Active Duty to USMA

<p>Im currently an active duty soldier and applying to West Point. Im curious as to what kind of chances I have of being accepted. Unfortunately I was ranked very poorly in high school. From my understanding, they dont weigh prior enlisted gpa's very heavily though. I have composite of 28 on the ACT and maxed all but one of the events on the CFA. I have several recommendations. These include my Platoon Sgt, 1st Sgt, Battalion Commander (West Point Grad) and Brigade Surgeon (West Point Grad). What do my chances look like and is there anything I can do to improve them?</p>

<p>Based upon what you have written, it sounds like your best bet is to apply here first: </p>

<p>[Welcome</a> to The United States Military Academy Prep School - Home Page](<a href=“http://www.usma.edu/usmaps/]Welcome”>http://www.usma.edu/usmaps/)</p>

<p>The admission for the prep school is governed ultimately by the West Point Admissions office. Active duty soldiers that have not yet reached the age limits and who want to apply to USMA stand a better chance of succeeding by way of the prep school. It should also hopefully give you a better idea of whether West Point is really for you since now the prep school is located on West Point proper. Contact the admissions office and start the process today. Link is here:</p>

<p>[West</a> Point Admissions - Home](<a href=“http://admissions.usma.edu/index.html]West”>http://admissions.usma.edu/index.html)</p>

<p>^^^ You don’t apply there. You apply to WP and they make that determination as part of the admissions process…</p>

<p>[USMAPS</a> - WEST POINT ADMISSIONS](<a href=“http://www.usma.edu/usmaps/pages/admissions/admissions_home.htm]USMAPS”>http://www.usma.edu/usmaps/pages/admissions/admissions_home.htm)</p>

<p>Unfortunately im too old to be admitted into the prep school. My packet will be complete very soon so I guess ill find out then</p>

<p>@ camedic</p>

<p>you just have to be under 23 when you report to west point on R-Day. AD soldiers fairly have a higher chance of being admitted to West Point than high school kids. Please keep the hopes up and wait for the good news!</p>

<p>Just sent you a pm</p>

<p>Eons ago, I was accepted to West Point out of high school. But changed my mind and didn’t attend. But I have a cousin who graduated from West Point.</p>

<p>I hope you get a shot. But (IMO) I think it will be hard for you to get in…</p>

<p>The one thing I would stress it that military training is only a part of the West Point experience. It is also an academic institution where cadets will spend long long long hours studying, like any other college student. </p>

<p>I hope that whatever caused you to do poorly as a student in high school is long gone. Because right from the “get go” you’ll have to hit the books long and hard. Those that go to West Point directly from high school are exceptional students, both academically and physically. They were near or at the top of their high school class. And they are used to studying hard. </p>

<p>I’m just saying you’ll have to be prepared for “that” if you get accepted. It’s nothing to be taken lightly.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>@nwcrazy…
it is true that you have to study hard… but…
“Those that go to West Point directly from high school are exceptional students, both academically and physically. They were near or at the top of their high school class. And they are used to studying hard” ----- not true at all.</p>

<p>camedic, please keep your hopes up and do whatever you can to earn your spot. there are plenty of help waiting for you to make you succeed at west point. I[WP] never leave a fallen comrade.</p>

<p>nwcrazy… just think how “hard” NCAA athletes study. you get the point.</p>

<p>@dychang-</p>

<p>Now granted, there are those that excelled at sports that got into West Point more easily than the rest; but unless the OP was a good high school athlete with the potential to play at the collegiate level, I know his chances are slim.</p>

<p>Also, I know from 2 relatives that were active duty soldiers who did get entry into the academies (West Point and Annapolis) that there are more applicants from active duty personnel than you may think. And believe me, there will be quite a number of active duty applicants that had decent high school GPAs.</p>

<p>Now you may want to refute what I’ve said and sugarcoat the OP’s chances for getting in…that’s fine. But I know he has an uphill battle. --Just saying it like I see it. </p>

<p>Think like an admissions officer. He/she will be pouring over applicants from other active duty personnel with good to great GPAs and good to great ACT test scores. The OP had a good score, BUT not a great score. Unless there is something in the OP’s application that can show he can succeed academically at West Point, he has a slim chance. I really hope he gets into the academy. I really do.</p>

<p>Camedic I think you have a good chance of getting in. My nurse case manager in the warrior transition brigade, who was the head nurse at west point for several years, is encouraging me to apply. </p>

<p>According to the following article, many slots reserved for enlisted soldiers go unused.
[West</a> Point slots for enlisted go unused - News Articles - Northwest Military - Ft Lewis Ranger - Military News, Events & Community](<a href=“News Articles - Northwest Military - Home of The Ranger, NW Airlifter & Weekly Volcano”>News Articles - Northwest Military - Home of The Ranger, NW Airlifter & Weekly Volcano)</p>

<p>I contacted the admissions center and they were eager for me to apply. My ACT was a 27 and my GT score is 128. I think being a combat veteran helps a lot in the application process.</p>

<p>I’m going to apply, but if I’m not accepted it’s not really a big deal. I’m not big on the idea of being bossed around by “senior cadets” anyway. I would have a very hard time taking them seriously as compared to my drill sergeants.</p>

<p>My advice is go for it. Worst than can happen is they say no.</p>