<p>I am a sophomore in high school at one of the top 100 schools in Texas. I am number 14 out of 400 (top 3.5%) in my class with a 4.0unweighted and 3.87weighted GPA. I just quit football after 8 years freshman year but still workout weekly, I am an active member of ITS (international thespian society/ plan on becoming an officer my junior and/or senior year), have been a lead in 5 plays and 1 musical, I am also part of my high school's varsity theatre program as a sophomore, I am becoming a member of NHS, have at least 100 hours of community service (plan to do a lot more), and take part in my school's science academic competition team. My classes for junior year: AP chem, AP physics 1, PreAP precalculus, PreAP computer science 1, AP US History, AP english III, and two theatre classes. My classes this year were AP biology (90), PreAP chem (93- teacher recruited me for AP chem), AP world history (90), PreAP algebra II (93), PreAP english (90), Spanish III (98- not taking 4), Principals of business (98), theatre production I/varsity theatre (100). And just had a senior friend who got into Stanford and Northwestern. I took my ASVAB and got a 80 on my AFQT (99% on math and science) and I went through Duke TIP talent search program and got a 1300 in 7th grade but other than that I have not done any major tests yet. I plan on at least trying to get a 2100-2200 on the SAT and a 30-33 on my ACT. I have shown, I feel, a strong interest in science and math. What are my chances at West Point? I want to serve and carry on my family military tradition. Have a cousin who is on way to becoming possible brigadier general and another who is a flight instructor. I also have two former military pilot and navigator grandparents. </p>
<p>Army: Reach</p>
<p>Your non-reaches should contain Army ROTC…</p>
<p>How is you UW GPA higher then Weighted?</p>
<p>Texas A&M is your safety then?</p>
<p>I do not see anything about participation is varsity sports. This is almost a necessity for getting into West Point, or any of the service academies. Almost exactly 90% of West Point cadets participated in high school varsity sports. I cannot be sure, but I would also guess that the vast majority participated in team sports (football, basketball, baseball) or contact sports (football, wrestling). Notice that I wrote “varsity.” Playing golf or tennis, for example, in your spare time will not really help much. At a minimum, I suggest cross country running.</p>
<p>Participation in sports is mandatory, for all cadets or midshipmen while they are attending any of the service academies. Academics is only half of the program. Studies have consistently shown that one of the best indicators of a successful military career is sports activity and physical fitness.</p>
<p>Well I have two friends who are not in any sports who got letters from West Point stating this is a high honor letter asking for there serious consideration of the school. Why did they get letters asking them? </p>
<p>*their</p>
<p>Bump </p>
<p>First, I want to apologize if I offended you. It my tone seemed harsh, it was not intended that way. I just wanted to make a point.</p>
<p>Now, why did your friends get those letters? Actually, I do not know. I can only guess. My first guess is that it was normal promotional literature; in other words, advertising which goes to thousands of high schools students. If you have not gotten any advertising from colleges yet, don’t worry you will. My nephews kept baskets for it all. Hundreds of pieces of advertising. One of those nephews got regular email from West Point, but he was not interested. My second guess is that West Point might have known only about your friends grades, not their sports or other activities.</p>
<p>The only letters from West Point which should get your attention are ones which say something such as “if you are able to obtain a nomination from any source, then USMA can assure you that you will be offered an appointment to West Point.” If your friends got a letter like that, then they are almost guaranteed to go to West Point if they want to. About the only barrier in such an instance is having a medical problem. Those letters are called “Letter of Assurance” and are normally only sent to students about to start their senior year in high school.</p>
<p>Finally, I agree with Catria; apply for an Army ROTC scholarship too. It is the best back up plan for anybody who wants to go to West Point. In fact, West Point will know if you applied for the ROTC scholarship or not. If you don’t, then they might think that you are not serious about West Point either. However, only pick one in-state public university for ROTC; pick several private colleges both in and out of your state. I suggest Baylor, perhaps, and maybe Virginia Military Institute, or Rhodes College in Memphis, or Wofford College in South Carolina. If the Army is paying the tuition, you might as well get the advantages of a private college.</p>
<p>The letters are asking them to apply to West Point as soon as possible. Is that a garuntee admission?</p>
<p>Bump</p>
<p>No, that does not sound like a “Letter of Assurance.” It would be pretty clear about the guarantee.</p>