Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
West Point for Prior Enlisted?
Hello All,
I am an enlisted female soldier currently deployed in Afghanistan. I am a Private First Class and a 68W. I recently received an email from a Major at West Point urging me to apply for the school because of my ASVAB (88) and GT (121) scores, plus I meet all of the requirements of admission. My commanders out here see the kind of intelligence I have and the much needed drive to pursue and persevere through the courses at West Point. I have a few issues that I worry will keep me from being accepted even into the Preparatory School there. When I was in High School I was a very good student, up until I started my Junior year I had a 3.7 GPA. I left High School at 16 and did a PSEO program in which I went to college full time until I graduated high school. During the first 3 semesters of college I had a lot of personal and family issues that required my attention more than my school work did, unfortunately this resulted in my grades dropping to B's and C's and unfortunately failing a class or two due to neglectful care of my classwork and attendance. By my final semester there I was back to receiving A's and B's once my family and personal issued had been cleared. I joined the Army once I turned 18 and have continued to hasten my career and opportunities. When I was 17, in the midst of all my issues, I attempted suicide and was involuntarily hospitalized. Since then I have cleaned up my life, thanks in particular to my dream of being in the Army and achieving my goals of becoming a successful deployed combat medic. My commanders (both West Point Graduates) have seen my capabilities for schooling and leadership, they are in the process of writing strong recommendations for me to send to the school in addition to my applications. School was always my niche (it was always easy when I wasn't distracted with my own personal problems which do not exist anymore, nor will any future ones affect me like they had when I was younger) and I know I could make easy work of any class there. Will any of these factors, my period of less than satisfactory grades and my past mental health issues completely rule me out from an acceptance to West Point, Preparatory school or Academy?
Thank You for all Responses,
Maddie.
5 Answers
- TomLv 79 years agoFavorite Answer
That is not going to be a relevant factor. You were sixteen and seventeen taking college classes full time and in any event the grades improved by the final semester. A high school Candidate has to submit letters of recommendation from his HS English, Math and Science teacher. For enlisted Candidates out of HS for one year, the recommendations from two commissioned officers can take the place of the HS teacher recommendations. A definite plus that both are West Point commissioned. A relevant factor that was not mentioned will be the Sat scores. If the Cr is above 580 and the Math above 560, and you completed a college prep curriculum in high school, then the appointment will be directly to West Point instead of indirectly to the Prep School. The Sat or Act have to be taken this year. Fairly sure scores can be used from exams taken up to two years ago.
Don't know about the Class of 2016 but there were 70 Soldiers in the Class of 2015, including 21 Combat Vets. Listen at 5:45
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck6aK5vkiBk&lr=1&ui...
As for the 85 slots "reserved" for enlisted active duty Soldiers and the 85 slots "reserved" for Reserve Soldiers and National Guard that go untaken each year. That is actually the maximum number of appointments based on a Secretary of the Army Nomination. Currently, about 75%-80% of the Cadets appointed from the Prep School are not prior enlisted except on paper. Usmaps is primarily utilized to prep high school students recruited for athletics or diversity.
http://www.goarmysports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/ar...
http://www.goarmysports.com/sports/m-lacros/mtt/ar...
Use of service academy prep schools at 4.9.2
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/1322...
On the day the Cadet Candidate enters the prep school he is enlisted in the Army Reserves and placed on extended active duty status. This makes him eligible for all 170 appointments based on a Secretary of the Army nomination, the 85 for active duty soldiers and the 85 slots for Reserve Soldiers and National Guard. If the prior civilian Cadet Candidate decides he does not want to continue at the Prep School and dis-enrolls or is involuntarily dis-enrolled or does not pass the course, his reserve contract is voided and he goes on with his civilian life, with the added benefit that since he was serving on active duty, he is now considered to be on "independent" status under Fafsa guidelines and is probably eligible for far more financial aid than if he were still consider "dependent."
Back in the day.....
Prep School:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd5LIfsadcg
West Point:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrTD3gofzr4&feature...
Awesome summer vacation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThpCXlvqGjQ
West Point grads have a good chance of getting their branch:
http://www.career-satisfaction.army.mil/wp_branch_...
The following answer is aimed at HS students but might be worth reading. The first link does not go to the correct web page as Usafa redesigned its website this summer:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylv=3?qid...
West Point commissioned, includes some comments on West Point:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3F7Jsc83bU
Read all the Faq on West Point's website for enlisted applicants. See link below in sources. If you have Sat or Act scores, also apply for a Congressional nomination. As stated in the Faq, can take the Sat or Act at the Base Education Center. Most Senators and Reps have a Nov 1 cut off for accepting applications. Some have already stopped accepting applications. Look on their web pages for information on applying for a service academy nomination. Need Sat or Act scores to apply. The Sat Math tests Algebra 1, 2 and Geometry. The Act Math also tests Trigonometry. Take both as some students score much higher on one than the other. If a parent is active duty or retired military, also eligible for an automatic Presidential Nomination, by applying for one by Jan 31. Having another source of nomination and appointent will increase chances because it allows that the 170 appointments based on a Secretary of the Army nomination can be used for athletic and diversity recruits who were not successful in attaining a Congressional nomination and did not qualify for a Presidential.
Good Luck!
- Anonymous5 years ago
Good leaders often develop simple, effective rules to live by. I have always believed the fewer the rules the better, lets say no more than than ten you write out and commit to action. After all, God had just ten rules to run the whole planet, certainly you can run a company or Division on as many. I will spare you the task of trying to figure what mine mean but rather will point you in a direction that will help you develop your own. Be mindful that as you learn more you will change the rules. Here is a way to get started. Pick a topic, lets say discipline. Example for a company commander: Never allow freelancing to go unaddressed The reasons for such a simply rule may be obvious, Individual freelancing can become infectious turning into group think and causing an uncoordinated and disjointed command resulting in mission failure and KIA's. Example Combat scenario: Never trade lives for ground. Once again obvious, unless you fail to communicate to the soldier. Good Luck
- Anonymous9 years ago
I don`t think so, considering that you`d be prior-enlisted...it won`t hurt applying! With your grades, it might get you sent to the Prep School first, but nothing wrong with that! I think that if the admissions board see your drive and determination, as well as leadership, it won`t be too much of a problem.
Thank you for your service, and I hope you get in.
- How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.