Korean American... Any Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Military Academy - West Point
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<p>I'm a Korean American junior currently attending a public high school
in Wisconsin. I'm interested in attending West Point. I've lived several years
in Korea and have seen a few conflicts and accidents between US Army in Korea and the Korean government/civilians. I hope to have a 4-year education in international relations in West Point and serve as an officer in US base in Korea. I hope I can better understand the relationship between US and S. Korea and the tension with N. Korea, promote healthier relationship between my country and my parent's country and contribute to the continual struggle against terrorism.</p>

<p>Here's my stats:</p>

<p>9th grade:
(8 courses)
1st semester
4 B's
4 A's
2nd semester
2B's
6A's</p>

<p>10th grade:
(New school. 7 courses)
1st semeseter
6 A's
1 B
2nd semester
7 A's
(got a 5 in AP English at Northwestern Summer Camp)</p>

<p>11th grade:
1st semester
7 A's
2nd semester
Not over yet. Expecting all A's but might get two or three B's
3 B's is likely.</p>

<p>I took mostly honors and AP courses, and I'd have taken 10 APs by the time I graduate. I pretty sure i'll be in the top 15% percent at my school with a weighted GPA of around 4.3 or 4.4. </p>

<p>My EC's:</p>

<p>-debate team (captain)</p>

<p>-literary magazine (art editor)</p>

<p>-latin club</p>

<p>-national honor society</p>

<p>Over 200 hours of community service in Korean Culture and Language School as an assistant teacher, Hunger Task Force, etc..</p>

<p>Awards:
-state art competition 1st place ---- 2</p>

<p>-national art competition finalist ----1</p>

<p>-international poster contest ----- 1</p>

<p>-debate best speaker awards ---- some</p>

<p>-picked as an outstanding writer (junior) at my school</p>

<ul>
<li><p>nominated from my school to compete in national council of english teachers essay contest</p></li>
<li><p>School literary magazine best artist</p></li>
</ul>

<p>_I'll be attending boys state this summer.</p>

<p>I never joined a sports team.. I'm a good badminton, tennis, and soccer player. I play sports a lot with my friends at free times but I never felt like joining a school team. But I'm pretty sure I can pull off good physical test results if I work over the summer. Would the fact that I have no athletic activities hurt my chance?</p>

<p>This is basicially it. I hope to join West Point and learn discipline, leadership, self-restraint, and many other necessary skills in life. I also think West Point's strict environment will guide me to the right path and build good life habits. (I occasionally slack off and get off task.. like my junior 2nd semester) Can you review my stats and tell me if I would have any chance at West Point?</p>

2

<p>Your stats look pretty good. Keep working on the GPA this coming year and take all the AP or honors classes that you can. I am not sure if the lack of playing a sport will hurt you. Can you play a sport during your senior year? Maybe join the soccer or tennis team since you mentioned playing those with your friends. I see you were captain of the debate team, that is great, try to get additional experience in a leadership position. Attending Boys State will be a big help. West Point will give you points for attending Boys State. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks WAMom68 . I'll be taking 5 APs with all Honors except Latin 3. And I'm thinking about joining the soccer team or tennis but I'm not sure whether joining a team during my senior year helps. I heard commitment to a team or club is what they look at.</p>

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<p>Have you ever looked into getting involved with the Civil Air Patrol? Wisconsin is a good place to be a member.</p>

<p>Korean-American relations... You have good intentions, but don't go off expecting to change the world. In my own Korean-American opinion, the younger generation over there has largely forgotten the sacrifices of their forefathers, and of the American and other foreign countries that fought for their freedom. There are huge protests at the bases there, and a lot of major incidents... the soldier who was basically kidnapped on the subway and forced to read statements by the protesters, the protest where they came through the fence at Camp Red Cloud, the protests that still continue.</p>

<p>My late Grandfather was a Colonel in the ROK Army, and my entire family is extremely pro-American. I count myself to be very fortunate for that. I witnessed a first generation Korean-American DA civilian, who was alive during the Korean War, who said to a group of American soldiers that the only reason Korea is not unified is that if someone wants to defect from North Korea, the Americans on the DMZ will shoot them. Believe it or not, this man had a PhD in education. A very friendly SF Master Sergeant who was stationed at the JSA years ago had to struggle to control his anger at the comment.</p>

<p>I somehow get the feeling that those types of sentiments are more common than I'd like.</p>

<p>Study hard. High school is easy.</p>

5

<p>I joined a team my senior year, they said all they wanted was for me to get a varsity letter. I dont know if the army would let you be stationed in Korea. From what i have hear they dont like people that have lived in other areas of the world (unless military reasons) serve in that country because of security issues, working for the enemy, etc.</p>

6

<p>My cousin just graduated from West Point this year, your grades seem better than he had. he was a Black Belt in tae kwon do [korean-american] and i remember him really pushing his master to speed up the process no matter how stressful it would be on him, in order to put that on his apps.</p>

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<p>Would my awards in art help me at all? I guess art doesn't really match with the military..</p>

8

<p>Bird0328:
The most common last name in the entering class of 2009 at West Point was "Kim". That should answer your "Korean-American" question.</p>

<p>The biggest "miss" I see in your resume above is the lack of a varsity letter (lack of organized sports at all). If possible I would do something about that--like it or not, the statistics bear out that the vast majority of accepted candidates have some kind of varsity letter. If not, they are likely straight A, stellar achieving academic students or have some other stat pushing them over the top. Good Luck.</p>

9

<p>i would second the sports/varsity letter. My Cadet candidate did not have this --but an otherwise stellar profile-- possibly similar to yours</p>

<p>He was offered a prep spot --so be open and tell admissions this</p>

<p>however, if possible pursue varsity letter -- i am like shogun --may or may not be fair but it is what they look for</p>

10

<p>Dunno if you looked at the wpcadet.com thread, but a Korean American candidate was unable to enter the class of 2010 due to a new law passed by the S. Korean Gov't that prevented male citizens from denouncing their citizenship until serving the minimum mandatory military service time in S. Korea. If you are Korean-American dual citizen, you might want to do a bit more research into that cuz you can't enter USMA until you get rid of your non-American citizenship. I believe you have until the March of the year you turn 18 to denounce your S.Korean citizenship without having to serve, but I'm not too sure. Just something to keep in mind if it applies to you. </p>

<p>I'm having a couple of difficulties denouncing my Japanese citizenship (taking more time than I expected it would, might not make it in time for R-day). I recommend any other prospective candidate dual citizens looking into West Point to get started on that paperwork now, as different countries have different guidelines withs ome stricter than others. You don't want to get an appointment in April only to find that you won't be able to go due to citizenship complications</p>

11

<p>As others have said, your academic and ec profile looks terrific and you need to be involved in a sport of some sort. If participation on a high school team sport is difficult to do for senior year, you may want to begin an independent running program. You can participate in a number of races that are not affiliated with any kind of high school competition. The real advantage is that you will improve your running times for the CFA, prepare for the running at WP, and show improvement through competition. I'm also a big fan of martial arts, but in a year's time, you will likely not be able to test for your black belt.</p>

<p>You are obviously a talented artist. Don't give it up if somebody here tells you that it's not valuable for the WP admissions process. Just try to add something that will help you to develop the physical skills needed to apply and succeed.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you!</p>

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<p>Not assigning someone somewhere because of their ethnicity is an obvious violation of EO policy.</p>

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<p>I'm starting my practice for getting in shape this summer so i can pass the physical test. Also playing soccer once in a while to try out for the varsity next season. It's a world cup year so it'll keep me motivated. And is it true that it is required to get rid of your second citizenship to join west point?</p>

14

<p>"Proof of citizenship is required for acceptance at West Point... If you claim another country for citizenship, you must denounce your citizenship in that country before arriving at West Point and be able to show proof of doing so."</p>

<p>Right in the "Instructions for Candidates Offered Admission" booklet. Seeing that you have to be a US citizen to apply, this passage must apply to duals (I believe international students are not required to denounce their citizenship). I don't think they let you take the Oath of Allegiance if you are a citizen of another country, due to "loyalty issues" (true allegiance could lie with non-US Country).</p>