Questions about recommendations?

<p>When you guys received recommendations from your teachers, coaches, or whatever for nomination, did you also use those same recommendations for West Point application? Do you make multiple copies of recommendations so that I can use those recommendations for other colleges as well?</p>

<p>If I remember correctly, AF emails the teachers (you have to give them the teachers .edu email address) and the teacher completes a form online through a link of some kind. WP had a manual form to be completed by the teachers but I heard that 2012 WP will also electornically contact the teachers. </p>

<p>On a side note - One of D's teachers had trouble with the AF electronic thing - it allowed limited characters and she didn't know it before she began. She was wordy and it only sent the number of characters that were allowed and deleated the rest so AFA only got the first portion of it and, as the teacher tell us, the good stuff got cut off! Teacher called AFA and they had her mail a letter to AFA with the whole intended content of the recomendation!</p>

<p>Based on my son's experience applying for USMA 2010 and 2011 - he was sent forms to give to his teachers to fill out. He had to have an English teacher, Math teacher, and Chemistry or Physics teacher complete the forms. If I remember correctly, the forms asked the teachers questions and had a place for them to write comments.</p>

<p>Peteyflow,</p>

<p>My D will be class of 2011. Along with the forms described by WAMom68, I believe my D also had to send in three letters of recommendations. Two could be from anyone she chose and the third needed to be from her guidance counselor. These three letters were to be sealed with the person's signature across the seal. If I remember correctly, they gave them to her to mail back to WP with other required forms.</p>

<p>WPMom's comments shadow our experience. Keep in mind that West Point has their requirements and everyone else has their own, which may or may not be the same as what West Point requires. One of my daughter's nomination sources required the recommendations be put in the sealed envelope with the signature across the flap, one did not. One wanted official transcripts in a sealed, signed envelope, one did not. One wanted recommendations from 3 sources, one only 2. I remember forms that the person was required to fill out by hand answering specific questions. DO WHAT YOUR SOURCES TELL YOU TO DO, not what I or anyone else tells you since each requirement, each application package, is different for different nomination sources. If I remember correctly, not one person wrote more than one letter or filled out more than one form, so she had to tap into quite a few people; teachers, administrators, ministers, employers, long-time friends; there was no overlap in that WP did not necessarily get the same information as our Representative or Senators. You're going to have to read instructions carefully and relay those instructions to the ones filling out forms, writing letters. We had an issue with one person who used a felt tip pen after having had it pointed out prior to the signing that the requirement was a black ball point pen. Had to start over; not good. Be careful, follow the instructions carefully. Be organized. D used an expandable file folder with pockets carefully labeled with names, etc. We also set up a spreadsheet with what needed to go where and by when, including medical, CFT, WP paperwork, nomination paperwork, etc. That way we could (and still are in the process) check things off as they were finished, copied, and mailed to the appropriate person/organization.</p>

<p>When I applied to WP co/2011, I got three forms in my application packet for teacher recs. One for Chem/Physics, English, and Math. The form had a section ranking me on a variety of subjects, a few questions, and a little space for comments, with instructions to attach additional pages if wanted. I had one teacher simply rate me the max score in everything, leave no comments, and then send it in, and another write me a full-on three page letter of rec - so the letters themselves can be composed differently. Also, keep in mind that WP will look at whatever you send them, so if you want to have additional letters of rec, just mail them in separately and (this is what I did) fire off an email to your admissions people telling them it's on the way, so they know what to do with it once it gets there. At the end of my barrage of letters to USMA, they had 5 or 6 letters of rec for me total.</p>

<p>tall_Russki you made my day. I believe I can get around 20 letters of recommendation for me. I have teachers who adore me from 8th grade...and people who are just leaders of small political orgs. I think the recs is the only thing going for me.</p>

<p>While a few additional outstanding character references may be OK, I would hesitate to send 20 reference letters. For the most part, WP is looking for academic references to make sure that you can cope with the academic work load - this is why they are very specific about which subject teachers are required to submit letters.</p>

<p>Does anyone know when the application process to West Point start? or Can you turn in any time? Or is there a specific time? and does anyone know the application process date to Nomination? Around when do they accept nomination apps?</p>

<p>If you are competitive, you should get your application in August. You need to turn everything in ASAP. Its really a flurry of paperwork until October-ish (was for me at least), and then if you get accepted theres a bunch more.</p>

<p>Fill out your online questionairre this spring, when it comes available.
You will then get a letter from West Point based on your questionairre, if you are a candidate. If you are not strong enough at that point they will encourage you to send more info. Complete this questionairre ACCURATELY.
Do not guess on your test scores - if you can't remember your SAT's then look them up.
If you are a candidate - they will send you a signon and password.
Next, at the very end of school have your 6th semester transcripts sent in.</p>

<p>Now you wait. USMA will award some LOA's based on transcripts and SAT's. Candidate packets go out to these people first. Everyone else last year got their's the end of August. If you don't get yours right away - relax- it does not mean you are an idiot.</p>

<p>While you are waiting and waiting for your application packet - work on your nomination packets.</p>

<p>Complete the packet and send in, preferably by the end of October.</p>

<p>DODMERB: LOA's get their physical's first - all other's have to wait. My advice is to apply for and AROTC scholarship this spring as well - it is a great back up plan AND it will get you in the DoDMERB data base much quicker. My daughter got in 8/10/06 and finally got her medical waiver from USMA in early March - without procrasticating. </p>

<p>One more thing: There is a lot of "Hurry Up and Wait" - get used to it!</p>

<p>peteyflow: there are 2 parts to the WP application. The first part opens a candidate file and can be done online <a href="http://admissions.usma.edu/apply.cfm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://admissions.usma.edu/apply.cfm&lt;/a>
The second part will be mailed out later in the summer (if you meet the criteria). Once you have received part 2, do not wait until the deadline in February to submit it. WP has a rolling admission system, so the earlier you submit your packet the better your chances (unless you have very poor standardized tests).
Nomination deadlines vary - you need to do some research and find out when application packets become available and what their deadlines for submission are. For many but not all, they become available in the spring/summer of your junior year, and need to be submitted by ~October of your senior year. Summer is a good time to get these applications completed. To do that you will have to ask your teachers for recommendations before summer break.
I sugest you spend time reading this site <a href="http://admissions.usma.edu/prospectus/step_home.cfm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://admissions.usma.edu/prospectus/step_home.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Hey I filled out the candidate file, but I haven't taken the SAT so I left that part blank. They send me back a reply back saying that I need the SAT score within 60 days. So does that mean I can't meet the criteria unless I put the SAT? Because my rank is in top 5 percent, and Im in sports and all.</p>

<p>WP requires either SAT or ACT scores. Advice is usually to take both tests and take them multiple times (highest individual scores are taken). SAT/ACT results make up a large part of the academic score (which is 60% of the whole candidate score).
If WP has told you to provide results in within 60 days, then yes they mean it....Remember it is all about following the instructions.....
Good luck!</p>

<p>is putting your SAT score on the candidate file your final score? You can change it later right?</p>

<p>Yes you can change your SAT score later. Until you receive that offer of appointment you should continue to update your file with new test scores, awards, varsity letters, or any other item that shows your academic or leadership skills. Each time you take the SAT and ACT have the scores sent directly to West Point as well as any other colleges you are considering.</p>

<p>Do you send the score through email?</p>

<p>
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Do you send the score through email?

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</p>

<p>When you sign up for the SAT and ACT you can list which colleges you want the scores sent to. If you have scores from a test you have already taken you can notify admissions via email but they will probably want a copy of the score report sent to them so they can verify the scores you give them. If you go to the SAT and ACT websites you can get score reports from past tests sent to West Point, or any college, for a small fee.</p>

<p>I can't remember when in the process, but eventually you will have an admissions officer assigned to you and you can contact him/her with any updates to your file. </p>

<p>I hope this helps.</p>

<p>peteyflow: Remember to have your SAT/ACT scores sent to your nomination sources as well as WP admissions. You will need to put in the correct code for each congressional representative. You can call the college board to get the correct codes if you do not have them (609) 771-7600.
While the prospectus states that the final date for taking the SAT is January, and the ACT is February (senior year) - remember that WP works off a rolling admissions system and that nomination applications are usually due in the October-December timeframe. Serious candidates are advised to have their files complete by December.</p>

<p>WP has regional admissions officers - if you call admissions they will tell you who your admissions officer is based on where you live.</p>

<p>Hey, just curious. I am taking SAT this May, but I already filled out the candidate file because I thought you don't need your SAT score. But they said I need to send them my SAT score within 60 days. Does anyone know code to send the score directly to Candidate File?</p>