Am I competitive West Point or Army ROTC

W

WrestlingX

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2011
Messages
17
Junior

Unweighted GPA 3.75
Rank 17 of 225
Competetive Private HS (99% attend 4yr college)
All APs and Honors
National Honor Society
National Spanish Honor Society
Class Vice President
Varsity Wrestling (2 letters)
Karate - Black Belt currently teach
SAT I 700 Cr, 700 Math 730 Wr, Only took One Sat II 730 (will take two more this spring)
 
I'm not an official administrator, but you sound pretty competitive. I am currently applying for the enter class of 2016 and I thought that SLS is helping me a lot in the process due that I got considered for an LOA and my scores weren't as high as yours.
 
What were your scores? I'm applying to the Naval Academy but am still waiting on my English teacher recommendation. I am just curious as to where I stand.
 
Thanks,

my scores are
700 math
700 critical reading
730 writing

I also took the SAT II world history and scored 730. I am also thinking I might try to get an ROTC scholarship but I understand that they will be limited in the coming years
 
Your pretty competitive, academically, but as far as leadership and athletics, you lack in comparison. For Army ROTC and West Point, academics are only part of the big picture. Although they are a significant part (approx. 60% of the WCS---whole candidate score---). Try to think of other leadership opportunities you have stepped up to throughout high school. Also, Boys State is a big thing to apply to for this summer! It is actually a separate "check" on your application to WP, so if you don't have it, then your not making the most of your app.

I, also, go to a private school whose college acceptance rate is 99%. We don't class rank because only 50 people are in my graduating class. I was awarded the AROTC scholarship and given a "Qualified" letter to West Point, and my academics are nothing like yours. I held several captainships, student body positions, and did a lot with the courts systems in my county. PM me if you need any advice/have any questions!
 
Blake3348 said:
Your pretty competitive, academically, but as far as leadership and athletics, you lack in comparison. For Army ROTC and West Point, academics are only part of the big picture. Although they are a significant part (approx. 60% of the WCS---whole candidate score---). Try to think of other leadership opportunities you have stepped up to throughout high school. Also, Boys State is a big thing to apply to for this summer! It is actually a separate "check" on your application to WP, so if you don't have it, then your not making the most of your app.

I, also, go to a private school whose college acceptance rate is 99%. We don't class rank because only 50 people are in my graduating class. I was awarded the AROTC scholarship and given a "Qualified" letter to West Point, and my academics are nothing like yours. I held several captainships, student body positions, and did a lot with the courts systems in my county. PM me if you need any advice/have any questions!
Click to expand...

You're correct in that more is better. But I didn't think OP's class VP, 2 Letters, and teaching Karate was anything to sneeze at. It's a good start at least.

To OP... try turning that VP into a P and land that wrestling captain slot. You can only improve your SAT scores by retaking so do that too. I didn't see any volunteer hours so perhaps you left them out, but if not, find something you're interested in and put in some hours to give back to the community or those in need. Not too late to help out serving Thanksgiving dinner or something.
 
WrestlingX,
I agree with "kinnem" - try to become a captain on your wrestling team, serve those in need in your community and try to become President for your senior year. Did you participate in Boy Scouts? Any shot at earning Eagle Rank?

Overall, you have a very strong combination of academics, leadership and athletics that USMA and AROTC are seeking. Your SAT scores are very impressive, but keep taking again and again to be able to submit the highest possible scores.

I would recommend you try to go to Boys State (sponsored by American Legion) and USMA Summer Leaders Seminar in June 2012 (http://admissions.usma.edu/summer_program.html ) .

I am very grateful to earn a 4-year AROTC Scholarship and recently offered an appointment to West Point. I have learned so much in the AROTC and USMA admissions process, but one thing I think worked best was looking at the official USMA Class of 2015 profile as well as those for prior classes(2014, 2013, etc). Evaluate the areas that are highlighted and you will see how you stack up against those who were admitted.

Compare your current statistics to USMA Class of 2015 profile: http://admissions.westpoint.edu/pdf/Profile.pdf

Here is a link to USMA 2014 statistics: http://www.usma.edu/class/2014/profile.asp

Finally, read as many books about West Point you can and watch some of the great videos available, too.

Good luck to you and Go ARMY!!
 
I would only hesitate to say "more is better" in the sense that people I think have been saying in this thread. Quality is always better than quantity. I can tell you that I pretty much was a one sport kid throughout high school, but that one sport I was pretty much putting all of my outside time into and being pretty successful in it. You want to show you are well rounded (and yes, I did other things then play soccer lol) but at the same time, make sure that whatever you are doing, you're doing your best. Don't spread yourself too thin and actually use your time to accomplish something worthwhile. That'll count for more in the long run
 
I appreciate the input. All the posts have been helpful. I believe I will be captain of wrestling in my senior year but will not know this until November 2012. As my class vice president I am involved in all the after school functions which takes a great deal of time. In Karate I teach classes three nights per week. I guess the difficulty I have is that I could join a couple of other activities but think it will appear that I am paddding a resume and would not be able to juggle everything. I do have volunteer hours (nothing too significant)

A couple have suggested I retake the SATs. I was pretty happy about my scores and wonder if I could do better. The percentile for the math was 93rd, CR 95th and writing
97th. In looking at the admitted classes these scores were well above the norm - will that really help to bring them up a couple of points each. Realistically I don't think I will score a perfect score.

Also would I be more competitive (typo in post)trying for Army ROTC. I hear they are cutting back drastically

I am definately planning on applying for SLS in the summer.

USMA 2016 you must be very excited about your accomplishments. I hope it will all pay off for me too

Thanks for the feedback
 
Thanks, I appreciate the input, ("competetive" was a typo) I too did a great deal with our court system over the past year. But beyond captain of varsity wrestling next year I don't think I will have additional opportunities.

Do you think I would be better suited for ROTC? I know nobody knows until they apply and a decision is made I just wanted to get a feel to determine I am being realistic in applying when compared to others. I clearly do not know much about this process

Thanks
 
WrestlingX said:
Do you think I would be better suited for ROTC?
Click to expand...
The best advice I can give you after having followed some of these threads for almost two years now:

Have multiple options working at the same time. You didn't mention the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy or their ROTC programs. In addition to Army ROTC/West Point, the next closes is Navy ROTC - Marine Option or the Naval Academy (also with an eye toward Marines). It is really difficult to predict from stats posted who will get the nod (or multiple nods), and who will not. For one, the essays and interviews are critical and those never appear on these Boards or on the Admitted Class stats.

bottom line -- If you are committed to serve in the Armed Forces, then apply to several options, and also keep an open mind toward participating in ROTC at a regular college even if you are not initially awarded a scholarship.

As to your qualifications, I would say that you are very strong Academically, strong athletically, and moderately strong in Leadership. I'd work on Leadership if I were in your position.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top