By ELIZABETH LITTLE/Sentinel staff
NORTHFIELD — The U.S. Military Academy at West Point has a new student from southern New Jersey.
Northfield resident Tommy McGowan, a recent Mainland Regional High School graduate, left for the academy Sunday, June 27, to complete cadet basic training. He has plans to study computer science there.
McGowan, 17, and his mother, Margaret McGowan, said his application to West Point took about two and a half years to prepare for and complete. Tommy McGowan said there are three aspects to the application process: first, he filled out a preliminary application. Then, he filled out a full application.
“That’s only one-third of the total package. You have to get fully medically qualified through the Department of Defense medical examination review board, which involves hundreds of questions about your past health and everything. And if you are medically qualified, congratulations, you’re two-thirds of the way there,” he said.
For the third step, McGowan had to get a nomination by a member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives or the vice president. His nomination came from U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd. McGowan said Van Drew also nominated him for the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md.
McGowan first met Van Drew when he completed his Eagle Scout project at age 14. McGowan was offered a tour of the Capitol Building, and there he met Van Drew in his office.
“It was beautiful. I actually got to meet with him in his office and sit down in his chair. We talked about my Eagle Scout project. This is before my application, and I told him I’m really looking forward to going to the academy and getting a nomination. He didn’t promise one but he said, ‘I’ll definitely be looking for your paperwork,’” McGowan said.
Van Drew even went as far as to briefly attend McGowan’s graduation party June 13.
“He was actually on his way to Washington and he came down and went to the party and congratulated me and everything. It’s just an honor to meet the man who is really sending me to West Point,” McGowan said.
Even after jumping through all of those hoops during the application process, only 12 percent of those seeking an appointment get accepted. The acceptance rate rivals Ivy League schools.
“It was always my reach school. It was always something I hoped to get into. Deep down, I knew that I had a better chance than most people, just through Boy Scouts and dedication and everything,” McGowan said.
McGowan graduated summa cum laude from MRHS, where he was a star student, taking numerous AP classes and maintaining a weighted cumulative grade point average of 5.66. McGowan volunteered at the American Legion Post 295 in Northfield for about six years, helping with overall maintenance and planning barbecues, in addition to forming bonds with veterans. He said he gained a new appreciation for those who served.
“It’s the greatest honor I could really think of. I worked with a lot of veterans with the American Legion. The love that they have for this country, and what it stands for, and their willingness to put everything on the line for it lets me know how great we have it here,” McGowan said. “Talking to some of my mother’s students who literally travel thousands of miles to get an American diploma shows me how lucky I am to serve this country.”
McGowan’s parents, Margaret and Patrick, said they couldn’t be more proud of their son.
“He’s determined and I know he’s going to get what he wants to get. I didn’t expect it to be such a lengthy, involved process. Tommy and Margaret started this process two and a half years ago. They don’t exactly give these out to chimps,” Patrick McGowan said.
Tommy McGowan offered some advice for those who have dreams of serving the United States.
“Stick with it. If you know you want to go to any of the academies, they’re going to test you every step of the way. If you know you want it, stick with it. It’s not easy, but keep your mind on the prize,” he said.
