Need some opinions

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Firecracker070403

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So I am a rising senior and will graduate in May of 2021. I know USMA wants cadets that are involved and excel. I've known I wanted to go to USMA since middle school. My dad was a NCO working at USMA and was a part of the brigade tactical unit which is how I was introduced to USMA. I remember going to cadet graduations and sitting in the stands and thinking I want to be down there I want to go to West Point. Here I am the summer of my junior year and I'm applying to USMA. One thing worries me though I fill like I'm not involved enough. I am in AFJROTC at my high school and will be the Corp Commander for my unit this year. I am a part of the National Technical Honors Society. I am on the varsity soccer team and I am a team captain. I am on the varsity cross country team and am a captain. I am a part my church youth group and am a part of my church tech team. I've been offered to be in beta club every year but didn't join because I don't want to overload myself and then lack in my academics. So although I'm not involved in a bunch of different clubs and what not, the extracurricular activities I am involved in I am a leader. So should I stick with what I am doing or my senior year should I try and join some clubs?
 
Don’t think your good enough? That’s a good mindset and a bad one depending on what you do with it. In regards to joining clubs your senior year, I wouldn’t. Too many people try to beef up their resumes and the academies see this. Instead I’d keep doing what you’re doing and make some impact while in the process. The academies would rather see a leader in one or two activities/clubs than someone just be a member in a bunch.
I think Bruce Lee would agree: “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”
 
If you have a bunch of new ECs that just show up senior year on your application, admissions will see right through that. You say that you've wanted USMA since middle school, so you must know what it takes to be admitted. Stick with what you have going on and excel as a leader in those areas!

How are your academics and test scores?
 
Remember how the process works. This is not a national competition where we are looking for the some magical create student.

You will compete against the other applicants that are on your nomination slate. It is a fairly objective process that develops your WCS. The WCS is 60% academic, 30% ECA & leadership, and 10% CFA.

From what you have posted, the ECA and leadership portion seems strong. Joining another club will not do much to change your score. You need to focus on the other areas to makes sure all three areas are strong. Your test scores is the single biggest way to improve you WCS.
 
I hope you find this advice somewhat helpful. First I will start off with a little about myself to give you an idea about myself. I am a member of the class of 20 currently back at the academy for graduation. I was a direct admit right after my senior year of high school. I believe I had around a 2.9 GPA coming out of high school and only played football and lacrosse. So I never really stood out in any spectacular way. In regards to joining more clubs I would say just focus on what you are currently doing and finishing strong through this upcoming fall semester. I believe that if you are able to acquire a nomination and pass the medical portion that you have about a 50% chance of being accepted. So I would focus on those two pieces first. The tips I can give for the interview is sit down and figure out a reason why you wish to go to the academy. They will ask this question multiple times to see if you can keep a consistent story during the interviews and it will be asked on the application. (Unless recently changed) This could be an opportunity to separate yourself from the pack. Hope that helps and I will continue to monitor this thread if you have anymore questions.
 
BackHometoCO Thank you for your advice on the thread. I will take that into consideration. If you dont mind my asking, could you tell me what your scores were on SAT/ACT? and can you give me some tips for writing the candidate statements?
 
@Firecracker070403 as you'll read repeatedly, USMA creates a Whole Candidate Score. 60% of that is academics, so that's the most important piece. 30% of that is extracurriculars, which if you believe some old but probably still relevant data, also includes being team captains. Then 10% is the CFA. So do your best on the CFA (try to max one or two things, surpass averages on everything) and try to crush your standardized test scores and your first semester grades. The extra curricular are likely fine.
Good luck!
 
NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful said:
@Firecracker070403 as you'll read repeatedly, USMA creates a Whole Candidate Score. 60% of that is academics, so that's the most important piece. 30% of that is extracurriculars, which if you believe some old but probably still relevant data, also includes being team captains. Then 10% is the CFA. So do your best on the CFA (try to max one or two things, surpass averages on everything) and try to crush your standardized test scores and your first semester grades. The extra curricular are likely fine.
Good luck!
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I would say answer the whole question. Write the statement no one else but you could write. Imagine being an admissions officer and perusing through 12,000 candidate statements? Snooze fest, so make sure yours catches someone's attention. Be honest, not wordy and be willing to have a teacher critique it.
You have character limitations so be concise. Maybe write several versions answering each prompt (the whole prompt, not just the lead question). As others have said, do your research and know why you want to serve as an officer in this branch. Be authentic, it sounds trite but there is only one you! Good luck to you!
 
Opinion only!
Stick with what you are already doing. Don't get INVOLVED with more things, most fully ENGAGE in what you are already doing.

Captain, Varsity Soccer
Captain, Varsity Cross country
Corp Commander, AFJROTC
Member/Leader? National Tech Honor Society
Leader, Church Youth Group
Leader, Church Tech Team

These will check a lot of the actual check boxes. Be able to articulate (through essay, interview, and your resume) the depth, breadth, achievement in each....that show you have the traits/characteristics/capacity USMA is looking for. Answer the question.. Why should you be part of the Long Grey Line?

Do really, really, really well on SAT/ACT, 7th semester, and the CFA.
 
NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful said:
@Firecracker070403 as you'll read repeatedly, USMA creates a Whole Candidate Score. 60% of that is academics, so that's the most important piece. 30% of that is extracurriculars, which if you believe some old but probably still relevant data, also includes being team captains. Then 10% is the CFA. So do your best on the CFA (try to max one or two things, surpass averages on everything) and try to crush your standardized test scores and your first semester grades. The extra curricular are likely fine.
Good luck!
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Not correct on the 30%, it is for LEADERSHIP which does include extracurriculars but the emphasis/higher points are for leadership in those extracurriculars.
 
OldRetSWO said:
Not correct on the 30%, it is for LEADERSHIP which does include extracurriculars but the emphasis/higher points are for leadership in those extracurriculars.
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I mean I guess you’re right, but the kid is captain of two sports. The Rand report gave more points back when it was created for football, basketball and baseball. Now I’m sure they’ve expanded that for lax and soccer (baseball?! Cmon!)
So the broader point is he’s probably very strong in thag 30% bucket, but that’s only half the value of academics in any case.
 
The 30% for leadership is broken down so that it is actually 10% for extracurricular leadership, 10% for athletics and 10% for you faculty apprasal score (from the SOE's).
 
JK2009 said:
The 30% for leadership is broken down so that it is actually 10% for extracurricular leadership, 10% for athletics and 10% for you faculty apprasal score (from the SOE's).
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Yep, that is how I understand it too. I should have clarified that.
I reverse-engineered my DS’s WCS during the application process. I bet I was within 100 points of actual based on something the FFR implied. All of that seemed important at the time but now just highlights how crazed one can get during this application process ;)
 
Firecracker070403 said:
BackHometoCO Thank you for your advice on the thread. I will take that into consideration. If you dont mind my asking, could you tell me what your scores were on SAT/ACT? and can you give me some tips for writing the candidate statements?
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I believe I got a 29 on my ACT and for the essay as others above have said write what only you can. Be true to yourself and don't write an essay to trying to appeal someone else. Stick to what makes you who you are. That is what they look for in my opinion.
 
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