Questions to West Point Cadets/Graduates?

[goguapsy]

Hello Officers.

The purpose of this thread is to ask a couple of questions about USMA admission.

1. What were your leadership qualifications?
2. What were your athletical qualifications?

Thing is, I am American (Boston, MA) but I live in Brazil. Here is very different how people look towards "leadership" and athletics.

1st, my "leadership qualifications" consists of being elected 3 times as class representative (the highest and only level of authority a student can achieve in my school, which is one of the best in the country) and being Chief-Editor (highest position) of the 1st School Newspaper (3 issues yearly, sounds a joke eh? But it was the 1st year and we did a good job).
2nd, NO ATHLETICAL QUALIFICATIONS. The only sports I am "OK" are in Volleyball (which is a joke at my school, at least at High School) and Athletism (to be more specific, endurance-running, as in, not long ranges, but medium distances with speed. I don't have very long legs which means I am not a huge sprinter). There are no athletism teams in my school (was cut-out for optional studies, which did not "help" much according to my friends that did attend those courses). In my Summer Courses applications I had great evaluations, except on "Athletical Success" (which, if I remember correctly, was left blank, since I am not in any team in my school).
3rd, my academical qualifications are: 3rd best student in Middle School (out of roughly 160 students), 4 1-week computer courses at IDTech Camps, 1 Summer Course in Phillips Andover Academy (probably another one this year), 1 Summer Couse at Phillips Exeter Academy, 1 Summer Course at Summer Study in Paris (SSIP). I plan attending my senior year at Phillips Andover Academy. By the way, I got a very interesting Report from my counselour saying that I "quickly rose as a leader" and "(me) was the single person I (the couselour) trusts the most in the house (40~50 people lived in the dormitory for the summer)". Also, that I kept focused the whole Summer, as opposite to many people in the dorm.

I am currently in 11th grade (if all goes according to plan, I will attend half a year of 12th grade here and attend a full-year 12th grade at Phillips Andover Academy). What are all the other qualifications I still have to reach in the next couple of years?


Thanks a lot for the help! I'm keeping a very close eye in this thread.

[Colonelcool125]

Well for one, I think you need a letter of reccomendation from your Congressman.

[BetterDeadThanRed]

First of all, bro there are more academies than west point and they are all just about the same. I actually applied to west point but rescinded my application after getting accepted to the Air Force Academy last year. Let me know if you have any questions beyond what I've written below.

The applications are some of the most ridiculous of any school anywhere, so if you are serious get a jump as soon as they open and complete ASAP. Get in contact with your nearest liaison officer, or whatever the hell Army calls them, and trust me you will have a bitch of a time doing it without them. This isn't Air Force gloating, but West Point isn't really that difficult to get into, and I definitely wouldn't pursue only one academy if you are seriously considering officership. I applied to all 3 personally.

Second, this is not a fun time, this is not a fun time, THIS IS NOT A FUN TIME. Don't joke around about going to a military academy unless you are BALLS TO THE WALL DEDICATED. I'm currently working through my freshman year and I'm about 2 months from becoming an upperclassman. It's been a bitch. I know what it's like to be in your shoes, excited as hell and buying into all the propaganda, but trust me, THINK ABOUT IT. Consider all your options first and enter with no regrets. Going to the academy would be the biggest mistake of your life if you end up quitting part way through. You might think you are tougher than that, but trust me, nobody is. We all go through times where we want to quit and just have had enough of it.

Third, academics are the most important part. Leadership and athletics are important, but if you're not a stellar athlete, you will have to exceed all the entrance requirements they through at you by a long ways. I wasn't either, although I did do a year of track, cross country and many years of Karate, the fact that I completed 12 AP courses pulled me through. Don't think everyone has records like that, I got in on the first batch of acceptances, but I think it was planning and foresight more than any single aspect. Remember, it's rolling admission so apply as early as possible to increase your chances.

Fourth, leadership isn't THAT important. They can teach you that, all you really have to prove is that you aren't inept and as an elected class rep you should be fine. My only big qualification other than being in charge of a club here or there was being an Eagle Scout, but the way I've seen the applications broken down (Air Force at least), it doesn't matter more than about 10-20 percent.

Fifth, start crossfit. Now. Basic will kick your ass. Contrary to popular belief, it is more physically challenging than enlisted basic. Anybody can enlist, only those proven to already be in good shape can get into an academy. Keep that in mind. I would recommend joining cross country for your senior year to help build your endurance as well.

Let me know if you have any further questions, I'll be glad to help.

[[R-DEV]Thermis]

First off, Colonelcool is correct, you need recommendations letters from a congressmen.

Second, I highly advise against West Point. Going through ROTC gives you more freedom while in college, and allows you to live the college life. If you go to the Academy you will live a military life inside and outside of the classroom. And there is no difference between the 2nd LT produced by ROTC programs and West Point.

Third, be apart of every club/sport/group you can, if you can become a leader in those things great. If not, get close with the coach or sponsor, and show them that you have admirable qualities. Letters from these people about you leadership abilities will help your case. Take the Army Physical Fitness Test. Study the standards and have a friend test you rigidly according to the standard, don't go easy on yourself. This is your baseline for your physical aptitude. Then find a workout that works for you, Crossfit is great, but doesn't work for everyone and if you screw up you can seriously injure yourself. P90x is a good one as well, but not for everyone. Another option would be talking to a trainer at a gym.

Whatever you decide, best of luck.

[goguapsy]

Thanks for the quick response everyone.

The letter from the congressman has already been discussed here (at home). And I want to go to West Point part because I DO expect it to be tough and it's also one of the best Colleges in the US (Academic, athletic and leadership base). I have started training to achieve the 100% score at the Physical Aptitude Test. I'm still in the 11th grade (2 years from application rounding-up) and I've started training already. Example, I could do no pull-ups, now I can do 6 (in 2 months, without any special physical plan. Soon I will start going to the gym for a more serious work-out). By the way did I mention I am one of the people at my grade that can do the most push-ups, sit-ups and running?

And of course, I won't only apply to West Point (which is my objective though). ROTC is something I will attend if I don't get to West Point. And here in my school the "culture" concerning clubs and sports is very different from the US. (Honestly, compared to the US system, the clubs and sports systems here at school are not something to be proud of. Offset, though, by the academical qualities of my school, which, according to some people, brazilian schools (academically) > american schools). Since I don't have very good skills at soccer, handball or basketball, volleyball and athletism are the only sports left and, as I mentioned, volleyball is not taken seriously and there is no athletism (which is my top sport). It might change this year (did I mention school year start in January here?) due to some changes at my school, meaning I will probably go to some other sports club near my home, which will be more serious than the current state.

And last thing, is it possible to offset this lack of field training (ex. Eagle Scouts, boyscouts...) by being the founder (and technically, leader) of a tutoring club here at my school (you know, this common thing you guys have in the US that some guys go tutor children from other less-privileged schools?)

All-in-all you guys did help me a lot, but I would appreciate some more specific things as which is more important, Physical Fitness or Sports... As in, 100 score at the Phyisical Aptitude Test or being member of a couple of sports teams?

Again, thanks a lot!