worried applicant

a2roxas28

5-Year Member
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May 25, 2010
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This is my third time applying to the academy and I need some input. How will my application look compared to other high school applicants. Im going into my second year at a community college and I work part-time. I rarely have time do any sports or extracurricular. I only have my grades and test scores to show to admissions. How will this affect my chances?
 
This is my third time applying to the academy and I need some input. How will my application look compared to other high school applicants. Im going into my second year at a community college and I work part-time. I rarely have time do any sports or extracurricular. I only have my grades and test scores to show to admissions. How will this affect my chances?

Not good (Disclaimer - this is my opinion)

Being a reapplicant is a plus for you, but it only helps if you are competing against another applicant that is similiar to you and a first timer. Not sure why you didn't get in first two tries, usually the academic is the reason why most candidates don't get in. So attending community college alone probably won't help.

I had a candidate I worked with this year that got accepted after reapplying while attending a community college and working part time. However, this kid had 2100+ SAT score, 4.0 GPA, good EC, and etc. So, I was surprised that he didn't get accepted last year.

A simple fact is sometimes your desire does not matter, rather your accomplishment matters more.
 
So considering I work part time, I have a little chance of acceptance? So I shouldnt bother to reapply?
 
Do you keep in touch with a MALO/FFR often? If so, does he/she have an opinion on your status?

I know some people who work to be able to go to college, which does take up alot of their time. I'm not sure how WP views candidates like this. I don't personally know you either so I wouldn't be able to make an accurate opinion about your status.

I must say though, I admire your perseverance and dedication in applying multiple times.
 
What????????????????

So considering I work part time, I have a little chance of acceptance? So I shouldnt bother to reapply?

If you want to go to a Service Academy, and that is your dream, you should NOT GIVE UP!! Take a look at yourself, and see how you can improve. Is it GPA? ACT/SAT scores and should you study and retake them? You can be involved in community service activities, it doesn't have to be sports, but your CFA score should be outstanding then. Find something to be involved in that shows you are team-oriented and have leadership qualities. I don't believe the SAs want a lot of activities, but quality time in activities that show a certain type of applicant. What type? A leader, team player, a resilient, determined person, intelligent, physically fit, articulate, striving for excellence. What about your essays? Do you write well? There have to be areas where you can improve. You must determine what they are and work on them. Think about how you can improve your Whole Candidate Score.

Also, they are looking for young men and women with perseverance and determination. You have that if you are applying a third time. But you have to do more than just apply. Show that you have what it takes, take an honest look at yourself and strive to improve in those areas I mentioned above.

If this is what you want, then don't let anyone stop you. What do you have to lose? You will be a better young man for it. If you don't get accepted this 3rd time around, you will continue at your job and the CCollege, right? If you don't apply a 3rd time, you will continue at your job and the CCollege, right? BUT IF YOU APPLY A 3RD TIME YOU JUST MIGHT GET ACCEPTED. If you don't apply you will never know.

Hang around with friends who support you in your dreams, not anyone who will be a downer. Hang with friends who work out and study. Hang out with friends who will encourage you toward your goal, and friends who will kick you in the butt if you start to feel sorry for yourself. These kinds of friends will be good for your morale. If someone tries to tell you that you can't do something, don't hang out with them, and then do your best to prove them wrong.

So, figure out where you need to improve your application file and DO IT. Don't JUST apply. Don't turn in the same application you submitted the last two times if that didn't get you an appointment. BUT DON'T LET ANYONE STOP YOU FROM ACHIEVING YOUR DREAM. You can do this. Nuff said. Good luck!
 
This is my third time applying to the academy and I need some input. How will my application look compared to other high school applicants. Im going into my second year at a community college and I work part-time. I rarely have time do any sports or extracurricular. I only have my grades and test scores to show to admissions. How will this affect my chances?

Have you considered looking into AROTC at a college near you. You would need to transfer to college/university that has an AROTC program. If you transfer as a sophomore with 3 years left before you graduate you could double up on the MS1 and MS2 classes to catch up. It might be worth a conversation, other then that your only option would be to complete school and apply for OCS if you do not get the appointment.

A lot depends on your goal, if your dream is to only attend West Point then follow the advice that has been given. If your dream is to be an officer in the Army then look at all your options, of course apply again to WP but cast a broader net by looking at ROTC as well. Point is, if your first goal is to be an Officer then look at all the options available. The gold bars they pin on your shoulders shine the same no matter how you commission.
 
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Trade off? Okay, not really...

Got the call from my regional admissions officer today and I finally got the no I've been waiting on :smile: I hope my slot can go to one of you who are still waiting!!! Yea for not "winning" the waiver for three schools, but getting it for the one I REALLY want!! Goodluck and Godspeed!
 
So considering I work part time, I have a little chance of acceptance? So I shouldnt bother to reapply?

Your call on reapplying.

It working part time and attending a community college are things that changed since you applied first, what else changed?

There are some considerations given to working part time. Worked 20 hours a week, so didn't have time to participate in after school activities. But in candidate evaluation, leadership is only 30%. So unless you retook SAT or ACT and/or gotten all As at your community college classes, little has changed. So if you didn't make the cut last two tries, I don't think having a part time job improves your application.
 
If you were my DS, this is what I'd tell you:

1) What are the weak points in your application? do you know? If not... I'd say now's a good time to find out.

2) re-take ACT ad SAT. Yes ,I know that you're in comm. college, but a standardized test such as those level the playing field to show aptitude. It SHOWS visibly to a committee how you've strengthened your grades since your last application. Study for this! Take a prep class!

3) It's almost summer, and unles you're going to school full-time year-round, then you've got time for some volunteer work. Habitat for Humanity is probably just starting to kick off work on a house if you're in a colder climate (I'm in Ohio!). Work on a Habitat house, it'll give you real-life skills you'll always be able to use, give you good networking opportunitites (you never know who else in your comminuty is volunteering beside you that you can talk to... might be a better job opportunity, etc...)

4) "don't have time" probably isn't gonna work to get you where you want to be. "Make the time"... THAT works! If you make it to WP you'll sacrifice sleep for studying, or all-night drills. You'll scarifice X-Box time for PT, you'll sacrifice your social life for the opportunity to be there. Are you willing to do those things now? What can you change to make more time in your day to fit in an EC or volunteer work to gain leadership? Or for PT everyday to improve your scores? If you really want this... then you need to be sure you're doing EVERYTHING you can be doing to make it in. Maybe you can relax in 4 years, after you've graduated a 2nd LT! :smile: You're young... you can live on no sleep and Mt. Dew!! LOL!

5) Only you know how badly you want to reach this goal. I'm guessing you must be pretty sure if you're applying for a 3rd time. If that's the case... you've been given some good advice. Follow it... and good-luck!!
 
Thanks everyone for all the replys. So inspiring to make me want to put in over 100% in re-applying. Yet I have another concern. This year I will be completeing my first year of rotc at ucf and have come to the conclusion that I will not be able to continue taking the class. The school is over 45 mins away from where I live and its is physically exhausting driving there at 5 in the morning and driving back to be a full time student. Plus working full time. Will not being enrolled in ROTC hurt my chances, because admissions and most people say to take the class. But its starting to be a hassle to get there. Especially with today's gas prices.
 
I hate to say this, but everything you're reporting to this thread says you don't really want to be in the military.

Why is it that you want to go to WP?

You know you need EC's, leadership, and PT to round out your WCS. But you don't have any.

ROTC would be a big plus for your application, I would think, but you're going to drop it, even though everyone you've already talked to has told you not to.

Deep down, you know the things you have to do... and it sounds to me like you're unwilling to do them. WP has a long list of people clamoring all over themselves to get in. You've been turned down twice, and instead of asking, 'what can I do to improve myself?', you're asking, 'what can I get out of but still make the cut?'

Again... HOW BAD DO YOU WANT THIS?!? I know what my gut tells me... but I'm hoping you prove me wrong!! :thumb:
 
This is my third time applying to the academy and I need some input. How will my application look compared to other high school applicants. Im going into my second year at a community college and I work part-time. I rarely have time do any sports or extracurricular. I only have my grades and test scores to show to admissions. How will this affect my chances?

Depends. Why were you rejected the first couple times?

If you can validate a buncha courses, then it's definitely a possibility, and I think it's something that they look for, but Admissions is definitely cutting back on numbers, so that's not going to work in your favor.

If I were you, I would start seriously considering other officer training programs (OCS, ROTC, etc)
 
I would do all I could to join ROTC. My son is still on the waitlist for a second time. He is lucky and does not work during school only during breaks and the summer. I can share what he does. I just hope all his work will gain him an appointment or he does say he is going to reapply as well. His mistake was not asking for a nomination from his MOC he does have a congressional nom.
1. He is in ROTC no it is not fun to get up by 5 to be there early for PT but in the end he likes it when he gets there.
2. He is in a select program that is for excelled students considered to be future leaders. Only 2% of students are invited into this program.
3. He works hard to keep a 3.5 GPA or higher.
4. He retook his SATS was later then he would of liked but Delta had a mandatory leadership group every Saturday and grade was based on attendance.
5. He is joining the Brigades starting Thursday.He did not in the fall as he was supposed to play football. Reason he choose the school he did hole story not for this board
7. He does volunteer here and there but, is a great help with his brother and sister as his dad passed away.
8. He has high standards another words if a grade is curved he thinks that is lowering standards and just not right. ROTC sees that
YOU CAN DO THIS TO!!! Not easy after two rejections I can certainly relate but it can be done with perseverance.
 
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