<p>I was at a state university here in Ohio. It's a good school, consistently ranked very well for public schools, but by no means something that everyone would recognize. However, they had a tough program and I had an academic advisor that allowed me to challenge myself, as well as wrote an excellent letter of recommendation.</p>
<p>BTW, I'm USAFA 2010.</p>
<p>Clongbeard: Why are you counting yourself out if you are homeschooled but believe that you have what WP wants? Homeschooled candidates may have to work a little harder to make sure that they have the academic, leadership and sports bases covered, but it is possible. One of the candidates from my son's district for the class of 2010 is homeschooled.</p>
<p>To the OP,</p>
<p>If you just slightly miss the cut, USMA does send some kids right out of HS to the USMAPS at Ft Monmouth for a year. Our scoutmaster's son graduated last year from our local hs and is prepping this year and will enter USMA with the class of 2010.</p>
<p>Yea, definitely don't bash enlisting. I honestly wish I had enlisted for a couple of years before coming here. I have the utmost respect for enlisted guys.</p>
<p>"Why are you counting yourself out if you are homeschooled but believe that you have what WP wants?"</p>
<p>Don't get me wrong, I'm not counting myself out. It's just that the way things are looking with my situation, there's a realistic chance I won't make it this time around. And if that's the case, I have to know ahead of time what I'm going to do. I believe I'm what WP wants because I've got the head and character they need in cadets. The difficulty as a homeschooler is proving that very thing. Using conventional means of showing leadership and athletic ability aren't an option (ie highschool team sports). In our community, homeschoolers are not at all welcome to play highschool sports or participate in any state-sponsored extra curriculars. As a result, I have a large deficit in those areas, and I can't fill them easily (especially when playing those highschoool sports I need isn't an option). It's an all-around tough situation, but you are right. It isn't impossible. But it's tough enough where I need to prepare for the possibility of having to re-apply.</p>
<p>It has also been commented that I'm worrying too much; I am a junior and have plenty of time. That may be true for some, but I don't have much time. I'm going to be pushing nonstop through this year and still be short of time. I won't go into specifics.</p>
<p>Clongbeard,</p>
<p>Homeschooled students have been admitted to the service academies. Some of them likely had the same challenges you have in terms of gaining leadership and athletic team experience. There are many options available to you though. You can participate in running and races, swim clubs that offer competition opportunities, soccer clubs, etc. In addition you can become a referee for various sports or an assistant coach. I'm sure Admissions understands that homeschooled candidates have the ability to excel in so many areas outside of traditional high school sports. You should talk to your MALO about this.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Clongbeard: OK - I just reread your previous posts. I misunderstood when you said that you had what WP wants. The thing is WP believes that past behavior is an indicator of future behavior. They want evidence that you have leadership potential, rather than just taking your word for it. Have you followed any of the advice that was given to you a few months back? If not, I wouldn't wait any longer if WP really is your dream. You are right, junior year is cutting it fine if you have no sport or leadership record to date. </p>
<p>MOT gave you good advice - Good Luck!</p>
<p>High school sponsored athletics are not required. For example, martial arts is rarely a "letter sport" at any high school but I am aware of a number of cadets who had black belt on their resume as their only involvement in sports. Also cadets who spent years fencing or riding horses or sailing or, or, or... Saying you cannot participate in high school sports in your area is no reason to not have athletic participation on your application.</p>
<p>Additionally, leadership opportunities can be found in many areas outside the school: politics, church organizations, scouts, etc.</p>
<p>You need to stop focusing on being a home-schooler and focus on the application and the requirements constantly discussed here, finding ways to get involved in activities that will show WP you are a viable candidate.</p>
<p>The fact that there are cadets who were home-schooled proves it can be done. Stop making excuses and if you really want it, make it happen.</p>
<p>MALO- stands for what? I still don't understand all of these abbreviations. I'll probably have one of those "duh!" moments when I get the answer.</p>
<p>Another clarification- I'm not trying to make excuses, I'm trying to give you a better idea of the difficulties faced by homeschoolers so it is easier for you to respond in a helpful way. It also means I get more accurate and applicable advice. </p>
<p>Thanks again, really good stuff.</p>
<p>wow, give the kid a break, he's just trying to explain that he's in a pretty unique situation and wants advice as to where to go should he not gain admittance this go-around. No need to attack him for making excuses.</p>
<p>and on the comment about enlisting being a stupid move; that's plain ignorant. I decided freshman year of highschool that I wanted to go to West Point, and I enlisted in the split option program (basic before senior year of h.s.) because A. I knew it was a way to get a guaranteed nomination and B. I have the experience now of being an enlisted solider, albeit short, which is something that many officers lack and hurts them when trying to understand soldiers' needs. I credit every success I've had at the academy to much of what I learned while enlisted.</p>
<p>The MALO is your Admissions Liaison Officer from West Point for your district. These individuals are supported by a variety of field force volunteers. If you don't know who that would be, you should contact Admissions and begin a dialogue as soon as possible.</p>
<p>And please keep in mind that there is absolutely no disadvantage in this process because you are homeschooled. You will likely be able to identify many advantages once you get going.</p>
<p>I apologize and did not intend to sound harsh. As Ann mentioned in her post, the same questions were asked by Clongbeard back in January. In that thread he was given some wonderful advise and suggestions for ways to get involved in athletics and leadership opportunities outside the traditional high school setting.</p>
<p>Again, encouragement was the intent and I should have taken greater care to make sure that was the message received.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000002/00000240.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000002/00000240.asp</a> </p>
<p>Old document (1998) but has some helpful tips. Back then the academies were only admitting 1-5 homeschooled applicants a year - that seems really low, does anyone have updated figures?</p>
<p>Let me remark on enlisting from what I've heard here so far-</p>
<p>Enlisting would no doubt make sure West Point sees your dedication, but it is a high risk move. Those who are willing to do that and follow through have my sincerest respect. I think that a lot of us applying consider that possibility at some point or other, but the green-hearted grunts are the only ones who follow through. It must be remarked however, that if a candidate's file needs to be strengthened in the areas of extra-curriculars, academics and the like, working like a dog in college may do more to fill-in the wholes so to speak. Enlisting has the advantage of showing your determination and commitment to the academy, but it is an option that should be used carefully as it involves commiting yourself to the military up-front.</p>
<p>Does that summarize it?</p>
<p>Quoting the number of home schoolers accepted, without data on the number of applicants, is rather deceiving.</p>
<p>That's like saying that only 2 people with a father named Rafael and a mother named Joan get into the Academies each year. You think, well my father's name is Rafael and my mother's Joan, I don't have a good chance. Okay, but how many actually applied with those credentials.</p>
<p>Likewise, assuming a 10% acceptance rate (rounded down) and 5 home schoolers accepted (so the math is easy), that would mean that 50 applied, which seems to be more than that website is inferring. In fact, it's quite a few.</p>
<p>Cliff Notes:</p>
<p>Stop complaining and worrying about your situation and apply. If you go in thinking you will fail, you will. And if you harbor these thoughts about the admissions process, I don't even want to think about the negative attitude you'll bring to WP.</p>
<p>TacticalNuke: No, I was not trying to be deceptive. I agree you cannot infer admission rate from total admissions. I was not trying to (you were). If you had read the article you would have seen that the homeschooler's organisation was pleased with that number given the application rate at that time (1998). My point was that the total number seemed low.</p>
<p>On to updated info. I called WP admissions. Homeschoolers currently make up 2-3% of incoming classes. Their admit rate is equal to, if not better than applicants who are not homeschooled. Prevailing thought is that the homeschooled candidates who do apply are highly motivated and usually have great credentials.<br>
Homeschooled applicants are at no disadvantage, but WP does give their academic files more scrutiny (straight As from mom and dad don't hold much weight); SATs are really important and need to at least be in the mid 1200s (combined math and verbal average is currently 1280). If the candidate is part of a nationally recognised homeschool co-op, so much the better as candidates will have a "class rank".
Leadership is really important; WP gives great weight to scouting achievements especially attaining the rank of eagle scout. Serving as president of a church youth group is also highly regarded.
Sport participation is also expected, and WP wants to see participation and achievement over a number of years, not just a passing interest. The admissions rep mentioned club soccer or baseball, year round swimming, and martial arts. In some cases private schools have allowed homeschoolers to participate in their programs but will most likely not award varsity letters.</p>
<p>Ann, I did read the article. You were saying that the 1-5 per year was low. And, like I said, unless you know how many applied, you can't say what is "low".</p>
<p>It's ancient data anyway, and it is obvious from reading on the SA websites that homeschooling is not a disadvantage.</p>
<p>Anyway, this guy needs to stop wondering and get on with the admissions process. Anyone who thinks they will fail WILL fail.</p>
<p>TacticalNuke: Again, my point was that while the rest of the information in the article seemed relevant to today, the total number of candidates admitted per year (relative to the total class size, not homeschooled applicants), seemed low. After checking, total number is now much higher (~24 -36 per year). </p>
<p>Hey, I'm only trying to help Clongbeard, who seems to have a realistic view of things given his situation. Even though he may have procrastinated, I admire his willingness to explore backup plans to strengthen his candidate file.</p>