I applied three times before earning an appointment to USMA. I retook only my ACT (even though I was already above the average USMA standardized test scores), but studying and retaking both would be beneficial. If you were offered an USMA Preparatory School slot or an AOG scholarship to a junior college, you should take those offers. If not your best option, In my opinion, would be to attend a Senior Military College (SMC's) and become competitive and active within your Army ROTC program. The SMC's are Texas A&M University, Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, Norwich, Virginia Tech, and the University of North Georgia. I am from New York and attended Texas A&M University for as they have the largest Corps of Cadets and Army ROTC program nationally outside of West Point alongside nationally ranked academics. Your top priorities should be grades, nominations, SAT/ACT scores, completing your application in a timely manner, recommendations (i.e. Commandant of Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, Professor of Military Science, etc.), and involvement within extracurriculars (i.e. Rudder's Rangers/Ranger Challenge cadet programs, honor societies, professional organizations, intramural athletics, Corps of Cadets/Army ROTC leadership, etc.). Make sure to continually keep in contact with your Regional Coordinator and most importantly your regional technical coordinator; be a person they know and not a file.
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