Is it too late to go to the Academy? Do I have a shot? Anxious and discontent

[Midwestern111]

Hello all, I apologize for the long post but I really could use some advice.
Background: I am a 19-year-old freshman at a highly ranked liberal arts school in the midwest, I am very interested in attending either USMA or USNA.
When I was in high school, I was very involved and got a 29 ACT but.... I didn't finish the application process for USMA/USNA because I thought my GPA wasn't good enough. I attended the Summer Seminar for the Naval Academy and enjoyed it, unfortunately, I was not accepted into the SLE at West Point.
I decided on an in-state school where I am now, but I feel like I am wasting my life by not chasing after my goals. I also joined a fraternity and fell into a lifestyle I wasn't accustomed to. The thought of going to the academy won't leave my head, I always feel like I let myself and my family down by not attending the academy. I did not have a "plebe-like" schedule during my first semester, and I won't next semester either. To make matters worse, I don't feel like I belong at my current school, despite being involved in tons of extracurriculars and the honors program. I know that I can still commission through OCS, which is how I justified coming to my current school in the first place. But I really feel like I need the academy to become the kind of man I want to be.
What is the plan I should follow, if any, to make it into the academy?

 

[USMAGRAD1988]

Midwestern111,

You will no doubtless get plenty of advice on your post, but here are my two cents;

1. Never give up your dream to attend a service academy while there is still time to apply. In your case there is still plenty of time to apply to the Classes of 2026, 2027 or even 2028 given you are only 19 (I had a classmate with THREE years of college under his belt before going to West Point). Hold on to that feeling in your head, but remember this - do it for YOURSELF and nobody else. Don’t do it because you feel like you let your family down. Believe me, I understand the sentiment as a graduate and as a parent of a son at West Point. Make a list of reasons why you believe a SA is the right path for you to take. You mentioned OCS in your post. What about ROTC? Does your school have a program? If so, have you considered signing up for it? If not, why not? Give yourself honest answers to those questions.

2. Believe it or not up to 30% of an entering class to West Point in any given year will have completed a year of prep school or college so just know you would be in good company. Going to college for a year or two actually works greatly to your advantage in terms of preparation and maturity.

3. On January 15th, 2021 go to the West Point Admissions portal and begin your application. You already have a candidate number in the system so they know who you are. Do the same for Navy (I believe their portal opens in March).

4. Keep working hard on your grades in your current college. Hopefully you are getting all As and no more than a few Bs. While you may not have taken “plebe-like” classes this first semester or even next semester just make sure you are keeping your grades up. You may want to consider taking some summer school classes in 2021 to help improve your academic profile for the academies. Take calculus as well as a science course (if possible).

5. As painful as it may sound study for and re-take your ACT/SAT. Your scores may actually improve which will help your whole candidate score (WCS).

6. Prepare yourself well for the CFA. Too many candidates struggle to pass the CFA for one reason: lack of preparation. While the CFA is only worth 10% of your whole candidate score if you fail you “don’t pass go” with your application.

I could probably go on and on, but I think you have a solid idea of what you will need to do to continue your preparation should you desire to move forward with your plans. I’m sure others will add additional information so best of luck in the pursuit of your dreams.

Regards,

 

[CLE_42]

Midwestern111,

You will no doubtless get plenty of advice on your post, but here are my two cents;

1. Never give up your dream to attend a service academy while there is still time to apply. In your case there is still plenty of time to apply to the Classes of 2026, 2027 or even 2028 given you are only 19 (I had a classmate with THREE years of college under his belt before going to West Point). Hold on to that feeling in your head, but remember this - do it for YOURSELF and nobody else. Don’t do it because you feel like you let your family down. Believe me, I understand the sentiment as a graduate and as a parent of a son at West Point. Make a list of reasons why you believe a SA is the right path for you to take. You mentioned OCS in your post. What about ROTC? Does your school have a program? If so, have you considered signing up for it? If not, why not? Give yourself honest answers to those questions.

2. Believe it or not up to 30% of an entering class to West Point in any given year will have completed a year of prep school or college so just know you would be in good company. Going to college for a year or two actually works greatly to your advantage in terms of preparation and maturity.

3. On January 15th, 2021 go to the West Point Admissions portal and begin your application. You already have a candidate number in the system so they know who you are. Do the same for Navy (I believe their portal opens in March).

4. Keep working hard on your grades in your current college. Hopefully you are getting all As and no more than a few Bs. While you may not have taken “plebe-like” classes this first semester or even next semester just make sure you are keeping your grades up. You may want to consider taking some summer school classes in 2021 to help improve your academic profile for the academies. Take calculus as well as a science course (if possible).

5. As painful as it may sound study for and re-take your ACT/SAT. Your scores may actually improve which will help your whole candidate score (WCS).

6. Prepare yourself well for the CFA. Too many candidates struggle to pass the CFA for one reason: lack of preparation. While the CFA is only worth 10% of your whole candidate score if you fail you “don’t pass go” with your application.

I could probably go on and on, but I think you have a solid idea of what you will need to do to continue your preparation should you desire to move forward with your plans. I’m sure others will add additional information so best of luck in the pursuit of your dreams.

Regards,

That is exactly what I had to go re go through. I am currently a soph at a really good engineering program taking multivariable calc, physics 2, chem 2 etc, having a high leadership position in AROTC, contracted, competing for airassault/airborne next year, going to college completely free, and getting paid. I had to restudy for my SATs: I spend entire days over this summer to restudy for math aiming at least 740s planning to take in sept but that got cancelled twice which dampened my motivation because id have to postpone in another month or two in while dealing w school. But i finally took it in dec and believed to have did super well in math which is what i want for superscoring. I will know my results this friday. I also had to get two additional SOEs from college prof who i made great relationships with, retake CFA in july which i passed, secured a ROTC nom (waiting for sen and congr), had FFR interview july, completed my medical back in aug, got a LOE, and more. If you really want it and this is your dream, then you will go all out like me. This will be my last chance because I will be a junior reapplying and at that point that would be absurd for me almost becoming an officer and start over. Dont worry about "what if...what are my chances...my stats compared to others" if you believed to have done your absolute best and put everything on the table, then there wont be any regrets because you did what YOU could control. You can always try again. At this point of my process, it is just a waiting game for me. Im prob not going to be a principal nominee but I am hoping once this semesters grades are in and WP has seen my boosted SATs then they could provide me a waiver and get an admittance from the NWL. At the end of the day my goal to become an officer. However I would like my experience in between to be "different" but if thats not the case I will still be humble and excel in whereever I am at and thats life. If things dont go your way make the best of the situation and become better! I call it bitter sweet.

 

[OldRetSWO]

3. On January 15th, 2021 go to the West Point Admissions portal and begin your application. You already have a candidate number in the system so they know who you are. Do the same for Navy (I believe their portal opens in March).

No need to wait till March for USNA, start with a Preliminary App which is available all year long.

 

[Midwestern111]

Midwestern111,

You will no doubtless get plenty of advice on your post, but here are my two cents;

1. Never give up your dream to attend a service academy while there is still time to apply. In your case there is still plenty of time to apply to the Classes of 2026, 2027 or even 2028 given you are only 19 (I had a classmate with THREE years of college under his belt before going to West Point). Hold on to that feeling in your head, but remember this - do it for YOURSELF and nobody else. Don’t do it because you feel like you let your family down. Believe me, I understand the sentiment as a graduate and as a parent of a son at West Point. Make a list of reasons why you believe a SA is the right path for you to take. You mentioned OCS in your post. What about ROTC? Does your school have a program? If so, have you considered signing up for it? If not, why not? Give yourself honest answers to those questions.

2. Believe it or not up to 30% of an entering class to West Point in any given year will have completed a year of prep school or college so just know you would be in good company. Going to college for a year or two actually works greatly to your advantage in terms of preparation and maturity.

3. On January 15th, 2021 go to the West Point Admissions portal and begin your application. You already have a candidate number in the system so they know who you are. Do the same for Navy (I believe their portal opens in March).

4. Keep working hard on your grades in your current college. Hopefully you are getting all As and no more than a few Bs. While you may not have taken “plebe-like” classes this first semester or even next semester just make sure you are keeping your grades up. You may want to consider taking some summer school classes in 2021 to help improve your academic profile for the academies. Take calculus as well as a science course (if possible).

5. As painful as it may sound study for and re-take your ACT/SAT. Your scores may actually improve which will help your whole candidate score (WCS).

6. Prepare yourself well for the CFA. Too many candidates struggle to pass the CFA for one reason: lack of preparation. While the CFA is only worth 10% of your whole candidate score if you fail you “don’t pass go” with your application.

I could probably go on and on, but I think you have a solid idea of what you will need to do to continue your preparation should you desire to move forward with your plans. I’m sure others will add additional information so best of luck in the pursuit of your dreams.

RegarWo

Midwestern111,

You will no doubtless get plenty of advice on your post, but here are my two cents;

1. Never give up your dream to attend a service academy while there is still time to apply. In your case there is still plenty of time to apply to the Classes of 2026, 2027 or even 2028 given you are only 19 (I had a classmate with THREE years of college under his belt before going to West Point). Hold on to that feeling in your head, but remember this - do it for YOURSELF and nobody else. Don’t do it because you feel like you let your family down. Believe me, I understand the sentiment as a graduate and as a parent of a son at West Point. Make a list of reasons why you believe a SA is the right path for you to take. You mentioned OCS in your post. What about ROTC? Does your school have a program? If so, have you considered signing up for it? If not, why not? Give yourself honest answers to those questions.

2. Believe it or not up to 30% of an entering class to West Point in any given year will have completed a year of prep school or college so just know you would be in good company. Going to college for a year or two actually works greatly to your advantage in terms of preparation and maturity.

3. On January 15th, 2021 go to the West Point Admissions portal and begin your application. You already have a candidate number in the system so they know who you are. Do the same for Navy (I believe their portal opens in March).

4. Keep working hard on your grades in your current college. Hopefully you are getting all As and no more than a few Bs. While you may not have taken “plebe-like” classes this first semester or even next semester just make sure you are keeping your grades up. You may want to consider taking some summer school classes in 2021 to help improve your academic profile for the academies. Take calculus as well as a science course (if possible).

5. As painful as it may sound study for and re-take your ACT/SAT. Your scores may actually improve which will help your whole candidate score (WCS).

6. Prepare yourself well for the CFA. Too many candidates struggle to pass the CFA for one reason: lack of preparation. While the CFA is only worth 10% of your whole candidate score if you fail you “don’t pass go” with your application.

I could probably go on and on, but I think you have a solid idea of what you will need to do to continue your preparation should you desire to move forward with your plans. I’m sure others will add additional information so best of luck in the pursuit of your dreams.

Regards,

Wow, thanks for such a detailed response! I appreciate the advice about doing it for myself. I was raised by my grandparents and they have given me an incredible life, when I went to the summer seminar, they were so proud of me. I guess it's that feeling that I miss the most, but at the same time, they constantly tell me that I am doing the right thing and they are proud of me (despite not being at the academy). So, it really is an internal struggle within me, It's like I want to repay them for all they've done for me.

Midwestern111,

You will no doubtless get plenty of advice on your post, but here are my two cents;

1. Never give up your dream to attend a service academy while there is still time to apply. In your case there is still plenty of time to apply to the Classes of 2026, 2027 or even 2028 given you are only 19 (I had a classmate with THREE years of college under his belt before going to West Point). Hold on to that feeling in your head, but remember this - do it for YOURSELF and nobody else. Don’t do it because you feel like you let your family down. Believe me, I understand the sentiment as a graduate and as a parent of a son at West Point. Make a list of reasons why you believe a SA is the right path for you to take. You mentioned OCS in your post. What about ROTC? Does your school have a program? If so, have you considered signing up for it? If not, why not? Give yourself honest answers to those questions.

2. Believe it or not up to 30% of an entering class to West Point in any given year will have completed a year of prep school or college so just know you would be in good company. Going to college for a year or two actually works greatly to your advantage in terms of preparation and maturity.

3. On January 15th, 2021 go to the West Point Admissions portal and begin your application. You already have a candidate number in the system so they know who you are. Do the same for Navy (I believe their portal opens in March).

4. Keep working hard on your grades in your current college. Hopefully you are getting all As and no more than a few Bs. While you may not have taken “plebe-like” classes this first semester or even next semester just make sure you are keeping your grades up. You may want to consider taking some summer school classes in 2021 to help improve your academic profile for the academies. Take calculus as well as a science course (if possible).

5. As painful as it may sound study for and re-take your ACT/SAT. Your scores may actually improve which will help your whole candidate score (WCS).

6. Prepare yourself well for the CFA. Too many candidates struggle to pass the CFA for one reason: lack of preparation. While the CFA is only worth 10% of your whole candidate score if you fail you “don’t pass go” with your application.

I could probably go on and on, but I think you have a solid idea of what you will need to do to continue your preparation should you desire to move forward with your plans. I’m sure others will add additional information so best of luck in the pursuit of your dreams.

Regards,

Thanks for such a detailed response, you're awesome. I am going to heed your advice and take calculus at a local community college in the Summer.

 

[krabbypatty]

Definitely go for it! I didn't get into any of the service academies when I applied in high school but reapplied in college and am now waiting for a decision. I think you should also consider extracurricular opportunities in your fraternity before you consider dropping from it. I explained to my usna counselor how I was going to get a leadership position on my fraternities philanthropy committee and he loved it. You've got a fantastic opportunity right there to do something productive with 100+ able bodied people that would be an amazing addition to your application. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions on what I did to improve my application!

 

[bookreader]

1. You absolutely can still apply to the service academies. You've been given good advice in this arena already.
2. You might want to consider transferring to one of the Senior Military Academies as these are another excellent route to becoming an officer in the military.
3. Have you looked into ROTC as another option for becoming a military officer?
4. Lastly, you mention that you don't feel a good fit at your current school. May I suggest that you made a decision to simply 'bloom were you are planted'? This may involve making different choices going forward regarding how you interact with your fellow students. Maybe the frat life isn't for you and so you may want to become less involved or completely uninvolved. Join other clubs/sports teams and in this way you can meet new people and form new bonds of friendship. This will help you to feel more at home at this school.

good luch!

 

[bopper]

Also start getting to know the professors that might write you recommendations...attend their "office hours" (which I assume are virtual).

 

[Midwestern111]

1. You absolutely can still apply to the service academies. You've been given good advice in this arena already.
2. You might want to consider transferring to one of the Senior Military Academies as these are another excellent route to becoming an officer in the military.
3. Have you looked into ROTC as another option for becoming a military officer?
4. Lastly, you mention that you don't feel a good fit at your current school. May I suggest that you made a decision to simply 'bloom were you are planted'? This may involve making different choices going forward regarding how you interact with your fellow students. Maybe the frat life isn't for you and so you may want to become less involved or completely uninvolved. Join other clubs/sports teams and in this way you can meet new people and form new bonds of friendship. This will help you to feel more at home at this school.

good luch!

I've been seriously thinking about either the Citadel or VMI.
I know that if I transfer to either one I will have to go through my "rat" or "Knob" phase, but I don't really know how it works after that. Is it possible for a transfer to ever reach the top of the class system? Seems like some of the SMC's aren't really built to take in transfers.

 

[justdoit19]

Hello all, I apologize for the long post but I really could use some advice.
Background: I am a 19-year-old freshman at a highly ranked liberal arts school in the midwest, I am very interested in attending either USMA or USNA.
When I was in high school, I was very involved and got a 29 ACT but.... I didn't finish the application process for USMA/USNA because I thought my GPA wasn't good enough. I attended the Summer Seminar for the Naval Academy and enjoyed it, unfortunately, I was not accepted into the SLE at West Point.
I decided on an in-state school where I am now, but I feel like I am wasting my life by not chasing after my goals. I also joined a fraternity and fell into a lifestyle I wasn't accustomed to. The thought of going to the academy won't leave my head, I always feel like I let myself and my family down by not attending the academy. I did not have a "plebe-like" schedule during my first semester, and I won't next semester either. To make matters worse, I don't feel like I belong at my current school, despite being involved in tons of extracurriculars and the honors program. I know that I can still commission through OCS, which is how I justified coming to my current school in the first place. But I really feel like I need the academy to become the kind of man I want to be.
What is the plan I should follow, if any, to make it into the academy?

I read regret here. I would suggest that you look at all of this from a different perspective: that this last year has shown you what you really DO want. Which is a GOOD thing. You didn’t waste a semester! It helped you solidify your your outlook and goals.

As a 17yr old, most don’t know what they want. Even if they think they do. My own college kiddos, as well as their numerous friends, all changed their paths and took different routes many, many times. It’s NORMAL. So don’t beat yourself up about any of the decisions you have already made....it’s normal to not know your path.

So now, figure out how to change directions and go for it. Whatever your direction is. You have good advice already.

Lastly, I will say that trying to judge anything as ‘normal’ last semester, or even next, really isn’t fair. There is absolutely nothing normal or really representative of what any college experience actually is. Even joining clubs, etc. wont necessarily help create a ‘normal’ experience as everything is operating under a veil of COVID protocols.

Good luck.

 

[MullenLE]

Q= Is it too late to go to the Academy? Do I have a shot? Anxious and discontent​

A = If you have time to post on a public forums to ask that question, instead of filling out an application, YES./// NO, if you don't apply. /// Now you're in my area​

 

[jl123]

Hello all, I apologize for the long post but I really could use some advice.
Background: I am a 19-year-old freshman at a highly ranked liberal arts school in the midwest, I am very interested in attending either USMA or USNA.
When I was in high school, I was very involved and got a 29 ACT but.... I didn't finish the application process for USMA/USNA because I thought my GPA wasn't good enough. I attended the Summer Seminar for the Naval Academy and enjoyed it, unfortunately, I was not accepted into the SLE at West Point.
I decided on an in-state school where I am now, but I feel like I am wasting my life by not chasing after my goals. I also joined a fraternity and fell into a lifestyle I wasn't accustomed to. The thought of going to the academy won't leave my head, I always feel like I let myself and my family down by not attending the academy. I did not have a "plebe-like" schedule during my first semester, and I won't next semester either. To make matters worse, I don't feel like I belong at my current school, despite being involved in tons of extracurriculars and the honors program. I know that I can still commission through OCS, which is how I justified coming to my current school in the first place. But I really feel like I need the academy to become the kind of man I want to be.
What is the plan I should follow, if any, to make it into the academy?

For a moment I almost thought I was reading my biography - focused on sports in high school, got to college and realized this was not taking me where I wanted to go.

What I did after realizing I wanted to go to USMA:

1. Walked into my advisor's office and told him I wanted to change my major from General Business to Mechanical Engineering. Stunned, he replied that in his 25 years at the school he had many students change from Engineering to Business, but I was the first to ever to do it the other way. I had excellent grades in Business, but did have to take an extra Calculus course to meet the requirements, since I had only taken three years of high school math.
2. Joined ROTC and applied to USMA
3. Appointed, graduated, and never looked back. No regrets (except R-Day when I wondered what the hell had I gotten myself into )

 

[Capt MJ]

For a moment I almost thought I was reading my biography - focused on sports in high school, got to college and realized this was not taking me where I wanted to go.

What I did after realizing I wanted to go to USMA:

1. Walked into my advisor's office and told him I wanted to change my major from General Business to Mechanical Engineering. Stunned, he replied that in his 25 years at the school he had many students change from Engineering to Business, but I was the first to ever to do it the other way. I had excellent grades in Business, but did have to take an extra Calculus course to meet the requirements, since I had only taken three years of high school math.
2. Joined ROTC and applied to USMA
3. Appointed, graduated, and never looked back. No regrets (except R-Day when I wondered what the hell had I gotten myself into )

I think this is the first time I have used this word on SAF: Epiphany!

Loved your story.

 

[DDmom]

I've been seriously thinking about either the Citadel or VMI.
I know that if I transfer to either one I will have to go through my "rat" or "Knob" phase, but I don't really know how it works after that. Is it possible for a transfer to ever reach the top of the class system? Seems like some of the SMC's aren't really built to take in transfers.

Does your current school have rotc? If so go and talk to them, see if you can join! The experience will be awesome and it will provide you with another nomination source if you decide to continue with the application process.
Only reason its to late to apply now would be your nomination source. Maybe talk to your nomination sources and find out if they filled their slates? It doesn't hurt to ask and in some smaller states in the midwest they do not always fill the slates.
My daughter was 19 1/2 when entering USMA and she was by far not the oldest in her class. It's never to late to follow your dreams!

 

[Midwestern111]

That is exactly what I had to go re go through. I am currently a soph at a really good engineering program taking multivariable calc, physics 2, chem 2 etc, having a high leadership position in AROTC, contracted, competing for airassault/airborne next year, going to college completely free, and getting paid. I had to restudy for my SATs: I spend entire days over this summer to restudy for math aiming at least 740s planning to take in sept but that got cancelled twice which dampened my motivation because id have to postpone in another month or two in while dealing w school. But i finally took it in dec and believed to have did super well in math which is what i want for superscoring. I will know my results this friday. I also had to get two additional SOEs from college prof who i made great relationships with, retake CFA in july which i passed, secured a ROTC nom (waiting for sen and congr), had FFR interview july, completed my medical back in aug, got a LOE, and more. If you really want it and this is your dream, then you will go all out like me. This will be my last chance because I will be a junior reapplying and at that point that would be absurd for me almost becoming an officer and start over. Dont worry about "what if...what are my chances...my stats compared to others" if you believed to have done your absolute best and put everything on the table, then there wont be any regrets because you did what YOU could control. You can always try again. At this point of my process, it is just a waiting game for me. Im prob not going to be a principal nominee but I am hoping once this semesters grades are in and WP has seen my boosted SATs then they could provide me a waiver and get an admittance from the NWL. At the end of the day my goal to become an officer. However I would like my experience in between to be "different" but if thats not the case I will still be humble and excel in whereever I am at and thats life. If things dont go your way make the best of the situation and become better! I call it bitter sweet.

Mind if I PM you? I am interested in learning about how you studied for the SAT's.

 

[Midwestern111]

Does your current school have rotc? If so go and talk to them, see if you can join! The experience will be awesome and it will provide you with another nomination source if you decide to continue with the application process.
Only reason its to late to apply now would be your nomination source. Maybe talk to your nomination sources and find out if they filled their slates? It doesn't hurt to ask and in some smaller states in the midwest they do not always fill the slates.
My daughter was 19 1/2 when entering USMA and she was by far not the oldest in her class. It's never to late to follow your dreams!

My school has an AROTC crosstown agreement which I will join next year (my sophomore year).

 

[CLE_42]

Mind if I PM you? I am interested in learning about how you studied for the SAT's.

Yeah definitely

 

[Heatherg21]

You have been given excellent advice and personal experiences above. I agree with the decision to 'bloom where you are planted' while you pursue applying to USMA. Our son is a plebe at USNA, and one of the first things he noticed was how many reapplicants there are. One of those in his company he looks up to the most is a plebe who is a prior enlisted. He got in this year, next year he would have aged out. He worked hard and earned his spot, and he is 23! His roomie is a college reapplicant and his maturity and a year of college under his belt are really appreciated by squad and company mates.
You have time to alter your scheduled classes moving forward to take a plebe like, STEM course load. Seek tutoring if need be.

Do what you can to establish relationships with advisors, professors, and mentors. If you don't have a mentor, find one! Reach out to a veteran group and see if you can volunteer in some capacity. Being around mature adults with life experience can be invaluable.

Wanting to make your grandparents proud of you is really lovely. I am sure they are proud of you. Make sure you are pursuing the academy for you--no one else.
Also, you mentioned being 'involved in a ton of extracurriculars'. You might consider downsizing those commitments to allow for a more difficult plebe like class schedule, and becoming a standout in one of those clubs/activities. Showing leadership in one club could be more valuable than being a member of several. I am picturing you becoming laser-focused in a club or activity that speaks to you, that you could be passionate about. That also may help you feel like you are doing things that are important to you which in turn will boost morale and confidence.
As others have said, if this is the path you want to pursue, go all in, leave nothing to chance, and let the chips fall where they may. Good luck to you!

 

[Class of 1983]

Hello all, I apologize for the long post but I really could use some advice.
Background: I am a 19-year-old freshman at a highly ranked liberal arts school in the midwest, I am very interested in attending either USMA or USNA.
When I was in high school, I was very involved and got a 29 ACT but.... I didn't finish the application process for USMA/USNA because I thought my GPA wasn't good enough. I attended the Summer Seminar for the Naval Academy and enjoyed it, unfortunately, I was not accepted into the SLE at West Point.
I decided on an in-state school where I am now, but I feel like I am wasting my life by not chasing after my goals. I also joined a fraternity and fell into a lifestyle I wasn't accustomed to. The thought of going to the academy won't leave my head, I always feel like I let myself and my family down by not attending the academy. I did not have a "plebe-like" schedule during my first semester, and I won't next semester either. To make matters worse, I don't feel like I belong at my current school, despite being involved in tons of extracurriculars and the honors program. I know that I can still commission through OCS, which is how I justified coming to my current school in the first place. But I really feel like I need the academy to become the kind of man I want to be.
What is the plan I should follow, if any, to make it into the academy?

Hello all, I apologize for the long post but I really could use some advice.
Background: I am a 19-year-old freshman at a highly ranked liberal arts school in the midwest, I am very interested in attending either USMA or USNA.
When I was in high school, I was very involved and got a 29 ACT but.... I didn't finish the application process for USMA/USNA because I thought my GPA wasn't good enough. I attended the Summer Seminar for the Naval Academy and enjoyed it, unfortunately, I was not accepted into the SLE at West Point.
I decided on an in-state school where I am now, but I feel like I am wasting my life by not chasing after my goals. I also joined a fraternity and fell into a lifestyle I wasn't accustomed to. The thought of going to the academy won't leave my head, I always feel like I let myself and my family down by not attending the academy. I did not have a "plebe-like" schedule during my first semester, and I won't next semester either. To make matters worse, I don't feel like I belong at my current school, despite being involved in tons of extracurriculars and the honors program. I know that I can still commission through OCS, which is how I justified coming to my current school in the first place. But I really feel like I need the academy to become the kind of man I want to be.
What is the plan I should follow, if any, to make it into the academy?

I'm a graduate of the Class of 1983, a member of the Field Force and I sit on Congressional Boards most years to interview candidates. I was admitted to USMAPS but broke my leg during the last week of HS and went to a community college instead for a year. When I see an applicant's file and they are one or more years out of high school I certainly do not see it as a negative. Instead, I am curious about what they have been doing in the interim. I would not expect someone to be taking a ridiculous course load in college and to be honest I don't know how Admissions looks at college transcripts or combines them with HS transcripts. Given the impact of COVID the expectations for what someone is doing after graduating HS are probably not as great as they might otherwise be. As suggested by others, when the window opens in mid January open your file properly and reach out to your local Field Force representative. They can advocate on your behalf and help you navigate the admissions process. Boosting your ACT another few points will not hurt. A little known secret is that 25th and 75th test score percentiles don't tell the full story. Demographics come into play. USMA, like essentially all selective colleges, must fill a certain number of D1 athletic teams and it does its best to have the racial profile of incoming classes reflect those of the Army. The net of this is that higher than median test scores may be what you need to make yourself competitive. One variable which you cannot influence but you should be aware of is just how competitive your congressional district or state is. When I applied decades ago, I was told that 70 candidates were competing for 1 spot - why they chose me, I have no idea. This year the Congressional district I represent had 4 qualified applicants for 2 spots. Things change from year to year but a district's overall competitiveness probably doesn't change that much - either many apply each year or not. Don't lose hope. The process rewards those candidates who persevere. Being a year or more out of HS makes you a more mature candidate who should be better aware of what they are committing to.

 

[UnionRang]

Reading through this made me glad I’m not alone. When I first heard about West Point back in 8th grade, I didn’t consider into it. Throughout my high school years, I never gotten involved in any clubs and activities. I never got a NHS, joined Boy Scouts, or any of those. Until now as a high school senior, WP and other SA’s are really on my mind now. I’m planning to take college first year then begin the applications and I was wondering, since I didn’t get involved a lot in high school, can the activities I’ll be involving in college count?