Hey! Im a bit new here, so I'll be very clear.

Breedlove.NJROTC

Breedlove.NJROTC

Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2020
Messages
44
Hello, I hope you're all having a safe and fantastic week!

So, as you can probably tell, I'm very enthusiastic about joining this Thread for USMA. I know I can never get a guaranteed answer, but I was wondering what you all would think of my chances of getting in.

So far:
I'm a freshman with a GPA of 3.5 (trying to get a 4.0)
I am perusing multiple leadership positions, such as being a Section Leader (Chorus), OPS and Captain of the Rifle Team (NJROTC), and a Leadership position in my Law Enforcement Cadet Program.
I'm taking two AP Classes next year consisting of: World History and Language Arts.
I am highly athletically fit, having a runtime of 5:49 once in a timed run.
So far, I'm outstanding in all subjects but Math, and I've been putting a lot of time into it.
I want to score over a 1300 on the SAT, or score over a 31 on the ACT
I have over 100+ hours of community service
And I am very strong in Reading, Writing, World History, and Science.
Any suggestions academic wise? I really want to get into this school.
 
Breedlove.NJROTC said:
Hello, I hope you're all having a safe and fantastic week!

So, as you can probably tell, I'm very enthusiastic about joining this Thread for USMA. I know I can never get a guaranteed answer, but I was wondering what you all would think of my chances of getting in.

So far:
I'm a freshman with a GPA of 3.5 (trying to get a 4.0)
I am perusing multiple leadership positions, such as being a Section Leader (Chorus), OPS and Captain of the Rifle Team (NJROTC), and a Leadership position in my Law Enforcement Cadet Program.
I'm taking two AP Classes next year consisting of: World History and Language Arts.
I am highly athletically fit, having a runtime of 5:49 once in a timed run.
So far, I'm outstanding in all subjects but Math, and I've been putting a lot of time into it.
I want to score over a 1300 on the SAT, or score over a 31 on the ACT
I have over 100+ hours of community service
And I am very strong in Reading, Writing, World History, and Science.
Any suggestions academic wise? I really want to get into this school.
Click to expand...

One thing that stands out is that you don't have any sports. 98% of admits do a varsity sport(not kidding, check the class profile). Find a sport and join it and earn that varsity letter. You look competitive, but you truly never know. Guys and girls with 1450s don't get in, and then sometimes people with 1300s do. It's truly about the entire candidate.

Class Profile | United States Military Academy West Point

West Point Military Academy
www.westpoint.edu www.westpoint.edu
 
Suggestions?

Best one: use the search function, read everything you can here and on the USMA page and THEN ask your questions.
 
Well, I thought the Precision Team was a varsity sport (sense they offer a varsity letter.). I'm really into it though, and I'm working hard in it and I love it. Should I peruse something else?
 
You should definitely pursue an athletic sport, whether through your school or extracurricular. In addition I would also suggest balancing a part time job when you are of age because it shows your tenacity and drive.
 
The precision team may be a varsity sport. What you are missing is varsity athletics. Athletics is the best way to show fitness, dedication, and teamwork. There is a reason 90+% of successful applicants have a varsity letter.

Stealth_81
 
Breedlove.NJROTC said:
Well, I thought the Precision Team was a varsity sport (sense they offer a varsity letter.). I'm really into it though, and I'm working hard in it and I love it. Should I peruse something else?
Click to expand...
Precision Rifle is a sport. It’s the only sport my son has done, as it runs from Oct -July once all the National matches finish up. He received an LOA the end of August, so West Point recognizes its value too. Excel at it! He was team captain 2 years, CMP Nationals 4 years, and National Junior Olympics 3 years.
 
Breedlove.NJROTC said:
Hello, I hope you're all having a safe and fantastic week!

So, as you can probably tell, I'm very enthusiastic about joining this Thread for USMA. I know I can never get a guaranteed answer, but I was wondering what you all would think of my chances of getting in.

So far:
I'm a freshman with a GPA of 3.5 (trying to get a 4.0)
I am perusing multiple leadership positions, such as being a Section Leader (Chorus), OPS and Captain of the Rifle Team (NJROTC), and a Leadership position in my Law Enforcement Cadet Program.
I'm taking two AP Classes next year consisting of: World History and Language Arts.
I am highly athletically fit, having a runtime of 5:49 once in a timed run.
So far, I'm outstanding in all subjects but Math, and I've been putting a lot of time into it.
I want to score over a 1300 on the SAT, or score over a 31 on the ACT
I have over 100+ hours of community service
And I am very strong in Reading, Writing, World History, and Science.
Any suggestions academic wise? I really want to get into this school.
Click to expand...

Like previously mentioned, sports play a big role. As far as leadership goes, you’re on track. Perhaps join a few clubs that are government-oriented, such as Model UN, and work your way into a leadership position.

In the case of grades/scores, it really depends on where you live. Some districts only have a few people applying, resulting in a lower bar for test scores. Others may have 100+ (I’m exaggerating) and are extremely competitive.

One class to pursue would be AP Calculus AB and BC. Many struggle with Math during the 47 month “experience;” you may look more appealing with an entire year of Math either well-known or simply validated. By the way, the AP language would also be an upside (applause to you).

If you do happen to be in a competitive district, it would also be best to start looking into the ROTC National Scholarship. If you don’t get into USMA, you could potentially attend a top-tier university with all tuition payed for (some would argue that it’s better).

Theoretically, if you’re dead serious on attending, you still have time move out to the middle of nowhere....
 
2PilotMom said:
Precision Rifle is a sport. It’s the only sport my son has done, as it runs from Oct -July once all the National matches finish up. He received an LOA the end of August, so West Point recognizes its value too. Excel at it! He was team captain 2 years, CMP Nationals 4 years, and National Junior Olympics 3 years.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
BossIsland0 said:
Like previously mentioned, sports play a big role. As far as leadership goes, you’re on track. Perhaps join a few clubs that are government-oriented, such as Model UN, and work your way into a leadership position.

In the case of grades/scores, it really depends on where you live. Some districts only have a few people applying, resulting in a lower bar for test scores. Others may have 100+ (I’m exaggerating) and are extremely competitive.

One class to pursue would be AP Calculus AB and BC. Many struggle with Math during the 47 month “experience;” you may look more appealing with an entire year of Math either well-known or simply validated. By the way, the AP language would also be an upside (applause to you).

If you do happen to be in a competitive district, it would also be best to start looking into the ROTC National Scholarship. If you don’t get into USMA, you could potentially attend a top-tier university with all tuition payed for (some would argue that it’s better).

Theoretically, if you’re dead serious on attending, you still have time move out to the middle of nowhere....
Click to expand...
Well, I would like to! It's just that I'm not exactly as confident in Math. And about clubs, I've been a Main in a Musical for my School a couple months ago. So, I suppose I'm apart of theatre? I could possibly make President.

Also, there has only been 1 kid NEAR my district who's ever went to Westpoint. I'll be the first kid EVER at my school (and possibly district and county) to go if I make it. So I'm trying to shoot for high goals here, even if the bar is lowered for me. But good advice!
 
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Stealth_81 said:
The precision team may be a varsity sport. What you are missing is varsity athletics. Athletics is the best way to show fitness, dedication, and teamwork. There is a reason 90+% of successful applicants have a varsity letter.

Stealth_81
Click to expand...
Should I go for the Varsity Track Team then? Possibly that would make me more appealing.
 
Gbreezy said:
You should definitely pursue an athletic sport, whether through your school or extracurricular. In addition I would also suggest balancing a part time job when you are of age because it shows your tenacity and drive.
Click to expand...
I'm definitely getting a job! Gotta find a way to pay for SLE! 😂
 
Breedlove.NJROTC said:
Well, I would like to! It's just that I'm not exactly as confident in Math. And about clubs, I've been a Main in a Musical for my School a couple months ago. So, I suppose I'm apart of theatre? I could possibly make President.

Also, there has only been 1 kid NEAR my district who's ever went to Westpoint. I'll be the first kid EVER at my school (and possibly district and county) to go if I make it. So I'm trying to shoot for high goals here, even if the bar is lowered for me. But good advice!
Click to expand...
I accidentally said district as just district, I meant school district. Apologizes.
 
BossIsland0 said:
Some districts only have a few people applying, resulting in a lower bar for test scores. Others may have 100+ (I’m exaggerating) and are extremely competitive.
Click to expand...

This is an overstatement and a stereotype. There is not necessarily a correlation between number of applicants from a district and their average test scores. And fewer applicants does not necessarily mean an easier path to an appointment. It’s insidious to think “so and so got in with because they came from a ‘less-competitive’ district.”

Yes, there are districts that have large and impressive pools — Northern Virginia always comes to mind. But the truth is very simple: It only takes one person with better credentials than you do to make your district competitive.
 
MidCakePa said:
This is an overstatement and a stereotype. There is not necessarily a correlation between number of applicants from a district and their average test scores. And fewer applicants does not necessarily mean an easier path to an appointment. It’s insidious to think “so and so got in with because they came from a ‘less-competitive’ district.”

Yes, there are districts that have large and impressive pools — Northern Virginia always comes to mind. But the truth is very simple: It only takes one person with better credentials than you do to make your district competitive.
Click to expand...

Sure, I was exaggerating (I even admitted that), but generally speaking, the more applicants in a district, the more competitive it gets. Are numbers everything? No; but with the competitive nomination method, if over 10 people apply in a district, some may not make the list (and thus not even be considered for the nomination). There’s not much you can do if some kid with a perfect SAT, maxed out CFA and a bunch of leadership positions decides to apply in your district of two applicants, but that’s highly unlikely (and if the competitive nomination method is in place, you’re still in the running). I was just explaining how its hard to assess grades/scores.

If we want to be highly specific, his chances are completely random: the number of applicants per district/state/JROTC (I’m unaccustomed to the last nomination option), their grades, their academics, their leadership scores, and their CFA scores have a high variability.

He’s just a freshman; I was trying to give him my perspective after my year-long mini campaign to get in.

Good luck!

And again, AP Language is impressive (it’s by far the hardest AP test out there).
 
Breedlove.NJROTC said:
Well, I would like to! It's just that I'm not exactly as confident in Math. And about clubs, I've been a Main in a Musical for my School a couple months ago. So, I suppose I'm apart of theatre? I could possibly make President.

Also, there has only been 1 kid NEAR my district who's ever went to Westpoint. I'll be the first kid EVER at my school (and possibly district and county) to go if I make it. So I'm trying to shoot for high goals here, even if the bar is lowered for me. But good advice!
Click to expand...

Also, you have tons of time. Don’t apply undue stress to your life. Enjoy freshman (what’s left of it) and sophomore year. After first semester Junior year, things start and never stop until you get into college.

Best of luck!
 
BossIsland0 said:
Sure, I was exaggerating (I even admitted that), but generally speaking, the more applicants in a district, the more competitive it gets. Are numbers everything? No; but with the competitive nomination method, if over 10 people apply in a district, some may not make the list (and thus not even be considered for the nomination). There’s not much you can do if some kid with a perfect SAT, maxed out CFA and a bunch of leadership positions decides to apply in your district of two applicants, but that’s highly unlikely (and if the competitive nomination method is in place, you’re still in the running). I was just explaining how its hard to assess grades/scores.

If we want to be highly specific, his chances are completely random: the number of applicants per district/state/JROTC (I’m unaccustomed to the last nomination option), their grades, their academics, their leadership scores, and their CFA scores have a high variability.

He’s just a freshman; I was trying to give him my perspective after my year-long mini campaign to get in.

Good luck!

And again, AP Language is impressive (it’s by far the hardest AP test out there).
Click to expand...
I am out-freaking-standing at language arts. I even went a bit TOO far and made a whole book out of a project! Oops?
 
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