Would USMA even consider someone like me?

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

<p>First of all, I will preface this by saying that I am currently a junior attending a private school in North Carolina. I just moved down here from a public school in upstate NY. I am an Army brat; my father has been in the military 22 or so years and in the Army for 20 (he spent 2 in the AF).</p>

<p>Courseload- hardest classes possible, however only one AP was available to me last year (AP Euro, 4 on AP exam). Also, I was offered 2 APs this year but am only taking one (AP US) and am taking physics (a senior course) instead and taking the junior AP science course (AP bio) as well as AP World next year as a senior.</p>

<p>GPA- 9th and 10th- 3.6 (unweighted as my school didin't weigh grades)
Shooting for something similar this year, although it would probably have to be weighted in order for it to be higher than 3.6 </p>

<p>Now, here's the bad stuff...ECs...</p>

<p>9th- Varsity Tennis Team
10th- Varsity Tennis Team
Model UN
11th- Varsity Tennis Team
Mock Trial (Model UN not available at this school)</p>

<p>Besides the serious lack of ECs compared to other applicants, there is another kicker- I dropped out of CAP in Syracuse after a few months. Not my choice, as it was an hour away and most of the time my father couldn't get home from work a lot of the time to take me. Since I was absent a lot, they didn't take me seriously and it was an all around bad situation. I am thinking about doing it again here at Bragg but haven't made up my mind yet.</p>

<p>Now for what I hope to be a boost to my application should I apply there-</p>

<p>In the summer after my freshman year (Summer '04) I spent a month on a remote military base in the Sinai Desert in Egypt with the Multinational Force and Observers (basically a multinational group of peacekeepers). I lived with the soldiers, played hockey with them, ate with them and even got a few tours of the various buildings and military equipment at the base. I met with the Italian General in charge of the whole operation a few times (once he thought I was a soldier and chastised me for not saluting him) and ate lunch with an awesome group of officers daily. </p>

<p>Also in the summer of '05 I did an aviation camp at UND and met with some West Point cadets learning to fly choppers through UNDs AROTC program, but that is minor by USMA standards when compared to what I did on '04, I believe.</p>

<p>If I can get great reps from someone (hopefully the Italian 2-star and others I met in Egypt) do I have a shot in hell at being accepted next year? Is it even worth the effort? I know I lack leadership, but it is hard to rise to such positions when you move to a different state in the middle of HS.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>You have a great shot.</p>

<p>Opportunities for leadership can take many forms - find ways to take initiative if you can't find opportunities to be a team captain or club officer. Start a fund drive, create a new club, etc.</p>

3

<p>Cuse,</p>

<p>You will certainly have a great essay topic. </p>

<p>Most athletic teams only elect seniors to be team captains. So you likely have a chance next year. Also, the fact that you have played varsity since freshman year is lprobably appealing. You didn't post your test scores, but by focusing on the tests this year and taking them a few times, you'll have the best chance to achieve higher scores. Try to get into SLS next summer. </p>

<p>A student from our high school worked with a teacher who is a veteran and built up the Students Helping Soldiers program. They ran fundraisers and gathered food/toiletries to ship to Afghanistan and Iraq. The student didn't do this to make an application stronger, but because he was truly passionate about the activity. As KateLewis says, look for your passion and join or create. </p>

<p>Best of luck to you!</p>

4

<p>Cuse0507: you bring to the table very valuable, real-life experiences that are quite unique- and being from a military family speaks volumes, especially as you know the committment a military career requires- those are terrific strengths, as is a committment to varsity tennis in not one, but 2 states- good for you! It is not too late to seek other avenues for leadership- many communities have youth programs in need of coaches- and coaches lead- look into programs at the local schools/churches/YMCA, things like Special Olympics or Habitat for Humanity, just to name 2....
as for the other things, not everyone comes out of every situation successfully- but we all come out learning something- so if there is something that was not so "steller," try to think about what you learned and how you moved forward- those are the lessons that count- and can turn a negative into a positive- Keep at it, and if it is what you want then this is well worth every ouce of effort you put into it!
wishing you the very best-</p>

5

<p>Thanks to both of you for your comments and advice. I haven't taken my SATs yet (I will be taking them this spring), so that is why I didn't post my test score yet. I know that some people take them during their sophomore year, but I have to admit that I was pretty much oblivious to the whole process until now and as a result I will end up taking my SATs this year along with the rest of my junior class. </p>

<p>I have to say that after meeting West Point cadets this summer and being a friend of someone who was accepted to West Point last year, these people seem larger than life. They seem to be good at everything they do, and there is no doubt in my mind why they were selected to attend USMA. I would love more than anything to follow in their footsteps, but it seems as if everyone that I know that attends a service academy accomplishes so much in their short high school careers that it is almost impossible for me to compete! They excelled in just about every extra-curricular event in their four years, and played three varsity sports a year, co-captains of the football team, etc. While that is great for the military as well rounded and intelligent people will probably make outstanding officers, it is discouraging to people like me!</p>

<p>However, both of you bring up wonderful points about clubs/leadership activities that are still out there or that could be started. The hardest part about that is being new here, I don't know what is around and what isn't. Anyways, sitting on the sidelines and waiting for something to happen won't help me out, so I guess I'll just have to find out and work at making something happen.</p>

<p>Thanks again to both of you for your advice!</p>

6

<p>Cuse:
You should not wait until spring for your SAT and ACT tests. You should take them this fall, and again in spring if you do not like your scores. Waiting until spring does not give you much opportunity to retake if you do not like the scores as the next opportunity will be fall of SR year. That is too much pressure. </p>

<p>Also, take your PSAT test this fall. You will need to get going, I think it is on Oct 22. The academies use these scores to help screen applicants for their summer program. Get your counselor on board, he/she can help you to stay tuned in to deadlines.
Good Luck
CM</p>

7

<p>
[QUOTE]
Cuse0507: you bring to the table very valuable, real-life experiences that are quite unique- and being from a military family speaks volumes, especially as you know the committment a military career requires- those are terrific strengths, as is a committment to varsity tennis in not one, but 2 states- good for you! It is not too late to seek other avenues for leadership- many communities have youth programs in need of coaches- and coaches lead- look into programs at the local schools/churches/YMCA, things like Special Olympics or Habitat for Humanity, just to name 2....

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>I missed this post when I replied earlier, nevertheless thank you as such advice is very important to me! I know that you all are taking time to give me this advice when you could be doing other things, and I really wish that I could repay the favor somehow...</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
Cuse:
You should not wait until spring for your SAT and ACT tests. You should take them this fall, and again in spring if you do not like your scores. Waiting until spring does not give you much opportunity to retake if you do not like the scores as the next opportunity will be fall of SR year. That is too much pressure. </p>

<p>Also, take your PSAT test this fall. You will need to get going, I think it is on Oct 22. The academies use these scores to help screen applicants for their summer program. Get your counselor on board, he/she can help you to stay tuned in to deadlines.

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>I plan on taking the PSAT this October, and now after hearing this I guess I'll look at taking the SATs as soon as I can...I think there is one in December? Anyways, thanks again for the help!</p>

8

<p>The December administration would work well as it would give you time to do a prep class, either self directed via CD-ROM or book or a formal class with an instructor.</p>

<p>Good Luck
CM</p>

9

<p>Your experiences speak for quite a bit. I spent 3 years overseas in Tokyo, and I can tell you that your time in Egypt will help you, it demonstrates diversity, challenge, and exposure; real life aspects that only high school activities can't teach you. </p>

<p>Don't worry so much about your school extracurriculars, a few strong ones is better than having tons. I haven't done any school sports, zippo. I joined our brand new Ultimate Frisbee club, but they won't hear about it. My athletic participation is limited to Taekwondo, I am a soon to be 3rd degree with a state champion title and ran twice for world champion. Sounds great and all, but its not a lot. Your life has gotten much of what I got out of that from different areas; military family speaks to disipline and honor, VARSITY tennis to ability and leadership. </p>

<p>And the most important reasons why you should try to apply:
What do you have to loose, if you don't get in then there are other career paths or you can try again the next year while in college.
If you don't, would you regret not having tried? If you try your hardest, then you can't put blame upon yourself for not trying. </p>

<p>Hope you end up doing what makes you happy!</p>