What More Can I Do To Make Myself More Competitive? Tips?

WishfulThinking

WishfulThinking

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Nov 28, 2018
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I am a female junior(class of 2020) and I am looking forward to applying to West Point very soon to become a part of the Class of 2024. One thing I can tell from lots of research is the male to female ratio, is it more difficult for a female to be appointed to WP?
Some Information About Me:
- JROTC Positions: c/Command Sergeant Major, S-4 Logistics Officer, S-2 Security Officer, Student First Sergeant, Squad Leader, Continuous Improvement Project LEader, JCLC Positions, etc...
- Teams/Sports: Air Rifle, Raiders(Team Captain), Robotics, Drill, Cross Country, Tennis, Track, Soccer, and Science Bowl Team.
- Clubs: Beta Club, FCA(Officer:Recruiter), Pride & Spirit(Officer: Meeting Coordinator), Science Club, etc...
- Leadership: Class President, STUCO Council Representative, Youth Leadership of Hickman(My County's Leadership), etc...
- Awards: Best Role Model, JCLC Cadet Leadership Challenge, Superior Cadet(2x), Scholastic Excellence, Ranger Challenge Tab(2x), National Raider Challenge, Sojourners, etc...
- Academics: Honors Student, Straight A's, Ranked 7th in my class, Dual Enrollment in Columbia State Community College for Early American History and got a grade of A(104 on HS transcript), already qualified for an Honors Diploma, etc...
- Community Service: Over 450+hrs since starting High School->Volunteered/Internship as a Kennel Tech, RoadSide Clean-Up, LOTS of Football Games, Veterans' Day events, Elementary and Intermediate School events, etc...
AND A LOT MORE!!!
One thing holding me down as non-competitive is my standardized test scores. Highest SAT is an 1100(Took Twice), and 20 for the ACT I took(Took Once w/ Writing made a score of 7). I am currently in the National C2 Education Tutoring services. They said if I am committed to it, they can guarantee me at LEAST a 26 on the ACT! I have been going every other day since Mid-December and each time I do a double session of a total of 3 1/2 hrs of tutoring. So, I am currently working on that and my goal is a 28-30+!

So what else can I do to make myself more competitive? Any tips for applying for SLE on January 15th, 2019? Anything to help me out?! Etc..

I want to start this new year right! Happy New Year!!
Thank you in advance for your response.
 
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Regarding the SAT test scores. One thing that really helped me boost my scores (a boost of over 100 points) was doing the Khan Academy test prep. You can link your college board account to Khan Academy through the college board website allowing Khan Academy to view your test scores and frequently missed questions. That way they can personalize the test prep a little more towards you specifically (also they ask you questions using retired SAT tests which is helpful for getting a feel of the test format).

I found doing some SAT prep on Khan a few times a week for a couple months to be super helpful. I hope it's the same for you.

Best of luck as you start the application process!!
~A 2023 applicant
 
My son took the Kaplan course for SATs. They told us his score would go up 200 points by taking the course - from the pre-test they gave him.

And it did. His score was high enough where he didn’t need to take it again. The strategies and repetition will make your score go up.

Also ... CFA. Start working out daily to improve those scores. My son got up at 5:30 before school to workout at cross fit outside of basketball season - and during cross country.
 
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Thank you for the advice! One of my new year's resolutions is to work out before school, so I will definitely start that up tomorrow! I will for sure check out the Kaplan course!
 
Also - Go to your guidance counselor and get into girls state. Talk to the American Legion if your school isn’t supportive of it ... my son had to work with the American Legion because our school doesn’t support boys state like they should.
 
I am definitely wanting to go to girls state!!! I have talked with my guidance counselor and they said that all the teachers choose the student... Due to being in a small town and not originally from this community, the "Last Name" system arises, and superiority too as in one girl in my class is the superintendent's daughter and she receives a lot of praise from the teachers... so any advice on this situation? I wrote every teacher a personal Christmas card so far to show my connection with them, but what else could I do to get on their radar for girls state since they will be voting soon?
Every teacher, give or take one or two, knows who I am or at least my name...
 
WishfulThinking said:
I am a female junior(class of 2020) and I am looking forward to applying to West Point very soon to become a part of the Class of 2024. One thing I can tell from lots of research is the male to female ratio, is it more difficult for a female to be appointed to WP?
Some Information About Me:
- JROTC Positions: c/Command Sergeant Major, S-4 Logistics Officer, S-2 Security Officer, Student First Sergeant, Squad Leader, Continuous Improvement Project LEader, JCLC Positions, etc...
- Teams/Sports: Air Rifle, Raiders(Team Captain), Robotics, Drill, Cross Country, Tennis, Track, Soccer, and Science Bowl Team.
- Clubs: Beta Club, FCA(Officer:Recruiter), Pride & Spirit(Officer: Meeting Coordinator), Science Club, etc...
- Leadership: Class President, STUCO Council Representative, Youth Leadership of Hickman(My County's Leadership), etc...
- Awards: Best Role Model, JCLC Cadet Leadership Challenge, Superior Cadet(2x), Scholastic Excellence, Ranger Challenge Tab(2x), National Raider Challenge, Sojourners, etc...
- Academics: Honors Student, Straight A's, Ranked 7th in my class, Dual Enrollment in Columbia State Community College for Early American History and got a grade of A(104 on HS transcript), already qualified for an Honors Diploma, etc...
- Community Service: Over 450+hrs since starting High School->Volunteered/Internship as a Kennel Tech, RoadSide Clean-Up, LOTS of Football Games, Veterans' Day events, Elementary and Intermediate School events, etc...
AND A LOT MORE!!!
One thing holding me down as non-competitive is my standardized test scores. Highest SAT is an 1100(Took Twice), and 20 for the ACT I took(Took Once w/ Writing made a score of 7). I am currently in the National C2 Education Tutoring services. They said if I am committed to it, they can guarantee me at LEAST a 26 on the ACT! I have been going every other day since Mid-December and each time I do a double session of a total of 3 1/2 hrs of tutoring. So, I am currently working on that and my goal is a 28-30+!

So what else can I do to make myself more competitive? Any tips for applying for SLE on January 15th, 2019? Anything to help me out?! Etc..

I want to start this new year right! Happy New Year!!
Thank you in advance for your response.
Click to expand...


Going from a 20 to a 28-30 on the ACT sounds like a stretch. Most people see improvements of 1-2 points with practice, and maybe 4 if they work at it but even that is a stretch. I think the 1100 SAT is better than 20 ACT. So maybe stick with the SAT.
 
WishfulThinking said:
I am definitely wanting to go to girls state!!! I have talked with my guidance counselor and they said that all the teachers choose the student... Due to being in a small town and not originally from this community, the "Last Name" system arises, and superiority too as in one girl in my class is the superintendent's daughter and she receives a lot of praise from the teachers... so any advice on this situation? I wrote every teacher a personal Christmas card so far to show my connection with them, but what else could I do to get on their radar for girls state since they will be voting soon?
Every teacher, give or take one or two, knows who I am or at least my name...
Click to expand...

Our school offers it to the valedictorian first - so my son got it.

I went and talked to the American Legion ... he said they are allowed to send up to 5 people from the same school. And the American Legion pays for it.

Bypass your guidance counselor and talk to American Legion. If they won’t pay ... you can find a sponsor or pay yourself.

Don’t take no for an answer. :)
 
I had no idea! Thank you so much for this information, I will definitely be contacting my local post!!!
 
You are doing amazing so far! I am also a female junior looking to attend West Point and I am astonished by everything you have done. How did you balance all of it? I need tips too hehe. But to emphasize a part of what @prospective2019 posted, definitely getting involved with the school by visiting, networking and contacting admissions. Best of luck with the SLE application, we got this!
 
1) With test prep, it is not a stretch to go from 20 on first attempt to 26 or higher on ACT. Much easier to increase 6+ points from a low score than from a higher score, especially if the first attempt was taken early in process without any test prep.

2) It is not more difficult for a qualified female to be appointed to USMA than a qualified male, and may be easier, depending on the incoming class profile. USMA sets and tracks target goals for percentage of females in a class. If the class is short of the target percentage, a female has a much greater chance to be appointed as an Additional Appointee than a male.
 
Hi! I got my LOA from Navy a while ago and could share some test score tips. Leadership looks great btw. For the ACT, the best preparation is practice tests. There is a reddit thread that has a TON of real practice tests. *EDITED BY MODERATOR*

Take a bunch of them. Print them double-sided in the same way the ACT is formatted (left side is passage, right side is questions). It’ll help with time as well. This is CRUCIAL for reading and science. For science, do not read the passage. It is useless for 90% of questions. If you look closely, nearly all the answers are just from the graphs and tables. Unless its not in the graphs or tables, then read the passage. For reading, I answer the questions as I read (which saves a ton of time in the long run). Try these strategies a few times and see if they work for you.

For grammar, please see *EDITED BY MODERATOR* This is an ACT English bootcamp. It’s amazing. Also, feel free to buy the Barrons ACT book which has all the grammar rules compiled together.



For math, I really advocate the College Panda ACT prep book: *LINK REMOVED BY MODERATOR*
This is the best book for math. It’ll guide you really well. After you finish the book (make sure to do it nearly everyday for a bit), do Uworld *EDITED BY MODERATOR*

That link will give you a free 3-month subscription. No credit card or anything required. Pick what topics you struggle in and make customized tests and keep doing this consistently. It’ll work wonders.


Now listen, from a student to another student, you will hate how much time you will have to commit. But I promise you, it’ll change your life. I got a 22 on reading on my first test, but went up to a 35. 26 on writing but highest was a 35 by the end. Math became a 36. Science became a 34. These tips got me a 35 composite score which is why I am sharing it with you. If you have ANY questions, feel free to message me! Since it worked for me, I really hope it’ll work for you too!

NOTE: Moderator edits to remove social media and commercial links per this site’s policies.
 
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I agree with sbservice about the need to practice the ACT. You have time to take the test a few more times and should make the most of it. There are many helpful options for study.

Girl's State would be great if you get in. Both of my sons attended Boy's State and got a lot out of it. My daughter did not get into Girl's State, but took advantage of a couple of other programs. Our State Legislature runs a Page program for HS juniors and seniors. My daughter attended that for a week, working directly with our representative. She also attended the SLCDA summer program with the USMC. This takes place every July in DC. It is a great leadership and citizenship program and in no way commits you to the Marines. My daughter ended up being nominated and appointed to both Annapolis and the Air Force Academy.

My last piece of advice is to apply for ROTC as well as commissioning programs for the other services. All are rewarding opportunities if your first choice doesn't work out.
 
Military and SAs want more female officers; not less.
Having said that you still need to be fully qualified - your gender is not a handicap [may be an advantage depending on your district's profile.]
Study study study for ACT/SAT retakes.
 
To be honest, you need to significantly improve your test scores. Nothing else matters if you are not qualified and the scores you listed will not meet the minimums. The academic portion is also weighted the highest so an increase in test scores also has the biggest increase in your candidate file.
 
If you don't get into Girl's State, all is not lost as it's not required for entry to WP. My son didn't attend and he is currently a cadet at WP. Just look for other leadership opportunities.
 
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