Guide to get into West Point (by aprouddad)

I came across another great post written by aprouddad from college discussion. I did not write any of this, as you can see, I quoted verbatim of what he wrote. Guide to get into West Point by aprouddad:

"1. USMA Admissions website. Read it. All of it. It tells you what they are looking for and how the admissions process works.

2. SLS. The online application will open soon (15 December according to USMA Admissions: Home). Apply as soon as you can. My son applied the first day and had his SLS acceptance by 15 January. SLS is a great way to learn more about the academy. Not everyone who goes is 100% sure they want to attend so it's not just for "candidates". You SLS application actually starts your USMA application. You will start getting mail from them especially if your stats look good. Don't worry if you are not selected for SLS. Remember, more people get into WP each year than get into SLS.

3. SAT/ACT. Start taking the tests NOW. Take the "with Writing" version (now required by USMA). Take both SAT and ACT. Some do better on one than the other. Take them as many times as you can. USMA "super scores" the test results. That means that not only will they take your best score, they will take your best sub-scores. My son took both and preferred the ACT. He eventually took the ACT 6 or 7 times inching his scores up a little each time.

4. CFA. Practice the Basketball throw. Information is at USMA Admissions: Apply to USMA: Prospectus: Steps to West Point: 6: Complete Testing. Did I mention that you should practice the Basketball throw... a lot?

5. Nominations. The admissions web site has a lot of good information about the nomination process. Applying for nominations is actually more complex than the USMA application process. Each Senator/Congressman has their own process. Some are online, some are not. Some require letters of recommendation. Some require interviews, some don't. Some will take the supporting information piecemeal, some want it all in one package. Some are helpful about letting you know when your file is complete, some are like a black hole unless you call and ask. Don't forget the VP nomination. My son was in JROTC. He applied for and received a JROTC nomination. That nomination came through on 17 Oct. Have not heard anything from the Senators/MOC yet. Most nomination applications do not open until the spring of your junior year. Deadlines will typically be Oct/Nov of your senior year. Give yourself plenty of time to round up those letters, etc.

6. Medical Exam. Once you reach a certain point in the application process, USMA will notify DoDMERB and they will contact you with information on how to schedule your exam. Get those exams completed as soon as possible.

7. Have a backup plan. No matter how good your stats look, you might not get in. If you want to got to WP, it's because you want to be an army officer. Right? If not, you don't want to go to WP. WP is a great choice but there are other ways to become an army officer. Apply for an ROTC scholarship. Apply to multiple schools that have ROTC programs. Pursue your backup options with the same seriousness that you pursue WP. My son went to SLS, loved it, passed the CFA, passed his medical, got an LOA, got the JROTC nomination and an Offer of Admission. AFTER all this, he suffered a hearing loss in his right ear and this might keep him from being able to go. Have a backup plan for not getting in WP. Have a backup plan for not getting an ROTC scholarship. Have a backup plan for not being able to serve in the military.You've got plenty of time. Just start taking things one step at a time and you'll do fine."