Application Strength

[EastRound]

Hi,
I have finished everything on my application (pending DODMERB and Nomination).

This is my resume:

Academics:
1) 12 AP classes total
2) Senior schedule: AP Research, AP Statistics, Finance IV (honors), AP Computer Science, AP Literature, Band (honors), AP Gov, AP Macroeconomics, Spanish III (honors), Physics (honors). Straight A's so far.
3) Junior schedule: AP Seminar, AP Language, Finance III (honors), AP US History, Band, Banking, AP Environmental Science, Spanish II, Precalculus (honors). Straight A's.
4) 4.0 unweighted, 4.443 weighted
5) I have passed all past AP exams with a 4 or 5 and see no reason why I won't pass them this year
6) 1330 SAT
7) Class rank: 26/609

Extracurricular:
1) President of Rotary Interact Club (volunteer club)
>Organized several volunteer service activities
>Previously officer
2) President of Business Professionals of America
>3rd place in State Leadership Competition
>Previously treasurer
3) Secretary of NHS
4) Public Relations officer of NEHS
5) Band Section Leader
6) 200 community service hours

Athletics:
1) 1 year of varsity cross country (varsity letter)
2) 1 year of track and field (might get varsity letter)
3) 1 year of JV rowing
4) 2 years intramural basketball
5) Successfully passed CFA

Work Experience:
1) 1 year as server for retirement home (10-15 hours a week)
2) 2 years as bank teller for local credit union (10 hours a week)
3) Small yard work for neighbors (5 hours a week)

What else can I do to make my application stronger, even for next year's application? What do West Point and MOC boards like to see in a candidate? (I plan on attending the University of Florida in the fall if I don't receive an appointment).

 

[bt18]

If you receive the TWE open your application the next day, and email your RC asking what you can do to make your file more competitive. Get as much of it done as quickly as possible. I would also say study and retake the SAT/ACT (I know it sucks), although this is the easiest way to raise your WCS. You should also email your FFR letting him/her know you are reapplying and excited to compete again, also ask what he/she believes you can do to be more competitive. Lastly, apply for every nom you are eligible for early and confirm sources have received it early as well.

In addition to the application, ROTC may be an option you want to consider. It offers a service connected nomination, and an excellent source of commissioning if the academy does not work out.

What I have learned over these past two years of being a reapplicant is determination is key. If you are determined to get into the academy show them how bad you want it. Email both your FFR and RC, get them to know you, get them to understand how bad you want an appointment. I'll leave you with the words my FFR told me "If you decide to reapply, come back with a vengeance".

 

[EastRound]

If you receive the TWE open your application the next day, and email your RC asking what you can do to make your file more competitive. Get as much of it done as quickly as possible. I would also say study and retake the SAT/ACT (I know it sucks), although this is the easiest way to raise your WCS. You should also email your FFR letting him/her know you are reapplying and excited to compete again, also ask what he/she believes you can do to be more competitive. Lastly, apply for every nom you are eligible for early and confirm sources have received it early as well.

In addition to the application, ROTC may be an option you want to consider. It offers a service connected nomination, and an excellent source of commissioning if the academy does not work out.

What I have learned over these past two years of being a reapplicant is determination is key. If you are determined to get into the academy show them how bad you want it. Email both your FFR and RC, get them to know you, get them to understand how bad you want an appointment. I'll leave you with the words my FFR told me "If you decide to reapply, come back with a vengeance".

Thanks for advice. I plan to keep reapplying till I get in or hit the age limit.

 

[BeastBarracks2024USMA]

Hi,
I have finished everything on my application (pending DODMERB and Nomination).

This is my resume:

Academics:
1) 12 AP classes total
2) Senior schedule: AP Research, AP Statistics, Finance IV (honors), AP Computer Science, AP Literature, Band (honors), AP Gov, AP Macroeconomics, Spanish III (honors), Physics (honors). Straight A's so far.
3) Junior schedule: AP Seminar, AP Language, Finance III (honors), AP US History, Band, Banking, AP Environmental Science, Spanish II, Precalculus (honors). Straight A's.
4) 4.0 unweighted, 4.443 weighted
5) I have passed all past AP exams with a 4 or 5 and see no reason why I won't pass them this year
6) 1330 SAT
7) Class rank: 26/609

Extracurricular:
1) President of Rotary Interact Club (volunteer club)
>Organized several volunteer service activities
>Previously officer
2) President of Business Professionals of America
>3rd place in State Leadership Competition
>Previously treasurer
3) Secretary of NHS
4) Public Relations officer of NEHS
5) Band Section Leader
6) 200 community service hours

Athletics:
1) 1 year of varsity cross country (varsity letter)
2) 1 year of track and field (might get varsity letter)
3) 1 year of JV rowing
4) 2 years intramural basketball
5) Successfully passed CFA

Work Experience:
1) 1 year as server for retirement home (10-15 hours a week)
2) 2 years as bank teller for local credit union (10 hours a week)
3) Small yard work for neighbors (5 hours a week)

What else can I do to make my application stronger, even for next year's application? What do West Point and MOC boards like to see in a candidate? (I plan on attending the University of Florida in the fall if I don't receive an appointment).

I would focus on improving your SAT score, although you might find the ACT easier. Actually, I also got a 1330 SAT, but I ended up submitting my ACT score. But don't worry if you're struggling to improve you're score before the deadline because a 1330 is still a good score. West Point loves to see leadership experience and that you're a person of character. A lot of the people applying have a lot of leadership experience, stellar academics, and are varsity athletes. In my opinion, the essays, letters of recommendation, and interview are extremely important because they differentiate you from other candidates and give you the chance to show West Point you're the type of person they want. All that being said, I think you have a very strong application (much stronger than mine). Also, I'm a cadet right now, so if you have any other questions about West Point, the application process, etc. just let me know!

P.S. Like bt18 said, I would also explore ROTC options. If you don't receive an appointment, or decide ROTC is better for you personally, it's a great commissioning source and you'll still have a lot of opportunities.

 

[EastRound]

I would focus on improving your SAT score, although you might find the ACT easier. Actually, I also got a 1330 SAT, but I ended up submitting my ACT score. But don't worry if you're struggling to improve you're score before the deadline because a 1330 is still a good score. West Point loves to see leadership experience and that you're a person of character. A lot of the people applying have a lot of leadership experience, stellar academics, and are varsity athletes. In my opinion, the essays, letters of recommendation, and interview are extremely important because they differentiate you from other candidates and give you the chance to show West Point you're the type of person they want. All that being said, I think you have a very strong application (much stronger than mine). Also, I'm a cadet right now, so if you have any other questions about West Point, the application process, etc. just let me know!

P.S. Like bt18 said, I would also explore ROTC options. If you don't receive an appointment, or decide ROTC is better for you personally, it's a great commissioning source and you'll still have a lot of opportunities.

Hey, thank you so much for the feedback. Will be retaking the SAT soon.

 

[DeepWaters]

You definitely have a record to be proud of. As others have noted, improving your SAT would help, and it sounds like you're working to shore that up. Your athletics are probably at the lower end compared to many applicants, and I'm not sure what your CFA looks like, but that's something to be mindful of. Maybe pick up a club sport if you go to Florida? Have you applied to ROTC? The University of Florida I'm pretty sure has an Army ROTC program. I think your volunteer service is strong, I love the fact that you are a band leader (being well rounded seems to me to be something that should weigh in your favor), and for me at least, what stuck out was your extensive work experience. I come from an area where kids are busy padding their resumes doing all sorts of other things other than working at a paying job, but in my view actually working/being employed shows discipline, grit, time management skills, development of people skills -- all of which are as valuable if not more so than adding another club to one's resume. Good luck.

 

[EastRound]

You definitely have a record to be proud of. As others have noted, improving your SAT would help, and it sounds like you're working to shore that up. Your athletics are probably at the lower end compared to many applicants, and I'm not sure what your CFA looks like, but that's something to be mindful of. Maybe pick up a club sport if you go to Florida? Have you applied to ROTC? The University of Florida I'm pretty sure has an Army ROTC program. I think your volunteer service is strong, I love the fact that you are a band leader (being well rounded seems to me to be something that should weigh in your favor), and for me at least, what stuck out was your extensive work experience. I come from an area where kids are busy padding their resumes doing all sorts of other things other than working at a paying job, but in my view actually working/being employed shows discipline, grit, time management skills, development of people skills -- all of which are as valuable if not more so than adding another club to one's resume. Good luck.

Thank you for the feedback. I will continue to participate in sports.
It’s funny, last year, I could barely run a mile and could do 35 push ups max. Now, after so much time and work, I am able to run 8 miles at a steady pace and pulled 52 push ups. Thanks for the luck, I won’t give up on West Point.