Wisconsin Homeschooler wants to compete for USMMA, Class of 2023

birdwatcher4125

birdwatcher4125

5-Year Member
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May 28, 2018
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I've read repeatedly that the Air Force Academy is supposedly the most welcoming to homeschool candidates (provided they're actually qualified), and that Annapolis & West Point will accommodate qualified homeschooled applicants as well. But, I've not read anything that discusses how homeschoolers have historically fit in to the Kings Point application process. Do homeschoolers comprise a comparative percentage of the KP classes?

I'm also curious about how competitive Wisconsin is for spots at USMMA. I've read that there are only 4 spots allotted to Wisconsin for every class. Does anyone know where Wisconsin lines-up for competitiveness when compared to other states?

Also, I just read this on another thread "USMMA is required (by law) to offer admission to applicants based on their ranked order-of-merit by State. As candidate files are evaluated, some (whose overall standing is VERY high) are offered admission early-on.....". Does anyone know exactly what this means (if it's true), and how this is different from how the other academies conduct their admissions?

I'd appreciate any advice, information and help with USMMA admissions that anyone can offer. Thank you.
 
Yes, USMMA welcomes homeschoolers, but I am unaware of numbers or percentages. A greater emphasis is placed on your standardized test scores when you are homeschooled so make sure to take the SAT and/or ACT early and often.

The wording you quoted in your post refers to the practice of offering letters of assurance (LOA's) to highly qualified candidates, similar to what USAFA,USMA, and USNA do. USCGA is somewhat different with their early and regular admission options.

Wisconsin is less competitive than some other states. Highly competitive states tend to be from coastal areas and geographically near New York where the academy is better known.

Wisconsin being allotted four slots does not mean that it is limited to only four. It just means that you would have to compete with other qualified applicants from across the country.

Good luck with your application process. Be sure to get started as soon as possible.
 
kpmom2013,

Thank you for the good information. It's encouraging to hear that homeschoolers can be competitive at USMMA.

I know that a lot of people ask the common "What are my chances?" question, and I know that its not as simple as looking at a blurb of stats, but....I....just.....can't.....help.....asking.......

Academically my DS will have to rely on ACT/SAT scores as his high school education has been through the traditional homeschool route.

These are his highlight stats so far (he has other lesser accomplishments):

ACT: 33 Composite (35 English, 32 Math, 36 Reading, 29 Science)
SAT: 1490 Composite (720 Reading/Writing, 770 Math)
Eagle Scout (2 time elected Senior Patrol leader)
Boys State (elected State Representative)
STEM Robotics Team (4 year member/ 3 years Mechanical Team Captain/Team went to World Championship)
West Point SLE (Passed his CFA, 562 points, No Risk)

He plans on retaking the following:

ACT this July with a goal of 34/35 in both the Math & Science sections which would bring his composite up to 34/35.
SAT this August with a goal of getting a 750-780 in the Reading/Writing Section and maybe bringing his Math up to a 780, which would bring his composite up to a 1520-1560.
CFA sometime later this summer with a goal of getting a 650+.

Do you think he has a reasonable chance if his essays & interviews go well?
 
birdwatcher4125 said:
kpmom2013,

Thank you for the good information. It's encouraging to hear that homeschoolers can be competitive at USMMA.

I know that a lot of people ask the common "What are my chances?" question, and I know that its not as simple as looking at a blurb of stats, but....I....just.....can't.....help.....asking.......

Academically my DS will have to rely on ACT/SAT scores as his high school education has been through the traditional homeschool route.

These are his highlight stats so far (he has other lesser accomplishments):

ACT: 33 Composite (35 English, 32 Math, 36 Reading, 29 Science)
SAT: 1490 Composite (720 Reading/Writing, 770 Math)
Eagle Scout (2 time elected Senior Patrol leader)
Boys State (elected State Representative)
STEM Robotics Team (4 year member/ 3 years Mechanical Team Captain/Team went to World Championship)
West Point SLE (Passed his CFA, 562 points, No Risk)

He plans on retaking the following:

ACT this July with a goal of 34/35 in both the Math & Science sections which would bring his composite up to 34/35.
SAT this August with a goal of getting a 750-780 in the Reading/Writing Section and maybe bringing his Math up to a 780, which would bring his composite up to a 1520-1560.
CFA sometime later this summer with a goal of getting a 650+.

Do you think he has a reasonable chance if his essays & interviews go well?
Click to expand...

Is the 33 ACT your son’s best sitting? Remember that USMMA will superscore so use that to your advantage. Personally I would give it one more try in July solely focusing on improving math and science, and that’s it!!

Find an organized sports league and participate. Or play a sport through a local high school maybe. Your son needs to demonstrate his ability to work towards a common goal amongst a team. Sports is the best way to demonstrate this. If not, make sure he maxes the CFA to show that he is physically fit. In my opinion, bringing the ACT or SAT up a couple points won’t have as big of an impact to his application as partaking in an organized sport. Remember that over 80% of the incoming class has a varsity letter. Good luck!
 
birdwatcher4125 said:
kpmom2013,

Thank you for the good information. It's encouraging to hear that homeschoolers can be competitive at USMMA.

I know that a lot of people ask the common "What are my chances?" question, and I know that its not as simple as looking at a blurb of stats, but....I....just.....can't.....help.....asking.......

Academically my DS will have to rely on ACT/SAT scores as his high school education has been through the traditional homeschool route.

These are his highlight stats so far (he has other lesser accomplishments):

ACT: 33 Composite (35 English, 32 Math, 36 Reading, 29 Science)
SAT: 1490 Composite (720 Reading/Writing, 770 Math)
Eagle Scout (2 time elected Senior Patrol leader)
Boys State (elected State Representative)
STEM Robotics Team (4 year member/ 3 years Mechanical Team Captain/Team went to World Championship)
West Point SLE (Passed his CFA, 562 points, No Risk)

He plans on retaking the following:

ACT this July with a goal of 34/35 in both the Math & Science sections which would bring his composite up to 34/35.
SAT this August with a goal of getting a 750-780 in the Reading/Writing Section and maybe bringing his Math up to a 780, which would bring his composite up to a 1520-1560.
CFA sometime later this summer with a goal of getting a 650+.

Do you think he has a reasonable chance if his essays & interviews go well?
Click to expand...
He seems well-qualified from what you posted in comparison to statistics from past years. As you said, no one outside of admissions knows for sure.
 
usna1234 & kpmom2013,

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. The team sport options are essentially non-existent for him. He did participate in a local homeschool organization track & field team and is going to be on their cross-country team this fall along with running a few local 5ks & maybe 10ks this summer and fall as well.
 
birdwatcher4125 said:
kpmom2013,

Thank you for the good information. It's encouraging to hear that homeschoolers can be competitive at USMMA.

I know that a lot of people ask the common "What are my chances?" question, and I know that its not as simple as looking at a blurb of stats, but....I....just.....can't.....help.....asking.......

Academically my DS will have to rely on ACT/SAT scores as his high school education has been through the traditional homeschool route.

These are his highlight stats so far (he has other lesser accomplishments):

ACT: 33 Composite (35 English, 32 Math, 36 Reading, 29 Science)
SAT: 1490 Composite (720 Reading/Writing, 770 Math)
Eagle Scout (2 time elected Senior Patrol leader)
Boys State (elected State Representative)
STEM Robotics Team (4 year member/ 3 years Mechanical Team Captain/Team went to World Championship)
West Point SLE (Passed his CFA, 562 points, No Risk)

He plans on retaking the following:

ACT this July with a goal of 34/35 in both the Math & Science sections which would bring his composite up to 34/35.
SAT this August with a goal of getting a 750-780 in the Reading/Writing Section and maybe bringing his Math up to a 780, which would bring his composite up to a 1520-1560.
CFA sometime later this summer with a goal of getting a 650+.

Do you think he has a reasonable chance if his essays & interviews go well?
Click to expand...

I know of quite a few home-schooled 2021 mids and it sounds to me as though your son looks good, especially from Wisconsin (as @kpmom2013 mentions). I'm assuming your son also had a grade point average? Superscoring is a great aid for bringing up test scores, but it appears to me that your son has very strong scores...
 
I don't know the stats on homeschoolers at USMMA, but I do know one homeschooler who was accepted at USMMA.
 
birdwatcher4125 said:
usna1234 & kpmom2013,

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. The team sport options are essentially non-existent for him. He did participate in a local homeschool organization track & field team and is going to be on their cross-country team this fall along with running a few local 5ks & maybe 10ks this summer and fall as well.
Click to expand...
I believe home-schoolers have every right to play a sport at the local high school
 
believe2023 said:
I believe home-schoolers have every right to play a sport at the local high school
Click to expand...

I second this! As a student at a very populated high school, home-schoolers are more than welcome to try out for a sport. I play varsity baseball and three of my teammates happen to be home-schooled. Heck, students enrolled in the actual high school were cut in order to make room for the three home-schoolers.
 
believe2023 said:
I believe home-schoolers have every right to play a sport at the local high school
Click to expand...

It is definitely location-dependent on whether home-schooled students can play on high school teams. In Wisconsin a home-school student needs to apply for a waiver because WIAA (the state athletic governing board) requires all team participants to be a student at the school that they represent. It does happen, though. I have had several home-school athletes on my track and cross country teams over the years and they usually do very well. In my experience it is easier in Wisconsin to get the waiver if you are trying to join a private school's teams rather than a public high school. I am aware of situations in other states where they were not allowed to participate, however. Check with your local school's athletic director for the regulations in your area.

Stealth_81
 
birdwatcher4125 said:
Also, I just read this on another thread.............
Click to expand...

Good to remember you are often reading people's OPINIONS about various topics. Good to separate FACTUAL statements from those which are simply conjecture. Some will post long-winded statements in an effort to sound authoritative. I would start with the official websites for any of the SA's you are interested in attending. All of them have sections about requirements/recommendations for homeschooled individuals.

Focus on the SA that offers the career opportunities that interest you. What % of this/that makes little difference in that regard.
 
Regarding homeschoolers being able to play on a public school team - the rules about this vary by state/region. In my state, homeschoolers are allowed to play on the public school team. They simply have to apply and be accepted. However in practice, the coaches simply deny the request. I'm active in the homeschool movement in my state and I've yet to hear of a homeschooler being allowed to play on a public school team. So while the law does allow it, it is not happening here at all.

My son played in two different two rec dept teams/sports. Of course they were not as competitive as a school team would have been, but it was what was available to him and he is now a WP cadet, so the goal of attending a SA was met.
 
My son was homeschooled and was appointed for this incoming class of 2022. We're from IL. If you have any questions about how we approached the application process please PM me and I'd be happy to tell you what I know.
 
Finding a team sport opportunity for DS has been a difficult venture because we live in a pretty rural area of Northeast Wisconsin and the folks at the local high school, while very polite & friendly, claim to not know where to begin with admitting homeschoolers into their athletics (at least that was their story several months ago, I should check with them again to see if anything's changed). The homeschool group DS ran Track for is in a larger town about 45 minutes away, but we're going to keep looking for opportunities. The homeschool Cross-Country team starts practices in about a month, and we should be able to get into a few local-ish 5 & 10K races between now and then.
 
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