A few questions on admissions

<p>My mom stumbled on this sight by accident and let me know about it since I have expressed a very high interest in West Point during this school year. I am currently a college freshman, and had applied for USMA my senior year and was placed on the national waiting list without recieving an appointment. Physically I did very well on the PAE, was an All-State athlete in high school, and have been keeping in good shape here at college. Academically I know I can be competitive at the highest levels of education if I apply myself, something I regret not doing in my last few years of high school. That attitude carried over to my first semester of college, I lacked study skills and it was reflected in my grades, (C's in Chem and Bio II). My second semester I gave myself a new start and worked hard to obtain grades that I thought would better reflect my intelligence, (5 A's, 1 B, 19 credits and a part time job). About half of my classes usually did not allow freshman to enroll in them, however, I convinced the academic office otherwise and proved my point. I have also joined the National Guard and will contract with ROTC next fall. I have a good deal of community service activities on my resume. I have already expressed to the appropriate figures that I plan to reapply for West Point. I will do whatever it takes to get an appointment. What else do you guys recommend for me to do? </p>

<p>*my test scores were just below average for USMA, but still competitive</p>

<p>Pbeddow:</p>

<p>Glad to see you've improved your academic skills at college.</p>

<p>If you haven't already done so, spend some time reviewing the various postings on the West Point and Naval Academy threads to learn the key criteria used by the academies in their selection process.</p>

<p>My observation is that there are two major avenues to take to get an appointment - academic excellence( strong SAT scores & grades) and athlete excellence (recruited athlete). Many of the really superior scholars and recruited althletes get LOA's. For the rest of the candidates, success on the academic route is highly influenced by the relative strength of candidates competing in your congressional district. </p>

<p>As much as you may not like it, I think your best chance is to improve your SAT scores. Get them over the average. SAT/ACT scores seem to be the heaviest weighted criteria used to determine academic ability.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>Aspen,</p>

<p>Thanks, thats what I've been thinking. I will, however, have to wait until this fall to take them, as I will be at basic training for most of the summer. I come from a less competitive congressional district, Montana, so nominations are not much of a problem. I recieved 6 my senior year. But I will surely retake the SAT, as my scores are from junior year of high school, and I feel I have improved much in the time since. I'm also looking at joining Big Brothers and Big Sisters here, not only because it will look good to USMA, but because I will have the time and enjoy doing it. Any more reccomendations would be much appreciated.</p>

<p>I am the first to comment on people that make statements about subjects they know little about, so take the following with the understanding that you should probably ask somebody that knows, i.e. the Academy admissions office.</p>

<p>At this point, I don't know that your SAT will be much of factor. Your college level grades and recommendations [or not] from current military commanders will more likely be considered relevant.
For current high-school seniors, SAT/Academic record is a susbstantial portion [I think 70%] of the whole person score.
For graduates and persons applying from current military, the emphasis is likely just as strong, but I think they will consider your current courses and grades.
Check w/ the academy.</p>

<p>I've been talking to the officer in charge of soldier admissions for several months now, he also suggested that I retake the SAT's. I guess I was looking for a bit more of input as to what a college student can do beef up his resume for the academy. Thanks for your help!</p>

<p>I am a college freshman that got accepted to USMA this spring and was advised to retake both the SAT and ACT even though I was no longer a high school student. I would recommend taking both, it can't hurt your chances. Good luck!</p>