Current Cadet - AMA

hutch1

Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
51
Hey guys, c/o 2024 cadet here, I just wanted to put myself out there as a resource for 2025 applicants as I know how helpful these forums were for me while I was applying. If you have any questions regarding the application process or about classes and life of the academy, feel free to write below, and I'll answer to the best of my ability.
 
1. What’s the one piece of advice that you received before R-Day that you ignored that you shouldn’t have?

2. What’s something you didn’t know about Beast that you could’ve prepared for had you known?

3. What’s the most important skill set to hone that would allow you to be successful in Beast?

4. Would you recommend completing you application early and continuing to supplement it or perfecting your application and turning it in later in the process?

Thanks for putting yourself out there and thanks for having the courage to take on USMA and all that comes with it.
 
1. What were your CFA scores?

2. When did you complete the application process?

3. What made you choose USMA over the other Service Academies?

Thanks in advance for answering, and best of luck to you this school year!
 
1. What’s the one piece of advice that you received before R-Day that you ignored that you shouldn’t have?

2. What’s something you didn’t know about Beast that you could’ve prepared for had you known?

3. What’s the most important skill set to hone that would allow you to be successful in Beast?

4. Would you recommend completing you application early and continuing to supplement it or perfecting your application and turning it in later in the process?

Thanks for putting yourself out there and thanks for having the courage to take on USMA and all that comes with it.

1) Get really good at push-ups/body weight exercises. When your BEAST cadre 'smoke' you (punish w physical activity), it usually is push-ups, V-ups, or something along those lines. If you are able to get to a point where you are even more fit than your cadre (for example being able to hold push-ups longer) it will make smoke sessions much easier for you and not impact you mentally as much. My physical training before BEAST consisted mainly of baseball-specific workouts, so there weren't much push-ups involved, and I wish I had focused more on that aspect.

2) The thing that caught me the most off guard going into BEAST (especially the first couple of days/the first week or so) was the cadet ranking system. I didn't realize the importance of the ranks and the names of each rank, so I got an earful for greeting incorrectly or not knowing someone's rank quite frequently at the beginning. Definitely wish I had known the ranks going in. I believe you can find them on google.

3) Mental toughness and timeliness/time management. Get used to failure. That was probably the biggest adjustment for me, as most of the accepted CCs are the best from their area. BEAST is intended to find what you are bad at and make you better. Everyone will experience plenty of failures during their BEAST, so it's important to accept that you will mess up and be yelled at and dropped, etc. The 'time hacks' the cadre give to you (time you have until being fully dressed in a uniform, etc.) are often intentionally less time than possible to get ready. The more efficient you are with your time, the less you'll get yelled at. Prep your clothes for the next day before you go to sleep (usually PTs).

4) Definitely get your application in early. Obviously, don't submit an application that you just rushed through without doing everything correctly, but just remember that you can add achievements to your application after you get it finished (update SAT/ACT and varsity letters, etc.) If you're trying to get an LOA, this is even more crucial because LOA's are usually sent early in the admissions cycle. Prioritize the academy application over the nom applications, but make sure you get your nom apps in on time. There are more incentives for finishing your WP app early than your nom app.
 
1. What were your CFA scores?

2. When did you complete the application process?

3. What made you choose USMA over the other Service Academies?

Thanks in advance for answering, and best of luck to you this school year!

1)
B-Ball Throw - 88 feet
Shuttle Run - 8.8 sec
Push-Ups - 41
Pull-Ups - 7
Sit-Ups - 78
Mile Run - 6:28

2)
I had everything done except for CFA and Med by November. Submitted my CFA mid December, and I had to give more info for DODMERB because of a benign tumor I had so I wasn't 3Q until January. I got my 3Q letter mid-late January I think, and I got my admissions decision 6 Feb. If possible, definitely get your application done sooner than I did.

3)
I really went back and forth between which academies I was interested in until about November. I thought that WP gave me the best options in terms of majors and opportunities. I was truly set on WP after my overnight visit. If you haven't already, I highly recommend coming here for a visit; it's surreal.
 
Not 2025 applicants 2028, but any advice for High School? As well, what were your community service hours like? Did you do it through one or two organizations or a lot of them? Was it something you felt really important to you, or just getting what you needed done?
 
Not 2025 applicants 2028, but any advice for High School? As well, what were your community service hours like? Did you do it through one or two organizations or a lot of them? Was it something you felt really important to you, or just getting what you needed done?

For high school, make sure you try to get at least a varsity letter in one sport. The more the better. Apply for leadership positions in your ECs. My community service consisted of 5 different organizations. I was in NHS, YMSL (Young Men's Service League), PALs (Peer Assistance Leadership, mentoring young students in my school district), leading a youth group at my church, and serving as a translator for spanish speaking families at Operation Care Intl. in Dallas. I was the most passionate about op care probably, which is a good talking point in interviews and such. NHS and YMSL were pretty much just getting hours for the resume.

Edit - prep and take the SAT/ACT as much as possible. The academies superscore (you can look into it on google), and it is a big factor in the WCS. For me, my SAT/ACT were what separated me from other applicants.
 
1. Now that you have a few weeks of the academic year under your belt is the coursework easier than you expected, harder than you expected or about what you expected? Do all your professors teach using the Thayer method?

2. What’s been your biggest surprise about West Point that you didn’t know going in?

3. Was the football game enjoyable even with social distancing in effect?

4. How many hours do students normally take each year?

Thanks in advance for taking time to respond!
 
1. Now that you have a few weeks of the academic year under your belt is the coursework easier than you expected, harder than you expected or about what you expected? Do all your professors teach using the Thayer method?

2. What’s been your biggest surprise about West Point that you didn’t know going in?

3. Was the football game enjoyable even with social distancing in effect?

4. How many hours do students normally take each year?

Thanks in advance for taking time to respond!
1) Honestly, so far it hasn't been too bad. The coursework isn't extremely difficult, it is just hard to balance teaching yourself outside of class (thayer...all of my teachers use it) with sports/clubs.

2) I would say the biggest surprise is the amount of change I've seen in myself. I knew that this place would develop me as a person and a leader (that's why I ultimately chose WP), but I didn't realize how much and how quickly. Ex. decision making skills, grit, time management, etc.

3) Yeah the football game was pretty solid...wished we threw the ball more because it's more entertaining to watch.

4) Not sure if it differs per corps squad or not, but I am taking 18.5. I've heard anywhere from 18-21. The minimum per semester is 16 I believe.
 
My daughter applied last year, received a nomination but sadly did not receive an appointment. So she is in the process of reapplying to USMA. Her high school academics and leadership are very strong and has great test scores. She received a LOE and has already been cleared medically. But she is struggling with the CFA.
Any advice you can share with me to give to her to encourage her and build her CFA confidence up?
 
My daughter applied last year, received a nomination but sadly did not receive an appointment. So she is in the process of reapplying to USMA. Her high school academics and leadership are very strong and has great test scores. She received a LOE and has already been cleared medically. But she is struggling with the CFA.
Any advice you can share with me to give to her to encourage her and build her CFA confidence up?
Congrats on the LOE! Not a sure-in, but a good sign nonetheless. My biggest piece of advice is to train, train, train. I know it is obvious, but making sure she is working out with specific goals in mind (ex. improving push ups), and tailoring her workouts to what she needs to focus on improving is important. Also, focus on the nutrition and rest (sleep and days off) aspect of the training. I have found those to be powerful tools that are often overlooked. She has time to re-take it, so I would suggest she takes some time to sit down and make a plan for herself (both physical and nutrition) and then hold herself to it and re-test. There are also great videos on youtube that helped me up my scores. If you search up "west point cfa tips" on youtube you will find some videos made by Mountain Technical Institute...great resource (especially for the basketball throw as form can increase your score big time).

Running: the nike app has customizable running programs in which you can set mileage and time goals and it makes a plan for you
Other Fitness: plenty of resources for building strength can be found on the internet (pec triceps and delts for pushups, lat back and biceps for pull ups/flexed arm hang, sprint training for agility, core for pretty much everything)
Nutritions: myfitnesspal is great...free to download and use - will help her track macros and keep herself accountable for eating well to fuel her body

Some encouragement: 2 of my roommates had to retake their CFAs and they both got appointments...definitely doable. Remember all the work she has put in to applying and involvement in HS/college. Don't give up when you hit a set back!

Best of luck to your DS, hope to see her here next year!
 
Thank you for doing this! I have a few random questions.

1) How is the food?
2) How much sleep do you get a night?
3) What's the attrition rate for your year been like so far. I know it's early. But I'm curious whether those who left did so because of the academics or the physical part or just decided it wasn't a good fit. I know you may not know the answers, but I am just curious.
4) For your ACT, what was your math score? You have a great total ACT score, and I have a similar score, but my english is what is carrying me and my math is just above average. I was told that the math score is more important than the english score.
5) Did you get an LOE and/or an LOA?
6) Is it at all cliquish?
7) Do you know yet what you want to major in?

Thank you.
 
Thank you for doing this! I have a few random questions.

1) How is the food?
2) How much sleep do you get a night?
3) What's the attrition rate for your year been like so far. I know it's early. But I'm curious whether those who left did so because of the academics or the physical part or just decided it wasn't a good fit. I know you may not know the answers, but I am just curious.
4) For your ACT, what was your math score? You have a great total ACT score, and I have a similar score, but my english is what is carrying me and my math is just above average. I was told that the math score is more important than the english score.
5) Did you get an LOE and/or an LOA?
6) Is it at all cliquish?
7) Do you know yet what you want to major in?

Thank you.

I'll let OP give you their opinion, but just wanted to give you some of my experiences. I graduated a few a years ago, but when I was in your shoes, I tried to get a wide variety of answers and maybe my answers can give you another perspective on life at WP.

1. food was alright. SLE definitely had better food. There is always a salad option.
2. This varies depending on how much you prioritize your work, how efficiently you study/work, procrastinate, etc. Im generally bad at managing my time and remember staying up until 1 or 2 a lot of the nights throughout plebe year. The rest of my time at WP, i would usually get to bed by 11.
3. varies on class and i dont remember mine after plebe year. I think we were still around 1200
4. i think my act score was a 32, math score was a 32, and it was my science score that carried me
5. i had a LOE. i know waiting can be difficult, but stay strong and try to be optimistic. i got rejected by 10 colleges and was denied any ROTC scholarships
6. cliquish depending on who you ask and varies from company to team
 
Thank you for doing this! I have a few random questions.

1) How is the food?
2) How much sleep do you get a night?
3) What's the attrition rate for your year been like so far. I know it's early. But I'm curious whether those who left did so because of the academics or the physical part or just decided it wasn't a good fit. I know you may not know the answers, but I am just curious.
4) For your ACT, what was your math score? You have a great total ACT score, and I have a similar score, but my english is what is carrying me and my math is just above average. I was told that the math score is more important than the english score.
5) Did you get an LOE and/or an LOA?
6) Is it at all cliquish?
7) Do you know yet what you want to major in?

Thank you.
1) The food this year is pretty subpar compared to when I took my visit last year. That being said, they are implementing a "go for green" program starting in a couple of days. This is intended to transition the food to healthier and fresher options so hopefully it goes well.
2) I go to bed anywhere from 12-2 (4-6.5 hours/night) most nights because of school work. However, much like toomuchtimeonmyhands said it depends on the difficulty of your classes and how well you can prioritize and get your work done. Also depends on if you are corps squad or involved in a ton of stuff or not. I make up for losing sleep with mid day naps when I can or during the weekends (8-9 hours of sleep on the weekends). It also depends on what you have going on that day (i.e. early formation, A/C training on weekends, etc.)
3) We hit the average number of beast dropouts for the whole detail from past years in one week. A lot of it has to do with the pandemic...masks make everything 10x worse (nobody likes breathing wet cloth while getting smoked), A-day being canceled, feeling trapped here (haven't left since R-Day), etc. One of the kids in my company is able to see his class rank, and it shows total class size as right under 1000 as of now. However, I'm not completely sure if that is accurate or what the number actually is. Most of the reasons I hear for dropping out isn't fitness or academics it usually wasn't a good fit for them or they just plain hated it here.
4) Subscores were:
35 - english
31 - math
34 - reading
33 - science
My SAT scores were stronger than my ACT. (780 math 770 English)
5) I received a LOE.
6) It isn't extremely cliquish. That being said, there are groups such as prepsters and corps squaders that are pretty segregated from everyone else by choice. That was part of the reason I left corps squad.
7) First choice is business management. Second is Spanish/Portuguese.
 
Thank you so much for doing this.
I had a question regarding major choices. You mentioned above that your first choice is business management and your second is spanish/portuguese. Do you have to apply for majors as well? Or do you just declare your major and you get into whatever your #1 choice is?

Thanks
 
Thank you so much for doing this.
I had a question regarding major choices. You mentioned above that your first choice is business management and your second is spanish/portuguese. Do you have to apply for majors as well? Or do you just declare your major and you get into whatever your #1 choice is?

Thanks
I'm still not completely sure how it works as we don't declare until february/march. However, I know that each major has a certain number of slots and some make you write an essay for it or interview depending on how competitive it is. It is dependent on your class rank/gpa. For example, I know kinesiology has 15 slots a year, so people have to compete for it. We are having a majors night in a couple of days and I can update you when I get clarification.
 
Hey there, I’m interested in the West Point equestrian team, and I can’t find very much info on it from the official website. Does OP or toomuchtimeonmyhands have any insight into the team in regards to how difficult it is make the team, team size, experience required, etc. I found an old thread from like 10 years ago, but I didn’t really have too much info.
 
Hey there, I’m interested in the West Point equestrian team, and I can’t find very much info on it from the official website. Does OP or toomuchtimeonmyhands have any insight into the team in regards to how difficult it is make the team, team size, experience required, etc. I found an old thread from like 10 years ago, but I didn’t really have too much info.
Have your checked out their public group on Facebook?
I don’t do much individually on FB, never have, but for business purposes, that’s where I go to find company and organization group pages. It seems most of the SA clubs, teams, ECAs have a FB page. You might be able to find a friendly responder there.
 
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