How could I improve my application?

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

Hello College confidential,

  To begin with, I would like to assert that this post is not a "what are my chances", because that is up to the admissions board. But simply, how can I better my application for an academy such as West Point. I have read almost everything there is on the USMA website, and have done extensive research. I know what the academy is looking for but I want to hear from other people how I could change my application, as another persons perspective is always helpful.

I am a sophomore at a competitive college preparatory school:
Accumulative GPA (Freshman and half of sophomore years)
|| 3.82 ||
I have taken 4 honors courses through the 2 years (2 per year), and am looking to take AP’s Junior and Senior as that is when they are available.

Do not know my SAT or ACT scores, or have any prediction of what they could be.

Extra-Curricular/ Leadership:

Black Belt in Taekwondo
-National Champion Forms
-Gold and two silvers in Junior Olympics for Sparring

Soccer
-Varsity soccer since freshman year, will be competing for captain Junior year
-Multiple travel teams, 3rd in state

Lacrosse
-JV Freshman/sophomore year (my second sport)

Mock Trial
-Expert Witness, looking to be attorney next year

Clubs:
-National Honors Society
-California Scholarship Federation
-Semper Fi ( we make care packages for marines overseas, and yes I know this is Navy:) )

Volunteer:
School requires 100 by graduation, but I look to go over that limit. I have done service at multiple places in my area, and in Costa Rica over the summer. Already around 75 hours completed.

  I have already contacted my local representative(not congressman) and have had a few meetings with him. I threw the lacrosse ball around with him and he stated that I would be a good candidate as long as I keep my grades up, but I want to know how I could be a great candidate as my dream is to receive a letter of appointment from West Point.


  Thank you if you have read this far and I would greatly appreciate any help on how to make this application stronger as I know it is extremely difficult to get into a service academy. I have always wanted to serve in the United States Army and has always been a dream of mine to attend The United States Military Academy. 


       Thanks again,
               Wegiveaship
2

Study for the SAT/ACT. Take both tests. Figure out which test you do best on and take it multiple times to keep increasing your score. Seek out as many high level leadership positions as you can. Attend Boys/Girls State and apply for SLE

3

ok, will do. Also, I would like to know how my application so far seems… Is it competitive? And please be brutally honest, but constructive criticism please!

4

It is too early to know if you would be competitive. The SAT/ACT test, as well as your class rank are a huge part of your WCS and you don’t have those listed, yet. Getting those key leadership roles is where you should focus your effort. They really want depth, and leadership, in extracurriculars. Your gender, race, where you live and how competitive the district is, all determine how competitive you really are. Obviously, you can’t control most of those. But what you can control are your grades, your test score and where you choose to spend your time. Keep working hard on those things.

5

One thing that I didn’t see much of in our post is leadership. Ponder what you can do in this area as leadership is very important to WP. While volunteering is important (I saw that you have put in a great deal of time in this area) and valuable, you may want to devote some of that time to developing leadership opportunities for your WP application. They are looking for people who want to be leaders.

And kudos for participating in Mock Trial! (Says the former MT coach. :slight_smile: It’s a fabulous opportunity and if you do go to the Summer program at WP (SLE), you’ll have a chance to participate in a Mock Trial session.

6

bookreader, thank you! I have been thinking about running for class president next year and trying to become president of certain clubs, but I definitely want to gain leadership positions. And Mock Trial was great, must be enjoyable as a coach!

widwesternheart, my school does not rank, so would I have to ask them to personally? And thank you for the great advice!

7

My kids’ school doesn’t rank either. If they don’t then, your ACT/SAT will count even more for the academic portion of your WCS. I will note, that even though our schools does not rank, i.e. they don’t tell the students or parents where anybody ranks and the transcript, won’t show a rank, and even the school profile says they don’t’ rank, I do know that they provided a rank on the counselor portion of ROTC scholarship packets and to the Academies on their portion of the file.

8

I’m an Academy grad and active in volunteer recruiting. You are definitely on track. Where you live is relevant. In some congressional districts competition is fierce in others not so much. West Point likes varsity sport team captains. Sparring means boxing? Reach out to your local field force representative. You should be able to find him or her on the admissions website. Practice for the CFA test as it has some frankly odd things it tests. Visit your congressmans local office and meet the assistant who is responsible for academy nominations. Also, build a strongapication for a range of selective colleges. Don’t bank on getting into the academy

9

Wje9164be, I am currently living in an area that is not known to be all that competitive, although I know it it still extremely difficult to get an appointment. And by your last sentence, “Also, build a strongapication for a range of selective colleges. Don’t bank on getting into the academy” is this specifically saying that my application is not on par with an acceptance, or are you generally saying it is hard to get into so do not bank on getting an appointment?

10

Getting accepted to any military academy is difficult because they all have more qualified applicants than openings. For this reason it’s always wise to work to improve your portfolio and work on a solid plan B.

11

ok, thanks for clarifying

12

Actually, you are supposed to ask for your rank. There are very detailed instructions on the USMA website.

13

Class rank, class rank, class rank. It’s killing my application. But as stated above, leadership is critical. Prepare well for the CFA and look to attend SLE and Boys’ State. 1490 for your critical reading and math section is basically the security point. It’s important your class rank is no lower than the top 20% although this may not be essential if you’re in a non-competitive district. My sister was appointed early may with top 5% in her class and low SAT scores (highest 1800)… they matter! (she was also junior class president and held various student government positions, she received a 3 year ROTC scholarship to Loyola University)

14

Double emphasize this!

90% of West Point cadets were involved with high school varsity (not JV) athletics. Physical fitness is equal in importance to academics. So continue in varsity soccer, try to make varsity lacrosse, perhaps even expand to varsity track or cross country. Start practicing for the “Candidate Fitness Assessment.”
http://www.usma.edu/admissions/shared%20documents/cfa_instructions.pdf