<p>As I mentioned in my other post I just graduated Sophomore year. I have a GPA of around 2.6 and my PSAT score is 670 and in the School of Advanced Studies program.
I am 2 years ahead in math. Took H Trig passed with C-B
Took AP Biology with C-C
Spanish 2 with C-B
AP European History with B-B
H English with C-C
H Humanities with B-B </p>
<p>I have been taking fencing and yoga for the past 3 years since 8th grade.
Next year I will be president of 2 Clubs
Leader of the SOS Youth Corp which is a branch of the SOS. A political grassroots org. campaigning against illegal immigration.
I am a Gear UP mentor and in the USC Med Corp program.
I have also taken 2 years of Journalism. </p>
<p>How is my competitiveness? I know my Academics aren't that strong but I do good and standardized tests-SATs. I am strong in the "sports" category and in the leadership category. </p>
<p>In addition, do sob stories work for USMA. I practically live in the ghettos, I am a refugee immigrant, brother in Iraq, I live with my grandma who is very sick, and my mom is divorced so I was raised alone.</p>
<p>Your record is pretty decent overall! Being president of two clubs and consistent involvement in sports will certainly help you out during the process.</p>
<p>Your academics could be improved a little. Just keep working at those grades, as the current junior grades will be very important.</p>
<p>How is your class rank? If you have a high class rank, WP will look at that even more than scores or GPA. Make sure you improve that if you are a bit on the low end!</p>
<p>As far as the sob story, WP will certainly consider setbacks that you undergo, but make sure to explain them matter-of-factly rather than a "poor me" approach. If you do that, then WP will have a much better opinion of you and your resume.</p>
<p>try that sob story on your Beast cadre, if you get accepted. They'll probably take it easier on you. Don't forget to mention all your school achievements to show how you persevered through hardship!</p>
<p>StellaS...you have a good non-academic foundation to build on. You are going to need to have a good junior year in the grades department. Where are you currently ranked in your class? You might want to cut back a little on your outside activities and concentrate on your grades. I agree with the advice above not to over sell the adversity in your background, but rather use it carefully. It will help you so long as it doesn't appear that you are using it as an excuse, or asserting that it entitles you to an appointment. Good luck...</p>
<p>StellaS: As others have said, concentrate on your grades and SATs/ACTs. Your background will be taken into consideration if it precludes you from doing extracurricular activities, but WP wants you to succeed academically, and admits candidates accordingly. It is often the academics at WP that cadets find most challenging. Good high school preparation is essential.<br>
As a refugee immigrant, has your US citizenship been approved? That paperwork will need to be final for you to be accepted. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies.
Next year I will be taking 3 AP classes and 1 Honors. And Hopefully I will take the Russian Proficiency Exam to get my 2 years counted for. Also senior year I am planning to join Academic Decathlon. </p>
<p>Honestly I wouldn't mind attending the West Point prep.</p>
<p>To increase my sports I am considering starting a fencing club both at my school and at my local recreational facility. </p>
<p>Class ranks don't come out till senior year, but if too measure academically I am around 100+/1000 </p>
<p>Thank You for the advice on the sob story SCREW2011. Would it also be wise to show up in surplus bdu's and vietnam era boots? Maybe even buy some stock ribbons to show off how awesome I was in rotc? Also get my haircut before I arrive and tatoo my shoulder with class of 2015 What do you think ;)</p>
<p>Ann: I've been a citizen for some odd years now.</p>
<p>"I've been a citizen for some odd years now." Great - then that is not a factor.
"To increase my sports I am considering starting a fencing club both at my school and at my local recreational facility. "
Most admitted candidates have varsity letters. If you do not play a varsity sport, it is helpful to be on a competitive team.<br>
It sounds as if you are determined to succeed - good luck.</p>