<p>are they serious when in the end they write "this letter is sent only to outstanding high school juniors, you accomplishments today should b a source of special satisfaction to you and your family."</p>
<p>is this for real or to make us feel better?</p>
<p>I don't know, I was thinking the same thing. I got mine on the 18th. I was thinking that it is just to make us feel better, but I'm not sure. I'm pretty sure that the only reason that I didn't get in was because of my PSAt scores. I heard that "The following information is useful to complete the candidate kit that you will recieve in August 2008 to complete the USMA application process" was only given to decent candidates. I think that WP bases the SLS primarily on the PSAT scores. Also, I know that they turn down some people just based on their cq. So we couldn't have been that bad, they didn't turn us down for admissions.</p>
<p>My sat and psat scores were pretty low, around 55 and 550
you?</p>
<p>yeah, about the same. my total was 175. I think the lowest they were accepting was a 180. Oh well, I'm taking the SAT in January, hopefully I'll do better. I heard that you can send the SAT scores in if they are stellar for reconsideration(even after rejection)does anyone know if that is true. StelsaS, are you going to apply to CGA and AFA SS tomorrow?</p>
<p>Na bro, its USMA or the a liberal arts college :D</p>
<p>They should accept the February ACT's right?</p>
<p>Relax. My SAT scores were not very high, but I still got an appointment to the class of 2012. I felt as though I almost got rejected from SLS at one point. The guy running the show sent me an email stating that my credentials were very strong in all areas, except the SAT, but he was going to give me a grace period since he had reasons to believe I would increase them over the summer. Well, basically he was right.</p>
<p>I know it's disappointing to get the reject letter, but relax. It has little to do with decisions next year. There are more candidates in each class who did not attend SLS. But don't relax too much. You have plenty of time - nearly a year - to prep for the SAT and don't forget about the ACT. Both are accepted and Admissions will use the highest subscore so plan on taking the tests several times. Some people just do better on one rather than the other. Find the one that's best for you. </p>
<p>Also, you really can impact the score in a positive way by getting ready for it. Use the xiggi method described in the SAT review section of college confidential. Many swear by it. Or take a class or get a tutor. All of this will only help you next year when you go through the application process.</p>
<p>So, plan on taking the tests soon. Figure out what kind of prep you need to do. The PSAT is actually an excellent predictor. And make the prep work a priority. Between now and May, you'll be able to take the test a couple times and you'll know if you need to spend your summer prepping even more or getting your application completed.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>If that is a 'standard' form letter, then perhaps everyone who was turned down also received it, not much consolation, but the wording does sound like a back-handed compliment. Others who might have gotten a different form of rejection letter for SLS might comment on what theirs says.</p>
<p>Remember that USMA is looking for a good mix of candidates for SLS. Neither of my sons got accepted although they had good qualifications all the way around. My oldest was upset, and spoke to the MALO in our area who explained that they don't have space for everyone who is qualified, and that given a limited number of openings for SLS, USMA tries to pull a diverse cross section of participants across geograhpic regions, gender, race, etc., which makes it a more effective program. This affects who is offered a slot in addition to the applicants qualifications. When my youngest was turned down, he recalled the MALO's explanation. Both my sons received LOA's and appointments to USMA very early in the fall of their senior years. As others have said, being turned down for SLS does not mean that you have less of a chance of being given an appointment to the academy, it can simply mean that they didn't have a slot available to offer. Keep your chin up and keep working toward your goal!</p>
<p>Having gone to SLS, I don't think its crucial to attend. It is nice, and a great experience, but its not something that I see as being very important. You do get an interview, which does play some role in admissions since that is more or less the only opportunity you will ever get an optional interview.</p>
<p>Not to steal your thread, but a quick question for Mister Sinister:</p>
<p>Could you explain, if it isn't too much hassle, basically what SLS is like and what you do?</p>
<p>"You do get an interview, which does play some role in admissions since that is more or less the only opportunity you will ever get an optional interview."</p>
<p>MS,</p>
<p>The majority of candidates will have an interview with a representative from Admissions, typically their MALO.</p>
<p>My d did not go to SLS, but did have an interview with her MALO. Not only that, I was interviewed also. My impression of the interview's purpose was to gauge whether it was the applicant who wanted to go to WP, and not the parent that was pushing the applicant to go.</p>
<p>Another impression I got was the MALO was trying to get a feel for how much familial support the candidate would get, should they be accepted. My d is pretty independent and confident, but after having been through Beast, Reorgy Week and the first semester, I think my plebe was glad of having her family's support. </p>
<p>These are just a few of the intangibles that the admissions process takes into account.</p>
<p>wpmom, would you mind sharing your daughter's stats. Also, did she get a LOA?</p>
<p>She was in the International Baccalaureate program (all classes were weighted 6.0 during junior and senior years) - received diploma. She mostly got B's, with a few A's and a few more C's. </p>
<p>Weighted GPA at Graduation: 4.54
Ranked: 37 out of 455 (top 60 were also IB students)
ACT: Composite 29 - (English, 26, Math 33, Reading 28, Science 27)
SAT: 1310 (Reading 630, Math 680, Writing 570)</p>
<p>Sports:
Lettered in Wrestling (co-ed) & Cross Country
Co-captain: JV Softball (soph.)
No sports as a freshman</p>
<p>ECs:
NHS, Robotics Club (president-senior, vp-fresh,soph,jr), Japanese Club, Key Club (2 years), IB Club, scuba certified, ju jitsu (2 years in middle school)</p>
<p>She received an LOA in Dec. of last year - provisional on her getting a nomination and completing her CFA. Nomination came from Rep., not Sen.</p>
<p>In my opinion, I believe she was given the LOA because she was a balanced candidate (academics, athletics and leadership). Not outstanding in any one area, but definitely above average in each. Also, I think competing in wrestling showed that she was more than able to hold her own in a male-dominated environment. [Probably from having 2 older brothers. ;-)]</p>
<p>She went in at 5'2", 120 lbs., but she's got attitude (and that's an understatement). </p>
<p>She applied for SLS, but was rejected. Which just shows not to give up hope just because you aren't picked to go to SLS.</p>
<p>Just a note: All the candidates in our area were interviewed by the MALO.</p>
<p>Thanks Wp mom, that was actually really helpful. Its encouraging to see that rejection from SLS is not the end of the world. It made me feel better that she got an appt. after rejection...even an LOA! My activities are similar to your daughters ( but no IB classes). Thanks for the encouragement!</p>
<p>friartown; realize also that it's a matter of simple math. Only 800 openings exist for SLS in a year. YET, between 1300-1600 appointments will be given to the military academy. Of which approximately 1300 will accept. Of which approximately 900 will graduate 4 years later. Throw into that, that not all 800 of those who attended SLS will choose to go to the academy; or be accepted; and you will see that probably LESS THAN HALF of all those who get an appointment went to SLS. Hope that puts it into perspective.</p>
<p>Thanks Christcorp, I think I was just trying to get over the disappointment of rejection. I guess it made me pessimistic. I'm just going to study, study and study some more. Hopefully I'll be more successful with the actual appt.</p>
<p>definitely what Christcorps said. It's A LOT less than half. I remember them saying at SLS that only 400 of the 800 candidates at USMA get appointments.
I even met some people at SLS who said they didn't even want to go to the academy - they were just there 'cause it was a leadership seminar.
i also know a kid who just submitted the preliminary app (like the SLS app) in spring his junior year, forgot about it, then got an LOA in fall.</p>