My freshmen year I did okay, A's and B's I think I topped out with a GPA of 88. Nothing special no electives or anything. My sophomore year, I would say was pretty bad. I transferred schools 3 times this year, my first semester I had A's and B's. I decided to give my mom a chance and live with her, but when I transferred schools they made me retake all of my classes because they were on a block schedule. It was here that things got really bad, my mom is addicted to crack, she told me she had stopped and didn't have a problem any more so I thought I would give her a chance and let her back into my life. Well that was a lie, she was coming home high all the time, my step father was beating her all the time when I wasn't around and it really took its toll on me. My grades plummeted, I was literally failing every single class, I went from a 96 in english to a 15. 97 in math to a 57 and so forth. I had many absences because I just couldn't cope with a lot of things going on with my life so I simply didn't go to school, I was 1 absence away from failing all of my courses and having to repeat my sophomore year. Well the end of the year started coming up and I got really scared. I got to work and brought all of my grades up to 60's and 70's I was getting all my make up work turned in and trying to fix the damage. But then I found out that my stepfather was beating my mother and I couldn't allow that so after a confrontation with him my mom decided me and her would move to my grandfathers. Well the next day I wake up and she is gone, she snuck off into the streets to do drugs, didn't see or hear from her in over 4 weeks. So she abandoned me where I was and I transferred schools yet again for the third time. Well there was only about 2 weeks left of school at that point, I wasn't able to get my make up work turned in at the second school because of how unexpected this was I had no time. Well the 3rd school would not let me do make up work so I was stuck with the bad grades I had, however they were still in the process of transferring the new grades. While I was at this new school I had all A's and B's at this school, the grades from the other school didn't transfer over before I moved yet again in the summer, so I don't know what the final outcome of my grades were. I am guessing B's and C's, I might have even failed some classes, I literally have no idea. I lost myself for a while and it messed me up real bad. However I feel that West Point is my calling. That is the only thing I can see myself doing after high school. West Point was MADE for me. I have this unexplainable urge to go to West Point and then spend my entire life in the army as a career officer. I know that is what I want and I know it is my calling. Now I am tired of making excuses and slacking off. I am willing to do anything to accomplish my life's dream. So I have created a list of things I am going to do this year to catch up. Please let me know if these things will help my situation and get me back up to par with other applicants, and please improve to the list. ANYTHING that will help.
1) 200 hours of community service.
2) Varsity football by senior year. (I played varsity my freshmen and sophomore year but it was at a 1A school so I don't think that counts.)
3) At least 2 EA's or clubs more if possible. (This school is kind of small 3A so I don't think they offer a lot.)
4) TOP ACT and SAT scores.
5) Take as many AP and honor classes as I can. (If they offer them)
6) All A's junior and senior year.
7) Get involved with what ever organizations I can (Boy scout or some thing similar.)
Also I was going to join the Texas State Guard (Not the National Guard) It is a militia type group, can be activated by the governor in case of natural disaster. They meet once a month or so to practice drill and such. Does not fight, don't need to sign a contract, they don't pay, but it DOES NOT count for any community service so I am wondering if it helps me at all? Would that look good on a transcript? If it does absolutely nothing for me as far as West Point goes I am going to spend my time else where. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me, add to my list, what ever I am able to do I will do it to get into West Point. Thanks for any and all help.
1) 200 hours of community service.
2) Varsity football by senior year. (I played varsity my freshmen and sophomore year but it was at a 1A school so I don't think that counts.)
3) At least 2 EA's or clubs more if possible. (This school is kind of small 3A so I don't think they offer a lot.)
4) TOP ACT and SAT scores.
5) Take as many AP and honor classes as I can. (If they offer them)
6) All A's junior and senior year.
7) Get involved with what ever organizations I can (Boy scout or some thing similar.)
Also I was going to join the Texas State Guard (Not the National Guard) It is a militia type group, can be activated by the governor in case of natural disaster. They meet once a month or so to practice drill and such. Does not fight, don't need to sign a contract, they don't pay, but it DOES NOT count for any community service so I am wondering if it helps me at all? Would that look good on a transcript? If it does absolutely nothing for me as far as West Point goes I am going to spend my time else where. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me, add to my list, what ever I am able to do I will do it to get into West Point. Thanks for any and all help.