MindofIM1722
New Member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2015
- Messages
- 2
Hello all,
I am currently a junior in high school and at the beginning of this year I developed a very strong desire to attend West Point. However, I have some relatively large pitfalls I need to overcome and I need some help in achieving these objectives. My dream is to become a military intelligence offer and/or pilot and becoming an officer is typically the only way to become such.
As far as my high school career is concerned, it has really been a bit of a dichotomy. In 9th grade I elected to enroll in cyber school. I did so because it was always something I'd wanted to try, and it turned out to be a mistake. The home environment was just not a conducive learning environment for me and I achieved very less than stellar grades. My overall GPA was about a 76, yikes! That is no excuse and I realize that this was my fault. However, I enrolled back into public school in my sophomore year, bringing my GPA all the way back to a 91. The only class I struggled with was Geometry, in which I got a C. Now as a junior, I have taken some of the most academically rigorous courses my school has to offer, they include: AP US History and Advanced Biology 2. My GPA as a junior is a 97 and has remained so throughout the entire year. I have had no grades lower than an 85. For my senior year I was recommended for and will be taking even more rigorous courses such as AP Physics, AP Biology, and AP English. How will the admissions board at USMA and Army ROTC boards look at this upward curve in my grades?
In regards to the SATs, I took them in February of this year and plan to retake them in May. I scored a 460 on the Math section (not great), a 570 on the Critical Reading, and a 540 on the writing section. I know they all need improvement and I'm striving towards getting at least a 580 on all of them. Math is my weakest subject, but I know I will improve my scores in that section. I am not stupid, or lazy, etc. I'm actually a very ambitious person who made some relatively poor academic decisions. I'll do anything it takes to make myself look competitive to both the USMA and ROTC boards. What types of SAT scores will make me a bit more competitive for USMA and Army ROTC?
As far as extracurricular activities, I'm very involved. I play football and run track. However, I currently have not won a varsity letter. Hopefully that all changes this spring for track. As a freshman, I won my head coaches award; being recognized for my ability "to be taught and be led, while teaching and leading others." I'm not sure how that can figure into my application, but I hope it can. I am in speech and debate, FBLA, Key Club, Big Brothers/Big Brothers Big Sisters, and a Bible study leader at my church. My math teacher this year recommended me for the Keystone Boys State Conference, so hopefully I get accepted to that as well. I also plan on running for senior class vice president. What other extracurricular activities will help me look better?
Now, I know my chances right now and even on my first application to USMA and for the 4 year ROTC scholarship are slim to none. How well would it look if I applied again to USMA as a freshman in college, as part of ROTC? If I performed well academically and within the corps of ROTC would that make me a more competitive candidate? Even if not, what are my prospects for getting even a 2 or 3 year ROTC scholarship? Please help me out with this situation, with some guidance and practical advice that can help me in my objectives. It is my dream to become an Army officer and attend USMA. I want to do this because I want to be part of something bigger than myself. I see my other high school counterparts and their aspirations for after high school and how selfish they generally are. I don't want that for myself, I want to lead while serving others, all while realizing I'm only a small part of a big picture. Please anyone who has been in a similar situation, please help out with any guidance on my path I would really appreciate it!
God Bless America and Go Army!
I am currently a junior in high school and at the beginning of this year I developed a very strong desire to attend West Point. However, I have some relatively large pitfalls I need to overcome and I need some help in achieving these objectives. My dream is to become a military intelligence offer and/or pilot and becoming an officer is typically the only way to become such.
As far as my high school career is concerned, it has really been a bit of a dichotomy. In 9th grade I elected to enroll in cyber school. I did so because it was always something I'd wanted to try, and it turned out to be a mistake. The home environment was just not a conducive learning environment for me and I achieved very less than stellar grades. My overall GPA was about a 76, yikes! That is no excuse and I realize that this was my fault. However, I enrolled back into public school in my sophomore year, bringing my GPA all the way back to a 91. The only class I struggled with was Geometry, in which I got a C. Now as a junior, I have taken some of the most academically rigorous courses my school has to offer, they include: AP US History and Advanced Biology 2. My GPA as a junior is a 97 and has remained so throughout the entire year. I have had no grades lower than an 85. For my senior year I was recommended for and will be taking even more rigorous courses such as AP Physics, AP Biology, and AP English. How will the admissions board at USMA and Army ROTC boards look at this upward curve in my grades?
In regards to the SATs, I took them in February of this year and plan to retake them in May. I scored a 460 on the Math section (not great), a 570 on the Critical Reading, and a 540 on the writing section. I know they all need improvement and I'm striving towards getting at least a 580 on all of them. Math is my weakest subject, but I know I will improve my scores in that section. I am not stupid, or lazy, etc. I'm actually a very ambitious person who made some relatively poor academic decisions. I'll do anything it takes to make myself look competitive to both the USMA and ROTC boards. What types of SAT scores will make me a bit more competitive for USMA and Army ROTC?
As far as extracurricular activities, I'm very involved. I play football and run track. However, I currently have not won a varsity letter. Hopefully that all changes this spring for track. As a freshman, I won my head coaches award; being recognized for my ability "to be taught and be led, while teaching and leading others." I'm not sure how that can figure into my application, but I hope it can. I am in speech and debate, FBLA, Key Club, Big Brothers/Big Brothers Big Sisters, and a Bible study leader at my church. My math teacher this year recommended me for the Keystone Boys State Conference, so hopefully I get accepted to that as well. I also plan on running for senior class vice president. What other extracurricular activities will help me look better?
Now, I know my chances right now and even on my first application to USMA and for the 4 year ROTC scholarship are slim to none. How well would it look if I applied again to USMA as a freshman in college, as part of ROTC? If I performed well academically and within the corps of ROTC would that make me a more competitive candidate? Even if not, what are my prospects for getting even a 2 or 3 year ROTC scholarship? Please help me out with this situation, with some guidance and practical advice that can help me in my objectives. It is my dream to become an Army officer and attend USMA. I want to do this because I want to be part of something bigger than myself. I see my other high school counterparts and their aspirations for after high school and how selfish they generally are. I don't want that for myself, I want to lead while serving others, all while realizing I'm only a small part of a big picture. Please anyone who has been in a similar situation, please help out with any guidance on my path I would really appreciate it!
God Bless America and Go Army!