Combat Veteran applying to West Point

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RW1998

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Hey! I'm RW1998. I'm currently an infantryman in the 75th Ranger Regiment and a combat veteran with one deployment under my belt. West Point has always been a dream for me, my father was class of '91 and something just attracts me to the Academy. I've visited many times, read a lot about West Point, etc. Sadly, I went through some emotional problems in high school that led to me graduating with a 2.6 GPA (Not sure where I am class rank-wise, but am currently trying to find out)with no extracurriculars or athletics, so I joined the Army on an option 40 contract.

I've improved since then, performed well through Basic, Airborne School, and RASP. Deployed once. I've always maxed my PT test, scored expert on my rifle marksmanship, and won Soldier of the Quarter once. On the academic side I've taken a couple community college classes, so I now have 12 college credits and a 4.0 college GPA. I also studied my butt off preparing for the SAT while in Afghanistan and somehow got 2600 on my SAT. My Company Commander has also said he will give me a nomination.

Overall, I think my chances are pretty good considering my military career and post-high school academics. But part of me is still concerned that my poor high school performance will end up keeping me from an appointment to the Academy. Thank you, I'm looking very forward to learning a lot from this forum.
 
You have a typo in your SAT score...it's out of 1600..it was out of 2400. What is your score?
 
Regardless, have you started your application? For soldier applicants unless they have high academic achievements, most of them they end up at Prep school first. So, age limit comes into play. If you were born in 1998, you are okay. There is a age waiver process if combat deployment hinder you application, but appears not be the case for you. Lastly you need to introduce yourself to the Solder Admissions Officer, if you haven't done so already.

Good luck.

P.s if end happening to choose between Ranger school and applying to West Point, pick applying to West Point if you meant what you posted.
 
MemberLG said:
Regardless, have you started your application? For soldier applicants unless they have high academic achievements, most of them they end up at Prep school first. So, age limit comes into play. If you were born in 1998, you are okay. There is a age waiver process if combat deployment hinder you application, but appears not be the case for you. Lastly you need to introduce yourself to the Solder Admissions Officer, if you haven't done so already.

Good luck.

P.s if end happening to choose between Ranger school and applying to West Point, pick applying to West Point if you meant what you posted.
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Already started my application, and I'll definitely ask to speak to the Soldier Admissions Officer when I find out who he is.
 
Start here - send an email to: admissions.soldier@usma.edu -- that will go to the admissions representative handling active duty soldiers. As active duty, if your SAT scores are decent, you'll be fine. You will need a recommendation from your chain of command. Follow the admissions steps indicated at the admissions website.
 
You got 800M and 800V on the SAT? A high SAT score combined with the college credits should help counteract your academic performance in high school. You have obviously matured a lot since then. Congrats to you for getting your act together!
 
Another note to be aware of, unless something has changed since 2012, active duty, reserve, and national guard Soldier candidates compete against a different pool of applicants. I believe somewhere around 10% of seats per class are reserved for these Soldier candidates and so you compete directly against individuals like yourself, not students coming directly from high school or colleges. This is not to say you shouldn't present your best possible application, but the academy definitely values the experience Soldiers bring into the classes and from what I've read you have a very strong file. I wouldn't worry too much about the high school GPA, just be prepared to address it in interviews and your application. Best of luck!
 
Impressive perfect SAT scores on both verbal & math & Army resume for someone who, if born in 1998, is at most 19 y/o. I mean you joined the Army, completed Basic, joined the Rangers, completed Airborne School & RASP (RASP I is an 8 week course & RASP II, 3 weeks) got deployed, (past tense so I assume you're back) have another perfect score, a 4.o GPA with 12 college credits & performed your military duties so well you earned your Company Commander's nomination! All in under 2 years...unless you joined at 17 y/o with parental consent having graduated HS & received a High School Diploma I guess. Can you join on an Option 40 contract at 17?
Just seems to me to be a lot accomplished in a real, real tight timeline but hey, what do I know.
 
Please help us with the actual score as that matters. 1600 on the current test is a perfect score and would get you in almost in college in the US. The admissions FAQ says competitive scores for prep school is 1100 SAT.

Since you are currently in the service, you will compete for a Secretary of the Army appointment. Nominations are unlimited in this category and there are 100 available appointments. Those 100 appointments are split between ROTC/JROTC, Children of active duty soldiers and current soldiers. ROTC is capped at 25 but I do not have the exact percentages in front the others but it is either 25 or 50 for active soldiers.

What that means, if you are qualified (That is the unknown as only the admission committee can decide) you are competing only against other active duty applicants and you have to be in the top 25 of those applicants. Recent statistics show they never have enough qualified applicants.

Follow the advice outlined above and you should be fine. If you are not fully qualified, the prep school is a very good option to help prepare you for the academic rigors.
 
Dude if you're a Ranger with a deployment and you also have a perfect SAT, you're going to be accepted.

Biggest thing is finishing your application and getting your nomination and recommendations in.
 
MemberLG said:
For soldier applicants unless they have high academic achievements, most of them they end up at Prep school first. So, age limit comes into play. If you were born in 1998, you are okay. There is a age waiver process if combat deployment hinder you application, but appears not be the case for you.
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Age waivers no longer being granted for combat vets.
 
mike6 said:
Dude if you're a Ranger with a deployment and you also have a perfect SAT, you're going to be accepted.

Biggest thing is finishing your application and getting your nomination and recommendations in.
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What he said. USMA uses a rolling admission process, so get you stuff done now. You’re already a little behind, but if you can get it done by end of October/November you should be fine.
DD was a vet and it gives you advantages but also things you will need to overcome that may be easier for others.
In your application process, understand that once the “cat is out of the bag” some of the NCOs may not appreciate the path you are taking.
You will be among the oldest in your class. Vets are normally split up, so there’s a good chance you will find yourself roooming with 17/18 year olds who will need some guidance and won’t relate to your experiences. You won’t be able o interact with the upper classmen who do relate as a Plebe.
The military quirks of West Point may annoy you. There’s the Army way, and there’s the West Point way. They are not necessarily one and the same.
Feel free to PM if you have questions about my DDs experience.
 
The correct contact is CPT Mason...

http://www.usma.edu/admissions/SitePages/Current Soldiers.aspx

Wishful referenced a document from June 3, 2014...just look at the doc's URL.


Wishful said:
"I'll definitely ask to speak to the Soldier Admissions Officer when I find out who he is."

USMA Soldier Admissions Points of Contact:
USMA Soldier Admissions Officer:
MAJ Jason Dupuis
Email: Jason.Dupuis@usma.edu
Phone: 845-938-5780
DSN: 688-5730

http://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/SiteAssets/SitePages/Pros_Cadets_Soldiers/Information for Units and Commanders vDUP 3JUN2014.pdf?Mobile=1&Source=/admissions/_layouts/mobile/dispform.aspx?List=bed80377%2D34b2%2D4f96%2D81b4%2Da64f409f03a5&View=cf4d3b57%2D25a3%2D41bb%2D9f3d%2Deb1b3549e9d7&RootFolder=%2Fadmissions%2FSiteAssets%2FSitePages%2FPros%5FCadets%5FSoldiers&ID=128&CurrentPage=1
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If MAJ Jason Dupuis is still there, I can tell you he is a great guy to talk to. He met with my son, wife and me the first time my son visited WP after his application was in, and was incredibly candid. He was the RC on duty that day. Also gave us a fantastic tour of WP, filled with inside info. He is a very proud WP grad. I thought he said he was leaving WP shortly after we were there, and that was a couple years ago. Maybe he is back.
 
If you're lucky enough to be at Redstone Arsenal, AL, you can catch him there.... https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-dupuis-57ba262b/

brovol said:
If MAJ Jason Dupuis is still there, I can tell you he is a great guy to talk to. He met with my son, wife and me the first time my son visited WP after his application was in, and was incredibly candid. He was the RC on duty that day. Also gave us a fantastic tour of WP, filled with inside info. He is a very proud WP grad. I thought he said he was leaving WP shortly after we were there, and that was a couple years ago. Maybe he is back.
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OP hasn't posted since September 21st. Wonder what's up?
 
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