Guidance Counselor seeking help

S

STF4717

New Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2018
Messages
9
Hi everyone,

New to these boards! I have an incoming senior who has her heart set on attending USMMA. What can I do as a counselor to help her? I am totally unfamiliar with the USMMA process, although i'm learning a lot.

My main question is: where do I find stats on what SAT score and high school courses are required for admission? I want to help her get there if she's qualified, and help her come up with good safety schools if she's not.

I appreicate the help! :)
 
STF4717 said:
Hi everyone,

New to these boards! I have an incoming senior who has her heart set on attending USMMA. What can I do as a counselor to help her? I am totally unfamiliar with the USMMA process, although i'm learning a lot.

My main question is: where do I find stats on what SAT score and high school courses are required for admission? I want to help her get there if she's qualified, and help her come up with good safety schools if she's not.

I appreicate the help! :)
Click to expand...

The formal requirements are listed at https://www.usmma.edu/admissions/scholastic-requirements-and-academic-preparation - it does not list an SAT minimum, but look at https://www.usmma.edu/class-profile for the mean SAT scores for the class of 2021.
 
The number one thing you can do is write a letter of recommendation. USMMA requires a letter of recommendation from the applicant's counselor. A letter from a school official doesn't meet the requirement. It has to be you. This is one of the requirements that can hold up the application.
 
Thank you for helping this student. Two of my own kids have attended USMMA, and it is an amazing school. Make sure the student is enrolled in the most challenging courses your school has to offer, especially in math. If your student is able to visit, my daughter (2021) would be happy to host her for an overnight.
 
I teach high school and write several recommendation letters a year but not for the academies except for a handful these last few years. Those are few and far in between. The info you ask for is listed in the above links plus other members here I'm sure will chime in.

Thank you for taking care of your students. Counselors are not really appreciated until May.
 
Your student is very lucky, my son worked hard and early on his applications. The only reason he has not completed his nomination packages is because of his counselor. He turned everything to him in May, met with him in June.
He constantly lies and does not fulfill his duties.
It is so frustrating after so much work and years preparing, one just wonders why?
 
FatherofFour said:
The number one thing you can do is write a letter of recommendation. USMMA requires a letter of recommendation from the applicant's counselor. A letter from a school official doesn't meet the requirement. It has to be you. This is one of the requirements that can hold up the application.
Click to expand...

Oh no worries - that is done already! :)
 
kpmom2013 said:
Thank you for helping this student. Two of my own kids have attended USMMA, and it is an amazing school. Make sure the student is enrolled in the most challenging courses your school has to offer, especially in math. If your student is able to visit, my daughter (2021) would be happy to host her for an overnight.
Click to expand...

She already went on an overnight, and loved it. She has a friend whose sister goes there and she was able to go for a whole weekend. Thank you!
 
Devil Doc said:
I teach high school and write several recommendation letters a year but not for the academies except for a handful these last few years. Those are few and far in between. The info you ask for is listed in the above links plus other members here I'm sure will chime in.

Thank you for taking care of your students. Counselors are not really appreciated until May.
Click to expand...

Aw, thanks. I love what I do. This one is tricky, though- the student has no interest in marine logistics or engineering - but she has her heart set on this school. I have tried to explain to her that while she loves the school and will be able to play sports there (her first priority), committing a good amount of her life to a major she doesn't enjoy probably means USMMA is not her school. But I've said my piece and need to put that aside and do what I can to help!
 
hopefullmom2023 said:
Your student is very lucky, my son worked hard and early on his applications. The only reason he has not completed his nomination packages is because of his counselor. He turned everything to him in May, met with him in June.
He constantly lies and does not fulfill his duties.
It is so frustrating after so much work and years preparing, one just wonders why?
Click to expand...

Ugh, there are so many terrible school counselors out there! I'm so sorry your son had a bad experience. I sweat every detail for each of my kids! I don't stop checking email until Christmas break! :)
 
Our DS counselor would not write a recommendation for any student for any service academy because she thought they all produced "baby killers." We finally got the principal to write his rec.
 
Your student will not do well in interviews if that remains her position. She will be asked why she wants to attend USMMA and the answer needs to be something a lot different than "to play sports there." If she does manage to get a nomination and appointment, she will not last through plebe year if that is her motivation for being there. I know there is only so much you can do as a counselor. Just a heads up.
 
The USMMA is first and primarily a school to train merchant ship officers.
 
kpmom2013 said:
Our DS counselor would not write a recommendation for any student for any service academy because she thought they all produced "baby killers." We finally got the principal to write his rec.
Click to expand...

Wow! That is mind boggling and more than a little sad...
 
kpmom2013 said:
Our DS counselor would not write a recommendation for any student for any service academy because she thought they all produced "baby killers." We finally got the principal to write his rec.
Click to expand...

Oh, geez. Sounds like that "counselor" has forgotten what her job really is- to support and encourage each student and his/her choices. Hope you wrote a formal complaint to principal and superintendent!
 
cmakin said:
The USMMA is first and primarily a school to train merchant ship officers.
Click to expand...

Yeah- i've tried explaining that - this is career dedication, not just a place to get a degree and move on with life. They have "duly noted" my concern on that and are proceeding - which is good! Never hurts to explore options. I'll support what I can and fate will handle the rest!
 
Yes we did, and more. The good news is that we got a new principal whose son-in-law is a West Point alumnus. Same counselor wrote a glowing recommendation for our DD (USMMA class of 2021) eight years later.
STF4717 said:
kpmom2013 said:
Our DS counselor would not write a recommendation for any student for any service academy because she thought they all produced "baby killers." We finally got the principal to write his rec.
Click to expand...

Oh, geez. Sounds like that "counselor" has forgotten what her job really is- to support and encourage each student and his/her choices. Hope you wrote a formal complaint to principal and superintendent!
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top