How does this sound?

QsKDolCi

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2007
Messages
30
I'm currently a sophomore and looking to attend USMA. I'm doing good in school(I believe I have all A's, except for a B+ in French.) My question is though does this look good?

My freshman year I really slacked off, and really didn't get involved in anything and had an average of 89, but now I'm really pulling my weight and doing as much as I can. So here it is:

-I'm on the debate team, just joined
-I'm in FBLA, just joined
-I will be playing baseball in the spring, we start conditioning now
-I'm hoping to bulk up and play Football in the fall for my school, middle linebacker
-I'm active in my Church(ie Altar Boy(can't spell the name thingy right), usher, and youth group/community projects)
-Participated in the John Hopkins Search for Talented Youth
-Looking to get into National Honor Society

The thing that concerns me is that I slacked off freshman year and I'm not a boy scout. Based on your knowledge if I continue with these goals and current activities I'm in now do you think I have a good chance? I know this is a hard question to answer, but I appreciate all responses.
 
The academic side of your record looks good. And your desire to participate in team sports is good too. However, USMA is looking for leaders. You'll need to demonstrate the potential for leadership by holding an office in student government, being a team captain, attending Boys State, working as a crew leader or supervisor at your job, etc. Good luck!
 
Does being captain of a club or on the club's cabinet help as well? What about leadership roles at church?
 
you should be fine as long as you don't slack off anymore, your young so you have time. My son did pretty much the same thing, only his average was much worse than yours. He had to work his but off up untill he graduated to get his GPA up to where he needed it. He is now attending a USMA prep school sponsored by west point and will hopefully enter the class of USMA 2012
 
So long as your grades have trended up, you'll be in good shape. Keep up the good work.
 
West Point looks for well rounded candidates who are scholars, leaders and athletes.
Exceptional strength in one area can offset a weakness in another. They strive to have a mix in the Corps of Cadets of scholars, leaders, athletes and soldiers.

To achieve scholastically - plan now your schedule for your last two years of high school. Concentrate on taking high level courses in the for core areas of English, Social Studies, Math and Science. Make sure you take Chemistry with a Lab - preferably Honors. Take Physics too if you can.
Plan on taking Math through Calculus or at least pre-calc.
West point will look at your class rank, class schedule and your grades in those classes.

Leadership - My advice - a plethora of clubs is not needed. Demonstrating leadership and committment to one organization is better than joining a bunch of clubs and doing nothing.
If you like FBLA - great - get involved. Do. Lead. Be really involved this year a run for office next year. Get involved with your class and run for class office.
Most kids show leadership within school organizations but you don't have to - you can be involved in your church - start or lead a youth group for example.

Don't worry about not being in boy scouts - concentrate on what you are good at and the things you like to do.

Athletics - Something like 92% of cadets were Varsity letter winner athletes. Athletics is very important at USMA. You will not only be expected to achieve but maintain a standard of fitness. You WILL be a part of an athletic team. Athletics at West Point is more than being in shape - it is team sports and a culture of fitness.
If you are good at baseball - great! concentrate on it. They don't expect you to play football. If you want to then play but not just to apply to USMA.

Good luck!
 
Thanks for all that info! I hope to play Varsity baseball wherevor I go to college(West Point), thanks again.
 
The only thing that I can see that wasn't mentioned already were SAT or ACT scores. Go ahead and take these soon to find out which you score higher on, and then concentrate on that one. Buy the prep book and practice taking the test. Statistics show that the more you practice, the better your score.

Another area you may want to think about is starting a club at your school. Choose something that you're interested in and will want to put time into. Your school will probably require a teacher sponsor to supervise. Any topic (art, environment, robotics, recycling, community service, etc.) will do.

Good Luck!
 
Don't worry about not being a Boy Scout. If you go to Boy's State the summer before your senior year you will get as many leadership points in your application as if you were an Eagle Scout. Contact your local American Legion post to find out more. Good luck.
 
The only thing that I can see that wasn't mentioned already were SAT or ACT scores. Go ahead and take these soon to find out which you score higher on, and then concentrate on that one. Buy the prep book and practice taking the test. Statistics show that the more you practice, the better your score.

Another area you may want to think about is starting a club at your school. Choose something that you're interested in and will want to put time into. Your school will probably require a teacher sponsor to supervise. Any topic (art, environment, robotics, recycling, community service, etc.) will do.

Good Luck!


I'm a sophomore right now, I took the PSAT back in 8th grade and scored over 600 in all fields. I'll probably start getting the booklet during the second semester this year. As for the club, we are thinking(another hopeful pointer and I brainstormed the idea the other day) about starting a JROTC at my school.
 
(another hopeful pointer and I brainstormed the idea the other day) about starting a JROTC at my school.

Armed forces are very stingy about starting new ROTC units at this point in time. That pesky budget and all the money heading towards the mideast. The only thing they are even considering, from what I understand, is inner city and/or truly disadvantaged schools.

So a noble cause in getting the paperwork moving but don't count on being able to reap in the benefits from it during your tenure.
 
Back
Top