My Chances at West Point? (Serious)

S

ScratchPaper

New Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
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To avoid reading, here's a short list
Gender: Male
High School Senior
GPA: 3.6 (unweighed)
Physical fit: Not at all, a bit obese
Leadership position: None
AP Classes? : Only taken them now (5 classes)
Age: 17
SAT/ACT: Average. Have not even taken ACT.

Asking: Direct steps for an individual like me to get into West Point as a transfer student. I'll print it out and put it on my to-do list. You're basically just playing with fire, and practically changing an individual's life by replying.











Hello I'm currency a male senior, horrible grades (3.6 unweighed) and I barely just begun taking AP classes now (5 classes). I had heard about West Point from the Great Gatsby, and I was pretty darn impressed. I also just went to a ceremonial about it.

I was told that you basically had to be preparing your whole life to apply at West Point (freshmen year of high school).

However I was talking to a representative from West Point, and he told me I could go to a local community college, and try to transfer to West Point before I turn 23. (correct?)

Oh. I'm currency enrolled in Pre Calculus which I already know is bad since most people going to West Point are probably in Calculus 3 or something. I say that because I was wondering if I'm even able to catch up in time. I have absolutely no leadership skills, and in fact, have a mild speech impediment but that's manageable. I am sometimes shy, but that's okay because I can probably watch a 5 minute tutorial on how to not be shy. My SAT scores are average (1000-1200), and I never even taken the ACT so I have no scores of that. I'm not even remotely fit and obese, (I'm currency 190, but that's b/c I been starving myself until I hit 150). I also can barely do 1 push up.

You're probably wondering why a person like me would even want to be at West point, let alone consider it. First off, I just watched Rick and Morty Season 3, Episode 7, and I finally understand the coolness of being in the military. I also want to reach higher in society.

The question I'm asking here is, what are the steps needed for someone like ME to get into West Point. I know they's obviously a way for me to get in, although extremely difficult. I already know about West Point being extremely competitive as well, but I'm willing to turn a new leaf.
 
Not to be rude but West Point is not about being cool. West Point is about serving your country with upmost character & integrity. Others before Self.

You need excellent grades, challenging classes, high SAT/ACT, great recommendations, leadership skills (Captain, Prez., VP), top shape, good interview skills, & a nomination.

Wish you the best.
 
Just do your best. Every day strive to improve. Do that, get fit, and apply. You don't give enough info to really judge, but even if you did, no one here could tell you.

Enough playing with fire for this morning. And by the way... we can't change your life. That's all on you.
 
It sounds like you have a long road ahead, and I'm going to be honest, it would be a huge long shot for you to make it into West Point. Get in shape, take challenging courses this year, find a leadership position. You also have to apply for a nomination, those start in November, but you usually apply for those during your junior year. If West Point is honestly something you want, and not just to look cool, do those things and get into college. You can reapply after a year in college. Take courses similar to that of Plebe year, continue to get in shape (right now you would be laughed out of the CFA). The best advice I can give you though is to make sure your motivations are in the right place. West Point isn't somewhere you go on a whim or because it's "cool".
 
Agree with the above on the odds, but you won't know unless you try. A prudent person would have multiple back-up plans as well.

Some suggestions:
  • Apply to a 4 year college with Army ROTC. Enroll and reapply to WP in your Freshman year or even your sophomore year.
  • If you don't get in on the reapplication, you can still commission via AROTC. Whether you are from USMA or State U, everyone starts as a 2LT.
  • Enroll at a community college, challenge yourself and reapply. If not, transfer to a 4 year, graduate and apply for a commission via OCS.
 
I could be wrong, but technically you wouldnt be transferring from a community college. You would be starting West Point from scratch and none of the classes you took will count.
 
Humey is correct. There are NO transfers at USMA.....only plebes (but some plebes are better prepared than others).

I once met a yearling who was home for spring break from USMA. She already held a four year degree when she applied to West Point. She will commission with two bachelor degrees!
 
I am going to assume that you are not trolling because you state that you are serious, however, simply stating that makes me suspicious. Not to mention references to Rick and Morty. I don't want to sound rude if you are truly serious, but if you are not, all I can say is that this is the wrong forum to do that.

That being said, to be perfectly honest, I really think that you have to assess why you are joining the Army and what you are going to do to get there - yes, you are joining the Army. It's not necessarily like you cannot do it, you just have to turn a new leaf, as you said. Start challenging yourself academically (this may mean sleepless nights, because you're gonna have to play catchup). Be assertive, be a leader, and above all, be an effective leader. This obviously cannot be learned overnight, but you'll never learn without experience. As far as athletics, join a sport with no cuts - I recommend XC or swimming. Both are great for getting in shape (XC will take that weight right off), and will prepare you for West Point (if you take it seriously).

ALSO please, do not starve yourself to lose weight. That doesn't actually work. Essentially, what your body does when you restrict intake is it prepares for starvation and uses calories more efficiently, basically meaning that the same amount of food will power you for longer - you basically never end up losing weight until your body cannot keep this up and you start severely harming your ability to perform basic functions (because your body is literally starved). Most people never actually make it to that stage because it's not like food isn't available, you're just forcing yourself not to eat (basically, everyone caves). As I said before, running long distance is great for losing weight.

Whatever you choose, best of luck. Hope it works out for you!
 
Artillery said:
I am going to assume that you are not trolling because you state that you are serious, however, simply stating that makes me suspicious. Not to mention references to Rick and Morty. I don't want to sound rude if you are truly serious, but if you are not, all I can say is that this is the wrong forum to do that.

That being said, to be perfectly honest, I really think that you have to assess why you are joining the Army and what you are going to do to get there - yes, you are joining the Army. It's not necessarily like you cannot do it, you just have to turn a new leaf, as you said. Start challenging yourself academically (this may mean sleepless nights, because you're gonna have to play catchup). Be assertive, be a leader, and above all, be an effective leader. This obviously cannot be learned overnight, but you'll never learn without experience. As far as athletics, join a sport with no cuts - I recommend XC or swimming. Both are great for getting in shape (XC will take that weight right off), and will prepare you for West Point (if you take it seriously).

ALSO please, do not starve yourself to lose weight. That doesn't actually work. Essentially, what your body does when you restrict intake is it prepares for starvation and uses calories more efficiently, basically meaning that the same amount of food will power you for longer - you basically never end up losing weight until your body cannot keep this up and you start severely harming your ability to perform basic functions (because your body is literally starved). Most people never actually make it to that stage because it's not like food isn't available, you're just forcing yourself not to eat (basically, everyone caves). As I said before, running long distance is great for losing weight.

Whatever you choose, best of luck. Hope it works out for you!
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Well my my other son who is studying to be a film editor is always quoting Rick and Morty and he is a very serious guy
 
Respectfully diagree with the USMA rep about going to a local community college. Thinks being equal when you have reapplicants from regular college with good grades, applying while attending a community college won't give you any competitive advantage. The only exception willl be if your Congressional district is extremely weak.
 
I'm gonna be 100% honest. Nothing is impossible. I felt the same when I started applying in my senior year of high school. I could barely do one pull-up, pushups sucked and my two mile time was trash. But I worked hard and pushed myself. I started working out with my PE teacher was an Enlisted and when I opened my application in late September ( really late cause I was thinking hard about my decision) and got my L.O.A early December.

Now on reasons why you want to come, you have to ask yourself why. If you truly want to come here for 4 years and 5 years of mandatory military service to serve your country proud then do it. If you don't feel confident enough, then still apply, because you can learn how to be a leader. I had no leadership positions in high school but I volunteered wherever I could.

So if you think it's all for looking cool, don't apply. But if you are willing to work hard then I can't stop you from applying.
 
Humey said:
Well my my other son who is studying to be a film editor is always quoting Rick and Morty and he is a very serious guy
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I'm not denying that he may very well be serious - I'm just saying that, if youre trying to give off the serious vibe, Rick and Morty may not really be the best thing to quote (great show though, hah).
 
Aim for West Point and give it everything you've got. Even if you miss that target, your trajectory will take much farther and land you in a much better spot than your current* path. If you're serious, good luck.
 
Hey, man, I'm a Junior so I have a bit more leeway than you, but put it this way- I'm almost in the same boat as you.

First off: Comment on the starving thing, DO NOT STARVE YOURSELF. I'm not even talking a "Oh, I just meant going on a 500 calorie/day regiment", I don't care. It'll eff your body up, dude. Read forums. Talk to people on something as simple as bodybuildingforums. Starving yourself is the first way to screw up. Biologically, you're just confusing your organelles and cells. They don't know what you're thinking. "Oh, he's starving", if anything, the first thing it's going to do is consume lean muscle mass since, if you're starving, you have little reason to be lugging around huge boulders. Then it'll start taking off fat, but by then, it's too late. Your metabolism has already gone down the tubes, and that 1,000 calories you were living off of? Well, now it's fine. Your body's systems have adapted to conserve energy enough to withstand only 1,000 calories. My advice? Exercise. You may not be able to build muscle and lose fat simultaneously, but it helps with both in speeding up the process, and is essential for the former. If you eat 2,000 calories a day, go on a 500 calorie deficit of 1,500 BUT... only reduce 2,000 by 250 in caloric intake, and makeup the rest in caloric use. It's the best gift you can give yourself.

Back onto the matter at hand, 1. Look for leadership opportunities anywhere. It doesn't have to be an at-school extracurricular, it can be a club. Maybe try scouts to earn an eagle-scout award really quickly. You're 17, you may be able to make it by the deadline (but by a thin of a hair, if you could even pull it off...). Second, get fit. This is front and a slap-in-the-face, I know, but trust me on this, please. I'm fat too, dude. I'm 195, I'm 5'10. Probably 20% fat. I don't look like a walking egg, but I sure as heck couldn't do the amount of pushups they require in the CFA as a minimum let alone the pullups.

As others have said though, here's another important point- why do you want to go? For example, I want to go because my family line is marked by military men- sans my father- and I want to make family and my country proud. Your justification, however from your first post, is that it's 'cool'. Leading a squad isn't about looking, acting, or even being cool. It's about getting the job done and making sure you and anyone friendly involved gets out alive.

Feel free to PM me, dude.
 
Ok, I'll show my lack of some pop culture...,,,What the heck is Rick and Morty?
 
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