USMA Second Step Kit Opening

[almondqqq]

Hi Everyone! I just checked my West Point Portal and it stated that the Second Step Kit has opened. I still haven't taken the SAT/ACT (I'm taking it this Saturday) so I can understand my application still being under evaluation, but it also states that "Initial evaluations are done in August of each year and on a continual basis thereafter." Does that mean I have until August to submit my items for evaluation, or does it mean everyone who are eligible for the second step will be determinate n August, or can you get that evaluation sooner? Thank you!

 

[USMA2026Cadet]

You have until 31 January to submit your app, but definitely do NOT wait until then. Get everything in by your congressional nomination interviews and you’ll be in good shape imo. What “initial evaluations are done in August” means is that the admissions committee will start meeting in August every year, probably for LOAs and LOEs at that point, and then meet on a continual basis thereafter.

 

[USMA2026Cadet]

Very, very few decisions are released before 31 January, the bulk comes in waves after. Usually a big one at the beginning of February, followed by more in February, March, and April, before it starts trickling down in April/May/June.

 

[DrMom]

The sooner you get your packet submitted, the sooner it will be reviewed. You cannot be offered an appointment until your packet is complete (But you can get letters of encouragement (which are non-committal) or Letters of Assurance, which is committal.) So, when you wrap up the school year this year--talk to your teachers about who will be your referee (English, Chemistry, Math) and also talk to your Guidance Counselor and to the school registrar who will send your six semester transcript. Also, start working on the nomination packet and the essays. You can be done by the time school starts in August--and if you take the SATs one more time in October, that will only increase your scores. Good luck!

 

[almondqqq]

The sooner you get your packet submitted, the sooner it will be reviewed. You cannot be offered an appointment until your packet is complete (But you can get letters of encouragement (which are non-committal) or Letters of Assurance, which is committal.) So, when you wrap up the school year this year--talk to your teachers about who will be your referee (English, Chemistry, Math) and also talk to your Guidance Counselor and to the school registrar who will send your six semester transcript. Also, start working on the nomination packet and the essays. You can be done by the time school starts in August--and if you take the SATs one more time in October, that will only increase your scores. Good luck!

Thank you!

 

[almondqqq]

You have until 31 January to submit your app, but definitely do NOT wait until then. Get everything in by your congressional nomination interviews and you’ll be in good shape imo. What “initial evaluations are done in August” means is that the admissions committee will start meeting in August every year, probably for LOAs and LOEs at that point, and then meet on a continual basis thereafter.

Thank you!

 

[DrMom]

Thank you!

Like, get your Math, Chemistry or Physics, and English teachers' email addresses that they will check during the summer (ASK THEM NOW if you have not done so already). Find out when your registrar's office is open during the summer. Talk to your guidance counselor now--esp if he or she does not know about the service academy application process and the nomination process. (Start nomination packets to every single possible nomination source: one congressman, two senators, and presidential if that is available to you.)

 

[almondqqq]

Like, get your Math, Chemistry or Physics, and English teachers' email addresses that they will check during the summer (ASK THEM NOW if you have not done so already). Find out when your registrar's office is open during the summer. Talk to your guidance counselor now--esp if he or she does not know about the service academy application process and the nomination process. (Start nomination packets to every single possible nomination source: one congressman, two senators, and presidential if that is available to you.)

Thanks for the advice! I already spoken to my teachers, but one question, do you know if it is only 11th-12th grade teachers or any grade?

 

[DrMom]

It should be your most recent teacher--for Math...and for English...so for you, it would be 11th grade. Same for Chemistry or Physics.
Of course, if you did not do your lovely best in Chemistry but think you will do better in Physics, then you can wait until November to ask for that letter...but if you have been doing well in school, go with your most recent teachers from 11th grade.

 

[almondqqq]

It should be your most recent teacher--for Math...and for English...so for you, it would be 11th grade. Same for Chemistry or Physics.
Of course, if you did not do your lovely best in Chemistry but think you will do better in Physics, then you can wait until November to ask for that letter...but if you have been doing well in school, go with your most recent teachers from 11th grade.

ah I see. I don't know why but my curse of English teacher is incredible as in all of my English teachers from 9th-11th have retired. My 11th grade English teacher is willing to write me a LOR, but I don't know if she would be happy having me ask for a LOR and a SOE (Chances are she is since I have a good relationship with her) Also, my math teacher only writes for students he had for two years, and the next class I could take with him is Multi Variable Calculus (I barely squeaked by Calc BC with an A so I don't think I can survive Multi Var) so I was thinking of asking my 10th grade Calc teachers since me and her have a good relationship and she is a military family so she understands. My physics is good since I have great relationship with her. Overall it's very confusing for me but I got this!

 

[DrMom]

Sounds like you have a plan.

 

[SA-parent]

Also, my math teacher only writes for students he had for two years, and the next class I could take with him is Multi Variable Calculus (I barely squeaked by Calc BC with an A so I don't think I can survive Multi Var) so I was thinking of asking my 10th grade Calc teachers since me and her have a good relationship and she is a military family so she understands.

I like your approach. Still, an SOE is a bit different than a recommendation. You might consider explaining that the SAs, including USMA seek SOEs and/or recommendations from 11th or 12th grade teachers and see if you turn out to be an exception to your teacher's "two year" rule.

 

[Mere2033]

ah I see. I don't know why but my curse of English teacher is incredible as in all of my English teachers from 9th-11th have retired. My 11th grade English teacher is willing to write me a LOR, but I don't know if she would be happy having me ask for a LOR and a SOE (Chances are she is since I have a good relationship with her) Also, my math teacher only writes for students he had for two years, and the next class I could take with him is Multi Variable Calculus (I barely squeaked by Calc BC with an A so I don't think I can survive Multi Var) so I was thinking of asking my 10th grade Calc teachers since me and her have a good relationship and she is a military family so she understands. My physics is good since I have great relationship with her. Overall it's very confusing for me but I got this!

My DD is in the same boat. She took all of her math and English courses at the community college and never met her teachers so now she has to backtrack and come up with a plan.

 

[almondqqq]

I like your approach. Still, an SOE is a bit different than a recommendation. You might consider explaining that the SAs, including USMA seek SOEs and/or recommendations from 11th or 12th grade teachers and see if you turn out to be an exception to your teacher's "two year" rule.

Alright thanks!

 

[almondqqq]

My DD is in the same boat. She took all of her math and English courses at the community college and never met her teachers so now she has to backtrack and come up with a plan.

That's a scary thing tbh, but maybe she can ask and meet up with them and ask for one?

 

[99Gold]

My DD is in the same boat. She took all of her math and English courses at the community college and never met her teachers so now she has to backtrack and come up with a plan.

My DS asked one of his online teachers (physics) to fill out an SOE and he was happy to do so. He did well in the class and participated in online discussions so he is pretty confident he will receive a good SOE. His only other option is his 10th grade chemistry teacher and while he excelled in that class, he thinks that the impression will have faded a bit. I think a lot of 2026ers will be in this boat with how weird school was this year. He is, however, only asking in-person teachers for LORs. He feels that they involve another level of knowledge.

 

[Mere2033]

My DS asked one of his online teachers (physics) to fill out an SOE and he was happy to do so. He did well in the class and participated in online discussions so he is pretty confident he will receive a good SOE. His only other option is his 10th grade chemistry teacher and while he excelled in that class, he thinks that the impression will have faded a bit. I think a lot of 2026ers will be in this boat with how weird school was this year. He is, however, only asking in-person teachers for LORs. He feels that they involve another level of knowledge.

I’m hoping this will be the case with my DD. She’s taking calculus over the summer on line so she’s going to try to develop some kind of relationship with the teacher there. English has always been on line but she did well and asked a lot of questions so hopefully he’ll be open to that. Can the LOR come from her chemistry teacher? How about leadership teacher?