<p>I'm going to be a senior next year, and was wondering if it isnt too late to begin the application process for West Point. After reading around the forums, seems like most people here have a good head start on me. I know that the first thing you need to do is the congressional nomination, and after checking my representatives website I see that the deadline is late October, which leads me to think I should be fine. I will probably go back to my junior teachers when school starts to get some recommendations, then I should have my application in before the deadline. Do you think I will be okay? Does anyone have any suggestions for me? </p>
<p>No - it's not too late at all. Go to the admissions website and open a file. That shouldl trigger the DoDMERB process (medical screening) which can be lengthy. Pull off the CFA instructions from the admissions website too, and start practicing. The main part of the application will only be mailed out in August. Get started on the nominations. If you can get a 6 semester transcript from your school registrar, mail that to WP admissions. If your SATs/ACTs are not your best, work to improve them and schedule a retake.
You are a little behind the curve, but have plenty of time to get it all done.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Wow thank you for the prompt and detailed reply! Im going to open a file right now by completing the Candidate Questionnaire. I will also begin working on some of the events on the CFA I am not familiar with. Do you know about when this will have to be officially taken? Should I get a transcript ASAP and mail it, or is that later in the process?</p>
<p>Again, I appriciate your help so much, thank you :).</p>
<p>The advantage of sending in your transcript early is that it can put you in line for a LOA (early conditional acceptance) if you are a strong candidate.
Take the CFA as soon as you feel you are ready to do your best (practice, practice, practice). Follow the instructions - your school coach can administer it once the school year begins. It counts 10% of your whole candidate score. The deadline for complete applications is the end of February, but because WP works off a rolling admissions system, you want to get things in way before the deadlines if possible.
Keep asking questions - there is lots of advice to be had on this forum :)</p>
<p>I thought that most people got word of their nominations by January-ish? If thats the case, how are you supposed to have your complete application in way earlier than Feb?</p>
<p>Ok- I just finished opening a file. They will not send me a full application automatically, correct?</p>
<p>Now I will start prepping for my CFA. I will try to get a transcript from my school, but dont know if it is possible becuase it is closed right now. Once I do get it, I will send it in ASAP. After that, I will get my letters of rec. from some of my Junior teachers from last year, my Headmaster, and my Dean of Discipline (Served in the Military for quite some time). After I get all that I will send it in for nominations (hopefully around early-mid September), and pray for the best. Does all of this sound correct?</p>
<p>Once you have set up a file online with the USMA, admissions officials will review your questionaire and decide if you pass the initial screening. Either way you will receive a response. If it is favorable, you will receive a Candidate Kit and CFA instructions.</p>
<p>While passing the CFA is essential, I recommend you also review your SAT/ACT scores and determine if you need to improve those scores. If so, begin now to schedule a test date and start preparing for the test. Academics are weighted 60% while physical fitness is weighted 10% by the admissions board so improvements in academics will help you more than improvements in the CFA. </p>
<p>Although needed to obtain admission to USMA, applying for a congressional nomination is a separate process. For most candidates, getting the nomination is esier than getting the offer of appointment from USMA. Check some earlier postings on this website to find out why. Last year there were over 4000 nominations but only 1500 or so offers of appointment with 1311 cadets finally selected for the Class of 2010.</p>
<p>Each member of congress has their own application guidelines and schedule, so check out your senate and representative's websites. Some of the information needed for the congressional nomination will be similar to the info requested in the USMA application. However, it is usually more limited and includes items such as a current transcript, letters of recommendation, list of extra curricular activities, and a statement on why you want to attend the academy. Many members of congress have the application and forms available online. Nomination application due dates varying from early October to mid November so check your representatives sites. </p>
<p>Thank you for that reply. I recieved a 29 on my ACT, and will be retaking it again in September to bump up my score.</p>
<p>I have to admit, it is a very long application process, and am a bit confused still with my limited knowledge about it. I think I am on the right track now, and hope it all goes smoothly. I will probably just wait untill my initial application is reviewed, and then I'm sure it will be more thouroughly explained if I recieve a full application. </p>
<p>Should I just wait untill I hear back about that initial application, and take it from there, or is there anything else I should be doing?</p>
<p>Think of the nomination process as a separate piece of the puzzle, rather than part of the WP application itself. The nomination applications are distinct from the WP admissions packet, and have their own requirements and deadlines.
Yes, nominations are only announced in the Dec/Jan timeframe, but this should be the last piece of the puzzle - by this stage you should hopefully be medically, physically and academically qualified by WP.
Remember too, without an LOA, you will be competing at the district level to be "top dog". You will want your nomination file (deadline usually in October) to be as competitive as it can be.</p>
<p>Alright, that helps a lot. Thank you. I guess I will just wait a week until I hear back about my initial application. I really dont think there is much work I can do besides getting a list of my awards/honors/activities ready. Once school begins is when I can start working. My teachers should have enough time for the recommendations, but I'm not sure how long it usually takes. I start school on Aug. 11th, so I think I should be fine. Do you think I should try and get my transcript in before then, or will mid-august be ok for LOA? Sorry if all the questions are a hassle, I'm just trying to make sure I don't miss anything :).</p>
<p>Andrew,
I got my LOA in the mail on December 4th. I finished my application the day before Halloween. You should have plenty of time. Several people have recommended Smallwood's "The West Point Candidate's Book." It is available at amazon.com. I didn't actually have a guideline, nor did I use this forum...I just followed the directions in the packet. You sound like you're in good shape! Just be ready the first week of school to go and ask for a transcript, and have the forms you need to give to your teachers ready. It sounds like you go to private school? Perhaps you can take those forms to Back to School day, when they welcome the freshmen and catch some of your teachers there.</p>
<p>bzzzt,
Thanks for the book title, I will definatly check it out. Also, good idea on contacting the teachers early. I do go to a private school so may be to catch some of them if I go to the orientations.</p>
<p>Please note that Admissions will use the highest subscores on both the SAT and the ACT which will be to an applicant's advantage. Naturally, you want to improve in each component of the exam. If you have one score that is lower than others, you may be able to prep to easily increase that score. And please plan on taking both exams. Many students will find that one is easier than the other. WP will consider your best scores.</p>
<p>The CFA is important and you can begin practice now so that you will be in the best shape. If you aren't a runner, begin running today. Just take it easy so you don't hurt yourself early in the process.</p>
<p>You are absolutely not at all late. Somebody here posted a project plan for the application process. If you do a search you may find it, or perhaps a parent or applicant may have a link they can post here for you.</p>
<p>Best of luck and thank you. With all of the news of the past week, it is encouraging to see young people like you decide to make a commitment to a military career. We're here to help. Please keep us posted on your progress.</p>
<p>Thats for all the help from everyone. I thought I should post an update.</p>
<p>Well, I recieved the letter from WP that I could compete for admissions, and I recieved the letter from DODMERB about schedualing an exam, so I will get on that an try to get on within the next week.</p>
<p>To do list:
-Get apps from members of congree for nominations
-fill out as much as possible
-wait till school starts to get letters of rec. from teachers
-should be in by deadlines</p>
<p>-Get Transcript
-can get when school starts (will send in ASAP as reccomended by Ann) to mail to WP admissions</p>
<p>AndrewZ: You sound as if you have most things covered. The only other suggestion would be to retake the SAT and or ACT if you have room for improvement.
Good luck!</p>
<p>AndrewZ: Remember that even after you have submitted your application for a congressional nomination you can update your application if you have substantial new information that strengthens your application.</p>