new member =)

[laxfan]

Hello everyone, new member!!
I curently live in West Point, NY. My dad teaches here in the department of mechanical engineering, and it has been my dream to go to west point since I was a young boy.

okay so I know you guys get alot of these, but i jut wanted to know how these activities/grades stack up and what I could do to to improve them.

CLASSES: (gpa;4.00)

*Freshman
-spanish 1
-pe
-intro to chemistry/phyisics honors
-world geography honors
-freshman english
-geometry

*sophmore
-spanish 2
-pe
-health
-biology
-math b honors (alg. 2)
-global history 2 honors
-studio art

*junior
-spanish 3
-pe
-chemistry
-ap us history
-pre calculus honors

ACTIVITIES

*freshman
-jv football
-jv lacrosse (captain)
-varsity lacrosse

*sophmore
-jv football (captain)
-varsity ski team
-varsity lacrosse
-coach little brothers basketball team
-coach recreational lacrosse team

*junior
-varsity football
-varsity ski team (captain)
-varsity lacrosse (captain)
-national honor society
-junior class president
-coach rec leauge basketball team
-coach rec leauge lacrosse team

my father is active duty Army so I will be reciving a nomination automaticly correct?

and what can I do to make myself more competitive for an appointment?

Thanks for your time

 

[Antoinette]

Welcome, laxfan.

I am no expert but it looks like you are developing the sports, academics, and leadership skills to be competitive. Continue to participate in your leadership and sports activities and keep studying to maintain that wonderful 4.0.

Have you applied for SLS? Boys State? Global Young Leaders? Or a similar leadership summer opportunity?

I know you live right there at West Point and are very familiar with the community and school, but have you considered an official visit? You will have a chance to talk to a cadet one on one and also, an Admissions Officer who can answer your questions very clearly.

When you register for senior year classes be sure to include Calculus, AP Chemistry, and AP or Honors Physics.

Register for the SAT and the ACT for Spring of 2009; use the study guides to prepare and/or take a prep class if it is available.

Best of luck to you!

Go Army.

 

[laxfan]

I also for got to mention that I am only a sophmore: however, all the classes/activites for junior year are going to happen. The only one that might not be 100% is class president, but I feel i have a VERY good chance of being elected.

Antoinette: thank you for the welcome! and I will definetly apply for sls next summer. as a matter of fact my dad might be teaching the mechanical engineering workshops there.

 

[Just_A_Mom]

There are a dozen of kids from West Point in the class of 2012 and one at USMAPS for the class of 2013 so you will not be alone!

I seriously don't think you need advice from anyone on this board - you have professionals to ask!

As far as a nomination goes, yes, you will receive a Presidential nomination for your father's service. You also should apply to your US Representative and US Senators.

Good Luck and do well on your SAT's!

 

[America's Finest]

You seem to be on the right track! Don't forget to take a few AP classes!

Also SAT and ACT multiple times for a high score.

If you begin training for the CFA now (maybe once weekly and increase frequency as you get closer to senior year), you will do AMAZING on it.

As for the Presidential Nomination, I don't think its fully automatic but its pretty easy to get. Make sure you get it! (its the nomination I was appointed with!) on't forget your congressman, 2 senators, and VP as well.

The only thing you could improve on (besides AP classes) is maybe a little more volunteering and you're set.

Any other questions feel free to ask!

Welcome to the forums!

 

[Antoinette]

lazfan, you are smart to be planning so early.

Be sure to read the USMA Admissions website carefully and follow their recommendations:
http://admissions.usma.edu/startyoung.cfm. Taking the SAT and/or ACT early and often will pay off.

Stay in touch and keep up the good work!

 

[laxfan]

Thank you everyone for the advice !
I do have a few questions

1) will west point count my being captain of jv teams as a leadership position, eventhough they are only junior varsity teams?

2) what other extracurricular activities could make me more competitive? I devote all my free time to sports, but I am trying to find other things to do. any suggestions?

 

[J Collins]

What about community service? Boy Scouts? Church Youth Groups?
Varisty Letter? I noticed when I looked at Wespoints class profiles they actually listed all the Boy Scouts and Eagle Awards.

 

[America's Finest]

Thank you everyone for the advice !
I do have a few questions

1) will west point count my being captain of jv teams as a leadership position, eventhough they are only junior varsity teams?

2) what other extracurricular activities could make me more competitive? I devote all my free time to sports, but I am trying to find other things to do. any suggestions?

1) Yes, any situation where you are in charge of others is a leadership position. It being JV does not make being a leader any less challenging.

2) Sports is good but community service and volunteering show willingness to give to the community and service to improve the nation.

 

[Antoinette]

laxfan, be careful not to spread yourself too thin...participate in a few activities that you enjoy and that give you leadership opportunities.

Here is what USMA admissions says:

LEADERSHIP PREPARATIONS
You should participate in extracurricular activities that provide valuable leadership experiences and responsibilities. This will help you prepare for the leadership development training you will receive at West Point. The following high school experiences will develop and demonstrate your leadership potential:

Class, club, or student government position.
Awards in academic societies, such as the National Honor Society.
Participation and achievement in athletics.
Participation and success in public speaking and other nonathletic activities.
Participation and achievement in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, or Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Membership in community or church organizations.

The United States Military Academy considers it more valuable for you to achieve distinction in a specific activity, rather than participation in a number of activities without any evidence of leadership achievement. If you have to work to provide financial assistance for your family, West Point views that working experience as a demonstration of your leadership potential even though it will limit participation in school activities.

http://admissions.usma.edu/startyoung.cfm