West Point

Colleges and Universities A-Z Military Academy - West Point
1

Can someone please tell me what I should do/how to improve my application for West Point?
Currently, as a Junior…

  • 4.3 GPA
  • AP Human Geography, AP Psychology, AP US History, AP English Language, AP Environmental Science
  • Most likely will go to Palmetto Boys State
  • NJROTC (3rd highest rank in battalion)
  • Orienteering
  • XC 1 year, Swim for 1 year
  • 30 on ACT
  • Fundraising Committee for Student Council

I know this is early, but I want to see where I am and what I can do to improve my chances.

2

Put together the best application you can. Take both the ACT and SAT, multiple times if necessary. We have no idea how competitive your district is or how you stack up against your local competition. Check the USMA website for the stats of this and past year’s incoming classes. Your best strategy is to make sure you at least meet but, better, exceed those stats. Once you open your applicant file with USMA, you will have a Field Force Rep (FFR) who will be in a position to help you strengthen your profile and will have some insight to how you fare against the competition in your district. Good luck.

3

When exactly can I open my application file? And thanks so much! @ChoatieMom

4

@ryanalexander116: Please review all the admissions information on the USMA website, paying special attention to the application timeline:

http://www.usma.edu/admissions/Shared%20Documents/Admissions%20Timeline.pdf

Also, read this link for juniors which has a button at the bottom for opening your application in the spring of your junior year:

http://www.usma.edu/admissions/SitePages/Pros_Cadets_Juniors.aspx

The USMA website is your best guide through this process. Scour it.

5

Just basic information which applies to every college:

  1. A 4.3 looks great on paper, but what’s important is the unweighted aspect of your GPA. This isn’t to say, of course, that weighted has no effect. In fact, heck, it shows you’re taking more demanding classes right off the bat. But, given that you’ve taken APs too, this concerns me a bit (but, I could be wrong, feel free to correct me). Bottom line: Include unweighted too, that helps gauge chances more. :slight_smile:
  2. The 30 is nice. Real nice, in fact. The average is a 28. So, good job! But, make sure to take it more than once. Your BEST SCORE is the one that they look at, but they’re also looking to see if you improve at all!
  3. Not to damper on the Boys State thing, but what counts is IF you go. Try your best to look good athletically and academically. Only then will you get Boys State and, for some, that counts really highly.

Overall, you definitely look good. But as @ChoatieMom points out, there is NO definitive way to say “You have a good/moderate/bad/ANYTHING” chance. West Point does not even really give advice, they’re rather “vague”, if you can call it that. What I can tell you definitely to do is to compare yourself to class profiles and to remember that their leveling is based on 60% academics, 30% leadership, and 10% athletic skills.

But, y’know, 9 in 10 the profiles have received a varsity letter, so, y’know. That seems to be important too. :stuck_out_tongue: