• Steps to Admission 

    Step 1. Apply Online

    Start your application to West Point by filling out a Candidate Questionnaire (CQ) online. The CQ opens each year in mid-January for high school juniors, and we encourage you to open a file as early as possible. You must meet the general qualifications below and have a Social Security Number to start a file. An Admissions officer will review your file and notify you if you are qualified to compete for an offer of admission.

    General Qualifications

    Candidates must meet the following basic eligibility requirements to apply to West Point:

    • Be at least 17, but not 23 or older, on July 1 of the year you enter West Point
    • Be a U.S. Citizen
    • Cannot be married
    • Cannot be pregnant
    • Cannot be legally responsible for child support

    For more information, check out the Before You Start Your Application page. 

    Step 2. Contact Your Field Force Representative

    West Point Field Force members are volunteer Admissions representatives of the U.S. Military Academy in your local area. Field Force members are an invaluable source of information for navigating the application process at West Point. Find your Field Force representative today! 

     

    Step 3. Attend the Summer Leaders Experience

    The  Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) is an optional, week long, immersive experience in all four pillars of development at West Point. You'll experience academic seminars, military training, physical fitness, and character development at the world's preeminent leader development institution. SLE is not a requirement for admission to West Point, but we do encourage you to apply for the program so you can be sure that West Point is the place for you. 

    (The application portal is open for high school juniors between January 15 and March 15.)

    Step 4. Apply For A Nomination 

    Cadet Candidates must have a nomination to attend the U.S. Military Academy. There are two types of nomination: Congressional (either your Representative or one of your State’s Senators) or Service-Connected. We recommend applying for nominations in the spring of your high school junior year, and applying for every nomination you are eligible for (one Representative, two Senators, plus the Vice President is four opportunities). Each nominating source controls its own process and timeline, however, your nomination is due to West Point by 31 January of the year you would enter.

    Step 5. Complete Tests

    Cadet candidates must complete and submit the results of several tests to remain competitive for appointment to West Point:

    • Medical Exam (DODMERB)
    • Candidate Fitness Assessment
    • SAT or ACT with Writing Portion
     

    Medical Exam

    The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board, known as “DoDMERB,” will send you a letter with the location and date of your exam. The location is a civilian medical facility or at an Army, Air Force, or Navy facility if one is near your home. After your exam, the DoDMERB forwards the test results to you.

    You can track your medical status here. 

    TIP: Take your medical exam as soon as possible! It can take several months to get qualified if more information is needed following your exam. If you haven’t been scheduled by DoDMERB by the fall of your high school senior year, contact your regional Admissions Officer.

     

    Candidate Fitness Assessment

    Your CFA must be administered by a qualified individual, typically your physical education (PE) teacher. If you meet initial qualification from the CQ, the Admissions Office will send you a link to the Candidate Kit which has the test form and instructions in PDF format. The CFA consists of six events:

    • Basketball throw (from a kneeling position)
    • Cadence pull-ups or flexed-arm hang (women's option)
    • 40-yard shuttle run (for time)
    • Abdominal crunches (number completed in 2 minutes)
    • Push-ups (number completed in 2 minutes)
    • 1-mile run (for time)

    Your grader will submit your score sheet online to the Admissions Office.

    Who can administer the CFA besides my PE teacher?

    • Military Academy Liaison Officers
    • Military Officers or Non-commissioned Officers
    • Professors of Military Science
    • JROTC Instructors

    TIP:  Prepare for the CFA by practicing the six test areas. Running, general conditioning exercises, and competitive sports will also strengthen your abilities. Visit the Department of Physical Education's page for additional fitness preparation information.

     

    SAT or ACT with Writing Portion

    The tests must be timed and include a writing score. The SAT includes a writing exam, but if you’re registering for the ACT, select the "ACT Plus Writing" exam to be considered for admission.

    TIP:  Take the tests as many times as practicable. We will super-score your standardized tests.

     

    Interview

    All candidates require an interview as part of their application.  You will be contacted by a West Point Admissions Field Force representative to schedule the interview.

    TIP:  Dress as you would for a job interview.

     

    Step 6. Schedule A Visit

    If you haven't already, now is the time to come see for yourself what makes West Point one of the nation's best institutions for undergraduate education and leader development! Visits during the academic year include:

    • Cadet life briefing with a first year cadet
    • Walking tour with a cadet
    • Attending a class
    • Lunch in the cadet mess
    • Admissions information briefing
    • Parents club information briefing
    • Individual file assessment with an Admissions Officer

    Step 7. Ensure Your File is Complete

    You are competing against the nation's top tier of high school students for an offer of admission - there’s no room for “oops!” Stay on top of your file by frequently checking your Candidate Portal for notifications or updates on your application status. Make sure you have uploaded all the required documents. West Point does not offer rolling admissions, so deadlines are important. Files must be complete by January 31st of the year you are applying to enter. Required documents include:

    • Transcripts
    • School official evaluation
    • Candidate statement
    • Candidate Fitness Assessment
    • Medical Exam (DODMERB)
    • Nominations
    • Interview

    Have you sent all of your nomination requests? Did you meet their deadlines?
    Have your ACT and/or SAT scores been sent to us?
    Have you completed the forms in your candidate kit?
    Are you practicing the six performance areas for your Candidate Fitness Assessment?
    Have you had the Qualifying Medical Examination (DODMERB)?