Advice Thread

USMA2016

Appointee - Class of 2016
5-Year Member
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Dec 19, 2010
Messages
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To those who have been through the admissions process (whether successfully or unsuccessfully),

Gems of advice are usually pretty scattered across many threads and hidden in strange places. I'd just like to ask all of you if anyone had any advice for us incoming candidates for the next admissions cycle. Anything at all, help is help!

Thanks!
 
This is an idea of what I've seen on the forums:

-Get excellent scores on the CFA and early to get it out of the way.

-Get DoDMERB out of the way.

-Get excellent SAT/ACT scores, take again if needed.

-Continue to update your file, with scores/extracurriculars/etc.

-Push yourself in academics, sports, leadership, etc (But not to the point where you cannot handle it).

-Apply for all noms possible. You can apply for at least 4. It seems all representatives and senators don't have a "rolling" acceptance for applications so you don't have to send it in asap.

-Visit West Point (and other academies if possible/or applying to).

-Have Admissions, your MALO, and your regional commander in your e-mail contacts :biggrin:.

-Stay optimistic and keep pushing yourself to your goal. It is a long process.

And....
Stay out of trouble.
 
^
You forgot... "APPLY EARLY!"

Which is self-evident by now XD
 
I am nearly done with my sophomore year in high school. I want to try and attend the SLS program, but before the time comes to apply, what things can I do to help benefit myself and get me prepared?
 
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I nearly done with my sophomore year in high school. I want to try and attend the SLS program, but before the time comes to apply, what things can I do to help benefit myself and get me prepared?

Sports and standardized testing; you don't necessarily have to have taken the SAT/ACT, but definitely take the PSAT if your school offers it (and practice for it if you need to).

I only had one season's worth of a sport (lacrosse) and a couple of clubs when I signed up, but I had a 215 PSAT and I'm convinced that's why I got accepted to SLS.
 
Sports and standardized testing; you don't necessarily have to have taken the SAT/ACT, but definitely take the PSAT if your school offers it (and practice for it if you need to).

I took the PSAT earlier my sophomore year, I am not too sure on my score, but I know that I did not get into the 200s. My math was pretty high, but my reading/writing was about average.
 
Three Most Important Things

1. Go to ALL local info sessions.
Get to know your Regional admissions person and make sure he knows
you by sight, and name.

2. Start the application EARLY, like the first day, and check the portal
EVERY DAY. Get to know the rest of the WP website too.

3. Do WHATEVER it takes to get forms in IMMEDIATELY. NO procrastination,
NONE!! If someone is not being helpful, camp on their doorstep or get
somebody else.
 
Three Most Important Things...continued

Everything was done, file complete, in July 2010.
My son got his LOA August 2010 and had no college worries during senior year.
He reports for R-Day June 27,2011
 
Everything was done, file complete, in July 2010.
My son got his LOA August 2010 and had no college worries during senior year.
He reports for R-Day June 27,2011

I approve of this.

Good luck to him!

BTW, I was going to phone my admissions officer (will still for other reasons), but perhaps somebody hear can clarify this:

Should transcripts be "sent" to WP, or should a school official be in charge of sending the transcripts?

Thanks in advance!
 
Much good advice above. Try to be the first on in the nation to complete EVERY REQUIREMENT. Do not ever delay - jump on every requirement as if your final success depended on it. If someone (teacher, school admin etc) is not responding quickly go to someone else. Never accept a delay. Do not hesitate to ask questions of your MALO - update your file everytime somthing good happens.
 
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I only had one season's worth of a sport (lacrosse) and a couple of clubs when I signed up, but I had a 215 PSAT and I'm convinced that's why I got accepted to SLS.

That's pretty much the same for me. I got a 213 and was accepted almost immediately after applying. It kinda surprised me how quickly I got the acceptance packet. And I didn't even have one season of sport. I was in the middle of my first year of wrestling. So I'm pretty sure SLS acceptance isn't as selective as they make it out to be. Acceptance into West Point itself is the true accomplishment :wink:
 
Great advice for the candidates! However, I would also add: have a backup plan in case you don't get in West Point. Visit and apply to other colleges and apply for an ROTC scholarship. Continue to apply for merit scholarships.

Take a look at the profile of the Class of 2014 for a perspective on how many applied and how many were actually accepted: http://www.usma.edu/Class/2014/profile.asp. It is extremely competitive so do everything you can to set yourself apart.
 
Make sure you get in contact with your teachers who fill out the teacher evaluations before school gets out! They don't take long at all, but teachers are very busy.

Good luck to all!
 
How about the school's official evaluation (or whatever that is called)?
 
I approve of this.

Good luck to him!

BTW, I was going to phone my admissions officer (will still for other reasons), but perhaps somebody hear can clarify this:

Should transcripts be "sent" to WP, or should a school official be in charge of sending the transcripts?

Thanks in advance!

I had my councilor officially sign and seal my transcript with a school seal. I mailed it out myself to ensure it got to WP in a speedy manner.
 
Talk with your high school counselor - leadership

Go talk to your guidance counselor. The Academy is not looking for you to be a member of every club/sport. They are looking for demonstrated leadership. Eagle Scout, Class President, Club President (pick a club), Yearbook Editor, Team Captain in a sport, Lector at Church (also helps with public speaking) etc.

Tell your counselor you want to go to West Point and you're looking for a leadership position opportunity to help you improve your file/chances. See if they'll help guide your way. Then work for it yourself.

GOOD LUCK!
 
I had my councilor officially sign and seal my transcript with a school seal. I mailed it out myself to ensure it got to WP in a speedy manner.

That's good to know. Good idea. Thanks!
 
All of what's been said has been excellent.

In order to add something else to the pool of advice that I don't think has been mentioned yet, I would say work on your character.

None of us is perfect, but we can and should work to better our character.

Start to ask the difficult questions of life. What your purpose is, what makes you happy, what motivates you, what do you want to do with your life and why, whether or not you will be able to look back on your life at your deathbed and say that you lived a life with minimal or no regrets.

It may not necessarily help with admissions in as direct a manner as the CFA would, but it can certainly help you to at least begin to develop a foundation for leadership of character, which is ultimately the goal of USMA.

I think that we too often forget, in the educating, training and inspiring, just why it is that the academy exists: to ensure that "each graduate is a leader of character committed to the values of Duty Honor, and Country...."

Just my $0.02
 
That's pretty much the same for me. I got a 213 and was accepted almost immediately after applying. It kinda surprised me how quickly I got the acceptance packet. And I didn't even have one season of sport. I was in the middle of my first year of wrestling. So I'm pretty sure SLS acceptance isn't as selective as they make it out to be. Acceptance into West Point itself is the true accomplishment :wink:

Just wanted to add that, on the other hand, if you aren't accepted to SLS, don't be discouraged. I got denied from SLS and almost didn't continue my application. But I did, and got my LoA in September and Nom in November. SLS is not an accurate prediction of whether or not you'll receive an appointment.
 
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