Currently C/O 2026, ask away

TX_USA

TX_USA

USMA 2026
Joined
Dec 31, 2021
Messages
77
Hey, I saw another thread doing this, and I remember these threads being really helpful when I was a candidate. Feel free to ask any questions about USMA.
 
If it isn't getting too personal, would you share your thoughts on the key items in your application that you believe got you the appointment? My son is applying and we are trying to sort his chances..
 
My
Vegas72 said:
If it isn't getting too personal, would you share your thoughts on the key items in your application that you believe got you the appointment? My son is applying and we are trying to sort his chances..
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Sure,

My academics I would say was my strongest part. I superscored a 1500 for the SAT and had a 4.0. I will say though, at USMA there are many cadets who have very similar, and even better scores and grades than I did. I was involved in school athletics too, and held a few leadership positions as team captain and student ambassador (my schools version of student council). I also worked a lot in high school as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and camp counselor. I received an LOA to USMA about this time last year, and my nomination in December which was followed by my appointment a couple weeks later. I will say, I’m sure there are candidates who had the same scores and stuff that I did and didn’t receive an appointment, there is no way to know what admissions is looking for. Where with USMA I received and LOA in September, I didn’t even get into navy despite having multiple noms to both academies, you really have no idea what admissions is looking for at the academies. With that said, I wish y’all the best of luck this year. Don’t stress too much over the waiting, it ended eventually, and all the dust settled eventually.
 
TX_USA said:
My

Sure,

My academics I would say was my strongest part. I superscored a 1500 for the SAT and had a 4.0. I will say though, at USMA there are many cadets who have very similar, and even better scores and grades than I did. I was involved in school athletics too, and held a few leadership positions as team captain and student ambassador (my schools version of student council). I also worked a lot in high school as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and camp counselor. I received an LOA to USMA about this time last year, and my nomination in December which was followed by my appointment a couple weeks later. I will say, I’m sure there are candidates who had the same scores and stuff that I did and didn’t receive an appointment, there is no way to know what admissions is looking for. Where with USMA I received and LOA in September, I didn’t even get into navy despite having multiple noms to both academies, you really have no idea what admissions is looking for at the academies. With that said, I wish y’all the best of luck this year. Don’t stress too much over the waiting, it ended eventually, and all the dust settled eventually.
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Thank you, my son is very close to those numbers so it looks like academically, we are at least in the ballpark...
 
Vegas72 said:
Thank you, my son is very close to those numbers so it looks like academically, we are at least in the ballpark...
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If it helps, my SAT scores were in the mid 1200s and I also had a 4.0. You can make up for one category that you're weak in with another that you are strong in. If your son is strong in the area of academics, focus on leadership positions, athletic team captains, and other opportunities that might make him stand out in his school. Don't let him forget about the CFA as well, I know a lot of people that didn't do so well on it and failed the test. The requirements are in the admissions direction pamphlet on his portal.
 
skiforlife said:
If it helps, my SAT scores were in the mid 1200s and I also had a 4.0. You can make up for one category that you're weak in with another that you are strong in. If your son is strong in the area of academics, focus on leadership positions, athletic team captains, and other opportunities that might make him stand out in his school. Don't let him forget about the CFA as well, I know a lot of people that didn't do so well on it and failed the test. The requirements are in the admissions direction
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Thanks for your information. He passed the CFA at another SA and we also had to turn in some videos so hopefully his scores are good enough. We are currently working on extracurricular and leadership stuff and the medical stuff...so a lot to do.
 
Vegas72 said:
Thanks for your information. He passed the CFA at another SA and we also had to turn in some videos so hopefully his scores are good enough. We are currently working on extracurricular and leadership stuff and the medical stuff...so a lot to do.
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If you look up service academy admissions calculators, there are ways to get a ballpark of the "whole candidate score" compared to previously accepted classes at the big three SAs. I used that with my DS as a sanity check on his chances. I am sure there are high percentile candidates on that site that do not make it in and lower that do based on location, Congressional district, and other factors, but it is a start. It also helps you figure out where things stand on the application. One main example is standardized Math scores are weighted higher than verbal scores.

My DS was accepted to WP and USAFA and is now in CO Springs enjoying life. Help keep your DS focused, but make sure this is his process. Best of luck to you both.
 
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