I am currently applying for the class of 2024 and I don't think my chances are very good. I really want to go to West Point and be a Infantry Officer, so I have been debating whether I should apply to VMI and try apply first year or go to GreyStone Prep and apply again. What would be some positives and negatives of both options?
From your previous posts it sounded like you were also applying to the USNA, is that still the case. Also I assume that you just finished your junior year of HS.
Below looks to be your stats at the end of your junior year although from what you have posted your ACT has improved to a score of 30.
You should always apply if WP is a goal of yours, the only way you are assured of not getting an appointment is to not apply. That being said you should always have a Plan B....C and even D when you start this process. Some have already given you ideas for back ups but I would stress that you should also apply for the AROTC Scholarship as well. I agree that you should select a school that you feel you can best succeed and one that you can afford if you do not get an appointment or scholarship. Pick a school that you could see yourself attending for 4 years, don't pick a school simply as a stepping stone to WP because frankly the cards are stacked a bit against you. A 3.2 GPA will not be that impressive, the ACT is average for WP, you have athletics but from what you listed you were not a Captain of any team, you have some leadership but it less then the average for most applicants. It sounds like you have been doing well academically for the last couple years, that's good and keep it up, those habits will be needed when you start college.
Unweighted gpa 3.2
Weighted gpa 3.7
Sat 1240
Act 26
Class rank 121 of 475
Plan on retaking both tests until I get an adequate score
Varsity water polo for two years
Varsity swim for one
In a local politics academy at my high school
Boys state delagate
Founder and president of an anti bullying club at my high school
Vice President of key club
Intern for my congressmen and state senator
I’ve taken all the hardest classes my school has to offfer since sophomore year
Since the second semester of my sophmore year when I realized I wanted to attend an academy I’ve had above a 4.0 weighted gpa but my freshman year had dragged me down already
I can't stress enough having a solid plan B, most of the applicants to SA's have that plan B well thought out.
You mention in your post that you want to be an Infantry Officer, that's a great goal and it's a goal you can achieve in different ways. The importance of selecting a college with AROTC as a back up is great, choose one that is a good fit. The reason for this is that while you absolutely re-apply for WP if you don't get an appointment the first time, you would still be able to participate in AROTC. You will then have a decision to make if you get an appointment, go to WP and start over with a fresh new 4 years or continue with AROTC and commission in 3 years. Many re-apply and head off to WP, some decide to stay with AROTC, that's a decision only you can make. The biggest part of selecting the right school is in case you do not get an appointment the second go around, if that happens then you are already at a good school and have completed one year of AROTC and are the path to a commission. The end result can be reaching your goal of Infantry Officer if you work hard.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket and keep your eye on what is actually your goal.
