A couple of questions about admissions:

[d.j.monahan]

For a while now it's been my ambition to serve as a U.S. Army officer; for various reasons USMA is the route I most want to take (I mean to apply for the incoming class in 2015), though I will not be heart-broken if it doesn't work out. I had a couple of questions regarding what exactly the admissions office looks for in two areas:

1. My high-school grades aren't up to snuff; I'm barely in the top 50% of my graduating class. I graduated high school in 2011 and am attending community college, where I have really turned things around (for what it's worth I regularly see it ranked as one of the top 10 or 20 CCs in the USA). My GPA is 3.5, I'm an active member of the honors society, and I am very involved in student government. As far as the academics are concerned, do I have a chance?

2. I don't play any team sports. I am physically very able, but I know they look specifically for leadership positions in athletics. I am currently studying for the NSCA Certified Personal Trainer test, after which I've got a job lined up for a PT position with a local gym. In that role I would train people with varied athletic ability in cardiovascular, strength, and endurance exercise and help them plan routines and focused diets based on physical goals. Are there people in SAs with PT backgrounds, or are they specifically looking for leadership in team-based athletics?

After briefly browsing these forums, I haven't seen anyone else in a situation similar to mine, which worries me. I'd appreciate any advice, and if pursuing the USMA is futile I'd like to know sooner rather than later so I can devote my attention to transferring to a Uni with Army ROTC.

Thank you.

 

[SeaMars]

I'm not sure anyone on this forum can give you an accurate answer because it is so specific to your case. If I were you, would find out who your regional admissions officer - the captain or major assigned to your geographical area by USMA, not just the Field Force Rep - and ask where the shortcomings in your application are, and what you can do to improve them. You have nothing to lose by asking the question, and everything to gain by leaving the sense that you really want this. Good luck!

 

[tug_boat]

Soul Searching....

Nobody on this forum can tell exactly if someone is going to make it not.

Service academies look for three pillars; Academics, Athletics and Leadership. I don’t know your background so you’ll have to compare yourself and see if you stack up.

If you look at USMA Class profiles, you’ll notice ACT/SAT score are very high compared to students across the nation. Average ACT 30-32/ SAT 680-720. Thus most of these applicants were in the upper 15% of their High School.

When attending USMA you must be involved in a sport. Thus 95% of applicants were involved in High School and/or Club sport. 85 to 90% of the applicants played at a Varsity level. Every year you will be tested athletically at USMA plus the other physical conditioning activities you must participate in. Have you taken the CFA test?

Most of the applicants have experienced junior leadership programs such as Scouts/Girl Scouts, Boy State and/or school club programs and rising to leadership positions.

I don’t know what college courses you have been taken at your CC. During your Plebe year you must take Chemistry class that weeds out the weak, Math and this year the struggle is middle eastern history. The academic demand is very stressful and if you fall behind it is difficult to catch up and may need to attend summer school.

There are many paths to becoming an officer that you may need to strongly consider. Look at AROTC programs that are now accepting applications. Or finishing up your four-year degree and entering OCS.

However, there are many who are attending USMA after a year or two of college. They have proven to be able to handle the workload.

Good Luck, I hope this helps.

Push Hard, Press Forward

 

[Dixieland]

Be sure and read all of the stickies at the top of the USMA forum page. Lots of helpful information and timelines.

 

[BigNick]

Bottom line if you want to maximize your chances-

get you file completed immediately. No waiting -no excuses - no delays - no hesitation - no "i will get this done next week-end or when i am not so busy"

if a teacher or school administrater is taking thier time to provide recommendations, transcrips, etc get the system activated now.