Disappointed and Discouraged

[haleym]

There is a ton more you can do besides student government, and let's be real- it's a popularity contest anyway. I ran for secretary this year and didn't make it, but it's not a huge deal to me because I'm a leader in other activities I'm really passionate about and enjoy. You gave it your best shot but we don't always get what we want. Stay in the fight and like someone else mentioned start a club if what you're interested in isn't around yet. Academies love that. Good luck!

 

[clamelken2]

I certainly was not president for my student council, but I was a secretary and treasurer. WP wants to see your potential, so show that you care, and are engaged with the club. Dedication goes a long way way.

 

[CGBear87]

If the only reason you want to be a class officer (or a volunteer, or a varsity athlete, or a letter winner, or an SLS participant, or an Eagle Scout, etc...) is because it looks good on a college application... then maybe you don't have what it takes. But, as I suspect, you participate in these activities because you enjoy them and you are good at them and you seek leadership roles in them because you care about seeing them continue and prosper... then you are a success already. Keep plugging and don't get yourself down. Read a little bit about General Hal Moore. He once said... "There is always one more thing you can do to increase your odds of success." You'll find him on YouTube also... very inspirational.

 

[A'sMom]

Please don't pin all your hopes on this student body election. My DS is the class of 2015 and he did NOT have a varsity letter. He worried about that until he got his appointment, just sure that that was going to keep him out. Not everyone is going to be #1 at everything. Yes, you want to be well-rounded, but don't give up.

 

[stonemd]

my son (2015) not in sls, no elected student position, no boys state, no boy scouts
of course he had some other activities and - so don't sweat not being student body officer.

 

[Fengawr]

Thank you everyone for your replies! You have really taught me and showed me to never give up. I now realize that it isn't even a big deal that I lost the election. I will still try to help out when I can if they need any help. I guess I was just quite stressed out, given that I have finals coming up and such. But after venting my frustration at a racquetball tournament, and sleeping on it for a few days, I've realized that I'm better off without it. It's only a popularity contest and that I have lost many times, and on Friday, I learned that student government is not for me.
I am still pursuing my goals, and I've also emailed my academic counselor looking for other extra-curricular programs that I can do. I have my application for boys state and I just need to turn it in. I still do community service weekly, play sports year around and am in National Honors Society.

I'd just like to thank everyone for taking time out of your day to reply to this post. I am keeping my head up and will try my hardest to achieve my goals.

 

[dunninla]

Maybe I should just graduate early and enlist...

Keep working toward your goal of attending the Academy. At the same time, realize that there are many routes to becoming an Officer that you should explore:

- ROTC with a scholarship
- ROTC without a scholarship
- Join Army Reserves AND attend college with major benefits (Simultaneous Member Program)
- Attend college, then apply to Officer Candidate School for the summer after graduation
- Enlist and then explore options from there

I know there are a couple more ways that slip my mind at the moment.

You see, there are many options all leading to a commission as an Officer.

 

[Fengawr]

Keep working toward your goal of attending the Academy. At the same time, realize that there are many routes to becoming an Officer that you should explore:

- ROTC with a scholarship
- ROTC without a scholarship
- Join Army Reserves AND attend college with major benefits (Simultaneous Member Program)
- Attend college, then apply to Officer Candidate School for the summer after graduation
- Enlist and then explore options from there

I know there are a couple more ways that slip my mind at the moment.

You see, there are many options all leading to a commission as an Officer.

Yes. Thank you. I will also be trying to apply for a ROTC, but if nothing goes to plan then I will have to think about the bottom 3 options you listed.

 

[quadething]

hey boss, fellow candidate here and don't sweat that. If WP only accepted stuco presidents, it wouldn't be very good...haha All things in HS are pretty much popularity. Just being in student council will help you out and remember that leadership roles outside of school matter a lot, probably more. I didn't attend anything academy related and I am hopefully going to be accepted. don't sweat it man. Get involved with habitat for humanity and your local VFW and anything like that.

 

[Fengawr]

hey boss, fellow candidate here and don't sweat that. If WP only accepted stuco presidents, it wouldn't be very good...haha All things in HS are pretty much popularity. Just being in student council will help you out and remember that leadership roles outside of school matter a lot, probably more. I didn't attend anything academy related and I am hopefully going to be accepted. don't sweat it man. Get involved with habitat for humanity and your local VFW and anything like that.

Thanks! I am considering becoming a weekly or monthly volunteer at my local food bank. I also help out at a local elementary school's homework club once a week.

 

[kinnem]

Keep working toward your goal of attending the Academy. At the same time, realize that there are many routes to becoming an Officer that you should explore:

- ROTC with a scholarship
- ROTC without a scholarship
- Join Army Reserves AND attend college with major benefits (Simultaneous Member Program)
- Attend college, then apply to Officer Candidate School for the summer after graduation
- Enlist and then explore options from there

I know there are a couple more ways that slip my mind at the moment.

You see, there are many options all leading to a commission as an Officer.

One of those other ways is Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course. You go to Quantico for training summers after sophmore year and juniod year for 6 weeks each (or 12 weeks after junior year if you didn't attend previous summer). I'm not sure but I think you attend OCS after college. You get paid for the training and I think there are some additional monies available for school. Been a while since I looked at it for Plan C.

 

[dunninla]

OP, at this point, you need to be thinking less about "helping", "joining", "participating", "volunteering", "helping out", etc. and more about "founding", "starting", "running", "leading", "creating", etc. Get my point? Are you going to follow your soldiers, or are they going to follow you?

 

[dsacto1]

OP, at this point, you need to be thinking less about "helping", "joining", "participating", "volunteering", "helping out", etc. and more about "founding", "starting", "running", "leading", "creating", etc. Get my point? Are you going to follow your soldiers, or are they going to follow you?

I have been following this thread and thinking exactly the same thing. Perhaps my DD's story will be a good example. She enjoyed weight training with the football team and being a member of her high school softball team. She attended Girls State and ran for class office only once, which she lost. After the loss she decided it was time to guide her own destiny rather than put it into a ballot box at high school. She saw a need for student involvement in emergency response, not only at her high school but in the surrounding community. She contacted our City Fire Department and checked into placing a "Teen C.E.R.T" (Community Emergency Response Team) program into the student body.

The Fire Department was very supportive and encouraged the project. Our County has 1.4 million residents so civilian assistance in a disaster will be needed. Before she could start this project and recruit team members she had to be trained as a trainer, so she could train her recruits. She attended C.E.R.T "Training for the Trainer" classes which were put on by the US Department of Homeland Security. She was in class with Fire Chiefs and people of rank in other organizations. She related her classmates were skeptical of her at first (16 years old) but at the end of the training they respected her and gave her their contact information so she could let them know how her USMA efforts worked out.

She formed the team, (calling it the Teen C.E.R.T. club, she was President) trained student members, had drills at school and critiqued both student and faculty response to the drills. School District administrators oversaw one drill and were so impressed, decided to install the Teen C.E.R.T. program District wide. Since she was the sole person in the District in possession of the Federally required training for trainers, she assited the Fire Department at an adjoining high school in implementing the program.

I know this is a bit long winded, but I believe if a cadet candidate can do something to set him or her apart from the field, it really helps. Both in the nomination interview and with USMA admissions. Be creative and look for a need in your community. Not only will it make you a more attractive candidate, you will also provide a real service to your community.

DD is a member of the class of 2015.

 

[Fengawr]

OP, at this point, you need to be thinking less about "helping", "joining", "participating", "volunteering", "helping out", etc. and more about "founding", "starting", "running", "leading", "creating", etc. Get my point? Are you going to follow your soldiers, or are they going to follow you?

I completely understand this. The hard part will be deciding what exactly to do. I will talk to my academic counselor for suggestions.

 

[Fengawr]

I have been following this thread and thinking exactly the same thing. Perhaps my DD's story will be a good example. She enjoyed weight training with the football team and being a member of her high school softball team. She attended Girls State and ran for class office only once, which she lost. After the loss she decided it was time to guide her own destiny rather than put it into a ballot box at high school. She saw a need for student involvement in emergency response, not only at her high school but in the surrounding community. She contacted our City Fire Department and checked into placing a "Teen C.E.R.T" (Community Emergency Response Team) program into the student body.

The Fire Department was very supportive and encouraged the project. Our County has 1.4 million residents so civilian assistance in a disaster will be needed. Before she could start this project and recruit team members she had to be trained as a trainer, so she could train her recruits. She attended C.E.R.T "Training for the Trainer" classes which were put on by the US Department of Homeland Security. She was in class with Fire Chiefs and people of rank in other organizations. She related her classmates were skeptical of her at first (16 years old) but at the end of the training they respected her and gave her their contact information so she could let them know how her USMA efforts worked out.

She formed the team, (calling it the Teen C.E.R.T. club, she was President) trained student members, had drills at school and critiqued both student and faculty response to the drills. School District administrators oversaw one drill and were so impressed, decided to install the Teen C.E.R.T. program District wide. Since she was the sole person in the District in possession of the Federally required training for trainers, she assited the Fire Department at an adjoining high school in implementing the program.

I know this is a bit long winded, but I believe if a cadet candidate can do something to set him or her apart from the field, it really helps. Both in the nomination interview and with USMA admissions. Be creative and look for a need in your community. Not only will it make you a more attractive candidate, you will also provide a real service to your community.

DD is a member of the class of 2015.

Thank you for taking your time to tell me all of this! Although, I believe that the student government at my school helps out a good amount regarding fire drills and other situations like that. But it's something i'll definitely consider.

 

[chiromed0]

Well, our DS hasn't received an Nom or Appointment yet but does have one LOA and an AFROTC Type 7 scholarship. His MOC interview is Saturday. He is in student gov't but got the axe for Varsity sports, teachers sat on his grades all summer into October of his senior year and practically ruined his chances for an early LOA b/c of late applications (looks bad to the academy). We think he would have received an LOA since he was invited/attended both USNA Blue Chip dinner and USMA Black & Gold dinner so he was in the top tier. We felt ripped off due to lazy teachers. Everyone has some kind of obstacle to overcome so I'd say to you this is exactly what the academy expects: disappointment and struggle and how did you overcome it. Isn't that what you are supposed to do as a soldier? Adapt and overcome? Start now.

They want to see leadership. If you can't get it at school...find somewhere else to get it. Local civic organizations, church...anywhere. Show some initiative and they will remember that more than the "typical" student government experience.

Our kid had zip for leadership experience coming out of 11th grade. He attended 3 summer sessions plus Boys State, voted to homecoming court and 2 positions in student government so you CAN make a difference in a short amount of time. Apply for EVERYTHING!!! Do not limit your choices...the goal isn't to attend the academy (or shouldn't be). That's just a great means to an end but certainly not the end.

Get the best background you can, show some initiative and keep your grades up plus ACT/SAT. That's all you can do and nothing to be disappointed about doing YOUR best. You must be a great kid to be on here in the first place trying to do something great with yourself so I'm proud of you and I don't even know you. Keep your chin up and NEVER give up.

 

[Fengawr]

Well, our DS hasn't received an Nom or Appointment yet but does have one LOA and an AFROTC Type 7 scholarship. His MOC interview is Saturday. He is in student gov't but got the axe for Varsity sports, teachers sat on his grades all summer into October of his senior year and practically ruined his chances for an early LOA b/c of late applications (looks bad to the academy). We think he would have received an LOA since he was invited/attended both USNA Blue Chip dinner and USMA Black & Gold dinner so he was in the top tier. We felt ripped off due to lazy teachers. Everyone has some kind of obstacle to overcome so I'd say to you this is exactly what the academy expects: disappointment and struggle and how did you overcome it. Isn't that what you are supposed to do as a soldier? Adapt and overcome? Start now.

They want to see leadership. If you can't get it at school...find somewhere else to get it. Local civic organizations, church...anywhere. Show some initiative and they will remember that more than the "typical" student government experience.

Our kid had zip for leadership experience coming out of 11th grade. He attended 3 summer sessions plus Boys State, voted to homecoming court and 2 positions in student government so you CAN make a difference in a short amount of time. Apply for EVERYTHING!!! Do not limit your choices...the goal isn't to attend the academy (or shouldn't be). That's just a great means to an end but certainly not the end.

Get the best background you can, show some initiative and keep your grades up plus ACT/SAT. That's all you can do and nothing to be disappointed about doing YOUR best. You must be a great kid to be on here in the first place trying to do something great with yourself so I'm proud of you and I don't even know you. Keep your chin up and NEVER give up.

Thanks for this! Reading this has really encouraged me. I am trying to get into some speech and debate competitions, so we can see how that goes!

 

[TheChicagoan]

Thanks for this! Reading this has really encouraged me. I am trying to get into some speech and debate competitions, so we can see how that goes!

Check out Model UN as well, if your school has it (W.P. has an amazing MUN team). Maybe get involved in politics? Help out with a campaign (sure helps with getting a nomination) or join a local Republican/Dem./whatever organization. Or start something political at your school on behalf of a political party. (Me and a friend run my school's Young Republican club to get seniors registered to vote/those who will be able to vote @ next election registered). Personally, I recommend something political, but maybe that's because I plan on majoring in Poli-sci.

Good luck and don't loose faith,
TheChicagoan.

EDIT: Also, you can be an official election judge, we put up posters around our school when midterm elections/general elections come up. You also get paid to be an election judge. (And the minimum age for most States is 17) Just google "election judge" + your state name. Good luck!

 

[Fengawr]

Check out Model UN as well, if your school has it (W.P. has an amazing MUN team). Maybe get involved in politics? Help out with a campaign (sure helps with getting a nomination) or join a local Republican/Dem./whatever organization. Or start something political at your school on behalf of a political party. (Me and a friend run my school's Young Republican club to get seniors registered to vote/those who will be able to vote @ next election registered). Personally, I recommend something political, but maybe that's because I plan on majoring in Poli-sci.

Good luck and don't loose faith,
TheChicagoan.

EDIT: Also, you can be an official election judge, we put up posters around our school when midterm elections/general elections come up. You also get paid to be an election judge. (And the minimum age for most States is 17) Just google "election judge" + your state name. Good luck!

Thanks for this! I believe my school has a model UN club (Or at least did have one). I am considering becoming a cadet at a local police department or lifeguard for a nearby pool. Both of these are what I have wanted to do.

 

[Dixieland]

Maybe get involved in politics? Help out with a campaign (sure helps with getting a nomination) or join a local Republican/Dem./whatever organization. TheChicagoan.

The bold words are my emphasis, but I'm curious why you state this, Chicagoan. Are you saying that you can be rewarded for working on a campaign by receiving a nomination to a service academy? Can you explain how this works or actual examples that you know of? Just curious........