Suggestions for a class of 2027 high school student

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USMAcandidate2031

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Hi, I’m currently a freshman in high school and my dream for quite a while now has been to attend West Point or USNA with Marine Corps option and branch infantry. I’ll also most likely apply to USCGA because Coast Guard during peacetime seems like meaningful work. I have been involved in my community—I’m running for Sophomore Class President, and I’ve been working closely with the city council of my town (population of about 500) to install a water fill station for people whose wells have gone dry. My GPA is a 3.875 unweighted (from only one semester) with a class rank of 56/293 (likely to improve after other kids lose their 4.0s), and I’m joining NHS next year. I’m taking relatively advanced classes for a freshman—I’m doubled up in math (Geometry and Algebra 2) and I’m taking Physics and Honors LA. However, academically speaking I don’t think I’m too competitive compared to other West Point applicants. I run track and cross country (I’m pretty slow but I’m dedicated). I plan to go to Boys State and SLE after junior year, but other than that do you guys have any tips for my next three years of high school to help with my application? Also, given my pretty bad track times I’m considering doing sailing team next year instead, because I’ve sailed my whole life. How would that effect my Service Academy resume?

BTW—I’ve been reading this forum a lot lately, and I’d like to express my gratitude to the people who answer these types of posts. Thanks! ☺️
 
What's up! West Point was also my dream my freshman year, and now I'm an incoming Plebe so I'll try to give you some tips that helped me. For me personally, my main sports were wrestling and cross country. I was pretty decent at both, nothing crazy though. I think my average mile time for xc was like a 6:45 or a 7 minute mile, so I wasn't that fast. I think what helped on my application was that I was dedicated to the sports that I did, not necessarily that I was really really good at them. I also became Team Captain this last year, so try to seek leadership roles in any sports you play. Great job on your extracurricular work, I think that they'll appreciate the responsibilities you're taking on in your hometown. Try as hard as you can to keep up your GPA, and also take classes that are challenging for you. Academics are 60% of your application so you really gotta lock in on your grades, and that starts now. Boys State is an awesome experience, definitely try to go to that. As far as SLE is concerned, don't take it with too much stock, I applied and didn't get in, and here I am with an appointment. Stay strong, keep up your grades and continue down the path that you're on, and I bet you'll have a great shot. Let me know if you have any questions!
 
USMAcandidate2028AR said:
What's up! West Point was also my dream my freshman year, and now I'm an incoming Plebe so I'll try to give you some tips that helped me. For me personally, my main sports were wrestling and cross country. I was pretty decent at both, nothing crazy though. I think my average mile time for xc was like a 6:45 or a 7 minute mile, so I wasn't that fast. I think what helped on my application was that I was dedicated to the sports that I did, not necessarily that I was really really good at them. I also became Team Captain this last year, so try to seek leadership roles in any sports you play. Great job on your extracurricular work, I think that they'll appreciate the responsibilities you're taking on in your hometown. Try as hard as you can to keep up your GPA, and also take classes that are challenging for you. Academics are 60% of your application so you really gotta lock in on your grades, and that starts now. Boys State is an awesome experience, definitely try to go to that. As far as SLE is concerned, don't take it with too much stock, I applied and didn't get in, and here I am with an appointment. Stay strong, keep up your grades and continue down the path that you're on, and I bet you'll have a great shot. Let me know if you have any questions!
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for the insight. I wish you the best for next year! 🇺🇸
 
Thank you for the insight! How High was your ACT score if you wouldn't mind me asking? Also, how was the nomination process for AR?
 
babstxnurse said:
Thank you for the insight! How High was your ACT score if you wouldn't mind me asking? Also, how was the nomination process for AR?
Click to expand...
The most reliable and meaningful test score is to read historical West Point class profile

Try to work on area that are weak, as far as the test score is concerned, try to beat the average at least.

Our own experiences with West Point admission is that they don't turn down applicants who have stellar academics, and of course, CFA and medically qualified.

This Supreme Court of the United States doc is a good references --

51. Sixty percent of the Whole Candidate Score derives from a candidate’s academic
qualifications, calculated from their standardized test scores and high school GPA.

52. Thirty percent of the Whole Candidate Score derives from the candidate’s
Community Leader Score, which is based on extracurricular activities, sports participation, and
evaluations from school officials.

53. The final ten percent of the Whole Candidate Score comes from the Candidate
Fitness Assessment.
 
Keep taking the tougher classes, including Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, Literature, grammar, etc. Take the ACT and SAT several times, focusing on the weaker areas for the second tests. Seek leadership positions and opportunities to serve your community. Be able to do several dead hang pullups, and pushups with good form.
 
babstxnurse said:
Thank you for the insight! How High was your ACT score if you wouldn't mind me asking? Also, how was the nomination process for AR?
Click to expand...
I had a 32 ACT, although I wish my math scores would have been higher. I had a 35 Reading, 36 English, 31 Science, and a 26 Math.

As far as nominations, I had to fill out an initial application consisting of test scores, what extracurriculars you do, all that kinda stuff, and you also have to respond to like 3 or so essay prompts. Then, if you’re selected, you go to an interview with a panel of service academy alumni, and then if you receive a nomination they’ll send you a letter in the mail.
 
gniyji said:
The most reliable and meaningful test score is to read historical West Point class profile

Try to work on area that are weak, as far as the test score is concerned, try to beat the average at least.

Our own experiences with West Point admission is that they don't turn down applicants who have stellar academics, and of course, CFA and medically qualified.

This Supreme Court of the United States doc is a good references --

51. Sixty percent of the Whole Candidate Score derives from a candidate’s academic
qualifications, calculated from their standardized test scores and high school GPA.

52. Thirty percent of the Whole Candidate Score derives from the candidate’s
Community Leader Score, which is based on extracurricular activities, sports participation, and
evaluations from school officials.

53. The final ten percent of the Whole Candidate Score comes from the Candidate
Fitness Assessment.
Click to expand...

gniyji said:
The most reliable and meaningful test score is to read historical West Point class profile

Try to work on area that are weak, as far as the test score is concerned, try to beat the average at least.

Our own experiences with West Point admission is that they don't turn down applicants who have stellar academics, and of course, CFA and medically qualified.

This Supreme Court of the United States doc is a good references --

51. Sixty percent of the Whole Candidate Score derives from a candidate’s academic
qualifications, calculated from their standardized test scores and high school GPA.

52. Thirty percent of the Whole Candidate Score derives from the candidate’s
Community Leader Score, which is based on extracurricular activities, sports participation, and
evaluations from school officials.

53. The final ten percent of the Whole Candidate Score comes from the Candidate
Fitness Assessment.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the insight! My DS dream is USMA. He has been working towards this since seventh grade. He is a rising senior and has opened his portal. He hasn't taken the CFA yet, but he won't have any issues with that. He shldnt have any issues getting qualified medically. His file looks like this: ACT 32 (33 English,32 Reading, 28 Math, 35 Science, 9 Writing). He is taking it one more time to increase the Math score. Class rank 3/333. He is attending Boys State, holds numerous leadership positions in various organizations, has a varsity letter for three years in his sport. We will be starting the nomination applications this week as they are available. He wasn't selected for SLE, but has attended the STEM program in 9 th grade. Subsequently he was selected to attend branch week ( which he will attend). We are hoping he is a strong candidate with his profile!
 
USMAcandidate2028AR said:
I had a 32 ACT, although I wish my math scores would have been higher. I had a 35 Reading, 36 English, 31 Science, and a 26 Math.

As far as nominations, I had to fill out an initial application consisting of test scores, what extracurriculars you do, all that kinda stuff, and you also have to respond to like 3 or so essay prompts. Then, if you’re selected, you go to an interview with a panel of service academy alumni, and then if you receive a nomination they’ll send you a letter in the mail.
Click to expand...
He currently has a 32 (32 reading, 33 English, 28 math (which is taking this to see if he can raise it) 35 Science, 9 writing. Class rank 3/33 GPA 4.2 with 11 ap classes will be taken by the end of senior year. He has a lot of extracurriculars as well as 3x varsity letters recipient as of now. He will be attending Boys State. He wasn't selected for SLE , but was subsequently invited to branch week and will be attending. As far as nominations we will be starting that within the next few weeks.
How long were you on the NWL? We aee crossing our fingers for the outcome he has so much passion for!
 
babstxnurse said:
He currently has a 32 (32 reading, 33 English, 28 math (which is taking this to see if he can raise it) 35 Science, 9 writing. Class rank 3/33 GPA 4.2 with 11 ap classes will be taken by the end of senior year. He has a lot of extracurriculars as well as 3x varsity letters recipient as of now. He will be attending Boys State. He wasn't selected for SLE , but was subsequently invited to branch week and will be attending. As far as nominations we will be starting that within the next few weeks.
How long were you on the NWL? We aee crossing our fingers for the outcome he has so much passion for!
Click to expand...
I was placed on the NWL on February 22, and heard absolutely nothing until I received my appointment on April 24.
 
Some terrific / informative posts above. @USMAcandidate2031. Where can you in your future application really differentiate yourself / stand out as a scholar, athlete, leader - on the athletic pitch/ with your team, in the classroom, as a leader in organizations and your school, as a volunteer and in your community too. Not just "member", but officer and to have a brief story of how you made an impact. Continue to take and excel in academically challenging courses - if you're interest in Navy-Option Navy (vs Marine) then take and excel at Physics and Calculus since you'll need to pass them in NROTC or as USNA (I believe USMA too for Calc, given how many of them got caught cheating in recent years back), continue to line up references from key course teachers - science, math. Train for the fitness evaluations, research and learn about the mission and potential officer roles in each branch. Stay active in sports/ athletics - don't try to bend a square peg into a round hole with "sports" like disc golf - or unless this is competitive J-130 etc. sailing - club sailing vs a varsity sport. Realize you may not get your top choice of position Ex. pilot, SEaL, etc. as it's in part about a fit but also about the needs of the service, Seek to apply to multiple branches that interest you if your goal is to serve. Mock interview and get feedback about essays when ready so that you "go for it" in putting your best application forward.

Overall, I think continuing to run cross country - maybe even discussing with your coach that you'd like to be a captain your senior year would I think help you prepare more than sailing - but you do you- Just sharing first reactions without a filter. Also, unless you're trying to get recruited, track times don't matter but try for your personal growth to show continued improvement / to do your best. I don't think you have to be the fastest runner vs showing leadership and continuity and that teamwork/ fitness is central to your life. To a lot of us, ahem, older folks over 50, we look back and learned more about getting along with people and do's/ don'ts of leadership on the playground and athletic fields than we did in college. I honestly work with some adults who are my age plus, and I think "I can almost guarantee they never played sports" because they didn't learn some basic lessons through them that I see common among those who played. I believe continued sports/ team sport engagement is looked upon favorably.

Hope that helps - good luck to you and great that you're planning ahead this early - continue to put together an application they'd be hard pressed to not like.
 
USMAcandidate2031 said:
Also, given my pretty bad track times I’m considering doing sailing team next year instead, because I’ve sailed my whole life. How would that effect my Service Academy resume?
Click to expand...
Sailing at USNA and USCGA operate as D1 level teams. I sailed for 4 yrs at USNA and most of my teammates were very skilled athletes in other sports. One of my friends was a great HS Soccer player and recognized as the best in his state prior to USNA. At USNA, he chose to not play soccer and instead was a 4 time all-american in small boats (dinghys). When I graduated, the course records for the USNA obstacle course both make and female were held by dinghy sailors.

Bottom Line- keep up other sports as well. Most HS sailing programs that I've seen do not practice every day and should not entirely stop you from other sports. By the way, at USNA, intercollegiate sailing practices every day after class both fall and spring and most team members do individual workouts early in the AM or during any available free time.
 
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