Chance

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

<p>Chance me Please. I haven't done much of any sports related activities unless if marching band counts, but I love to swim and made it on the waterpolo team but had to drop it due to issues with driving to the pool not located on campus. Also, love to play linemen or linebacker in football with friends. I'm pretty sure I can pass the physical test portion, but I'm just curious if I am worthy candidate for West Point. I know they have great discipline and great academics. I'm planning on majoring around the medical field (biology) is west point good for such majors?</p>

<p>Stats:
• SAT: scores not out yet, took in October
• SAT II: Biology 720, Korean: 770, Math IIC: 620, World History: 540
(planning to retake Math IIC again to get at least a 700+ and world history was an unfortunate misfortune =[ )
• ACT: English 31, Math 29, Reading 28, Science 26, Essay 10, Composite: 29
(retaking this October)
• GPA: UW: 3.833/4.0 , W: 4.1
• Rank: 28/886
• AP: Biology: 5, Environmental Science: 5, World History: 3
• Senior Courses: English 12, AP Calculus BC, AP Macroeconomics, AP Government, AP Music Theory, AP Computer Science, Jazz Band.</p>

<p>Extra Curricular:
• Involved in Marching Band for 3 years (2years 1st chair). Involved in Wind and Percussions Band for 3 years (2years 1st chair). Currently in Jazz Band(1st Chair).
(Band took A LOT of my time-nearly 40+ hours a week, hard to do other things.)
• President/Founder of Next Generation Boosters Club: Help students get information about colleges, scholarship opportunities, extracurricular experience. We also provide academic tutoring and our experience within various subjects of our high school courses. (Senior Year)
• President/Founder of Philosophy Club
• Member of Young Medical Discoverers Group of America(3years), Current Secretary.
• Volunteer at Kaiser Permanente, Elderly Home, and few recreational jobs(ie. helping fix up school, pick up trash, etc.).
• Write on the side as a hobby. Entered into some contests which are still pending.
• Hobbies: play saxophone, guitar, piano.</p>

<p>Issue
*Haven't yet taken Physics, but am planning to over summer or next semester in community college.</p>

<p>Personal
• Location: California
• High School Type: Public
• Ethnicity: Korean
• Gender: Male
• I Am Applying for Financial Aid</p>

<p>Awards:
•AP Scholar Award
•Teen Ink Raw Semi-Finalist
•High Honors every year
•Valedictorian
•Qualified ELC</p>

<p>Question:
How is the atmosphere/environment of West Point? I'm nearly across the country from it, so I don't really know how it is like.</p>

2

<p>well, all I can say is that west point does not look at your SATII scores and you will not need financial aid for west point. what part of california are you from?</p>

<p>Oh and I am sorry if I am misunderstanding you, but you are ranked 28 and valedictorian?</p>

3

<p>As a fellow Asian American and one from the same congressional district.. I'd say your chances of getting a appointment are extremely high. If you attend Summer Seminar, Waxman would automatically give you a nomination.. and being Korean.. well that helps a lot.</p>

4

<p>"If you attend Summer Seminar, Waxman would automatically give you a nomination"</p>

<p>Seriously? Wow</p>

5

<p>JS,</p>

<p>It looks like you're a senior now and since you don't know much about the West Point environment/atmosphere, I'll assume you didn't attend the Summer Leaders Seminar which is for rising seniors only. So, if you're interested in West Point, you have a few things you need to do quickly if you haven't done so yet. Apply for nominations from all possible sources. Deadlines are approaching as early as this month. Take a really good look at the United</a> States Military Academy at West Point website. (Yes, it's the new address) Read some of the books suggested in other threads so that you can get a good feel for the atmosphere which is very different from civilian colleges. If you receive an appointment, then you will want to do the overnight admissions visit. It's a good way to get a feel for the life you'd be living. </p>

<p>There's a lot of info here on cc also. Best of luck to you and keep us posted on your progress/decisions.</p>

6

<p>To requiem:
Yeah, I posted this thread on other universities of interest, so I accidentally left the finacial aid and SAT II score part. I'm from southern california in the valley near LA. Oh and at my school, if your GPA has been consistently over 4.0 then you get valedictorian, so its not based on the ranking system rather the GPA.</p>

<p>To azncreazion:
What exactly is Waxman? Can you explain?</p>

<p>To momoftwins:
Thank you for the great info.</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone. =]</p>

<p>So would the sports issue not matter that much?</p>

7

<p>To azncreazion:
What exactly is Waxman? Can you explain?</p>

<p>You should be asking who not what. You should spend a little time reading your local paper.</p>

8

<p>JinSoul:</p>

<p>Physical activities are a major part of both USMA and the Army. I don't know about the other branches but I'm reasonably sure that all service branches require bi-annual physical fitness tests to be performed, to maintain both fitness standards and discipline. At USMA it is no different. That being said, in my case i had considerably less physically-oriented activities to place in my profile for admissions than many other candidates, so sports and other physical activities are definitely not the end-all for admissions. However, i would actively seek to get involved in such things now as academics allows, and start yourself on a physical training regimen as well. I'm sure you know that beast will push you hard physically, and you will want to prepare yourself for that as much as you can. Admissions will help you in preparing for Beast by outlining what you will undergo and how to properly prepare, and the sooner you start the better.</p>

<p>Every candidate's profile is unique, and the makeup of each class is diverse in their physical, academic and leadership potential; Admissions understands this and makes every effort to admit cadets from all walks of life and abilities in these aspects. This diversity is part of what makes the Corps stronger as a whole. Simply present to them what you can and show that you are committed to constant improvement, and you should be fine.</p>

9

<p>As an addition to my previous post, you seem very well-rounded in your profile; yes sports are lacking but again admissions unique for every person.</p>

<p>You asked what the environment/atmosphere is like here at West Point. Without going into too much detail, the atmosphere here is very unique. I have not been out in what we call the Real Army, but i would guess that it is very much the same. Camaraderie is very strong, being developed from R-day on. West Point is a smaller school in terms of the number of people we have, but this makes it a little more personal in my opinion. You will come to know a good percentage of the people here; i would guess i know probably 15% of the people here in some way, and on a daily basis interact with about 150-200 people that i know very well. You will come to know your squad and platoon during beast very well, and your academic year company even more so. Add to that clubs and sports you are involved in and you will find a very supportive base of friends and colleagues.</p>

<p>The environment is somewhat hectic and hurried; military life demands punctuality and "movement with a purpose," a phrase very commonly used especially during beast! Your schedule will be filled to the brim and free time is hard to find, though not impossible. One thing i found that has changed with me is that i can do more in two hours now than i ever did in eight hours in high school; the first indicator i think is during beast you will learn to dress/change uniforms in under two minutes. As a plebe life is very fast-paced and there never seems to be enough time for everything you need to do; however, plebes have minimal responsibility compared to upperclassmen and almost paradoxically you will find that while plebe year is the hardest it is in some ways the easiest.</p>

<p>The environment here is military, and i personally enjoy it as it teaches me to be structured/disciplined. A high level of common respect for superiors, peers and subordinates is i think unique to the military and provides a fertile environment in which to develop into a leader. Responsibility for your own actions is also something that contributes strongly to the environment here, and is exercised even outside the realm of the Corps. For instance, when you are off-post on leave or on a trip, you are still subject to USMA regulations and the UCMJ. Breaking these rules can result in severe consequences; whether you are a cadet, enlisted soldier or officer, you are expected to maintain the standards at all times. You are always in the public spotlight and must represent USMA and the Army honorably. I wax eloquent here but these things are a very important part of being a cadet and in the future an officer.</p>

<p>I hope i answered your question; if you're still unclear about something, feel free to ask me here or PM me.</p>

10

<p>Waxman.. is a congressman.</p>

<p>I was told that his district has one of the lowest amounts of academy candidates in the country.</p>

11

<p>JinSoul,</p>

<p>Anything is possible. I got an LOA to West Point a couple weeks ago with 24's in the ACT. I too, am Asian. My admissions liaison officer's for West Point and USNA both stated that being Asian will help you in the admissions process. However, don't count on your race to get you in, get in on your own merits....</p>

<p>from the resume you have posted, you seem very well-rounded. try to get involved in some sports this year</p>

12

<p>JinSoul - do you have SAT scores as well?</p>

13

<p>To AmericanSoldier:
Thank You Very Much for all the GREAT INFO. I really appreciate you taking the time to inform of what I now think is a great environment for post high school education.
I love the structured and the demanding environment which can keep me working with discipline which I may not completely develop on my own. But, I have one question and one conundrum when applying. If we do apply I have been informed that we have to serve 4 years in the military, and I'm an aspiring Med student (cardiologist) so would I find enough time in addition to these 4 years to evolve into a great physician?</p>

<p>To Ann:
Unfortunately for the first time on SAT I got 1790 as I didn't prepare, but I retook it this October and am currently waiting for the scores, I'll be sure to inform you when they come out.</p>

<p>To d29061:
Thanks I'll be sure to try to do some sports. Oh and I'm planning on joining the swim team next semester does that count for my apps? I'm a senior</p>

<p>To azncreazion:
Thanks for the info.</p>

<p>To navarre1:
Sorry for my ignorance.</p>

14

<p>" If we do apply I have been informed that we have to serve 4 years in the military, and I'm an aspiring Med student (cardiologist) so would I find enough time in addition to these 4 years to evolve into a great physician?"</p>

<p>well, actually it's 5 years on active and 3 in reserves. But there are quite a few grads going into med school after WP, and the army will always need doctors.</p>

15

<p>Requiem hit the nail on the head here. I would just add that for every year of grad school there are additional years of service required; i'm not sure but i think the ratio for med school might be 2 years of service for one year of school. Anyone else have the numbers here?</p>

16

<p>AmericanSoldier, I believe you're correct... thats the case for USNA.</p>

<p>JinSoul, do you go to Granada?</p>

17

<p>Yes I do go to granada</p>

18

<p>Thought so, I go to Calabasas myself. Are you a member of Key Club?</p>

19

<p>Nope.
Oh, did you attend Elite over summer?</p>

20

<p>"JinSoul,</p>

<p>Anything is possible. I got an LOA to West Point a couple weeks ago with 24’s in the ACT. I too, am Asian. My admissions liaison officer’s for West Point and USNA both stated that being Asian will help you in the admissions process. However, don’t count on your race to get you in, get in on your own merits…"</p>

<p>Funny enough, I heard almost the exact opposite, since there is a much higher percentage of asian officers relative to asian enlisted, so asians are not part of their “minority recruiting” process.</p>