<p>How high are my chances of getting into West point?
Currently, I'm a junior at one of LA's best schools
I have a 4.2 gpa weighted, 3.8 unweighted, In the IB Diploma program currently
I took the SAT last november, got a 2260 with 740 CR, 720 M, 800 W (I will retake)
I've been in Track and field for only one year (shouldve got in this year, but missed the chance), and im interested in doing wrestling next year! its too late for this year..
I'm currently doing Taekwondo and it seems like i might get black belt by january in my senior year
I have done community service 100+ hours in Korea, and in my orchestra.
Currently in World Vision club, Amnesty International, but I'm not sure if they count since these clubs arent really active..
I'm also in the JSR program (Joongang Student Reporters) which allows experience as a journalist working for a news company, as a reporter. It seems like it will give me valuable experience for improving my writing style, which always helps in school.
I started volunteering for habitat for humanity, but I havent really continued it..might start again during summer</p>
<p>Also, one BIG thing that I'm really thinking about is whether I should drop the IB program or not, because currently I have lost confidence in my school's ib program, because our school is new to the program, and I was one of the "guinea pig" juniors that entered into the program. I am learning a lot less than I should in IB than AP imo.</p>
<p>My school does offer enough AP's to cover the same amount of workload for my senior year, so it might be convenient. My grades in IB arent bad at all, I got straight A's the first semester, and I will probably get straight A's again this semester (pretty motivated to, anyways) so would dropping IB look bad, and/or hurt my chances of getting into West point?</p>
<p>btw, West point is currently my #1 choice but I'm also interested in marines or air force. how would my chances differ amongst these three academies?</p>
<p>Also, I got an email from a admissions representative from West Point, and have met with him to go over my West Point File and the steps I need to take to get in.</p>
<p>Does the fact that I got the email and that he met with me mean that West Point is considering me as a candidate?</p>
<p>You sound good for academics and sport. Do you have any leadership experience? President of a club or something?</p>
<p>The academies also look at where you’re from (they recruit from different areas) and require a nomination (on of the ways they monitor requirement) If you live in an area where the academies are popular and a lot of people are applying for nominations, it will be harder for you (but top of the group is still top of the group, regardless of who is applying). </p>
<p>Have you looked into ROTC at all? Maybe people who apply to the academies use ROTC as their plan B. I would definitely recommend you look into that (I can answer many ROTC questions if you have them).</p>
<p>Well I think that is my weakness…I dont seem to have anything leadership related
Personally, I feel like I would be OK as a leader, but I feel like I don’t necessarily need to be a leader, not sure if thats the right mentality?
But anyway, is it too late to take a leadership position in like, a club?
I think I will go to the UCLA leadership program soon, which might help me out (assuming it has to do with leadership) and I think I have a good chance of getting into the SLS, which I applied to already. Would these add to my leadership?</p>
<p>Also, I’m more of a academic type of student, and my interest in fitness is kind of secondary to my academics (before West point I wanted to go to Cornell University, UC Berkeley, Stanford, etc) so I haven’t looked much into ROTC. But instead of that as my “plan B” I was planning to apply to air force academy or naval academy (pretty ambitious for plan B haha)</p>
<p>SLS does not count for leadership, I would try to get a leadership position in a club.</p>
<p>FYI, USAFA is the hardest academically to get in to. It’s definitely not the best plan B… </p>
<p>Before all should be your desire to serve. Second to that can be your desire for a specific branch. While you may desire an academy over ROTC, would you rather Air Force over Army? You should remember that you are going to serve a minimum of 5 years after graduation and you should provably find a branch you’ll have the most opportunities for you in. And do your research! For example, if you want to be a pilot, Navy ROTC will be your best bet. </p>
<p>I would definitely apply to ROTC as your plan B! The academies are very very competitive and many qualified applications get rejected every year.</p>
<p>hmm well as far as I know, if I stay in the IB Diploma program, I have higher chances to get into Air force, Navy, or West Point (acceptance rates for IB diploma for the academies were average 40%, while general acceptance was about 10% for each)
I think I will try to get a leadership position in a club for senior year then, better late than never right?</p>
<p>To be absolutely honest, my initial interest in West Point was for its stunning academics and the opportunity for great self-growth through leadership and physical training. I think my desire to serve would increase as my respect in the academies grow, and it is something that I envisioned that I would gradually form throughout my years in West Point (talk about counting eggs before they hatch hehe)</p>
<p>I will take your advice and ask about ROTC, although I believe it might be too late for me to take…it seems interesting!</p>
<p>There are many aspects to West Point that are non-academic and require a desire to serve for success. West Point is not your average school at all, and I wouldn’t bank on hoping to want to serve as you progress in the program. </p>
<p>What do you mean too late to take? ROTC doesn’t start until college, but you apply for the scholarship in high school.</p>
<p>West Point looks at leadership, athletics, and academics. Most cadets have played and lettered in a varsity sport - they will look for that. Beast - the summer boot camp you must pass- is also challenge to complete. It is a little late, but you can try to apply to the West Point Summer Leadership program that is held in June. That will give you a mild experience of what it’s like to attend West Point. You don’t seem very committed to a military career. West Point, and all the academies, are difficult and require a strong commitment to serving your country. If you aren’t, you will be miserable there.</p>
<p>what are my chances of getting in? I’m a freshmen in high school and have a weighted GPA of 4.2 and unweighted of 3.6. I am top 30% of my class and I am involved in 3 sports year round : indoor track, spring track, and cross country. I’m not on varsity cross-country right now but I may be in my sophomore year. I’m involved in 4 clubs and ran for a leadership position but did not get one. I am planning to be in 5 clubs and sports next year. I received a letter from JSA or junior statesmen of America for outstanding leadership in 8th grade and was invited to attend a ceremony in D.C. My school doesn’t have JROTC and I haven’t taking the PSAT and will be taking it next year.</p>
<p>lacroix: At your grade, It’s really too early to tell, since I have heard stories of people who excelled at first and then everything rolling downhill by the next few years… But this is really up to you, to keep it up. All of your stats and your performance, and especially your drive seem good, for now. Challenge yourself throughout all the years, stretch the limits of your ability, and you might shape up to be a good West Point Cadet! I wish you good luck!</p>
<p>@lacroix, you’re in a good place for a freshmen. Continue building your resume and activity depth. But, let me caution you, West Point looks for depth in the categories of Athleticism, Leadership Ability, and Academics. So doing 5 clubs without getting REALLY involved with a leadership position is not the best. Boy Scouts is great because it allows you to invest in a leadership program, and the Eagle Scout rank is highly sought after by the admissions office it seems. But, back to the point, try to pick a club that you can obtain a leadership position and really develop into a leader because that is key.</p>
<p>@jsprlee, you need leadership. Going to programs isn’t going to cut it. On the portal, which is the application method they use, there is not a category for seminars or programs. Now, SLS is a great way to find out is the academy is right for you and build some of your leadership skills, but it cannot really be quantified like being class president, club secretary or president, team captain, or Eagle Scout can. Try to focus on leadership.</p>
<p>Let me also say this. West Point is ALL about leadership; it’s a leadership factory. Why? Because it’s goal is to produce US Army Officers aka leaders. So, if you are unsure about leading and such, I will ask you to do some research and soul searching because leadership is one of the more essential focal points of West Point.</p>
<p>Christiano, congrats!! Its been a year since you replied and I have obtained a little bit of leadership experience since; hopefully you may have some insight into my chances</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Police Cadet program 2nd Squad leader, and Post leader. The difference is that Squad leader is a leads part of a platoon (basically 14 kids), and post leader is a leader within a “division”, or a local department, that includes about 20 people. </p></li>
<li><p>President of habitat for humanity Chapter/club (I do not currently have progress but the club is approved)</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Also I have attended the USNA summer seminar, but I was rejected from WP SLS and Air Force’s summer program. </p>
<p>I am only more driven to attend USNA or USMA now (and ROTC is of great interest to me), but how much of an improvement is this/what else should I do?</p>