<p>What are some things I can do my senior year to boost my chances a bit. Does anyone know how much of an affect attending the SLS will have on my application?</p>
<p>MB,
What are your stats and how competitive is your state for noms?
IF your SATs are 1300+ and you have a varsity letter and leadership it makes receiving a LOA more probable and then you won't have to worry about nominations.
The USMA website has the profile for the class of 2008 that call out various facts about the class and from that info you can see what USMA wants in their cadet candidates. The academies appreciate BWRKs with leadership.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Yes, SLS helps your chances. At a minimum, you'll be much more knowledgeable about USMA in interviews and essays. You get an extra chance at the PAE. You demonstrate interest through your attendance. In addition, you may get a recommendation from your squad leader (unclear how helpful this is).</p></li>
<li><p>To boost your chances: Fill out and return the application pronto. First come, first served - it's a rolling review process, and the hurdle gets higher over time. Practice the PAE events before taking the PAE. Take the DODMERB exam as soon as possible, so you can clear up any issues in a timely manner. Demonstrate leadership. Prep for and take the SAT as much as possible.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>DODMERB - is this the medical stuff?<br>
Stats:
-1370 SAT's first try in January, I took them in March and I think I did pretty good.
-3.8ish GPA
-Senior Patrol Leader
-pretty close to Eagle
-Lots of leadership in church
~250 hours of community service
~20 hours a week working in school year
-2 varsity letters in football
-5 seasons of track (indoor and outdoor)
-Student Government
-lots of other generic EC's</p>
<p>MB,
DODMerb are the people that certify that you're medically fit to become Cadet. Try to get that done over the Summer just in case you need to get a waiver. You sound like a great candidate, but it is a long process with many hurdles. Are you recruitable? USMA has a sprint football team if you're under 170#. If you haven't already, you should contact coaches in your sports and fill out the necessary NCAA forms. USMA loves athletes and it may get you an LOA.</p>
<p>Get the Eagle.</p>
<p>michaelburt:
class rank?--it's a big deal.</p>
<p>michaelburt,</p>
<p>They also like to see that you are taking the most rigorous courses available at your high school. AP/IB and honors classes when offered, make a difference to Admissions.</p>
<p>Thanks all,
I'm taking the most rigorous schedule possible - 7 AP's next year and 3 this year. I really do need to get on the Eagle and I'm hoping to get that out of the way over the summer. Even if I'm not all that awesome at sports would it still benefit me to start the whole recruiting process? I mean I am plenty fit, I just am not a star in any given area. My class rank stinks because I'm in a very competitive highschool (~15%), however our Congressional district is pretty easy to get nominations in (only about 7 kids even applied for them last year).</p>
<p>WP, and I suspect the other academies, definitely look at how competitive your high school is. We have been specifically told that top 15-20% in one of the strong schools is better than top 10% in a weaker school. The AP classes seem to be an important factor. Just make sure that you can handle 7 of them next year. WP will want to see your mid year grades and they will want to know if you can handle that kind of load.</p>
<p>Regarding fitness, if you are attending SLS you will have an opportunity to take the PAE and it will count towards the application process if you pass. Start practicing now.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>My class rank stinks because I'm in a very competitive highschool (~15%)</p>
<p>Keep in mind that that is the reason just about everyone on this board has given if they did not have a competitive class rank---not putting you down, but it is a key factor in the admissions process (and I am sure admisssions has taken a school's "competitiveness" into account via their own methodology).Just do what you can in the short time remaining to get "more competitive".</p>
<p>Also your class rank needs to be taken in context with how big your class is. There is a wide disparity across the country, some candidates have only 200 or so seniors in their class while otheres compete with 800 or more.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>Thanks,
I know the whole competitive thing is the generic excuse, but I'm at a public highschool that bought laptops for all of their students. There is a ton of money in our school system and it truly is competitive. I'm taking a bunch of AP's next year and I'm hoping this will give me a better shot. Will WP see my semester grades if I submit all of my stuff in October or November?</p>
<p>Part of the process includes sending in both 7th and 8th semester grades</p>