SLE Considered as part of Whole Candidate Profile?

D

DeepWaters

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Dec 31, 2019
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I totally understand that you need not participate in SLE to gain admission to West Point. I totally get that some are rejected for SLE but get the nomination. I am aware that SLE is in many ways an advertisement to prospective applicants. What I am curious about is whether you get any “credit” for the SLE experience as part of leadership training. Is it factored in to the whole candidate profile. I write this in part because I may have a conflict with Boys State. I know how valuable Boys State can be, but for me doing SLE or a summer seminar at USAFA or USNA would really help me in figuring out whether the academy road is for me and if so which Academy. If I had to pick this over Boys State I will.

I know no one out there may know for sure whether the Summer Leadership Experience factors into the “leadership” bucket by Admissions, but would love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you.
 
I would recommend picking Boys State any of those summer programs. From speaking with one of my local representatives, Boys State adds 200 raw points to your WCS (for USMA in specific). Purely from a numbers aspect, that is going to be far more beneficial than SLE. Hopefully, you are selected for one of the weeks that don't conflict with Boys State. That being said, there are other ways to experience cadet life such as daily visits or candidates visit weekends at USNA. Boys State will be your strongest option to strengthen your admissions the academies and to other academic institutions as well.
 
DeepWaters said:
I totally understand that you need not participate in SLE to gain admission to West Point. I totally get that some are rejected for SLE but get the nomination. I am aware that SLE is in many ways an advertisement to prospective applicants. What I am curious about is whether you get any “credit” for the SLE experience as part of leadership training. Is it factored in to the whole candidate profile. I write this in part because I may have a conflict with Boys State. I know how valuable Boys State can be, but for me doing SLE or a summer seminar at USAFA or USNA would really help me in figuring out whether the academy road is for me and if so which Academy. If I had to pick this over Boys State I will.

I know no one out there may know for sure whether the Summer Leadership Experience factors into the “leadership” bucket by Admissions, but would love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you.
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I feel the SLE at West Point this past summer really helped me gain an appointment. You get interviewed, and from that, your squad leader, who is a cadet, vouches for you. You also get to take your CFA there and can use your experience at the academy to your advantage during your nomination process. I got a LOA in August, which was pretty early, and I feel like that was because I got my foot in the door through that camp. Plus, you get to meet a lot of awesome people from all over the country and have lots of fun. Though, like you probably already know, other things like extracurriculars matter as well. Best of luck.
 
Can you attend a neighboring state’s Boy’s State as an option?
 
Historically Boys State weighs more than SLE and Those that attend SLE and get a LOA most likely would have received a LOA anyway. Having your official interview done by a cadet instead of a FFR, I think the jury is still out on that. Can’t see the wonderful words written by a 19 year old cadet who was told to interview their SLE kid before they can leave post would mean more to the committee than the FFR who has worked with the Academy for years to assist cadet candidates with admission.
 
My comments are based on my DD’s conversation with Admissions Officer.

- SLE plays no part in your main application. However you do get chance to do a CFA ( no need for video of doing at SLE)

- FFR interviews can also be taken at SLE.

with these 2 big components out for you, you can trigger Dodmerb and by end of August you can be qualified 3Q if competitive.

- Boys state or Girls state is higher priority over any summer seminar ( NASS, SS, SLE)

hope that helps.
 
i have heard it possible but believe your sponsoring Legion may have to reach out to the other state headquarters
 
I'd go for Boys State, the big point earner. As noted above, the advantaged of SLE are being able to get the CFA and interview done ahead of time.
As it turned out, DS had an injury beforehand and wasn't even able to do the CFA then, AND he was told to get a FFR interview in the fall despite having already done the interview at SLE. If he had attended solely because of those two things, it would have backfired on him.
 
Do the neighboring Boy's State or ask to switch the week for SLE. I went to Girls State and SLE and it was WORTH going to both. I talk about SLE more then Girls State but Girls State was worth it too for experience and application.
 
Boy's State versus SLE is dependent on the candidates extracurriculars. If someone already has strong extracurriculars, Boys State may not necessarily help. It absolutely does not add a blanket 200 points to your WCS. While SLE does not add any points, getting the interview and CFA out of the way are big factors, especially the CFA because you do not have to submit the dreaded videos. The most important benefit in my opinion is that you meet great people who you keep in contact with during the entire painful application process. Most candidates are the only person in their senior class applying, so having a group that can help and understands what you are going through is a big help.
 
JK2009 said:
Boy's State versus SLE is dependent on the candidates extracurriculars. If someone already has strong extracurriculars, Boys State may not necessarily help. It absolutely does not add a blanket 200 points to your WCS. While SLE does not add any points, getting the interview and CFA out of the way are big factors, especially the CFA because you do not have to submit the dreaded videos. The most important benefit in my opinion is that you meet great people who you keep in contact with during the entire painful application process. Most candidates are the only person in their senior class applying, so having a group that can help and understands what you are going through is a big help.
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My son attended boys state and found that the vast majority of attendees were WP hopefuls. He kept in touch with some of them and met up with some at Rday. Point being if you attend boys state instead of SLE there are people there that get what you are going through.
If you can do both SLE and boys state do them both. If only one, boys state.
My son was going to philmont witj the scouts when SLE was available so did not even apply.
 
DeepWaters said:
I totally understand that you need not participate in SLE to gain admission to West Point. I totally get that some are rejected for SLE but get the nomination. I am aware that SLE is in many ways an advertisement to prospective applicants. What I am curious about is whether you get any “credit” for the SLE experience as part of leadership training. Is it factored in to the whole candidate profile. I write this in part because I may have a conflict with Boys State. I know how valuable Boys State can be, but for me doing SLE or a summer seminar at USAFA or USNA would really help me in figuring out whether the academy road is for me and if so which Academy. If I had to pick this over Boys State I will.

I know no one out there may know for sure whether the Summer Leadership Experience factors into the “leadership” bucket by Admissions, but would love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
SLE is a great program to experience USMA, especially for those unfamiliar with the military or who have never had the opportunity to visit West Point.

SLE contribution to admissions: Zero; absolutely no factor in WCS score, leadership or otherwise (unless candidate does something incredibly stupid or heroic ;)).
 
I'll say it just like everyone else, Boys State is a must. If you are able, reach out to the SLE coordinator and see if you can change the week you attend due to the conflict with Boys State. I'm sure there will be someone else with a similar situation that may be able to switch.
 
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