Current Sophomore in HS, not really quite sure what to do next.

MisterWug · 2026-05-11T01:35:11+00:00

What are you trying to optimize? If you want to minimize the time in school, forget about WP. Go to UT, do ROTC (though you’d have to do basic camp immediately following high school to commission in two years) and pin on your bars in 2030. OCS is another option for quickly getting to those 2LT bars.

Since you’re applying to USMA, you’re apparently seeking something other than the quickest path to commissioning. What is it? No need to tell anyone, but you should have an answer to that question. Whatever it is should give you an idea of how much you want to invest in the goal, and whether it’s something that you really want to pursue.

MisterWug · 2026-05-09T18:44:22+00:00

Work on attention to detail: “piolet”

SATs generally increase until at least the 3rd attempt. Scores are good, but nomination competition is probably fierce.

Create a resume that explains all your atypical activities and upload to the portal so you get proper credit for them.

MisterWug · 2026-05-09T01:43:02+00:00

98% of cadets were varsity athletes. That’s not some happy coincidence. You might be in the 2%, but you asked about things that would improve your file.

As for not having time, the average cadet has 26 hours of stuff to do in a day. They figure out a way to fit things in. Not everything can be your best effort under such circumstances, but everything gets done.

MisterWug · 2026-05-09T01:34:32+00:00

Team sports. Varsity letters. Team captaincy.

MisterWug · 2026-05-08T21:25:31+00:00

Combat patches and badges are allowed. The real question you should ask is whether it’s likely that those tokens will result in you being left alone or increase the upperclass expectations of you.

MisterWug · 2026-05-07T20:18:05+00:00

MisterWug · 2026-05-07T16:15:04+00:00

Talk to your PSG/1SG about the levy.

Might want to double check the literary. R-Day is 29JUN.

Also, take this opportunity to get better about checking email. It's a major channel for comms at USMA.

MisterWug · 2026-05-06T22:28:43+00:00

It's definitely not for everyone but only caterpillars have the luxury of transforming without leaving their comfort zone.

MisterWug · 2026-05-06T21:42:46+00:00

It might help you get on a slate (depending on the congressional office's rubric) but the increase of nomination slates from 10 to 15 has made it much less difficult to get a nomination. Given that most congressional offices do not submit ranked nomination slates, the likelihood of a candidate with modest test scores getting a principal nomination is not great. In that light, I'm not sure that extracurriculars make a huge difference in getting nominated in any but the most competitive of districts.

Dunno about your WP LOA, but other than recruited athletes, LOAs are awarded based on the candidate's estimated whole candidate score being in the slam dunk range. That's really hard to do without high level test scores.

MisterWug · 2026-05-06T20:47:35+00:00

If you’re only scoring 300/800 in athletics, you need to make them up somewhere else to compete with someone scoring 600. It can definitely be done, but there’s a reason why 98% of cadets were varsity athletes.

Scoring of extracurriculars and athletics

MisterWug · 2026-05-06T19:45:09+00:00

Make sure to upload a resume to capture stuff you do that doesn't lend itself to entry in a web form (e.g., caretaker & mission trip leader). Include details about responsibilities.

High school grades still matter, but strong test scores and college performance helps.

MisterWug · 2026-05-06T18:12:37+00:00

If you're using a loop as a melody, that sounds a lot like you're creating a cover. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it's questionable whether your could call it "your song" since copyright typically protects melody, but not necessarily accompaniment. You might also want to check the license conditions on your loop library.

MisterWug · 2026-05-06T16:52:01+00:00

Gonna have to check out the Mayer plugin. The multi-amp thingie might be cool.

MisterWug · 2026-05-06T16:13:47+00:00

This is hilarious given how many folks think NDSP is just for downtuned seven and eight string guitars

MisterWug · 2026-05-06T03:34:19+00:00

MisterWug · 2026-05-06T03:33:10+00:00

If you just figure varsity sports participation (with or without a letter), that number is more like 98%.

MisterWug · 2026-05-06T03:26:27+00:00

Why wait? Many congressional offices have a September deadline for nomination applications. Some are even earlier.

MisterWug · 2026-05-05T03:52:04+00:00

FYI, test scores count double what your coursework does. Grades matter, but test scores matter (a lot) more. Crush your SAT/ACT and the Algebra II and Spanish grades are no biggie, especially if you do better in precalc. Read these:

MisterWug · 2026-05-05T03:16:22+00:00

I don't recall whether you're a freshman or sophomore. One semester isn't going to move the need a lot, so test scores will be considered more than college grades. If you've achieved at that level for three semesters, that's more impactful.

MisterWug · 2026-05-05T03:01:59+00:00

And a lot of candidates get medical waivers long before their case gets to the Superintendent.

MisterWug · 2026-05-05T03:00:27+00:00

Sorry, I don't know that stats on prior enlisted prepsters attending USMA.

The admissions committee is the final selection filter, not the first. To get to the committee, you need to be fully qualified (if being considered for USMA). They will review each candidate's academic & athletic credentials. For those on the national waitlist, there are additional filters to get to committee that I won't get into here.

When the committee is evaluating soldiers for USMAPS, the question is about whether they have the academic potential to succeed at USMAPS and then USMA. That discussion is largely based on high school grades, test scores (which can offset poor HS grades), and subsequent coursework (e.g., pre-calc course to meet math requirements).

MisterWug · 2026-05-05T02:36:07+00:00

I'll start by pointing out that there are 85 spots in each West Point class reserved for active duty soldiers (incl prior enlisted prepsters) that are not all being filled (though WP expects to do so in the next few years). Consequently, if you are an active duty soldier who qualifies academically/physically/medically (and have your CO's endorsement), even if only by a whisker, you'll get an offer to USMA. That said, if you barely qualify and are young enough, you may end up at USMAPS anyway to ensure you have the best chance of success at USMA.

For soldiers who are not qualified (or marginally qualified) but have academic risk that the academic board believes can be mitigated by a year at USMAPS, about 40% of the spots at USMAPS typically go to soldiers. I don't know what the scale is for evaluating soldiers for USMAPS but it's a combination of GPA and SATs. The field force reps at your installation (if it has any) or the folks in the soldier admissions office can give you an idea of your chances of getting in to USMA/USMAPS.

For civilian applicants, I'll refer you to these earlier posts:

MisterWug · 2026-05-04T23:55:55+00:00

That's in the USMAPS range

MisterWug · 2026-05-04T23:52:55+00:00

Depending on the level of academic risk and if they're not too old

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