West Point Hopeful

<p>Hello, I am in 10th grade and was wondering if you could tell me what my chances are of getting into USMA.</p>

<p>I go to a Governor's School for Government and International Studies, which is highly competitive and very selective. Although the school does not rank, I would say that I am at least in the top 15% out of a class of about 150. My unweighted GPA right now is at about a 3.7. I am taking one AP this year, but I will be taking 3 next year and 4 senior year. I am the class president, as well as an officer in latin club. I have swam on a competitive swim team and plan on doing cross country for the next two years. I plan on getting about a 2000 on the SAT. I am in the National Honor Society as well as the National German Honor Society. When I graduate, I will have a total of 32 credits, including 4 years of German and 2 years of latin. I will have taken BC Calc, Chemistry, and Physics. Also at the time of my graduation in two years, I will have completed more than 150 hours of community service since 9th grade. Once or twice a month, I am the head of the powerpoint operation at my church during the morning services. I am an Eagle Scout in my troop and also currently the Senior Patrol Leader. I also am in the Order of the Arrow in Scouting. I have had a job as a lifeguard for two years, and I am planning to become Manager at my pool the next year. I am also an active member in my Jazz Band, and we have played at our Governor's Inaugural Concert and other places. Regarding the fitness tests, I think I will do about 6 pull-ups, 55 push-ups, 70 situps, 6:45 mile, and a 65 foot basketball throw.</p>

<p>Thanks for taking the time to read this.</p>

<p>It looks outstanding. Your extracurriculars are excellent, including the Eagle Scout (keep that up). Work to achieve success on your athletics teams, XC in particular. Also, Get your SAT's above 2000. Do whatever it takes. Work to get above a 2200. Those prove your ability to go in under pressure and suceed on an exam. I was able to score very highly and I attribute my LOA almost solely to my scores. The SAT's also prove that you truly have what it takes to do well in school- anyone can spend all night on HW and have a good GPA- those select WP few have the ability to do well on standardized exam. Raise the pushups/pullups, and keep up the other scores and you'll be golden. Oh, and do everything (including nominations) EARLY. If WP is your top chouice, do early admission. Any other questions? send away. Your resume was very impressive.</p>

<p>Sign up on the usma.edu website to begin receiving information from West Point. Plan on trying to attend SLS after your junior year of high school. You may even want to connect with the local admissions representative - no, it's really not too early. Do all of your homework, meaning read through the website, read some of the books that are listed elsewhere on this board, try to talk to people who are cadets or alumni. And stick with us as you'll meet others who will have some of the same questions you have. </p>

<p>Your profile looks great. I agree with El Padrino, though. Get the highest possible score on the SAT. Also, take the ACT. Then take them both again and maybe again.</p>

<p>Definately hit the SAT or ACT hard, to reiterate what the previous two posts have said. Don't forget about your Congressman and Senators either; they are half of the key to getting into West Point. I wrote at least one letter a year to their offices, just explaining who I was, my motivation for wanting to attend WP, and the things I was doing to prepare. I'm not sure if they help all that much, but it may get your name circulated around to the right people early. Aside from that, I second everything that ElPadrino and momoftwins said. Good luck and hope to harass you at the Point in a couple years. :)</p>

<p>Looks pretty good, except try and get atleast a 2100 on the SATs. 150 community hours? Hehe, I've done around 96 hours a year since 6th grade, :P</p>

<p>All in all you look pretty good though. I suggest you practice running, I can run a mile in 6 minutes and 2 seconds (although I am 6'3, 210 pounds)</p>

<p>That is a ton of ECs, it almost sounds made up. That is unless they aren't very time consuming. How can you be on a "competitive" swim team and do all of this. If its competitive, you must have 2 a day practices it least 3 times a week, meaning no extra time after school. Also, I heard if you athletic activities are not affliated with you high school they don't look as good on your Resume. Just wondering if you could explain how you do all of this. </p>

<p>I know people on my swim team who do one activity extra, but class president, officer in german club, etc....doesn't seem possible.</p>

<p>"I heard if you athletic activities are not affliated with you high school they don't look as good on your Resume."
Not true - my son received an early LOA (June) for the class of 2010 with no school sports. </p>

<p>BillyRandolf88: WP does not give much credit for memberships in different organisations. Concentrate on your leadership roles.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Athletics do not necessarily have to be high school connected (letter earners). For example, a black belt in martial arts earned over a period of 4 to 6 years shows commitment to athletics at a high level. Just make sure you explain the level of involvement when you use the "Other" category (number of years of training, number of days per week, etc.).</p>

<p>Iron John,</p>

<p>Perhaps he means a swim team that competes, rather than one that is producing Jr. Nats times, which might be termed "competitive." I agree, with a usual commitment to at least 22 hours a week in the water, plus meets (which, here, happen at least once a month and take up Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday all day) it would be very difficult to be involved in a great deal else if competing at a very high level and taking APs.</p>

<p>To the OP: It sounds as if you are definitely on the right track! Good job with the diversity in your ECs and the commitment you have shown! Keep it up!:)</p>

<p>Are you serious Nova? I've been doing Tae Kwon Do for 9 Years and want to go to West Point, you think that will show some high commitment?</p>

<p>Our son made better times and was a more outstanding participant in Club Swimming than in HS, due to the differences in distance events. Swimming was his only HS sport, due to the demands of club swimming, and he received an appointment to USMA. Don't be discouraged or even worry about it as long as you are progressing and not just going for fitness you should be fine.</p>

<p>what events does your son swim, and what are his times? Just wondering....mine are probably much worse off. Also meters or yards?</p>

<p>He specialized in the 200M Butterfly, Long Course. 2:16.20 best time.</p>

<p>That's really good.</p>

<p>Yeah, don't worry, you are fine. One piece of advice on the Candidate Fitness Assessment (I did it last summer at SLS) is that you will literally get a <1 minute break between tests, except for the run. Meaning that you will probably get less than you think on all those tests. No offense meant, but thats how it worked for me. So when you workout, give yourself really short breaks in between each exercise. And start working out now if you can. The first time I did the whole workout I got around 7 pullups, 60 situps, 35 pushups (really sucked at those) and a 1530 two mile. Now I can do about 12 pullups, 85 situps, 60+ pushups and a 1220 two mile. And that is only working out two or three times a week. Once you start doing those exercises regularly, you will go up very fast. Good luck.</p>

<p>BleednSoulja,
Sorry I don't understand your question to me about TKD. My post indicated a long term commitment to martial arts would be an asset. Not sure what your "Are you serious..." comment means. Do you want to know if 9 years of martial arts will help your admissions packet? Yes, it will.</p>