admission question

Colleges and Universities A-Z Military Academy - West Point
1

<p>I know this gets asked alot-and I am sorry to take up everyone's time with my own personal questions. When I go and look at colleges and universities I have a good handle if I am competitive or not. With the Military academies, I just cant figure it out.
I am starting my Jr year in a public school in a suburb outside of Boston.
BASICS
ACT
Reading 28
English 30
Science 29
Math 34
Composite 30
Cumulative GPA 4.35 out of a 4.0
Distinguished Honor Roll each semester (over a 4.0 out of 4.0)
~3 honors or AP classes each semester including dual enrolled honor engineering class with local college
President of Student Service Team Junior Year
Coached special needs baseball team two years in a row.
Member of Key Club
Coached Minor Mite hockey (volunteer)
Math tutor at Boston Public Library 3 hours per week for two years.
Varsity Hockey Fall and Spring (goaltender so cant be a captain) since sophomore year. You cant play two sports at my school if you play hockey.</p>

<p>the problems as I see them:
Boston suburb is a very competitive area. So even if I get my ACT up to a 35 -one other kid can have a 36 and I am out-right?
I dont know any political people at all and neither do my parents.
How hard will it be to get into the summer leadership?
How much will it help to get a nomination and then an appointment if I go to the summer leadership?
I would like to major in engineering-so Navy sound like it makes more sense-but I hate the water.</p>

2

<p>I’d take the SATs, complete the application early (start your file now) and maybe even retake the ACTs. You are in a very competitive academic area of the country but remember even if you are not the primary nominee from your Congressional District or don’t receive a Senatorial nomination you can still get on the alternate nomination list and compete for entry from a nationwide pool of candidates. Don’t be discouraged, you sound like a competitive candidate. BTW you can apply to as many service academies as you want and it won’t be considered against you. If you do that you can read up on each and possibly visit them to help you rank your preference. Good Luck!</p>

3

<p>“Boston suburb is a very competitive area. So even if I get my ACT up to a 35 -one other kid can have a 36 and I am out-right?”</p>

<p>No… West Point is looking at a fuller picture than just your ACT score. If the other guy has only the 36 going for him and nothing else, he’s not going to get in.</p>

<p>“I dont know any political people at all and neither do my parents.”</p>

<p>Call or email your congressman and senators’ nomination staffers. Check their webpages for specifics.</p>

<p>“How hard will it be to get into the summer leadership?”</p>

<p>Depends on how you are doing in high school, the leadership responsibilities you’ve taken up to date, and how early you apply…</p>

<p>“How much will it help to get a nomination and then an appointment if I go to the summer leadership?”</p>

<p>A bit.</p>

<p>“I would like to major in engineering-so Navy sound like it makes more sense-but I hate the water.”</p>

<p>Army is a much better engineering school… especially for Civil & Mechanical Engineering. [West</a> Point Civil & Mechanical Engineering | Facebook](<a href=“http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Point-Civil-Mechanical-Engineering/80190638211]West”>Redirecting...)</p>

4

<p>Vista123 - I just posted the following for another rising Junior and thought it applied to you, too!</p>

<p>Please take time to read the following and learn from others as I have been able to do over the past four years:</p>

<p>1)Service Academy Forum: Military Academy - USMA - United States of America Service Academy Forums
Please take time to carefully READ all the “sticky” notes from the moderators. This is an excellent resource that has helped hundreds, if not thousands of new candidates.</p>

<p>2) Read USMA Admissions site thoroughly. I am sure you have the link, but take time to read the information. West Point Admissions - Home I would encourage you to attend a local USMA admissions session this year. Look on “Sticky” for events listed - it is up to date. I would also find your Military Academy Liason Officer (MALO). However, you should respect his/her time as they are now focused on admissions for USMA Class of 2016. Do your homework first and then if you still have a question, I would first go to the Service Academy Forum and ask your question there before bothering anyone at USMA at this time. Just my advice…</p>

<p>3) Leadership:
I would encourage you to gain leadership roles within your areas of interest. If you are in Boy Scouts, earn your Eagle Rank and try to be Senior Patrol Leader or Philmont Crew Chief. </p>

<p>If you have not looked into American Legion Boys State, the time to engage with your local A.L. Post is now so you can get to know them and compete for a slot to attend Boys State next summer. Not onlye is Boys State highly regarded by West Point, it is a great program that has an impeccable reputation and is run by some of the most patriotic people in this great country! Massachusetts Boys State</p>

<p>Another leadership role is in Student Government at your high school or other committees, honor board, etc. </p>

<p>4) Nominations: Go to each Senator’s (MA: Sen. Brown and Sen. Kerry) web site and download the application and instructions. Don’t assume they will be the same for next year, but at least look at the information they are seeking. Do the same for your U.S. Representative in Congress.</p>

<p>FYI: Here is link to VP Nomination: Military Academy Nomination Process | The White House
However, you don’t need to complete the VP Nom until next summer. VP Nom is really another way for USMA to provide a Nomination to a well qualified candidate. The Letters of Recommendation for a VP Nomination is a bit confusing as I was advised by my Regional Commander to send them directly to him. Confirm that with your RC next year. </p>

<p>Presidential Nomination: This is only available to the children of active duty, reserve or retired military personnel. </p>

<p>Work hard, get your GPA up this year, take and re-take SAT’s and ACT’s as much as you can to get your highest score possible. </p>

<p>Good luck and Go ARMY!!</p>

5

<p>You or your parents do NOT need to ‘know’ any political people in order to get a NOM, this process really has nothing to do with that. Most MOC have websites which describe their specific NOM application process.</p>