a family member or friend. Direct message me if you want to know the kinds of questions they ask. Also, sell yourself, but at the same time, don’t take yourself too seriously. My interviewers were very hospitable and laid back people who enjoyed humor just like anyone else.
-Make sure your English teacher or someone qualified gives feedback on your essays. They are important and you can only submit them once. Use your own ideas, but be open to suggestions. I spent around 2 months perfecting them (keep in mind I started right when the application opened), so take your time, but get them in early. I know that’s a paradox, but it’s the truth.
-Your family members can’t get you an appointment. I’ve seen many people on here wondering how big of an impact their dad being a West Point graduate Brigadier General would have on their admission. The answer is not much. It’s your name on the application.
-Be sure to apply for the Army ROTC Scholarship. Your goal should be to be an Army officer, not a graduate of a certain college. You’ll get there either route. If I hadn’t gotten in USMA, then my Army ROTC Scholarship would have saved me.
-Be aware that an unexpected interview from your ALO may happen. One day, he called me out of the blue and asked when and where would be a good place to interview for the USMA application. I did not know this was even a part of the application, so it caught me off guard. He actually came to my house and met my parents, but I kind of knew what to expect because he was also the interviewer for Senator Lamar Alexander. Point is: just know that can happen.
-Don’t take a bunch of joke classes or slack if your senior year. They still take your 7th and 8th semester transcripts and treat them the same way as any other year. Make smart decisions and don’t screw it up in the home stretch.
-Lastly, enjoy your junior and senior year of high school. You are about to embark on an arduous journey that requires dedication and grit, but don’t forget that you’re still a 16/17/18 year old. Go out with friends and have fun on the weekends. I wish I had had more fun in the first half of my senior year. It was all work that eventually paid off, but deep down, I was always anxious about this whole process, especially when I had to get a waiver. Do what you know you have to, don’t quit, relentlessly attack your goals, and it will all pay off.
Click to expand...
 
Great Tips B! I am going to print this out and bring it to our next college fair! Well maybe minus the anus and scrotum inspection. These are the things that we should be giving to Freshman. By senior year it's too late.
 
The whole process was a legitimate 50 week process from applying to SLE to appointment. I know I’m echoing a lot of others when I say be proactive! It is much easier to put in work on the front end and have less stress on the back end than vice versa.
 
Also... respect the CFA. Even for the most athletic of candidates, the first time you run through a CFA is a humbling experience. Begin training for it as soon as possible.
 
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