Application factors ranked?

[bigbody]

Hey everyone, this is my very first post on this forum! I am a sophomore in high school, with a 3.6 UW/ 4.75 W, 1330 SAT right now but I am working to get it up as much as I can (hopefully), am in the top 15% of my class, play golf (varsity) and run track (JV), have around 100 volunteer hours currently, active in clubs, with 2 leadership positions as of right now(secretary and president/founder) but running for more next year, and pretty physically fit. I don't have much family in the military, though my grandpa was a freedom fighter for India, and I know of many people who are attending/have attended USMA/USAFA. I also hope to attend boys state.

Anyways a couple of questions.
1) What are the most/least important factors in a candidate's application?
2) What are some areas I can improve upon?
3) Can I compensate with anything on my application to cover for a weak point in my app?\

Also random question, but does being a minority have any effect on admissions?

 

[bt18]

First and foremost, the only person who can give you primary source information on your application is your RC, seeing as you are a sophomore you probably have not opened an application yet. Open an application, contact your FFR and talk with him about your file, he will help mentor you if you are truly serious about West Point. I'd also recommend reading through "The West Point Candidate Book" (I personally found it pretty helpful).

1) What are the most/least important factors in a candidate's application?

1. Academics 60% of application (SAT/ACT, Class Rank, GPA, AP/IB, etc.)
2. Leadership 30% of application (Team Captain, leader of club, eagle scout, boys state, etc.)
3. Athletics 10% of application (CFA)

2) What are some areas I can improve upon?

1. Improve Standardized test scores, also try the ACT (I got a 1200 on the SAT and a 30 on the ACT; trying the other can help) ALSO TAKE THE WRITING PORTIONS
2. You're unweighted GPA could use some work, you're just a sophomore so you have time to try and improve that, do your absolute best to improve (shoot for 3.8)
3. Try and seek some varsity letters in track
4. Try and seek more leadership positions in things you are passionate about, clubs are great, but go for things like Team Captain in a sport you love (I only had 2 years varsity wrestling team captain as leadership, but I also dedicated my entire athletic career to wrestling, dropping football/golf to wrestle year round)
5. Continue to exercise and stay in great shape (pull ups, push ups, sit ups, running)

3) Can I compensate with anything on my application to cover for a weak point in my app?\

1. Score higher on your standardized tests
2. Take hard courses and succeed in them to make up for weaker GPA (I finished high school with a 3.4 weighted, due to laziness frosh/sophomore years; I loaded my junior/senior year with AP's and worked my tail off to get A's)
3. Boys state looks great
4. Try and find something with leadership positions you enjoy and are passionate about that can show admissions who you are

Also random question, but does being a minority have any effect on admissions?

From what I have read, yes; it is all depending on the type of minority you are and your situation. You seem to be Indian based on your post which I have no idea about how that will impact your application (another thing to discuss with you FFR).

I don't have much family in the military, though my grandpa was a freedom fighter for India, and I know of many people who are attending/have attended USMA/USAFA.

You do not need to know people in the military to get into West Point, nor know any alumni; Your grandpa sounds like a great admissions essay topic to write about.

Ultimately, have fun in high school and try not to worry too much about this now. Be the best you, you can be and bring fourth the best application you can, read up on the admissions/DoDMERB/Nominations processes from previous threads here, and read through the entire USMA webpage to learn more and prepare yourself. Good luck man!