Getting into USMA a 2nd time

johnwayne

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
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I was actually accepted into USMA for the c/o 2014, but decided not to go. I go to a civilian school now and plan on getting involved with ROTC next year. I'm in a fraternity but I'm not the typical party animal. There are certain aspects of college life that I enjoy, but I often wonder if I would be happier at West Point.

Has anyone heard of a similar story when someone got into USMA a second time? I don't think it would be reasonable to expect the same boards for my senators and congressmen to give me nominations again, but I am wondering if I should explore some of the other routes that people use to gain admission into the academy.

To current/future cadets: If you are the type of person who wants to go to a service academy, no, you are not missing out on anything that civilian college life entails. I can promise you that.
 
Thanks for the heads up. I've always wondered about the college life I would miss out on should I go to West Point.
 
I wouldn't say that its impossible, but its not going to be as easy for you this time around I would imagine. Obviously in your interviews, you're going to have to explain why you what your thought process is which I think you've thought out.

Personally, my uncle attended West Point straight out of high school then dropped out plebe year for various reasons. After taking time, thinking and reapplying for the service academies, he ended up at the New Mexico Military Institute doing prep time while reapplying for the Naval Academy. He got in, served a great career in the Marines, and if you talk to him, his decision to finish what he had started is one of the best decisions in his life. His situation was unique and kind of unheard of, but it shows that getting an appointment a second time around for a service academy isn't completely out of the question. The question just really boils down to how are you going to convince the Academy and your Congressmen that you are worth the appointment and not going to squander the second chance if you get it. Good luck!
 
I did it

I was accepted in West Point and then decided not to go, went to civilian school and then reapplied and was accepted two years later. I graduated successfully.
 
I have a similar situation, except I didn't apply when I was in high school and now I somewhat regret it...so now I'm applying while I'm at Tech. What johnwayne said, you are certainly not missing anything from a civilian college. I feel that the military life is the best way of living.
 
Mature

Its is better to have turned down an appointment because you weren't sure and allow someone else to go then to go and then quit thus depriving someone of the chance to have gone. You made a mature decision and I do not think that anyone at West Point Admissions will hold it against you. They let me in so it must not be something that negatively affects your file.
 
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