Does Anyone Know How College's and Military Seek Out Your HS Student

My son started getting all of these materials after he took the PSAT. Be aware that a lot of this has to do with colleges trying to get as many students as possible to apply, only to reject them, so as to create a very low acceptance rate, which then makes it seems like they are very exclusive and sought after. So, grain of salt. The other folks below have great advice.

High schools are required to inform military recruiters of their enrolled students coming up for graduation. This is one facet of the GW Bush era's No Child Left Behind. Parents can contact their schools to choose to opt out if they wish.

My husband is a West Point grad. They do not solicit. Applying to West Point is a lengthy process. Your son should get started ASAP. Start with the school counselor. As mentioned below, your son will need a nomination from a Senator or the President. Again, your school counselor can guide you in this process. Application process for the class of 2019 is closed (current high school seniors). Application process for the class of 2020 is open (current high school juniors).

Here is a link to a class profile. I'm not sure which class they are talking about (it just says recent--so probably this year or last). It gives average ACT/SAT scores, how many valedictorians, class presidents, etc.

http://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/SitePages/Class%20Pro...

We recently went to Founder's Day (an annual dinner for West Point grads) and the guest speaker said 20% of the incoming class was prior service and/or a combat veteran. I thought that was very impressive.

If your son's school counselor has not worked with a student applying to West Point, try to find one that has. Also, there is USMAPS (US Military Academy Prep School). If they feel your son is a good candidate for West Point, but not quite ready, they might offer him a spot at USMAPS. USMAPS is located on the West Point campus and it gives them an extra year to prepare--I don't think they're guaranteed admission to West Point the next year, but it will give them a better chance.

This link has a lot of great information, too...
http://www.usma.edu/classes/SiteAssets/SitePages/2016/USM...

Years ago they offered a summer program for students interested in becoming a cadet. My husband went for a week between his junior and senior year to experience 'cadet life'. See if they still offer that program--he really enjoyed it and it helped make up his mind.

Good Luck--it's an amazing opportunity!

Appointments to West Point are hard to come by. You do need a recommendation from a senator (my dad was a grad in 1954, and I got an appointment in 1976 for the first female graduating class, and declined the appointment).

I am not sure what year your son is, but if he is a junior, he needs to get really busy!

ACT and SAT scores are very important, but so is physical prowess. There are minimum physical standards (strength, endurance and I am sure cardio now) that need to be met.

Start with a local congressperson that your son can meet IN PERSON. Then see if you (in a circle of family and friends) know anyone who is a former grad. Seems a little 'slimy' but it helps.

I would also give consideration to ROTC scholarships...that allows a student to go to a college that has the program, receive military training, and, if they stick with the program, get commissioned upon graduation.

Three of my sons have utilized ROTC. One is a captain (in July) and is special ops. Next will be commissioned, and graduates from college THIS friday...and next son is a rising Junior on a full ride scholarship.

I wish you the best for your son!

When you sit for a test (SAT, ACT, etc) there is an informational section as well as an "opt in" for sharing info/results with schools. So that could be it.

When our daughter was a Junior in HS we started getting all kinds of college info and recruiting info. It was a daily event.

I believe all colleges and military have some way of getting the info from the schools, possibly on forms that are filled out for financial aid, scholarships, etc. It was crazy.

We just shredded everything with her name on it and only kept info from any school she was interested in.

If your child is specifically interested in West Point, then I would suggest he reach out to West Point asking for info and showing interest in that program.

My daughter only responded and/or reached out to colleges she was interested in.

When you son took the ACT and or the SAT, that is where most colleges and the military get the names and addresses.

Taking these tests shows that your child is interested in higher education, so the colleges, can then consider them.

They mean nothing. They are just putting their schools out there.

If your son is not interested he can just ignore them. These letters also do not guarantee that your son will be accepted if he applies. They are just trying to let your child know that they are probably someone that fits the at least minimum requirements.

IF your son is interested or at least considering some place like Harvard, West Point, etc..I would encourage him to send in for more info. It is an excellent first step in getting their attention. Is he a Sophomore or Junior in High School right now? Try to visit these campus this summer. go in Person and go on a guided tour, again, this lets the school know you are really interested.

If he is a Junior, I suggest he go ahead and ask at least 2 Academic Teachers, a Principal and or a Coach to write him a college recommendation letter, over the summer. The reason so early? It gives these people time to work on them and your son will not be so stressed in the fall waiting and chasing down these people to write them. These teachers may have him fill out a form telling about himself. It helps these people write a more personal letter. Certain teachers on Campus will be highly sought after, so they limit how many they write. Early applications are due by the end of the first semester, but Senior year is a very busy time for you and for him..

Let me know if you have any questions.

Lots of conflicting info below. College choice time is INSANE, I've got two in college now and one in high school so I get it.
Check with your son's counselor and/or college and career center for specific, CURRENT advice and information. Things are changing constantly.

The PSAT is the test that most schools use to get a first look at your child's potential. For military, the ASFAB is also a good benchmark. West Point (as well as Annapolis and the Air Force Academy) though, require a recommendation, from a senator or representative (i'm not sure who else can give them) so your son will have to be VERY proactive. Those slots are very hard to get.

The schools have lists of students and the military and colleges request those lists. They can request the top 10% etc or a full list of juniors, seniors or what have you. When I registered my kids for their sophomore year, we opted out of providing names to military. My girls are not interested and my son cannot join since he has a bleeding disorder.

West Point is one of the hardest colleges to get into in the US. Among a list of other things, he'd need a recommendation from a Senator or above.

That being said, he should look up WP online to see the requirements and application process. I know that it's quite lengthy. It's something that needs a lot of time and forethought to get through.

Good luck!!

I just want to point out that NO ONE has access to census records with personally identifying info (age, address, family members, etc...) for 72 years after the date of the census. Only those compiling data for analysis (i.e. those who work for the Census Bureau) has access to that, and they all take an oath not to divulge any personally identifying info to ANYONE including the military and colleges. I was a census worker in 2010, even I am not allowed to say anything about anyone I took info from.

Besides having a senator or congressman recommend your child to a military academy is also good if you know someone who has graduated from said military school.

It is a process and it takes time to be considered to be admitted.

Hopefully you have a rather large bank account to set them up for the first year of schooling with all the required equipment. I had a friend whose daughter went to the AF Academy and graduated. We also had two older grads from different years we knew.

Good luck to your son and his choice of military branch he chooses.

the other S.

they're just casting a wide net. i wouldn't get too invested in it- it's just business. i'm sure they have an 'in' with the ACT and SAT people. my kids were homeschooled and still got all the brochures after the PSATs.
khairete
S.

I just asked my godkids about this because a friends daughter suddenly decided she wanted to go into the navy and not to the college she had chosen and had scholarships for . I guess they sometimes have a booth in the cafeteria for kids to go up and talk if they want . I would be pissed if it were my daughter . They can't talk her out of it . They really glamorize the whole thing . Kind of scary .

Most of them get information from the schools. You can see if your child's school has an opt-out option. I believe we opted out of military recruitment (feeling that if the kids wanted to be recruited, they know how to find an office).

I agree - if you are interested in a school, your child should contact that school. Most have pages or sub-sites off their main site for prospective students.

I know recruiters came to my kid's schools regularly but they never had the mailbox spammed. Not sure what the difference is. Both reached out to the schools they were interested in and only then did they get mail.

Good comments below. Be aware that, if a student is an athlete, there are very strict NCAA rules about schools contacting them specifically (mass mailing okay, phone calls or interviews with coaches prohibited) until the summer after junior year.

I don't know if the military has access to census records which would have kids' ages and genders. It's public record though so maybe they would. I found that, if I told them not to call, they never did again. The recruiters were always very respectful. But it's not the academies soliciting (West Point, Annapolis, etc.) - it's the regular recruitment offices.

Getting into West Point is really, really, really tough. I've only known one person who got in - he was a straight A student, super involved in everything - sports, volunteer work, church - and I think a recommendation from a congressperson or senator is practically required. And I don't think West Point solicits anyone - your won would have to go after them. He should talk to his HS guidance counselor - he or she would know what to do and how likely it would be to be accepted.

if that doesn't work out many universitiies have ROTC programs which helps pays for school, provide a stipend and the student gets out of college and goes right into office training.