<p>As a Freshmen going on sophomore in high school, what would you recommend to start shaping to be a West Point candidate? I am only taking 1 honor next year and playing JV football currently, but our school has very competitive academics. I am currently in my church band, an officer in our ACC christian club and tutoring many kids on my own. I also attended a North Korean Political Debate in Washington DC over the summer.</p>
<p>I know it's not much and i really screwed up my freshmen year by getting straight b's, but i just recently got my eyes set on West Point, and will accept nothing less, so please give me some advice on how to become a competitive candidate.</p>
<p>Also how do i send applications to the congressmen and stuff because i heard it is really confusing. Does the Summer Leadership Program help at all?</p>
<p>West Point looks for well-rounded candidates, and even though your grades aren’t the best, you have a lot of other stuff going for you. The fact that you have all those community and school extra-curriculars as a rising sophomore is nothing to be ashamed of. Keep up the tutoring and really commit to ACC and try to get as much leadership as you can. </p>
<p>Right now, I would start studying for the SAT. I know people generally don’t take it until their junior year, but take it this year, even this fall if you can, just to give you a feel of how much work you need to put into it. You might be a great test taker, or you might be a more cumulative/familiarizing learner, in which case studying and repetition will help you. You will need to work on your grades too, and take honors and AP classes. A good chunk of your application is based on academics, but don’t worry that your freshman year didn’t go the way you now see that it should have. You have time to improve. </p>
<p>The summer leadership program will help you get a feel for West Point, and I highly recommend it. It opens your application process when you complete it and you have the opportunity to perform the CFA while you’re there, but it doesn’t give you any bonus points towards your application itself.</p>
<p>As far as the congressional nominations, yes, it is a confusing process, but you really don’t need to worry about that until your Junior year. When you apply, they will send you the contact information for your senators and representative, and you will apply directly to them and go from there.</p>
<p>Also, check out <a href=“http://www.usma.edu/admissions[/url]”>www.usma.edu/admissions</a> and click on the section for sophomores; it will give you lots of great guidlines as to what classes to take, where to get involved, etc.
Best of luck to you :)</p>
<p>As it relates to getting a nomination from your member of congress, many/most now have websites that explain the exact process to follow. It is a very strightforward process if you follow the instructions typically provided on their website.</p>
<p>Boys/Girls State will help; [American</a> Legion](<a href=“Boys State Eligibility & Dates | The American Legion”>http://www.boysandgirlsstate.org/) SLS is more for you to find out about West Point. In fact if you are convinced West Point is for you, you might find more use in the USNA SLS. Boys/Girls State does count. Eagle Scout counts. Community service in a recognized documented fashion counts. Sports leadership (varsity and captains etc) counts. School office counts, make sure you report in fi you served in an editorical function for a newspaper or year book.</p>
<p>Hey guys im new here to college confidential. Anyways I had a question about the West Point SLS program. I am currently a junior and im going to apply to WP SLS, I know the file for the class of 2017 opens on Jan 10… My question is should i wait to get my Psat results to apply or apply before i get them… thanks for any advice!.. I also had a question about boys state of NY… HOW DO YOU GET IN… my counselors dont know anything about it!!!</p>
<p>"Summer Leaders Seminar will not give you any advantage to your admissions packet. "</p>
<p>I am not so certain that’s entirely correct. At least it wasnt a few years back. it’s no guarantee, and most cadets who garner an appointment didnt go to the seminar, but then again, most of those who attend the seminar and who pursued an eventual appointment did get one.</p>
<p>My husband, who interviews for our senator for WP admissions, says that the SLS has been more competitive than admission in the last few years, so the summer program is a good idea. </p>
<p>Sports are also important for academy applicants. Obviously, physical fitness is crucial for officers. Participation and leadership are expected. Good luck.</p>
<p>Agreed, MD Mom—applicants need to understand that while the lack of a single credential in the application is not going to disqualify a candidate, it is important to have as much of a “body of work” demonstrated in the packet to help differentiate one’s self from the “competition”. The application is not simply put up against a set of markers to determine who gets in and who doesnt–it is weighed against the packets of all the others being considered at the time.</p>
<p>Everything counts, leave nothing to chance.</p>
<p>Hi I’m new to this site and I am planning to start my application too, I just have a question. Else where on this site and I believe on the actual West Point site, there is something that talks about a Pre Candidate Questionnaire. Is it the same as the Candidate Questionnaire? If not, how can I find it?</p>
<p>I would wait to get your psat results, but only if they come in soon after the application date opening of Jan. 20th. I too will be applying to the SLS and I already have my PAST and PACT and ACT scores ready. But don’t wait too long, it’s a rolling admissions system. first come, first serve.</p>