Well I was emailed a couple days ago from someone in admissions at West Point and they said they set my class rank at 15% but my PSAT scores did not make me competitive for admission to the seminar. My PSAT scores were as follows: Math-59 CR-61 Writing-67. I know the scores are not great...but I thought my class rank would make up for some of that. My sports and extracurriculars were very good. Oh well...
They replied two days after I sent in the application. I am in the NHS, National German Honors Society, two other clubs, SCA class rep., 168 hours of community service, three years of sports, band, Boy Scouts, assistant senior patrol leader, etc. etc. etc.
Dang man, my PSAT scores were lower than yours on a whole scale, and I still made it in. However, I was a class president, top 1% in class, and countless awards and sports letters (even captain of swim team).
I wouldn't worry about not being accepted to SLS. My son did not get into SLS but is now an AOG sponsored prep at NMMI, he'll be in the class of 2011.
If you can afford it, go to West Point for a visit. We visited last March. I went a tour with the other parents and my son went with a plebe for the day. He went to class, checked out the barracks, and ate lunch in the mess hall. It was good experience for both of us.
Location: So Cal-USC (2005) and West Point Parent (2009)
Posts: 1,850
Keep in mind that one of the objectives of SLS is to invite a cross section of the country. Just as with admission, invites to SLS may be more or less competitive based on what state you live in and how many applicants they have for that state. MOST people who are admitted to West Point DO NOT go to SLS.
You're not alone Enigma. I got rejected today. My stats were pretty similar to yours. 193 PSAT, 3.83 GPA, EMT, Boy Scout, ASPL, Club Officer, Participation in sports or a job every season. Eh.
Yeah man dont worry about it, it doesnt count against you. I was also denied but when real admissions rolled around I was sitting happy with an LOA and now an Offer of Appointment
Future cadets, sorry to hear you weren't accepted for SLS. Your experience supports the advice given by previous posters about the weight/importance put on PSAT and SAT/ACT scores by USMA and other academies.. Take the time you have to improve those scores as much as possible.
Good luck and thanks for pursuing a career as a leader in our armed forces.
