Current Cadet- Ask Away

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KevBotss

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I am currently a cadet at West Point. I am from a military family and had family attend USMA. Regardless, I had a ton of questions about classes, summers, daily life, and culture before I came to USMA. I would love to try to answer any question you might have as a candidate/future cadet. I would love to give insight or tips that helped my application!
 
I've read in different places that in some ways West Point does resemble a normal college. What examples of that can you give from your own experiences?
 
milmomsomeday said:
I've read in different places that in some ways West Point does resemble a normal college. What examples of that can you give from your own experiences?
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I don't mean to steal OP's show, but I am bored being going to lunch so I figured I'd give my own input.
There are some days where I only have one or no classes (this is when you should take PMI and sleep all day). I thought I would have 5+ classes a day before coming here.
The people here can be normal too, some aren't, but a lot I have met are normal people. The uppclassmen also really begin to chill out, at least this year, in October from my experience.
 
When did you find out and how did you find out you were accepted?
During the application process, how did you distinguish between being patient and being persistent?
Did you apply to any other colleges and/or ROTC?
When did your nomination show in your portal?

Thank you so much!
 
Hope25ful said:
When did you find out and how did you find out you were accepted?
During the application process, how did you distinguish between being patient and being persistent?
Did you apply to any other colleges and/or ROTC?
When did your nomination show in your portal?

Thank you so much!
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Just to add more examples:
-I found out I was accepted in early April when my Representative's office called me
-I was just patient. The waiting was difficult sometimes, but being patient is really all you can do.
-I applied to a bunch of in-state schools, a few out-of-state schools, and for both NROTC and AROTC.
-My nomination showed up about a week after I got it (I got it the week after Thanksgiving).
 
milmomsomeday said:
I've read in different places that in some ways West Point does resemble a normal college. What examples of that can you give from your own experiences?
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Well the military training, strictness, and workload is pretty West Point specific. You just will have different focuses and daily schedules. Obviously no parties, rank structure, different classes. Different summers etc.
 
fordpitts12 said:
What do you think separated you as a candidate during the application process and got you an appointment?
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I went to a lot of the admissions events, met my FFR and Reg Rep in person. And just show you are passionate about it. A lot of people will meet the physical and academic standards but also beingdriven and passionate as well as personable will set you apart.
 
Hope25ful said:
When did you find out and how did you find out you were accepted?
During the application process, how did you distinguish between being patient and being persistent?
Did you apply to any other colleges and/or ROTC?
When did your nomination show in your portal?

Thank you so much!
Click to expand...
-I found out in early March
-It was my senior year, I was anxious but I just focused on having a fun year and playing sports/working out
-Yes I had a 4 year ROTC to NC State.
-The nomination showed up in early February for me. Got a phone call from the congressman.

Good Luck!
 
How much time do you get to spend at home during the summer? I know that there are trainings and other things that cadets do when academics are not in session, but how much of that time do you get to go home?
 
KevBotss said:
I am currently a cadet at West Point. I am from a military family and had family attend USMA. Regardless, I had a ton of questions about classes, summers, daily life, and culture before I came to USMA. I would love to try to answer any question you might have as a candidate/future cadet. I would love to give insight or tips that helped my application!
Click to expand...
What do you know about the different branches? I am planning to major in Chemistry (ACS cert) and minor Nuclear Science. I am not sure which branches Chemists are allowed to join. I initially wanted Chem Corps but from what I've heard, the cadets that branch there have the lowest CPR.
 
src123 said:
How much time do you get to spend at home during the summer? I know that there are trainings and other things that cadets do when academics are not in session, but how much of that time do you get to go home?
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Depends on what your goals are. If you want to do an AID (Academic stuff) or Military school your summer will be a bit shorter. You also have field training and leadership details so they are usually only 3-4 weeks of time off. If you want to do a specialized miad (military school) Sapper, SERE, CDQC, etc your summer will only be a few weeks.
 
TheAmericanDefender said:
What do you know about the different branches? I am planning to major in Chemistry (ACS cert) and minor Nuclear Science. I am not sure which branches Chemists are allowed to join. I initially wanted Chem Corps but from what I've heard, the cadets that branch there have the lowest CPR.
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Your major does not decide your branch. If you want to do chemistry work in the Army I'm not sure which branch would be your best bet.
 
KevBotss said:
Depends on what your goals are. If you want to do an AID (Academic stuff) or Military school your summer will be a bit shorter. You also have field training and leadership details so they are usually only 3-4 weeks of time off. If you want to do a specialized miad (military school) Sapper, SERE, CDQC, etc your summer will only be a few weeks.
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How are people selected for the more selective schools such as SERE, Pre ranger, combat diver, etc?
 
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