<p>Sure, one can always improve oneself. The simple things I’d suggest are make sure you gain leadership experience by being a leader of some team, club, activity, something that will show admissions you are seen as a leader by your peers. And stick with a sport you like for more than one year, to show you don’t just quit when the going gets tough. Become an Eagle Scout, there are LOTS of 'em at the academies. Find something that you enjoy and excel at it. </p>
<p>Here’s a little secret, if you really want to go to West Point, then you probably can, IF you have the tenacity it might take, meaning you might have to try more than once. But if you are persistent, this won’t be an issue for you, because you will do what it takes to get an appointment. I’ve known several folks who went the enlisted route just to get in. One of them, a dear friend, became First Captain. He even had to wait a year as an enlisted because his first application was lost. How frustrating do you think that was for him? He’s now a retired three star.</p>
<p>One never knows what life will throw in your path, so the best thing to do is to be prepared. Our oldest son enjoyed the thrill and gratification of obtaining an appointment to the USMA, being a cadet, singing for the President at Ground Zero, only to later develop epilepsy and have a medical discharge from the Army, which ended his career forever in the military. Always have a plan B for when you get a swift kick in the gut from somewhere you were not expecting. Life will be much better for you.</p>