The Blueprint of WCS and it's Significance: The Rand Report

Thanks for sharing! Time to pull up a chair and pour a cup of coffee!! Here's the first paragraph, as a teaser!


This report answers two key questions by examining the relationship between pre-admission information on applicants to the United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA) and two subsequent outcomes. First, do applicants with better results on USMA’s “whole candidate score” (WCS), a major element in admissions decisions, have a greater probability of graduating? Second, do applicants with higher WCSs have a greater probability of remaining in the U.S. Army and being promoted to lieutenant colonel? These outcomes are important because when a cadet enters but does not graduate, he or she fills a class seat that could have been filled by someone else who might have graduated, and the cost cannot be recouped.
 
GADestiny said:
Attention all Parents:

I came upon this valuable information by the Rand Corp. pertaining to Whole Candidate Score (WCS).

Ever wonder how WP selects their candidate? ... Read this report!

If you have loved ones that are interested in attending SA... this is a "must read."

Good luck and God bless!

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The Rand study has been referenced here many times. Keep a balanced perspective, as the data is now 20+ years old, things do change and evolve, and may or may not resemble the approaches and factors used by other SAs.

It is useful to get a general idea of the method, but not as a “cookbook” to build a résumé.
 
Interesting but it doesn't discuss prep students beyond MAPS or college re-applicants, which I understand make up upwards of a third of a class. I would agree that the data is probably dated so its observations have to be appropriately discounted.
 
BunkerDog1 said:
Interesting but it doesn't discuss prep students beyond MAPS or college re-applicants, which I understand make up upwards of a third of a class. I would agree that the data is probably dated so its observations have to be appropriately discounted.
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You are correct... the RAND research does not specifically discuss "prep students beyond MAPS," nor "college re-applicants."

Hopeful Plebe Mom above c/c the thesis and the goal of the RAND research so this study is very targeted and specific.

Folks... I'm all for informative, positive news and positive encouragement for our next generation.

I see too many negative comments and negative spirits and downright complaints by parents who really cause more harm than good on this valuable SA Forum.

Yes, this RAND research study is dated but it does not mean it's dead.

My '69 Datsun Roadster paved the way so today we can have cars like the Nissan GT-R... and my '69 is still a sweet ride today.

The RAND research was very important information for those folks when it was first published and it is still a very good study of the WCS today.

Let's hold off the unreasonable criticisms and the negative comments and contribute to this SA Forum with a positive attitude and show some love for our future officers by carefully thinking twice about the comments we write. ❤
 
More than 20 year old data. So use it as a guide to understanding how WCS might be framed rather than as a fact in how things are done.
It is 'discovered' annually.
Best wishes to your kids with their applications. Again, understanding WCS has less to do with admissions than preparing for and submitting a strong and complete application.
The truth is, if your kid is applying this year, with the deadline at the end of the week...this simply does not matter. There is nothing that can be done now to influence your kid's WCS--item by item (maybe he or she can squeeze in an improved CFT) takes more than a month or two (SATs, GPA, leadership, varsity letter, Eagle Scout...it is too late to change it. ).
So, in what might be the long few months ahead waiting for the BFE to arrive, it is more important to focus on spending time with your child. He or she won't be home next year regardless of his or her admissions status to USMA. Enjoy these days. Don't torture yourself with 'maybe's and speculation because you can...other colleges keep the process a mystery. Don't try to game it. Just enjoy your time with your kid.
 
My daughter mentioned to me that she does not think her WCS was all that suggestive that the Rand Report remains an accurate barometer of current WCS scoring. I haven’t read it so when she said it, I barely knew what she was talking about. I think her observations support the “don’t torture yourself” notion. For those unaware, at some point Cadets see their WCS.
 
GADestiny said:
You are correct... the RAND research does not specifically discuss "prep students beyond MAPS," nor "college re-applicants."

Hopeful Plebe Mom above c/c the thesis and the goal of the RAND research so this study is very targeted and specific.

Folks... I'm all for informative, positive news and positive encouragement for our next generation.

I see too many negative comments and negative spirits and downright complaints by parents who really cause more harm than good on this valuable SA Forum.

Yes, this RAND research study is dated but it does not mean it's dead.

My '69 Datsun Roadster paved the way so today we can have cars like the Nissan GT-R... and my '69 is still a sweet ride today.

The RAND research was very important information for those folks when it was first published and it is still a very good study of the WCS today.

Let's hold off the unreasonable criticisms and the negative comments and contribute to this SA Forum with a positive attitude and show some love for our future officers by carefully thinking twice about the comments we write. ❤
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My apologies if my comments were interpreted as negative and an unreasonable criticism. I don't view them as criticism. I was merely pointing out the study's limitations, and like all studies, should be considered in proper context. It provides additional data points that are very useful and helpful in further understanding the application evaluation process and success rates of the SA graduates. But that doesn't mean it shouldn't be viewed without recognizing its limitations.
 
If it's of any use, you can see your WCS and the percentile score once you become a cadet; I've got friends here who are in the 20th percentile and the 90th percentile. Definitely not the only factor in admissions.
 
Of note in this thread as we discuss WCS for Class of 2025, Colonel McDonald also stated in the recent all academy briefing two important changes:
1. they are using GPA instead of class rank
2. FF interviews are required
 
ORArmyMom said:
Of note in this thread as we discuss WCS for Class of 2025, Colonel McDonald also stated in the recent all academy briefing two important changes:
1. they are using GPA instead of class rank
2. FF interviews are required
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I can see why, many schools who are academically advanced chose not to rank beyond 1-2
They send a school profile so that the gpa can be put into context
 
MNRC2018 said:
I can see why, many schools who are academically advanced chose not to rank beyond 1-2
They send a school profile so that the gpa can be put into context
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Yes, and it makes sense to have an old grad talk to a candidate to help evaluate if they would be a good fit for WP.
 
More on the Importance and how Admissions "judges" candidates based on the Whole Candidate Score (WCS)

Primary Source: https://www.west-point.org/academy/malo-wa/educators/faqs.html

Excerpt:

Whole candidate score - that by which USMA admissions judges the candidate is made up as follows: 60% academic, 30% leadership and 10% PAE. The 60% academic is comprised of the SAT/ACTs, the candidate's transcript and the level of difficulty of courses the candidate has taken, and the level of competitiveness of the candidate's school. The 30% leadership comes from extracurricular activities, athletic activities, community service activities, teacher recommendations and the interview conducted by the field force officer. The 10% PAE is the physical aptitude test referred to above.
 
dddad said:
My daughter mentioned to me that she does not think her WCS was all that suggestive that the Rand Report remains an accurate barometer of current WCS scoring. I haven’t read it so when she said it, I barely knew what she was talking about. I think her observations support the “don’t torture yourself” notion. For those unaware, at some point Cadets see their WCS.
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At what point do they see their wcs? Curious?
 
MNRC2018 said:
Sort of sad they did not do this for this year
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The Field Force is reaching out to candidates that are deemed competitive to complete an interview. If you attended SLE, you have an interview on file and one does not need to be repeated.
 
USMA 1994 said:
The Field Force is reaching out to candidates that are deemed competitive to complete an interview. If you attended SLE, you have an interview on file and one does not need to be repeated.
Click to expand...
My son has not had an interview. The rep for WP was on the panel that interviewed DS for his nomination, which he got. So I am not sure about that. I would think if he was getting an interview he would have heard by now since the deadline is in two days. He has gotten a 4 year ROTC and was interviewed for that.
 
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