Want to get accepted in West Point (Advice??)

usmambition
Sat, 15 Apr 2017 16:11:05 +0000

Hello. I’m an eighth grader, but West Point is a huge goal for me and I have done extensive research on the admissions process and requirements.

First of all, on a scale of 600 to 2400, 1550 is not nearly perfect, not even close. Nearly perfect is within 200 points of 2400, I would say. A 32 is a good score for the ACT, but certainly not nearly perfect. The average West Point GPA is around 3.75, so your GPA is a major weakness, especially since you are an upperclassman and it can’t change majorly. Additionally, West Point recommends taking classes such as calculus, economics, and government, and having a strong background in math and science especially. This means you should see if you can be transferred into more advanced classes. Essentially, your academics are very much on the weak side when you consider the valedictorians that you will be up against. The majority of cadets are in the top 25th to 10th percentile academically, in difficult and advanced classes. Also, West Point considers your academics more heavily than leadership and physical skills.

90 percent of West Point cadets had varsity letters in high school, and a majority had two. It’s good that you are strong and could probably pass the CFA (candidate fitness assessment), but it’s good to do sports on the varsity level. For example, it’s my goal to have letters in both volleyball and track or cross country, and to be near a black belt or have one by the time I enter the academy, if I am granted acceptance. You should try to score very high on the CFA in order to compensate for your lack of varsity letters.

Where leadership is concerned, your volunteer hours are great, and so are your extracurriculars. Try to obtain leadership roles in them, such as club captain or president.

Essentially, your chances of getting in straight from high school are basically none, but you seem to have accepted this. If I were you, I would apply anyway. All though you most likely won’t be accepted, West Point values those who try again later, as this shows determination. If I were you, I would apply from VMI, as the Citadel is also quite difficult to get in and your scores might not cut it, though VMI would also be hard to get in for you. You could also apply to Texas A&M if you want to go the military school route. A less prestigious college, or community college, might be better for you before you apply. You could try applying while still in college, additionally. If you enlist in some other military career, like the National Guard, it might be harder for you to get in then if you went to a college prior to your second try.

Good luck!