<p>Im an 8th Grader living in Southern California wanting to go to West Point. Im a smart kid in every subject except math :(
I usually get a B in math every semester. I can be very lazy at times, but my motivation lvl is rising every day. I only have 1 shot at getting into a good college and need to put 100% effort into my studies. My parents are not college graduates, and they both wish they had studied harder in school. My dad served in the army for 2 tours in Iraq. He is now mentally disabled with PTSD. Will his disability effect my chances of getting in? Tell me everything I need to know about West Point:)</p>
<p>Ok so I know a lot about it because my dad went there and my two brothers went there. Lets talk about outside of academics first. You can already practice, be super respectful and formal, neat, ect. so that when you go to West Point it will seem very easy and natural. You will need to make great impressions on your high school teachers so that you can good recs from them, because USMA may not be as competitive as Harvard it takes a different kind of person to go there. BE A LEADER this can be sooo simple before you do something think is this what a leader would do? Is this what an officer in the United States military do? It will also save yourself from dumb decisions teens make, take leadership positions in every aspect in your life, class, clubs, sports, even friend groups. You need to be an athlete, would the most prestigious military academy in the world want a kid who can’t lift his buddy off the ground when hes shot, would they want a kid who runs an 8:00 minute mile and has severe asthma? NO! Get strong and fit. Practice doing the APFT and the USMA fitness exam too aim for a perfect score. West Pointers need to be the smartest people in the class room, challenge yourself with your course rigor, aim for a 4+ GPA and a 32+ ACT. Start studying for the ACT now (very lightly) and then pick it up with intensity freshman, sophomore and junior years. West Point has educated 4 and 5 star generals, presidents, astronauts, and the very best in America and all of the world. BE THAT GOOD. BE DEDICATED. Good luck! Beat Navy! </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice! Im working out on a daily basis, so I don’t think the physical part will be hard. I just need to push myself to get the best grades possible! </p>
<p>First, don’t fixate on any particular college until you have admission offers in hand. A lot can change in the next few years.
Second, the service academies are all very difficult to get into and to get through. They are trying to prepare an officer corps they can rely on in war, in battles. That’s no ordinary college education.
Third, just focus on growing into the best person you can be over the next few years. Study, stay healthy, get involved and participate in school and community.
Fourth, are you sure the military is a good idea for you? It sounds like your dad’s time in the service really messed him up, and he was lucky enough to come back alive. Can you risk coming back the same way? Can your parents handle you coming back in a flag draped coffin? The risk is very real, not hyperbole.</p>
<p>
Not true! You will have many chances to get into a good college. Even with West Point, if you don’t get in the first time, you can apply again, and even a third time.</p>
<p>There are dozens of good colleges in the country (actually, probably at least two hundred, depending on how you define “good college”). You can get into one of them. Certainly you can get into a college that is a good fit for you. All the University of California branches are excellent, for example, and so are many of the “Cal State” universities. Thus, just in California alone, you have a couple of dozen good choices. And at most of them you can do Army ROTC even if you do not make it into West Point.</p>
<p>As far as West Point itself, @iwantivy8888 is correct. Becoming an athlete is exceptionally important. 90% of West Point cadets were varsity athletes in high school, and they are required to participate in athletics at West Point. Notice – “varsity” – not spare time or club or even junior varsity athletes. The military, as a whole, has established that the best predictor of success in a military career is physical fitness, not academic grades. Keep that in mind.</p>
<p>Yes, as I mentioned, Army ROTC is a very good option too. You can get an ROTC scholarship, and it is easier than getting into West Point. The scholarship pays full tuition plus at least $300 per month spending money. Plus a bunch of colleges will give free room and board if you bring your ROTC scholarship to them. This means that sometimes an Army ROTC scholarship is a better financial bargain than West Point. Also, you do not necessarily need to be a varsity athlete, just physically fit.</p>