<p>This is my first post, although I have been lurking here for quite a while and find this forum to be an extraordinary resource.</p>
<p>I am hoping for some advice/direction from those that have been through this process. My son has opened his file with admissions. Aside from the candidate login information which we received several months ago, we really have not heard anything from WP admissions.</p>
<p>My son is absolutely commited to West Point as his first choice school, and will apply for 4 yr. ROTC as a backup. As a way of demonstrating his interest, we want to get everything done ASAP. But it is my understanding that the formal application material will not be sent out until August.</p>
<p>I understand the nomination process and that MOC applications are one of the first things that need to be attended to. But our MOCs do not do anything until December.</p>
<p>My son has a 4.0 unweighted gpa (although he may have gotten a B this semester), all IB courses, class rank of 1/617, solid but not stellar SATs, and he is a recruited athlete.</p>
<p>What we need to know is what we need to be doing this summer to get everything ready to go so that we can get all of his application material submitted as early as possible once we receive the formal application information. His junior year (six semester) transcript is being sent this week as soon as the grades are posted. What else do we need to be gathering?</p>
<p>Thank you all for your contribution, this forum has been a tremendous learning resource.</p>
<p>start to prepare for the CFA, basketball throw, crunches, shuttle run, pullups, and 1 mile run. Don't forget to take care of DODMERB as soon as possible as well.</p>
<p>Send in your transcript and SAT's as soon as possible(yes before the application comes out), so if your son is in the running for an LOA they will recognize that and possibly award one. That was what they told us at SLS 1yr ago.</p>
<p>Have him do the foot work. (Find out what he needs to do). West Point does not want to see parents handling the paperwork and holding his hand. Make sure HE handles the entire process. It is a real failure (from my point of view) that so many parents help so much with the application process when it is supposed to be the Candidate doing the dirty work.</p>
<p>Welcome aboard! Glad you joined us. I lurked here for awhile and have since become one of the addicted parents. Your son's profile looks great. What sport does he play? </p>
<p>I think the advice so far has been dead on. Apply for all of the possible nominations. Call MOC offices and get their packages or download the required forms. Also, he should be able to articulate the reasons why he wants to attend West Point and why he wants a career as an Army officer.</p>
<p>He should contact junior year high school teachers (science, math, English) to write his reference letters this summer. They have time right now. They remember him and his abilities, therefore can write a more meaningful letter. Even if he doesn't yet have the Admissions packet, he can call WP and find out what kind of format they require for the letters. This is especially important as the teachers will have to write a letter for each MOC as well as WP. It's very time consuming, so they will appreciate the chance to get started early. </p>
<p>Somewhere in these threads somebody posted a "project plan" with date guidelines for SA admissions. If anyone knows where to find it, it may be a good idea to repost as more rising seniors will be needing the help. I think I recall seeing the post in the USNA threads.</p>
<p>Finally, ragmanlaw is correct. Your son should be the one making the phone calls and completing the forms. Your job is to support him during the process and to talk to all of us on cc. :D</p>
<p>have your son apply for leadership positions in his school/community, wp is primarily a leadership school and they want cadets who demonstrate leadership potential</p>
<p>"It's really not that hard, excellent point there. I did the whole thing myself, parents barely knew I was applying."</p>
<p>That's what I like to hear! The boy is the one applying for West Point and eventually a 5 year commitment in the United States Army, he SHOULD be the one doing the work, you should just sit on the sidelines and cheer him on.</p>
<p>Dylan who the hell do you think you are chewing out a Dad trying to help his kid in the admission process. Ease off a little and let things run their course. If you are even half serious about going to USMA and you have parents who care about you I'm sure they've poked around and asked a few questions too.</p>
<p>here is nowhere----> <----- and there is where your post came from</p>
<p>I agree with dylan. And if that's chewing out, then I can only imagine what you think of your child's stories at their academy. Dylan's post was lighthearted and helpful. Just because some kids have the <em>gasp</em> ability to <em>gasp</em> apply on their own, and dylan supports that, does not give you the right to berate him. Settle down and chill out.</p>
<p>I'd double check your info about not doing anything with the MOC's until December. The usual cycle is nomination packages issued late spring/summer, interviews Oct-Nov, decisions communicated Dec/Jan. My D's already completed 2 MOC packets, waiting for the 3rd.</p>
<p>If your child is hoping to be joining the US military at the USMA, he or she should have the ability to do the admissions work with limited help from you (the parents). Afterall, if they do graduate from USMA or any ROTC program, they would be a lieutenant in the United States military and may have to command up to 100 US soldiers and make decisions (on their own) that would directly affect each individual. Give your child some responsibility to help shape their future in the military. Let them get involved with the admissions process, they will learn more and become less dependent on you.</p>
<p>Sorry if the tone in my other post was a little intimidating for some of you, I guess i forgot to put those dang little smileys :) :) there we go eh? :) :)</p>
<p>Haha. Parents can help but I find the times my dad tried to help (which he didn't until near the end) he made things more difficult cause he thought he knew the right way. To be honest, my dad didn't/doesn't want me to go to West Point. He is proud, but wanted me to pick Navy cause its "safer."</p>
<p>What fun is there in that?</p>
<p>The main point is that if he had been involved the whole time I probably would have let him influence me into going to a school I didn't want to. </p>
<p>Its embarrusing to go to West Point meetings locally and see laundry lists of things to pack "for your Cadet." My mom didn't pack my stuff when I was 11 year old in the Boy Scouts, she sure doesn't do it now. </p>
<p>Candidates: Stand on your own two feet, be nice to you parents, but run your own show. Because when Beast starts, your parents won't be there to help you. Get used to it now.</p>
<p>Parents: Don't "have" your kid do anything. Throw out ideas, not commands.</p>
<p>Dylan Sav: I know i'm a little hyprocritical for chewing you out over something I over-analyzed. No worries alright?</p>
<p>All I'm saying and I'm a kid, theres a difference in parents trying to be helpful and parents doing the kids applications. I'm sure as most of the many parents on here would agree, there is nothing wrong with a parent saying I read that your chances of getting in are better if you do 1,2,3,etc...</p>
<p>I didnt have much trouble, but only because I was graced with an LOA. I applaud any parent who's willing to say you know what Son John Doe, maybe you should get off your butt and start working on your essays, finish them early and I can go through them with you etc.</p>