Admissions Requirements

Your Path to United States Military Academy at West Point

What’s required and how to prepare

You’re not just applying to college. You’re stepping toward becoming an Army officer and a leader of character at West Point, a top-tier institution that provides a world-class, tuition-free education.

This page will help you answer three questions clearly:

Am I eligible?
Is this realistic for me?
What do I do first?

Take it one step at a time. We’ll guide you.

Start Here: Basic Eligibility

Before anything else, confirm the fundamentals.

To apply, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen
Be 17–22 years old on July 1 of the year of admission
Be unmarried
Have no legal obligation to support children

If you meet these, you’re eligible to begin.

Starting the application does not commit you. It simply opens your file.

Start your application

What It Takes to Be Competitive

West Point evaluates the whole person: academics, leadership, fitness, and character.

Academic Strength (≈60% of your score)

Competitive candidates typically demonstrate:

Strong high school GPA
Solid performance in math, science, and English
Completion of trigonometry or pre-calculus (minimum)
Completion of physics or chemistry (minimum)
Required: SAT, ACT, or CLT (superscored)
Official scores due by Jan. 31 of senior year

You don’t need perfect scores. Improvement over time matters.

Plan your test strategy

Leadership & Character

West Point looks for demonstrated leadership — not just participation.

Strong examples include:

Team captain
Student government
Eagle Scout / Girl Scout Gold Award
Boys/Girls State
Club leadership
Meaningful community service

Depth matters more than quantity.

Physical Fitness

All candidates must pass the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA):

Basketball throw
Pull-ups (or flexed-arm hang for female applicants)
Shuttle run
Modified sit-ups
Push-ups
One-mile run

We will give you feedback on the quality of your CFA results, and you may retake it as many times as you like.

View CFA prep guide

Medical Qualification

You must pass a medical exam through the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board(DoDMERB).

No cost to you
Scheduled after you become an official candidate
Must be completed before admission

Learn about the medical process

The 7-Step Application Path

Think of this as milestones — not hurdles.

Step 1: Start Your Application

Submit your online application and open your candidate file.

Step 2: Take Required Tests

ACT, SAT, or CLT (West Point superscores).

Step 3: Complete Your Candidate Checklist

Includes:

Official transcripts
Teacher evaluations (Math, English, Lab Science)
Essays
Activities record
Official test scores

Deadline: Jan. 31 of senior year

Step 4: Secure a Nomination

You must receive a nomination from an authorized source.

Most candidates apply to:

United States Senate (both Senators)
United States House of Representatives (your Representative)
Vice President of the United States

Each may nominate up to 15 applicants for every available vacancy at West Point.

Additional service-connected nominations may apply for:

Active-duty soldiers
ROTC members
Children of career military personnel

Apply to every source available to you.

Start nomination planning

Step 5: Complete the CFA

Schedule and submit official scores.

Step 6: Complete Medical Exam

Through the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) once notified.

Step 7: Monitor Your Portal

Your file is complete when all components are received.

Start your application
Contact Admissions

When to Take Steps: Timeline Snapshot

Junior Year

Feb 15: Application & SLE open
Spring: Begin CFA training
Spring: Research nomination deadlines

Summer

Attend Summer Leaders Experience (optional)
Begin medical exam process (after July 1)

Senior Year

Fall: Apply for nominations
Fall: Take CFA
Jan 31: Candidate Checklist deadline
Complete medical exam

View full admissions timeline

FAQs / Common Concerns

What if I’m not competitive yet?
Start now. Improve your grades. Retake tests. Seek leadership roles. Train physically. Growth matters.

Can I apply if I’m international?
Yes. International candidates must be nominated through their national government via coordination with the U.S. embassy.

I’m a current Soldier. Is my process different?
The steps are the same, but soldiers may receive command nominations and are automatically considered for the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS) if not directly admitted.

Do you accept transfer students?
No. All admitted students begin as first-year cadets.

Ready to Begin?

You don’t need to have everything figured out today.
You just need to start.

Starting early gives you:

Time to improve
Time to prepare physically
Time to secure nominations
More options

This is not about being perfect.
It’s about proving you’re ready to lead.

Start your journey toward the Long Gray Line.

Start your application
Contact your regional admissions officer

Virtual Academy Tour

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