How to Get Into West Point: Strategies and Essays That Worked
/Learn the West Point requirements, plus strategies for writing West Point application essays
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Part 1: Introduction
While most undergraduate colleges fit a similar mold, the United States Military Academy, commonly referred to as West Point, stands apart from the pack. First and foremost, West Point’s mission is to train students to be commissioned officers in the U.S. Army.
West Point is one of the five federal service academies that provide undergraduate instruction for the United States Armed Forces. At West Point, students are referred to as cadets; in addition to being undergraduates, they are also active duty members of the military, a fact that influences every aspect of the school’s curriculum and culture. The school’s heavily concentrated campus further cultivates a sense of community and fellowship among its ranks.
West Point was founded in 1802 during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency to turn America’s best and brightest into military officers. Since its inception, the academy has grown even as its motto of “duty, honor, country” has stayed the same. Since its inception, West Point is consistently ranked among the best undergraduate institutions in the country.
So how hard is it to get into West Point? What is West Point like? How do you know if West Point is right for your child?
We’ve summarized information about West Point’s admission requirements, keeping in mind what your child needs to accomplish to be competitive in the admissions process.
It’s important to mention outright that West Point isn’t simply a four-year commitment. Graduates are commissioned as officers in the U.S. Army for five years after receiving their degree. Accordingly, West Point is a great place for any young adult who wants job security after college, but may not be right if your child wants to have flexibility about choosing their own line of work post-grad. Attending West Point means committing to, if not a life, then at least a portion of a life in the service.
Once your child graduates, they’ll instantly become members of “The Long Grey Line,” West Point’s vast and powerful alumni network of military personnel, politicians, businessmen, and other professional civilians. Famous alums include two U.S. presidents, countless generals and thousands of service members who protect their country.
West Point ranking
Here’s how West Point measures up to other liberal arts colleges and universities:
U.S. News and World Report: 9
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education: 47
Where is West Point?
The school, officially known as the United States Military Academy, is located in West Point, NY—hence the name by which you probably know it. West Point is a census-designated place located in the town of Highlands, a municipality populated by approximately 12,150 residents.
West Point setting
Located on the west bank of the Hudson River, roughly 50 miles north of New York City, West Point has been described as both suburban and rural. The main campus sits upon a picturesque bluff overlooking the water and has been deemed a national landmark due to the prevalence of historic buildings and monuments that celebrate the country’s military heritage.
West Point student population
West Point enrolls approximately 4,500 cadets each year.
West Point acceptance rate
Here are the admissions numbers for the class of 2026:
Applications: 12,589
Acceptances: 1,771
Matriculants: 1,209
Acceptance rate: 14%
West point tuition and scholarships
The full West Point cost of attendance (i.e., tuition, room, board, and fees) for all cadets is paid for by the Armed Forces. Cadets also receive a monthly stipend to cover personal expenses.
Who gets into West Point?
West Point has a self-selecting pool of candidates. Below we’ll go over the academic and demographic statistics of successful applicants.
43% of students are in the top 10% of their graduating high school class.
West Point average GPA: 3.9
West Point average ACT and SAT scores:
| ACT Test | Class of 2026 Average Scores |
|---|---|
| SAT Test | Class of 2026 Average Scores |
|---|---|
West Point demographics
The largest racial demographic at West point is white (62%) followed by Black (11%), Hispanic or Latino (11%), and Asian (13%).
Women comprise 21% percent of the student body.
West Point culture
West Point’s identity as one of the five federal service academies serves as the foundation of the institution’s culture. As a cadet, your child will be expected to emulate traditional military virtues as a member of the US Army. West Point’s famous Cadet Honor code—which informs every aspect of undergraduate experience—reads as follows: “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do."
West Point programs
West Point cadets receive training and instruction in Four Leadership Programs, which together constitute a cadet’s undergraduate experience:
Academic Program: As full-time undergraduate students, all West Point cadets are awarded BS degrees upon graduation. As lowerclassmen, cadets take core liberal arts and engineering coursework. After completing required courses, cadets pursue their personal academic interests. West Point administers 36 majors and 15 minors housed in 13 different academic departments.
Military Program: An essential part of West Point’s mission is to prepare cadets to be commissioned officers in the US Army. This process includes formal military training during all four years of enrollment to instill cadets with the necessary leadership skills and military knowledge to be effective in the field.
Physical Program: Cadets are required to perform physical activities to improve their athletic skills, fitness, and ability to lead others in physical pursuits. In addition to physical education coursework and military training, all cadets are required to play sports at the NCAA intercollegiate level, intercollegiate club level, or intramural level during a portion of the school year.
Character Program: Cadets are mentored by their military superiors, faculty members and guest lecturers to ensure their characters are in step with the Army’s ethos and motto: “honor, duty, county.” This ongoing practicum—formally referred to as The West Point Leadership Development System—is meant to ensure that cadets embody the leadership qualities and moral character necessary to be members of the Armed Forces.
Cadet life and responsibilities
Attending West Point isn’t the typical college experience. In addition to adhering to the honor code, cadets are expected to conduct themselves as representatives of the US Army at all times.
What exactly is the West Point code of conduct?
Well, to say it plainly, all cadets live under a strict set of guidelines throughout their four years at West Point. Cadets follow regimented daily schedules and adhere to formal routines to fulfill the academy’s many requirements.
Below is a comparison between how students are organized at a typical undergraduate college versus West Point:
| Typical College | West Point Cadets | Cadet Nicknames |
|---|---|---|
Life at West Point mirrors the experience of a professional soldier in the U.S. Army. All cadets constitute a single brigade and are assigned to one of 36 companies on campus. Each company comprises a cross section of the student body ranging from fourth class to first class cadets.
All cadets are required to live on campus and attend communal meals at scheduled times during the week. Cadets live with fellow members of their company in barracks (dorms). Members of a single company study, train, and compete together.
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Part 2: West Point admissions requirements
West Point wants to make sure prospective cadets have the academic credentials, physical capacity and leadership mentality to succeed on campus and as members of the armed forces.
For this reason, being accepted is no simple task. Unlike the majority of mainstream American colleges and universities, West Point does not accept the Common App and has designed its own admissions process. For the majority of candidates, this process begins a year before the annual application deadline of January 31st.
So, what makes this process so unique?
In addition to performing well academically in high school, candidates must be nominated by a U.S. Congressional member or other government representative, pass fitness and medical exams, and initiate contact with West Point admissions representatives in addition to completing other crucial components of their application.
Here is a checklist of requirements for applying to West Point:
Candidate questionnaire to initiate online file
U.S. Congressional Nomination
Field Force Interview
Medical Examination
Candidate Fitness Assessment
SAT or ACT with writing section (West Point is “text flexible” in 2021–2022—details on that below)
School Official Evaluations
Candidate Statement
Transcripts
Although West Point has outlined its own approach and timeline for its admissions cycle, we’ve summarized information about this process for parents and prospective cadets:
Candidate Questionnaire: The Admissions office requires that prospective cadets complete an initial candidate questionnaire to ensure they are eligible to attend West Point. This questionnaire becomes available online during January of your child’s junior year in high school.
U.S. Congressional Nomination: West Point requires that all candidates are nominated by a congressional member or service member of the US government. Candidates are encouraged to begin the nomination process—which includes its own application process—a year prior to West Point’s application deadline. West Point provides tips to help your child secure a nomination.
Field Force Interview: As soon as possible in the admissions process, candidates are encouraged to initiate contact with their local West Point Field Force members to establish a rapport with members of the US Army. These officers are admissions representatives for West Point and conduct required candidate interviews during the later stages of the admissions process i.e. in the fall prior to the application deadline.
Medical Examination: Your child will be required to have a medical examination reviewed by The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board. To account for medical and healthcare bureaucracies—which may take several weeks or months to process your child’s results—it’s important that your child doesn’t leave this examination to the last minute before the application deadline.
Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA): West Point wants to make sure your child has the physical strength and capacity to be a cadet who can handle the academy’s programs. Candidates are required to complete the CFA administered by a physical education teacher or a military professional, who reports results directly to West Point’s admissions office. Although this assessment is usually completed in the fall prior to the application deadline, your child should train for the CFA over time, similar to how a student would prep for a standardized test.
SAT or ACT with Writing Test: Like most undergraduate institutions, West Point requires standardized test scores. In 2021–2022, West Point is “text flexible,” meaning that they will also accept the PSAT in the event that your child cannot take the SAT or ACT.
School Official Evaluation: Your child’s high school math, English and laboratory science teachers will need to submit formal evaluations of their academic performance. Similar to securing teacher recommendations for traditional college applications, candidates are expected to monitor this process to ensure West Point receives these evaluations.
Candidate Statement: West Point requires that all candidates submit a candidate statement akin to supplemental essays for traditional college applications. Scroll below for more information about how your child can write this statement.
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Part 3: West Point admissions strategies
How can your child increase their odds to get accepted into West Point? Below are tips for how to impress West Point’s admissions officers in addition to turning in a stellar application:
Enroll in the Summer Leaders Experience. West Point’s Summer Leaders Experience is a weeklong summer program for high school students between their junior and senior year. Candidates live on campus and experience life as cadets. Although the admissions office doesn’t require all candidates to attend the program, West Point strongly encourages candidates to attend the SLE to make sure West Point is the right fit. High school juniors can apply to the SLE between January 15th and March 15th.
Visit campus. Candidates are strongly encouraged to formally visit West Point when school is in session. During these visits, candidates socialize with current cadets, attend classes, and meet with admissions officers, with the option of reviewing current applications.
Develop an ongoing relationship with field force members. Although field force members play a formal role in the admissions process, they are also key sources of information about West Point and the military in general.
Pursue athletics. Because playing sports is mandatory at West Point, your child should be involved in athletics in high school.
Pursue leadership roles in high school. Admissions officers are looking for candidates who’ve taken on leadership roles in their local communities.
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Part 4: West Point candidate statement (examples included)
As your child is working on other parts of their application (securing nominations, preparing for exams and assessments, etc.), they also need to focus on their candidate statement. Like the Common App personal essay or supplemental essays, the candidate statement is a chance for your child to speak directly to admissions officers and make their case for why West Point is the right undergraduate experience for them.
Let’s review how three sample high-school students responded.
Tiffany was born and raised in the suburbs outside of Indianapolis, Indiana. She has family members who’ve served in the armed forces and is interested in computer engineering.
Jason is from Orlando, Florida. He was raised by a single mother and is a highly ranked basketball player who’s being recruited to play the sport in college. In college he wants to major in economics.
Adam is from Orange County, California. She attended West Point’s SLE program and is interested in politics and international relations.
Need inspiration for your Common App personal statement? Click below for instant access to 25 full-length example essays including advanced breakdowns of why they resonate with admissions committees.
Gain instant access to 25 exclusive full-length examples covering all seven prompts, plus comprehensive analyses for each to help you craft stellar essays.
Statement 1: In the space below, Explain why you want to attend the United States Military Academy and serve on active duty as an Army officer.
Similar to the work needed to answer the “Why us?” supplementary essay, your child needs to reflect on their long term goal to serve in the military in addition to their short term goal of attending West Point. What type of career does your child want to pursue within the Army? How will being in the Army enhance or make possible that career?
Let’s read Tiffany’s answer:
When I think about serving my country as an active duty member, I think about my Uncle Rob and how he’s been a constant role model in my life. After completing three tours in Iraq, he was honorably discharged and returned home to our community to be with my aunt and first cousins. At first, Uncle Rob seemed to be in a good place and had lots of energy. He was my club soccer coach and at family gatherings he always had the strongest opinions about the Colts defensive line. It was only after I saw him looking tired one day that I asked my cousin Colin why his father didn’t always have the energy he used to. “He has a lot on his plate,” Colin said. “And we’re not his only family.”
Colin informed me that his father is a lot of things to a lot of people. For the men and women who served beside him in Iraq, Uncle Rob has become a lifelong friend, a brother, a best man at weddings, an accountant, an emergency contact and, most importantly, a shoulder to lean on when things get tough. He’s involved in local politics and serves as an informal career counselor for recent veterans. The US Army taught Uncle Rob how to be an effective and compassionate leader. To follow in his footsteps and assist others, in matters large and small, I want to become a member of The Long Grey Line.
As I cadet, I want to enhance my leadership skills in an environment that respects honor, duty and country. I’ve been a leader in my community as a captain of my high school soccer team and officer of three different student clubs. This past summer, I started my own coding club to teach underprivileged kids in Indianapolis the basics of computer engineering, a project which has grown into a nonprofit with several corporate sponsors. At West Point, I want to work alongside like-minded individuals dedicated to improving the world and keeping America safe through the use of technology and cyber-security.
Most of all, I want to follow in my Uncle Rob’s footsteps and be an example of goodness for my generation. My Christian upbringing has given me the radar to seek out evil in the service of the greater good. I don’t want to wait another four years to start this work. As an active duty member of the greatest military in the world, I want to make Uncle Rob proud and continue the tradition that has made our country beacon of truth and justice.
Tiffany makes it clear for her reader that she knows what lies ahead of her when it comes to joining the U.S. Army. Although she may not have had the chance to attend the SLE, she’s aware of Army life, the sacrifices it requires, and why she’s committed to pursuing this career path. Furthermore, she also discusses her desires to improve her leadership skills and serve the U.S. military with honor and integrity.
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Statement 2: What are the most important qualities in becoming a successful USMA cadet and a successful Army officer?
With this question, West Point is asking your child to identify their character traits that overlap with qualities necessary to be successful as a cadet and commissioned officer. Your child should not only talk about these traits, but also provide personal anecdotes that describe how they’ve come to embody these qualities.
Let’s read Jason’s response:
People often compare point guards on basketball teams to quarterbacks in football or conductors for an orchestra, but I think these comparisons have flaws. As the #1 on my team, I set up plays and keep my other teammates in check, but sometimes I have to take matters into my own hands and be an offensive threat for my team to take us over the finish line. If I missed my shot in these situations, the responsibility falls on my shoulders. My time playing basketball has taught me about the nature of selflessness and self-accountability, which are two qualities that make for successful USMA cadets and Army officers.
Growing up, I first learned about selflessness by watching my mother, who raised me and my older sister as a single parent. To be honest, I can’t remember a time when she ever complained about her predicament. When I was in elementary school, she went back to college to get her bachelor’s degrees and missed fun times with her friends because she was too busy studying and taking care of me and my sister. She understood the responsibility on her shoulders to provide for us, and in the process, she taught me what being selfless looks like. She never used the word “duty” because she didn’t have to. She felt like her purpose was as clear as day. This is the type of dedication I want to bring to West Point.
When I think about self-accountability, I think about my sophomore year, when I missed two important foul shots in the final minutes of an important game late in the season. It didn’t matter that we won the game in the end. I still felt like I let my team down. So that summer I made it my mission to stay in the gym after my AAU practices to practice foul shots, and during my junior year I shot 95% from the line. This is what self-accountability means to me: you identify your shortcomings and seek to work on them.
USMA is the place for me because I’m not afraid of being honest with myself about the things I need to improve. But I also have pride in my work ethic. My mother taught me this and so did my coaches. At USMA, I want to work hard for my fellow cadets by being selfless and personally accountable for my actions for my company. This is how I want to start my future.
Jason clearly identifies the two qualities that he thinks are important to make a successful cadet and army officer. He discusses how he’s demonstrated these qualities in his life in a way that lets an admissions officer learn about his biography. Additionally, the overarching theme of his response is the importance of leadership, which lets an admissions officer know he has the skills and self-awareness necessary to thrive as a cadet.
Statement 3: West Point and the Army are committed to the idea that respect for others and an understanding of diversity are important leadership traits. Why will you be successful in working with leaders, peers, and subordinates of a gender, color, ethnicity, and/or religion different from your own?
This essay is similar to a diversity essay that your child may write for other college applications. West Point wants to know how diversity has played a role in your child’s life. In this case, a candidate should be honest about their experience instead of writing a response they think an admissions officer wants to hear.
Let’s review Adam’s response:
Although it’s true that Orange County, California has cities that are ethnically diverse, this wasn’t true for my neighborhood until the Carillos moved into the house two doors down from mine. I was ten years old, and even though I had a vague sense of why diversity was essential for communities to thrive, I had barely spent time around people who weren’t Caucasian. This changed when I started hanging out with Alex Carillo, who was a year older than me. We bonded over playing Fortnite in his bonus room and surfing on weekends. It took me a while to realize how his Mexican-Venezuelan heritage impacted his life, and how he was sometimes uncomfortable hanging out with big groups of white people, but by that point in time we were practically brothers. I have his back no matter what; his struggles are also mine and vice versa.
Alex and I are best friends because we realize that our bond has made each of us stronger people. I’ve learned that genuinely caring about another person’s experience is the key to strengthening your friendship and commitment to each other. As white people, we sometimes have assumptions about how other groups live their lives. This is dangerous because our assumptions perpetuate racism and stereotypes.
At West Point, I’m excited to work with other American who are committed to serving our country. Our past experiences will be different, but our commitment to a shared set of values and the US Constitution will be the cornerstones of the bonds we build together. The Carillos’ America is my America, and I feel fortunate to have learned that lesson from Alex. Moving forward, I expect to form even stronger relationships with new brothers and sisters in my company and on different Black Knight sports teams. Like Martin Luther King said, we shouldn’t judge people by “color of their skin but by the content of their character.” This is precisely what I intend to do as a member of the US Army.
Adam doesn’t shy away from sharing insight into his experience as a white male. By framing his response around his best friend Alex, he lets an admissions officer know that he’s already had to manage real-life situations when issues surrounding ethnicity have been at play. This is key, because it shows that Adam is comfortable in his own skin talking about diversity. Adam’s response also demonstrates his commitment to the multicultural fabric of the country.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on college admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT using his exclusive approach.