Hi, I am a freshman; however, it has been my dream to go to West Point. I want to make sure my chances to getting into West Point are secure. I have a 4.27 GPA. This year I took intro to CAD, I’ve completed and am up to Algebra two honors, American history honor, science 9 honors, Biology honors, Spanish 3 (tenth grade), English 9 honors. I’ve played soccer for 8 years and I played jv, next year I’m hoping to make varsity( my coach was afraid I would get hurt because of my size) (I will be 14 this upcoming July 1). I did indoor track and went to the state championships and I was doing outdoor until corona. I was volunteering at fish frys. My questions are, do I have a chance? If so, what are my first steps? (links are welcome) should I contact anyone? How early should I start applying and making my file? Thank you so much
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- Thread starter Kate5470
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Read every page, link and menu item at USMA website. Take notes, build a timeline with action steps.
Do the same for your 3 elected officials’ webpages on their SA nomination process. If they have SA Info nights or virtual sessions, go. Even though you are a couple of years away, you will learn a lot and get to meet the staffers who work this for the Senators and Representative.
Go to the DODMERB site, look at the menu items on left, read about the process and FAQs. It’s very early for that, but the medical qualification process can be bumpy.
Those are your primary sources. Learning how to research those and develop a strategic plan with tactical action steps is a core military officer skill.
Look up the official USMA CFA video. You have years to work yourself into a place where you can slay that thing.
The application process is a test in itself. It tests YOUR attention to detail, initiative, determination, perseverance, executive task management skills, prioritization and patience.
Research AROTC as a path to an Army commission. Your quiver should hold a couple of arrows. Great scholarships available. If you don’t get into USMA, you can keep momentum going with AROTC, and you might find that is a better fit for you.
Research the other 4 Academies too, so you can make an informed comparison. USNA. USAFA, USCGA, USMMA all offer superb paths to service.
Research the officer career paths available out of the SAs. The SA is an interim goal, a way station to a minimum of 5-6 years active duty service. You want to look ahead to see what looks interesting to you.
Take control of this process and own it. When it comes to medical history time down the road, that is a place to consult your parents, so you report accurately and don’t self-diagnose.
Here on SAF, read the Sticky posts at the very top of the Nominations and DODMERB Forums. Use the Search function for “chance me/stats posts” or use a search string “service academy forums my chances” or variation.
“I want to make sure my chances to getting into West Point are secure.” There are no guarantees, no security. Thousands of people apply with stellar packages each year, and you can read in the USMA forum of the disappointments. Many re-apply, which is fine.
Good move to start early! Be open to all paths.
Do the same for your 3 elected officials’ webpages on their SA nomination process. If they have SA Info nights or virtual sessions, go. Even though you are a couple of years away, you will learn a lot and get to meet the staffers who work this for the Senators and Representative.
Go to the DODMERB site, look at the menu items on left, read about the process and FAQs. It’s very early for that, but the medical qualification process can be bumpy.
Those are your primary sources. Learning how to research those and develop a strategic plan with tactical action steps is a core military officer skill.
Look up the official USMA CFA video. You have years to work yourself into a place where you can slay that thing.
The application process is a test in itself. It tests YOUR attention to detail, initiative, determination, perseverance, executive task management skills, prioritization and patience.
Research AROTC as a path to an Army commission. Your quiver should hold a couple of arrows. Great scholarships available. If you don’t get into USMA, you can keep momentum going with AROTC, and you might find that is a better fit for you.
Research the other 4 Academies too, so you can make an informed comparison. USNA. USAFA, USCGA, USMMA all offer superb paths to service.
Research the officer career paths available out of the SAs. The SA is an interim goal, a way station to a minimum of 5-6 years active duty service. You want to look ahead to see what looks interesting to you.
Take control of this process and own it. When it comes to medical history time down the road, that is a place to consult your parents, so you report accurately and don’t self-diagnose.
Here on SAF, read the Sticky posts at the very top of the Nominations and DODMERB Forums. Use the Search function for “chance me/stats posts” or use a search string “service academy forums my chances” or variation.
“I want to make sure my chances to getting into West Point are secure.” There are no guarantees, no security. Thousands of people apply with stellar packages each year, and you can read in the USMA forum of the disappointments. Many re-apply, which is fine.
Good move to start early! Be open to all paths.
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I should start by saying that I am in no way, shape, or form an admissions rep or anything close to it, but I am currently going through the process. You're so far at a better start than I was because you're a freshman and you can start preparing now. I didn't start thinking about West Point until the end of my sophomore year. Everything I know I have learned from either scrolling on the forums or going to presentations/briefings from West Point. Here's a link from the West Point website for starting early and preparing. Best of luck to you.
https://www.westpoint.edu/sites/def...NS/Start Young to Gain Admission Brochure.pdf
https://www.westpoint.edu/sites/def...NS/Start Young to Gain Admission Brochure.pdf
Thank you so much, I should have chosen better word choice, I did not mean secure; however, more to have one of the best applications that I can do. have a nice day!
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You are very welcome. Your early focus on the basics will lay a strong foundation for you.
BossIsland0
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You’re fine. Don’t panic. Have fun in freshman and sophomore year (you’re on the struggle bus after that). Avoid injury as much as possible (the DoDMERB process is a pain if you had any recent surgery). Go hard in math & stem, but don’t wreck your grades. Aim to be the top of your class. Don’t party with the losers; you can celebrate later. Stay relaxed, but productive.
Above all else, don’t cheat. While this was never an issue for me, honor code violations see to create a pit of misery for any college application, especially one to an academy that requires incoming students to memorize the honor code.
You have time. You have (/will have) athletics. You have motivation. Now, you just need the grades, extracurriculars, and nominations.
Best of Luck!
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Breedlove.NJROTC
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I'm so glad I'm not the only freshman preparing!! Hope you do well!
Thanks, I’m so nervous, there is a lot to doI'm so glad I'm not the only freshman preparing!! Hope you do well!
NHS is a good start, but look for additional leadership opportunities. Run for class office, NHS office, any and all club offices, put in for Boys/Girls state, play multiple sports (unless you can be a recruited athlete in 1... multiples will get you more points) and get your coaches to name you as a captain in each sport. Never too early to start training for the CFA.
There will will 1000's of candidates with great ACT/SAT scores, CFA scores, and GPA's. What can you do to make YOU stand out and have the SA's want you over the other candidates? Remember the academies are looking for and training our next leaders. Look for ways to separate yourself from the crowd by showing that you already have leadership capabilities.
There will will 1000's of candidates with great ACT/SAT scores, CFA scores, and GPA's. What can you do to make YOU stand out and have the SA's want you over the other candidates? Remember the academies are looking for and training our next leaders. Look for ways to separate yourself from the crowd by showing that you already have leadership capabilities.