The West Point Admissions Process

The Parental Role -- How You Can Help

Be your candidate's XO, their Executive Officer

  • Monitor their calendar

  • Oversee their checklist

  • Have regular meetings to discuss progress and identify research needs

  • Gather useful materials to inform your son or daughter

  • Support a visit if it is in your budget and you get a Letter of Assurance or Appointment

  • Proofread and provide constructive criticism of letters and essays that are to be submitted to USMA or their Senators, Representative or Vice-President

  • Keep copies of everything

  • Respect the fine line between assisting and doing--your candidate needs to own the process

DoDMERB Medical Qualification

  • Schedule and support early completion of the DoDMERB process

  • Respond to letters requesting further information, tests or records ASAP

  • Many disqualifications can be changed to qualified with persistence

  • Contact your Admissions Field Force representative ASAP with any problems

Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA)

  • Help with practicing, timing, measuring, encouraging

Due Diligence: encourage full knowledge of all aspects of the decision

  • Your son or daughter should explore what West Point is all about, how West Point accomplishes its mission, why West Point operates as it does, what to expect at West Point and in the Army

  • They should explore alternatives -- Always have a plan B

    • ROTC program
    • USMAPS-USMA Preparatory School
    • The enlisted soldier's path to West Point
    • Civil Prep School scholarships from the AOG
    • Applying next year -- improving scores
    • Civilian college alternatives -- with or without ROTC
  • Ultimately your candidate should be convinced that this is their choice and should have many strong reasons to join the Long Gray Line.  There will be many times when that decision is questioned and your child must reach within and answer the question why?  If they own the decision and have the internal motivation then they will get through all the tough times.

Be a Cheer Leader

  • Inspire them to do their best

  • Recognize their hard work and efforts

  • Help them find answers to questions they have

  • Urge them to use the many resources such as Prospective-Net, their Field Force contact, the Far West Regional Commander (CPT Meeks), their high school counselor, the USMA website, the WA-FF website

  • Provide transportation when needed

  • Listen, Listen, Listen

  • Support their decisions

No one to act as XO? Ask your Field Force contact for help!