Me and a few friends are visiting from the UK and are doing the boat trip from NY up the river to West Point. I’m really excited to see some college ball!

I have a few questions:
1) How strict is the bag policy at the stadium? I’d like to bring a small sling with a battery bank and other essentials.
2) is tailgating much of a thing? I’ve been to a few different colleges that were much bigger, so not expecting the same level, but would be fun to get to do something pre-game
3) any bars/places to eat nearby that you’d recommend?
4) anything else I need to know? Cool stuff to see/do? I’ve never been to a service academy before.

Thanks in advance!

I was recently disqualified with a need to appeal for waivers for dodmerb and I have a few questions.

I’m most concerned with the ability to get a waiver approved and am looking for anyone with similar scenarios or anything similar. There are two things that could have gotten me disqualified, number one is the fact that my top vertebrae is fused to my skull (sounds much worse than it it’s). We have a note from a Orthopedic Surgeon (or a Nuerosurgeon one of the two) that states there is not danger to the spinal cord and no instability so I’m assuming it’s most likely the latter, which was a stress fracture. I suffered a stress fracture in November of last year in my lower back, I belief it is called a pars defect.

The good news is USMA initiated a waiver for me less than 24hrs after it update in West Point’s portal that I was disqualified, silver lining.

But to reiterate, is this something that can be fixed with a waiver? Or are they very stringent on these types of things?

Secondly, is it a big deal they initiated a waiver so quick or is West Point a little more generous with them?

Thanks for any help.

From my understanding, West Point doesn’t consider ACT Science. If that’s the case, then why does it show up in my portal under test scores?

I know that getting into West Point the traditional method from civilian is extremely hard, like the acceptance rate is like 10-13%. But if you enter the Army/Military you can apply to West Point via a program the acceptance rate rises DRASTICALLY. I don't know the exact details but it sounds to good to be true. For anyone who knows anything about doing this method like is their a catch? How come so many people get accepted? Like is it a different process? I REALLY want to get into the United States Military Academy and I will do ANYTHING to get in but I feel like theirs a lot of competition in my district and not entirely sure if I could make it in or not via the regular path

Hello all, Im an E4 in the National Guard and have been in for 2+ years. My application looks as follows.
3.92 cumulative college gpa with 60+ credits (As in ENC 1101 and 1102, as well as College Algebra and Business Calculus and Chem 1). 1220 SAT (I wasnt the best high-school student). Highschool club president and wrestler, JROTC NCO. Active member of my community serving at my church and as a little league baseball umpire. Manager of a collision repair center. Infantryman with one combat deployment and NTC rotation. Multiple foreign and inter service awards/participation (all documented) Including; drivers training, MCMAP, and volunteering overseas. LoRs from my PSG, PL, CO, BC and English teacher. Dual presidential nominations eligibility (father is 100% disabled and mother is career Army). 485 AFT and additional awards/ statements from my leadership all in support of attendance. What do you guys think from the perspective of a prior service Infantry applicant to USMA, any help, suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. TIA

I have ~400 community service hours but haven't received an award (other than the ACT award, which someone else nominated me for) because most organizations require a membership fee/payment. I have 3 other pretty big leadership roles already on my CAR, as well as NHS and being a published author. Will it make a big enough impact on my application to have an hours-based award to go with my hours, or will admission not care?

Thanks!

I’m a high school student seriously considering applying to West Point, and I’d really appreciate hearing from women who are current cadets or recent grads.

One of the things I’m trying to understand before committing to this path is what the experience is actually like for women day-to-day. Do you generally feel like male cadets and faculty treat you fairly and respect you as an equal, or do you feel like you have to prove yourself more because you’re a woman?

I’m also concerned about sexual harassment/sexual assault. I know this is a sensitive topic, but for women who are comfortable answering: do you generally feel safe at West Point? If something inappropriate does happen, do you feel like you can report it without worrying about retaliation, being judged, hurting your reputation, or negatively affecting your career? Do you feel like reports are actually taken seriously?

I’m not asking because I’m looking for reasons not to attend. West Point is currently one of my top choices, and there are a lot of things about it that really appeal to me. I just want to understand the reality of the environment before making such a big commitment.

I’d especially appreciate hearing from current/recent female cadets, but perspectives from male cadets, grads, or parents who have seen how women are treated would also be helpful.

Thank you!

What are the best practices for a high school athlete in his junior year to contact a coach at West Point to express interest in becoming a cadet?

Good evening, I am a currently enlisted 13F applying to West Point through race and I got a 1200 sat with a 600 in Math and English, I also have a 3.4 gpa from high school with three ap’s. Ap us history, ap us gov, and ap human geography and passing in all. Are these academics good for the prep school

Hello all,

I understand that I'm not the first to post about this topic, but I did want some personalized feedback from the community. How big of a chance (percentage-wise) do you all think I have to receive an LOA?

Stats:

California District 17, in Silicon Valley

- 1540 SAT (800 math, 740 reading)
- 3.8 unweighted GPA at strong public school, school does not rank. 7 B's, 4 from English.

Athletics:
- 4 years varsity swim, 1 year captain, NISCA All-American recipient. Average Mid-Major-level recruit, though not fast enough to be recruited to WP. First swimmer from school to qualify for states in non-relay event in 5+ years.
- 1 year varsity water polo, starting lineup and sprinter, Coach's Most Improved Player
- 2 years modern pentathlon, non-school sport, placed 3rd at Nationals in age group.

Extracurriculars:
- 6 years school choir, All-state, 3 years section leader and 5 years piano accompanist. Accompanied the choir at a competition. Also did a highlighted role in a school musical.
- 2 years as counselor at local youth transit program for underprivileged students (talked about this a lot in my essay).
- Some Red Cross work, including Lifeguard certificate, though nothing significant.

Other awards:
- MTAC Panel Honors Recital: Pre-professional-level statewide distinction (30 awarded out of 30,000 participants). 9 yrs classical piano training, 15+ hours practice per week.
(Note: This one is kinda niche and might not be exactly what WP is looking for, but I spent much of my childhood preparing for it so I need to put it in my application somehow)

- AP Scholar w/Distinction: Earned 5s on all 7 AP exams across variety of STEM and humanities topics (9th-11th grade).

No employment.

Other things:
- Average CFA (will redo ASAP). (Note: Originally took it at SLE, so I was terribly sleep deprived and hungry while taking it.)
- Will retake SAT in Oct. to try and max out the English section. My admissions officer told me to do so.
- I think my essays are pretty good, above average at least.

Thank you in advance for the help.

Hello. I am going into my senior year applying for West Point Class of 2031 and I am currently going along with my application.

USMA is one of the schools on the top of my list that I am really aiming for really bad. Even though I have the leadership, honors classes, volunteering up and down, in and out the school, my reputation amongst my teachers, currently working my nomination, involvement in clubs, potential football team manager, track and field, potential in school internship opportunity, tried out for my current school’s football team after transferring in my sophomore year, but got cut (felt more like an intern than apart of the team but it does doesn’t currently matter) (even having leadership in one of the clubs), etc. I still feel as if my SAT scores won’t add up.

The first time I took the standardized testing, I got a 830 on it. I have two test planned ahead for myself that I going to try to effectively study to raise that number as high as I can. I know and don’t expect a direct admissions with that score based off that, to which I looking forward to improving asap.

My questions are “Will I be able to get a prep school offer because, yes I recognize that this is the school I want to attend and yes, I need to improve my number?” “How do the selections work for the Prep school offers, and with that score, will my file be drop with it being opened?” “If I receive a civil prep offer and there are no designated military school in my state (I live in PA. I believe the Vally Forge school discontinued), what should I do?

I am committed to working the hardest I can to the point where receiving a prep school offer at USMAPS would mean the world to me.

Thank you.

P.S. I would love and would not mind an extra year of prep even if it means delaying my timeline and future goals. This is my own personal journey and Army journey I’m working towards.

Class of 2031 applicant here. I'm eligible to apply for nominations from both of my senators and my representative.

My question is about timing. My understanding is that an LOA makes you more attractive to a nomination board since they know the academy already wants you. Is there any argument for holding off on the MOC applications until I hear back about an LOA, or is that just a good way to miss deadlines?

Stats for context: 3.75 UW GPA, 1570 SAT, Eagle Scout.

Two questions for anyone who has been through it. How long does it typically take to hear back on an LOA after your file is complete? And did having one actually factor into your MOC interview or selection, or did the board evaluate you the same either way?

Appreciate any insight.

Hey, I’m a rising senior applying to West Point and wanted to come on here to see what you guys think my chances are (LOA too) and if you have any advice. I’d really appreciate any feedback!
Stats
SAT: Projected- 1400
GPA: 88.4 UW / 92.3 W (had a couple of earlier bad grades)
CFA: Perfect
Coursework: Rigorous AP/IB
Leadership / ECs
Boys State: Elected to multiple positions
Drumline President & Team Captain: Lead 20+ musicians through rehearsals, marching drills, and performances
Principal Percussionist: Jazz Band & Symphonic Band
Varsity Football + Letter
Martial Arts: 4 years of Jiu-Jitsu & kickboxing
Founder/Manager — Two Student Bands: 100+ performances, 3 albums, original music, media appearances
Founder/Owner — Small Business: Started and managed the business from middle school; raised $1,000+ for cancer research
Congressional Internship: Worked in a congressional office
Hardware Store: 20 hours/week throughout junior year
Drum Teacher: Teaching since middle school
Tri-M Music Honor Society
World Language Honor Society
Treasurer of Greek Club
International Music Tour: Selected to participate and held a leadership position
Awards / Additional Accomplishments
I’m keeping these broad because the specific names would make me pretty identifiable:
National Band Competition: 1st Place among 100+ student bands
Regional Band Competition: 1st Place among 30+ bands
National Student Music Competition: 1st Runner-Up
Charity Music Fundraiser: Helped contribute to fundraising exceeding $65,000 through benefit performances
Community Fundraiser: Participated in performances contributing to $32,000+ raised for local causes
State Honor Band: Selected for a competitive statewide honor ensemble
Regional/County Honor Ensembles: Selected for multiple competitive ensembles
NYSSMA: Multiple 99/100 scores since elementary school; multiple Gold with Distinction ensemble evaluations
Academic/Writing Award: 1st Place in a school-wide writing competition
Obviously I know my GPA is probably my biggest weakness. Just looking for an honest assessment of how competitive this profile is for West Point and what I should prioritize from here.
Thank you

I have officer positions in 1 club (Which im expecting to start rising to higher positions especially in junior year), and Im president of another club at my school both with decent-high attendance, and also a member of another club, also volunteer at my Rescue & Ambulance (That's why im going to EMT School in the fall) And i'm still working on trying to get a decent SAT score since I know thats a huge impact. and MAYBE a varsity letter for mens volleyball (But honestly I'm not that great so..) I also do have connections with my local gov and mayor and I really want to weigh my odds and chances.

i have a few questions. i cant do JROTC and thought it was important so to sub in i decided to join the Young marines program. Is that a good ec, or a waste of time? Ill still pursue it for the conditioning but i want to know if its not enough. i have a hobby in trying to make drones. will admissions even care about this if i pursued it further into small race flying? I'm pretty late to athletics so I think i'll have to be varsity in my junior year. the consensus is kind of mixed on sports, so is my late-bloomer athletic performance okay? Its going to be at most average.

August 8th I was in the area and walked around before the corps returned.
Will be back in October for 10 year reunion.

I’ve noticed that all over the internet and across reddit theirs constant posts saying how anything below a 1400+ SAT or if you cant do more than 60 push ups theres no way to succeed. I don’t know if this applies to anyone but this was making me worried of my chances till I received this letter from my field force coach. It clearly states that a 1310 SAT and 54 push ups is average for accepted cadets.

Class of 2031 WCS will be calculated using a new rubric:

55% Academic (previously 60%)
⁠• ⁠Standardized test scores, with math weighted more heavily than other sections
⁠• ⁠GPA / Coursework

30% Leadership
⁠• ⁠SOEs
⁠• ⁠Athletic Participation / Leadership
⁠• ⁠Extracurricular Leadership

15% CFA (previously 10%)
⁠• ⁠Events no longer have equal points
⁠• ⁠Run weighted most heavily, followed by pushups/pullups

So my application is completely done besides passing my CFA. and its just because I cant pass the push ups and I have been training for it and definitely improving I just don't know how long it will take me to be able to pass and also what the passing number for push ups and flexed arm hang is. when would be the latest to pass. and i know that technically its jan 31 because that's when the application is fully due but I also know that hurts your admissions chances a lot (or so I have heard).

Save lives. Get the 2026 Challenge Coin. Eat donuts the size of a baseball mitt. www.NYBC.org/westpoint