Second Year Applicant Advice?

[TiberiusJunior]

I made a post awhile back detailing my situation as a late-game applicant to this board. In essence, I am a highly competitive applicant that made some significant mistakes in timing that led to me receiving a nomination very late and ultimately missing the medical deadline and thus being disqualified. I won't repeat that same post, but know that there was a very high likelihood that I would have been accepted had I been more timely with my materials and more motivated. This estimation does not come from my own judgement, but from that of my state coordinator whom I corresponded with about my application over the phone. She expressed great confidence that I would be a highly competitive re-applicant if I fix my mistakes.


I have decided that I want to re-apply to West Point. I plan on opening my application the day after R-Day (I have heard stories of applicants receiving notice literally days before - I'm not that foolishly hopeful, but I want to be 100% sure). Now, the reason that I have the confidence to do this is simple - I will be attending American University on a 4-year ROTC scholarship. It very well might be the case that I end up loving American and the ROTC lifestyle, but I still want to throw my hat in the ring, as I still posses the desire to attend West Point. Of course a lot will change in college and I'll still have the problem of adjusting to the Army lifestyle, but right now I am dead-set on re-applying to West Point.


I wish to know if anyone on this forum applied to West Point from an ROTC program and, if so, what their experience was. I understand that I can apply to my local congresswoman, both my state senators (I received my nomination this year from one of my senators; can I reapply to them?) and the vice president, but I am unclear on how the ROTC nomination works. How important are my 8th semester HS transcripts? Should I retake the ACT even if I'm already satisfied with it? What does my timeline look like?


I appreciate any help that this forum can offer.

 

[USMA 1994]

There are a bunch of post concerning this topic that answers a lot of these questions.

In terms of the ROTC nomination, it is a form completed by the PMI of your ROTC unit. It is two pages and he sends it to your RC. There are basically unlimited nominations but 20 appointments from that category.

You will need to send in your 8th semester transcripts this summer as they are required. Everything else you submitted will remain in your portal. You will also complete an updated activity profile and your high school will have the re-verify the profile.

There is no rush for everything as no action can be taken until they receive your first semester college transcript. You should have everything else completed by the end of November to start the medical process.

I would also hold off on mentioning reapplying at ROTC a few months. Be part of the team and do well first. Show the ROTC leadership that you have the academic, physical and leadership potential to succeed before you ask to leave.

 

[buff81]

Congratulations on a 4 year ROTC scholarship!
You've got great ACT scores. If you think you could bring up your math a point or 2, then take it again. You can focus on studying just for the math since WP superscores. Make A's or B's in your classes. Re-apply early.
Best wishes.

 

[brovol]

Unless you have 34's or higher in all subjects, retake the ACT for sure. You certainly should reaply for noms with each MOC. They get re-apps every year, and shouldn't hold it against you that you got one the prior year.

 

[NavyHoops]

And I would also be careful how you frame your stuff from last year. It's okay to say things like, 'I learned of West Point late last year and that resulted in me starting the application late. Unfortunately I missed the medical deadline. My area coordinator thought I was a strong candidate and my desire to be an Army officer and attend USMA has only grown.' If you go in with an attitude that you think you are lock or would of gotten an appointment last year (honestly regardless of stats, no one knows this if this is true or not) it won't come off well.

 

[brovol]

And I would also be careful how you frame your stuff from last year. It's okay to say things like, 'I learned of West Point late last year and that resulted in me starting the application late. Unfortunately I missed the medical deadline. My area coordinator thought I was a strong candidate and my desire to be an Army officer and attend USMA has only grown.' If you go in with an attitude that you think you are lock or would of gotten an appointment last year (honestly regardless of stats, no one knows this if this is true or not) it won't come off well.

Perhaps saying that after last year's application process was done your appreciation for a career in the Army grew, you found your focus, and believe that the way for you to become the best leader and officer it through West Point.