<p>Hi everyone! Long time reader, first time poster</p>
<p>I am currently a junior in college and will be applying to USMA for the Class of 2014. I am committed to an Army career and I feel that West Point will be the best option for me. I only get one shot at applying (because of age, I am currently 21) so I want to make sure that my application is as strong as possible. Does anyone have any advice? I haven't really heard of too many people in my situation and I guess I just want to make sure that USMA does not look at Upperclassman College applicants poorly.</p>
<pre><code>* Each candidate must: be 17 but not yet 23 years of age by July 1 of year admitted. (The increase in maximum age is a result of a recent change to Title X, U.S. Code.)
</code></pre>
<p>Yes, West Point is a great school if you want a military career, however, I must ask why the sudden change? What are you majoring right now? You know, you could simply just do the direct commissioning option where the army will pay for your grad school and you can commission directly with a rank of Captain.
Also, there is the option of doing LTC, Leader's Training Course, which can get you up to speed, all in one summer to make up for your missed training in your underclassman years, whereupon you may qualify as an advanced cadet in an rotc training program.
If your school has an ROTC program, I suggest you call them first.
If not, contact your USMA regional commander for further advice.</p>
<p>I would call USMA admissions directly and speak to the Regional Commander for your area. He/She will be the best source of advice. While not common, your situation is also not unique.</p>
<p>Swimboy:
This isn't something new for me. I have wanted to apply earlier, but I had some injuries that I needed to correct and let heal. It is nothing that will disqualify me (as far as I know), but just needed some time. I am currently double majoring in History and Political Science with a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. I am pursing honors in the major with History and will be starting my Senior Thesis (50+ pages) next fall. I will certainly look into your suggestions, thanks for the info.</p>
<p>Ann:
Would it be my Regional Commander for my home address or my school address? </p>
<p>Thanks again and if anyone has any additional information it would be appreciated!</p>
<p>Unless you have permanently changed your residence to where your school is located, you will always deal with Admissions through the RC of your home address.</p>
<p>If you really want to get in here, by all means go for it, just be aware that college credits do not transfer; rather, you have the opportunity, if you meet certain academic standards, to test out of classes in various courses, into higher level classes or even test out of certain courses altogether. For instance, every year a very few people come in and completely test out of the core mathematics requirements. It's similar with other departments, although the prerequisites vary. Some require simply a certain SAT/ACT score in different areas, while others require high AP/IB scores, and still others, getting into advanced classes is as simple as doing well on the required summer testing.</p>
<p>Also, if you don't make it in this next round, there are some cadets here who already hold college degrees. Just something to think about.</p>
<p>I am aware that no credits transfer. It really isn't a big deal to me, I will have completed my college degree before I were to enter the Academy. What are the standards for validation if I have completed the course at the college level? I think I remember reading that an A in a comparable college level course validates it, but I can't find anything on the USMA page except for AP/IB validation.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any ideas if I would need to do things like retake the SATs again? I have taken the older (no writing portion) in 2004. </p>
<p>I am a bit confused by the age requirement. From the admissions page, it says that one can't be 23 before July of the incoming year. I am 21 and my birthday is in November. Am I right in my thinking that the last class I can apply for is for the class of 2014?</p>
<p>The 23 year old requirement isn't so much for the Academy as it is the Army requirement of being 27 as the limit to becoming an officer. (23 + 4 years at USMA = 27) If being an Army officer is your desire, you would have a much quicker route through OCS. The beauty of that is you could get your previous tuition reimbursed. </p>
<p>"On 18 January 2006, the Regular Army implemented the $40K enlistment bonus program. The previous enlistment bonus ceiling for the Regular Army was $20K. On 17 January 2006, the Army Reserve and Army National Guard implemented the $20K non-prior service (NPS) enlistment bonus. NDAA08 provided authority to pay bonus for reserve contracts of 3 or 6 year duration and to some former members who previously failed to complete initial entry training. These provisions were implemented on 22 February 2008. The previous NPS maximum for the Reserve Components (RC) was $10K. Statutory authority was also approved for an inter-service transfer bonus of $2.5K. The $2.5K authority was implemented for officer transfers in January 2006. This bonus was raised in the NDAA07 to $10K and has been implemented. The statute governing Student Loan Repayments (SLRP) for the Active Army was changed to permit more flexibility in the types of loans that the services were allowed to repay. The expansion permits repayment for education loans from commercial banks or credit unions, pension plans, and State loans in addition to federally recognized student education loans. NDAA08 expanded the reserve component loan repayment program to reflect the same criteria as the Active Army program. This expanded authority was implemented on 19 October 2006 for the Active Army and on 24 March 2008 for the Reserve Components. Legislation mandated that the Army institute a TSP matching test to gauge feasibility as a recruiting tool. Authority to match dollar for dollar up 3 percent and 50 cents on the dollar up to 5 percent was implemented 1 June 2006 for selected enlistments in critical skills. This pilot test will last through Calendar Year (CY) 2008. The Army used the existing bonus authorities to great effect in the latter part of FY07 by increasing quick ship bonuses in critical skills and has continued this effort in FY08." Army Enlistment Incentives Program Enhancements from the army.mil website.</p>
<p>AND THIS: "The FY2006 NDAA expanded educational loan repayment authorities to include officers. The maximum repayment is 33 1/3% of the loan or $1,500, whichever is greater, for each year of service. Since OCS and non-scholarship ROTC cadets enter active duty with a three-year obligation, their entire loan obligation could be repaid during three years of active duty. In an era of increasing tuition costs, this could be a significant officer recruiting incentive." CRS Report to Congress </p>
<p>Obviously, you'd have to check into how much they would repay, but not a bad option for someone in your present situation.</p>
<p>But, if you really want the West Point experience, then it does look like you'll only have the one shot at an appointment. Good luck!</p>