I was wondering if West Point would be a compatible school for someone like me. I have been born and raised in the New York metro area and attended a private college preparatory academy all my life. I have never really been an athlete and I have flat feet. I have always had an interest in the military and history. I am really split, am I to “silver spoon” or “cushy” to handle that sort of life style and more concerningly the service in the actual army after that.
Thanks
The US Army may not want someone whose flat feet are painful or require prescription orthotics.
Is officer in the US Army your main interest? The answer to this question is the answer to whether you should explore the USMA further.
Throw on a pack and hike. Start at three miles - progress on up to 12 miles. If your feet can handle it, fine. If your heart loves it, maybe keep USMA on your list.
@ucbalumnus is correct–if your first priority isn’t serving as an officer in the U.S. Army, West Point is not for you. You will not get past your congressional nominating committee with any other motive.
It is very important that serving in the army is your main goal, as has been mentioned in this thread. Of course, there are other ways to go this route. Consider if you would go to OCS or ROTC if West Point does not accept you.
To be frank, many of the kids at West Point are silver spoon kids, or kids with Congressional connections. Of course, West Point strives for a geographical diversity: they want kids from cities, countries, and suburbs, from public and private schools, you get the idea. West Point wants you to be able to interact with kids of many different experiences.
You should probably start training now, and see if you can join any varsity teams. 90% of WP kids have one varsity letter, and a majority have obtained two. See if you can get into Boys State, and be proactive in earning leadership positions. Make sure to have a stellar GPA, and take the most advanced classes you think you could do well in. WP prefers a kid with a 3.5 GPA in difficult classes then a 4.0 in someone taking all simple classes, especially when harder classes have been offered. Just be careful to not let advanced classes bring your grade below a 3.5, as the average one is about 3.7.
Seems I post this in every thread, but if you are curious how you look on paper compared to current cadets, you can check out a current class profile:
http://www.usma.edu/admissions/SitePages/Class Profiles.aspx
Check out the athletic stats. All cadets must meet the Army physical requirements ALL four years at the academy. They regularly take APFTs (Army Physical Fitness Test); anyone who fails two APFTs in a row is separated. The army values scholars and athletes, but scholars must meet all fitness requirements and athletes must meet all academic requirements – all while meeting the academy’s military requirements. It is NOT a regular college experience, and it is not for the faint of heart.
You will not know if West Point is for you unless you do your research, visit the fort, apply to attend the Summer Leadership Experience, and talk to current cadets and officers. If you decide to apply and you receive an appointment, you have freshman and sophomore years to decide whether or not a military career is for you; you are not committed to service until you take the Oath of Affirmation prior to your junior year.
Good luck.
I disagree with this statement:
“To be frank, many of the kids at West Point are silver spoon kids, or kids with Congressional connections.”
Based upon my son’s experience there and the other cadets he has met there, this does not seem to be the case. I would say this is by far an exeption.
Ditto what @MidwesternHeart wrote. My son is there currently and while there are a few ‘silver spoon kids’ they are not the majority. Mostly there are a large number of students who are exceptional in a variety of areas. What they share in common is grit, determination and a willingness to serve their country as army officers.