<p>Hey everybody. I see alot of these chances/improvement threads, they seem great, and the community really seems to respond to them. I just finished my junior year and am busy beginning the Cong. Nom. process. I just wanted to post where I stand so far and hopefully receive feedback from you guys. Ex: What my chances are, what I need to do. Thanks all, your help is greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>Student Activities Grade</p>
<p>Student Council 11-12
High School Band 9-10
Peer Tutor 9</p>
<p>Athletics</p>
<p>JV Football 9-11
V Football 12
JV Wrestling 9-10
Varsity Wrestling 11
Varsity Track 10-11</p>
<p>Community Activities</p>
<p>Volunteer, Parks and Recreation Counselor 9-10<br>
Connecticut YMCA Youth and Government 11 </p>
<p>Awards and Honors</p>
<p>American Legion Connecticut Boys State Representative 11
Honor Roll 9-11
Kiwanis Sportsmanship Award (Wrestling) 11
Americas Whos Who of H.S. Students 10-11
Student Council Officer Position (Sergeant at Arms) 12</p>
<p>GPA: 3.7<br>
SAT math: 600 SAT Verb:590<br>
ACT math: 25 ACT Reading: 31 ACT English: 24 ACT Sci.: 24</p>
<p>Sports, ec's, honors, and gpa look great. Even though no one here is an expert on how the magic happens within Admissions, you may want to consider prepping this summer to take both of the exams again in the fall. You have a great profile and higher scores will make you more competitive.</p>
<p>A few questions:</p>
<p>Did you go to SLS?
Are you taking any AP/IB classes?
Any chance you'll be named a captain in any of your sports?
Does your school have a National Honor Society chapter?</p>
<p>I applied to SLS and was declined - my PSAT scores were not great. Unfortunately I will not be a Captain for my sports, which might hurt me alot. We do have NHS but since my high school in CT is so competitive the cutoff for admittance is a 3.84 GPA, I only have a 3.7. I took AP US History this current year (think I scored a 4 on test). I am taking AP German next year as a Senior. I am in the accelerated Math and Science program in my school. I completed Pre-Calc and Physics this current year. </p>
<p>Is there anything I can do do help with not having a captain ship? Will my student council officer title and Boys State help recover from it? Any other ideas to help me/observations on my chances are appreciated.</p>
<p>Even if you can't be a captain in a sport you can still get in. My son's only sport was football (all 4 years) and he was not a captain. Student council and Boys State will help your overall application. </p>
<p>Take the SAT and ACT as many times as you can. USMA will take your best scores from each section. It will only help you to take them multiple times. </p>
<p>No one here can tell you if you'll get in because there are alot of factors only admissions knows about and they don't tell us. ;) </p>
<p>Do your best on your grades and SAT/ACT, apply, and see what happens.
Good luck!</p>
<p>SLS is actually harder to get into than admissions to a class. It does give you a good feel for whether or not you'd like West Point. It in no way hurts you if you are not offered a slot at SLS.</p>
<p>Taking AP classes shows that you are willing to challenge yourself academically. Actually many colleges will look at the difficulty level of the classes you take compared to what is available at your school. Some high schools only offer 1 or 2 AP classes. If you take both that means that you are willing to take the toughest classes at your school. Other high schools offer nearly all of the AP classes. If you take only 1 or 2, you may not be challenging yourself enough. Another benefit of taking the tougher classes is that you could be even better prepared for the SAT/ACT and ultimately validation tests at West Point.</p>
<p>West Point looks at a whole candidate score to determine admissability. You want the most points possible. Boys' State is huge. NHS, Eagle Scout, team captain, etc all help. I'd like to add that you shouldn't do any of these just to "earn the points". You should do what interests you and excel. </p>
<p>All in all you're on the right path. Spend some quality time with a test tutor or review book on your own to get ready for the tests the first time they are offered this fall. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you and please keep us posted on your progress. And share what you're learning with the people who will hopefully be your classmates soon.</p>
<p>True. I'm only doing what I like and have time for. And joining clubs at this point just doesn't even make sense. Admission people pick up on the senior scramble for clubs/sports. </p>
<p>GetIntoAcademy- Do you have any ideas for me? They are greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>You don't have to join a bunch of clubs your senior year but dont quit what you are doing either - You are in Student Council - show leadership there. You should "do", not just belong. In other words, be active. Organize that food drive at Thanksgiving, etc.....
Keep in your sports. If you are in Student Council, two varsity sports and taking a chalenging course load that will be great.</p>
<p>Your GPA is good but what classes have you taken? Will you be taking calculus? AP Calculus? How about another year of Chemistry and physics? Or AP Chem or Physics? Show that you are challenging yourself academically.
Plan on taking the SAT's again and again - my d took them 4 times. You should definitely aim for mid 600's in Math and over 600 in CR.</p>
<p>One more piece of advice - DODMERB. Since you must qualify medically, you need a physical exam.
Apply for an Army ROTC scholarship. Not only is this a great backup option, you will get your card for your DoDMERB physical sooner. </p>
<p>Do not worry about not getting into SLS. Don't worry about not getting NHS - you have Student Council to excel in.
Do a great job on your nomination applications and interviews.</p>
<p>I took Pre-Calc this year (struggled) pulled off a C. Will that hurt me? I am taking Calc next year. I am taking AP German next year, and was planning on AP Physics until I was told to drop it. Many have told me that it is just not worth it (teacher is extremely intense). Is having German enough for AP? Should I try to get back into AP Physics though it could really hurt my GPA (I completed regular Physics this year)?How do I apply for Army ROTC scholarship right now?</p>
<p>If you've already taken Physics I don't see a point in taking the AP course if you know it will tank your GPA. Having a year of Physics on your transcript period looks good. Can you take an AP Lit course? </p>
<p>Thats the ROTC site. You can create your account and apply online. You will have to take the DoDMERB exam (which will serve as your USMA one as well) and if you're found qualified you will probably have an interview with the Professor of Military Science at the schools you listed on the application. You will also have to take a PT test for the scholarship. I had my interview and PT test in early October. There are 3 selection rounds for the scholarship. If you apply now you will be in the first round and will be in a smaller pool of candidates, giving you a better chance. Good luck!</p>
<p>"I applied to SLS and was declined - my PSAT scores were not great. "</p>
<p>I got into SLS, and my PSAT scores sucked. I think my other credentials pulled me out. </p>
<p>In fact.. I think SLS scores are supposed to be higher than the average West point applicant. I think I read that somewhere they were looking for people with </p>
<p>I suggest you focus on improving your SAT scores. Target a 1300+ combined score. Test scores are one of the few things you can materially improve at this stage of your application process.</p>
<p>See my earlier 7/21 posting to Rocky on Chances Thread for my thoughts on how to improve your SAT scores.</p>
<p>Does anyone know the percentage of cadets in any class that went through the IB program or got the IB diploma? I'm hoping that my IB diploma will look good on my application.</p>
<p>I don't know percentages, but WP is definitely interested in a candidate who takes on the challenge of the most difficult courses at his/her high school. Success in AP and IB classes are an indicator that the student will be able to handle the rigors at any of the academies.</p>