Info from recent AIM
First post; my son is applying to the USMA for the class of 2014.
Over the past several months I have been lurking in these forums to pick up tips to help with my son's application. In a word, the forums here have been outstanding. My son has completed his file; is cleared by DoDMERB; and is in the process of pursuing a nomination.
We've been to several AIM sessions in the past two years, and many of the questions posed recently have been answered in one of the presentations we viewed.
So it is time to share back to the community here. I can't yet attach the file due to my recent registration, but let me excerpt some of the info regarding nominations, and the demographics for the class of 2012:
Total admitted and accepted: ~1300
--- 536 from Congressional appointments
--- 355 from service connected appointments
--- 400 from the National Waiting List
Further breakdown:
For the 355 Service connected appointments, they are from this pool of nominations:
--- 100 Presidential nominations
--- 85 from Regular Army components
--- 85 from Reserve Army components
--- 20 from ROTC and JROTC
--- ~15 for sons & daughters of deceased or 100% disabled veterans
--- UNLIMITED sons & daughters of Medal of Honor winners
From personal knowledge, I do know of some who have received nominations, but did not complete their file and finish their application. Also, some who are nominated are disqualified due to failure to pass their medical or CFA.
Here is how the funnel was filled:
539,107 in the list of prospects compiled from a number of sources (SAT/ACT, National Merit, sports, school records, inquiries)
36,959 were contacted in some way
10,000+ were inspired enough to open a candidate file
3,500+ were nominated
2,000+ were fully qualified
~1,600 were selected, and offered an appointment at the academy
~1,300 were enrolled
Some of you out there will wonder how the nominations offered match up with the other numbers mentioned above.
Recall that each Senator and Congressman can only have 5 active nominees actually enrolled at each service academy. It's not always one for each graduating class, but rather their nominations that are acted on can only result in 5 people attending the academy. I think this is called the primary nomination. Also recall that congressman and senators can nominate multiple people, up to 10 for each academy (I think that is right). Anyway, not every primary nominee actually makes it all the way thru the process, so the slots may get shuffled off to the National Waiting List for other applicants.
It's actually quite complicated. But the best way to view it is that the admissions team tries really hard to make sure that the best candidates are matched to the available slots.
When we visited the academy last year, we talked to some potential cadets who had received multiple nominations from their state.
I hope this info is useful to those on the quest for an appointment. Just remember neither a nomination, nor an offer of admission alone will get you into West Point. You need each component. And even if you are academically qualified, have passed the CFA, have been deemed qualified by DoDMERB, and have received a nomination, you still may not get offered an appointment. Why?
For everyone meeting all these requirements, the admissions staff assigns a score to your file, based on how well you did academically, on your essays, your ACT/SAT, your sports/clubs activities, your public service, your teacher recommendations, and on the CFA. Points are assigned for each, scores are compiled, and the applicants are ranked by the admissions board. The 1600 or so at the top are offered appointments, and around 1300 accept and are admitted. I'm not sure what score might result in an LOA. The scores are not revealed to the candidate.
Yes some people receive appointments, yet do not accept for a number of reasons. There are injuries; their are last minute changes of heart; there are even those who receive appointments to more than one academy.
I hope I have shed some light based on what I've learned over the past year. PM me if you would like me to email you a copy of the entire presentation, or I'll figure out how to attach a file if I can.
Also, if your state has a parent/graduate liaison organization, be sure to attend an AIM and get to know the liaison people for your state. Many of these "clubs" work with the regional admissions officer and help you navigate thru the process. The person assigned to my son has been quite helpful.
The USMA Admissions website does have a lot of information. Yes, a lot of information. Do spend the time reading everything. And read it more than once. If you are a potential cadet reading this message, get a parent, guardian, or advisor to help you with the process. At the recent AIMwe attended, the staff said the process is intentionally complicated to filter out the candidates who aren't really serious. Applying to an academy will be much harder than any college application.
In the meantime, My son, my wife, and I await progress in his quest for an appointment.