Active Duty to USMA

AJL894

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Jan 24, 2016
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Okay so I'm 21 and am joining the army, I have completed 54 college credits at a 3.5 GPA and I have a 30 ACT. My birthday is August 5, 1994, and I understand I can apply as long as I'm not over 23 by July 1st the year I apply? Do you guys think I have enough time to get in? Even if I do get my application in on time what are my chances? Are age waivers still a thing, or are they too rare to even consider? Like can I apply after just like one year in the Army? Any advice at all on my situation would be a huge help. I haven't even gotten a ship date yet so I don't know how much time I'll have!
 
I can't help you on any of your technical questions, but I sense your commitment to this goal and would encourage you to pursue it. Not everyone has all their ducks in a row as a 17 year old (I sure didn't) and there are many great cadets that entered the Academy as enlisted, prep, or ROTC/prior college experience. In fact, they seem to thrive with that extra year or two of maturity. So, I would suggest you reach out to Admissions and see if you can get in touch with your Regional Commander and ask. They're pretty busy right now (!) with all the appointments going out, so be patient. Keep pressing- stay fit, and look for leadership opportunities. Best of luck!
 
Go For it. My son is at the Army Prep school now. One of his classmates is a 23 year old prior enlisted. Has done 2 tours of duty. Get your application in, there are a ton of things to be completed. Might be helpful to have someone working with you (parent) to help keep on top of your portal. You will need to start chipping away at a list. Good Luck
 
I'm currently in AD. I'm 21 also ( 1994), and just received my appoint to Class of 2020. The only concern I'd have is what your MOS will be when enlisted, because your MOS will determine how long you'll be in AIT (Advanced Individual Training) for, which would then determine the amount of time you'd spend in your actual unit, which will significantly affect the relationship between you and your command, which will lastly affect basically everything relevant to the application process. If you already earned so much college credits, I'd recommend just going for ROTC or OCS after graduating. If not, there is also a program available to transition to the officer side in Active Duty called Green to Gold. If you can guarantee that you can earn your BA within 2 years of study, along with various other supporting documents in your packet, then you'll most likely be selected for that program; I'm not too familiar with this program either, however, so Google it if you are interested.
Send me a PM if you have any questions!
 
Okay so I'm 21 and am joining the army, I have completed 54 college credits at a 3.5 GPA and I have a 30 ACT. My birthday is August 5, 1994, and I understand I can apply as long as I'm not over 23 by July 1st the year I apply? Do you guys think I have enough time to get in? Even if I do get my application in on time what are my chances? Are age waivers still a thing, or are they too rare to even consider? Like can I apply after just like one year in the Army? Any advice at all on my situation would be a huge help. I haven't even gotten a ship date yet so I don't know how much time I'll have!

You will have to call the admissions office to get a clarification and hope the age limit is 23.

http://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/SitePages/Apply.aspx This website states not 23 before July 1

http://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/SitePages/FAQ_Soldiers.aspx This website states For all other Soldier candidates who do not meet this strict waiver criteria, you cannot be older than 22 years of age on July 1st of the year entering West Point (21 on July 1 of the year entering the Prep School).

The law says 23 before you start. To be eligible for admission to the Academy a candidate must be at least 17 years of age and must not have passed his twenty-third birthday on July 1 of the year in which he enters the Academy. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/4346

I am here to judge so attending West Point is what you want, assuming you can, go for it. I have seen a soldier in AIT getting an appointment. If you have a late birthday, you might even be consider for the Prep School.

What distinguishes a regular candidates for a soldier candidate is the commander's nomination. A soldier is classified as a soldier applicant even without the commander's nomination, but without the commander nomination, you won't compete in the soldier category. Although your stat could competitive enough in less competitive Congressional district to win the appointment.

So, if you are serious about applying to West Point, my suggestion is to get everything ready by September this year and apply both as soldier and regular candidate. If you get accepted to West Point, it trumps all other military obligations. What I seen soldier applicant struggle is getting their high school record and school official recommendations. You might have to get some college professor recommendation. Taking ACT again to improve your score won't hurt.

I seen it before as there is a path to success and for whatever reason many kids don't take that path.

Good luck.
 
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