More info on SLE

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Armymom93

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Jan 6, 2023
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Just watched the Facebook briefing on SLE put on by West Point admissions. A very good presentation and got some good information. They gave a range of SAT test scores they are looking for for SLE. My DS scores fall well within those ranges and he is a two sport varsity athlete and has decent leadership credentials (or so we think. Boy’s State, School Club officer). He has a 3.9 GPA and is in NHS. So….. we are a bit nervous about why he hasn’t been offered SLE. They said in the briefing that they have sent out 400 offers so far (I think I heard that right).
I guess I don’t really have a question here; just feeling a bit discouraged.
 
It is also dependent on location and if you live in a highly competitive region. If so, it's less likely to get an invite, but that doesn't mean the candidate isn't competitive for appointment. Remember SLE is also a recruitment tool. Hoping your son gets in! There is still a lot of time left.
 
Agree with above…I wouldn’t read anything into not getting offered it yet. I think they offer some from under represented areas first and then sit on a bunch until they see more of the pool of applicants. My DS had similar stats as your DS last year. He applied early and got his acceptance mid-to-late March.
 
Armymom93 said:
Just watched the Facebook briefing on SLE put on by West Point admissions. A very good presentation and got some good information. They gave a range of SAT test scores they are looking for for SLE. My DS scores fall well within those ranges and he is a two sport varsity athlete and has decent leadership credentials (or so we think. Boy’s State, School Club officer). He has a 3.9 GPA and is in NHS. So….. we are a bit nervous about why he hasn’t been offered SLE. They said in the briefing that they have sent out 400 offers so far (I think I heard that right).
I guess I don’t really have a question here; just feeling a bit discouraged.
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I did find that interesting as well. My ds did get an offer and his SAT scores are well above the 1200-1300 range. I do know that geography is a big factor. We are from a large military area. When my older DS applied 2 year ago, he was initially rejected but then got accepted to SLE in late April. His SAT scores were also above what they quoted in the briefing. We chalked it up to geography and were told over and over that it had no bearing on a future appointment which was comforting.
 
Armymom93 said:
Just watched the Facebook briefing on SLE put on by West Point admissions. A very good presentation and got some good information. They gave a range of SAT test scores they are looking for for SLE. My DS scores fall well within those ranges and he is a two sport varsity athlete and has decent leadership credentials (or so we think. Boy’s State, School Club officer). He has a 3.9 GPA and is in NHS. So….. we are a bit nervous about why he hasn’t been offered SLE. They said in the briefing that they have sent out 400 offers so far (I think I heard that right).
I guess I don’t really have a question here; just feeling a bit discouraged.
Click to expand...
The majority of cadets or midshipmen at SAs do not receive with conditions- LOAs early in the cycle or attend the respective summer programs. There just aren’t enough seats. The SAs use these as recruiting tools to meet various class-building goals.

It’s important early on in this process to learn to not look right or left, when you might see someone with “lesser stats” getting into SLE or receive an LOA next fall. You cannot see the entirety of another candidate’s application. The SAs have long experience in “shopping” for summer program attendees, and offer spots for various reasons.

Echoing other posters, do NOT read anything into it if not offered a spot. There are other leadership experiences such as Boys or Girls State which offer nice heft to an application.

From here on out, the focus should be on submitting the best quality application as early as possible.
 
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It’s important early on in this process to learn to not look right or left, when you might see someone with “lesser stats” getting into SLE or receive an LOA next fall. The SAs have long experience in “shopping” for summer program attendees, and offer spots for various reasons.
Click to expand...

A bottomless well of wisdom that I wish I had fully absorbed earlier on in this process. Perhaps hindsight is 20/20. The eyes straight ahead mantra is really key. I spent way too much time analyzing past habits of MOC nom sources, reported admissions stats, etc which I find highly entertaining but it had me in a bit of a dither from time to time. I would just add that keeping your analysis and worries to yourself is in the best interest of your applicant. They are usually much more regulated in this process than we parents are ... which is why they are pursuing it and not us. ;) Remind them to control what they can control ... resist trying to read tea leaves and put together the best application they can.
 
Summer seminars are also a tool used to recruit underrepresented demographics at the Academy, whether that be geographic, racial, gender, etc. It is not something to read into too much. Years back, I recall my one of my SLE roommates had an 18 on her ACT. It is very easy to obsess over any correspondence/signs of hope from West Point during the application process--but try not to with SLE.
 
Armymom93 said:
Just watched the Facebook briefing on SLE put on by West Point admissions. A very good presentation and got some good information. They gave a range of SAT test scores they are looking for for SLE. My DS scores fall well within those ranges and he is a two sport varsity athlete and has decent leadership credentials (or so we think. Boy’s State, School Club officer). He has a 3.9 GPA and is in NHS. So….. we are a bit nervous about why he hasn’t been offered SLE. They said in the briefing that they have sent out 400 offers so far (I think I heard that right).
I guess I don’t really have a question here; just feeling a bit discouraged.
Click to expand...
 
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