Directorate of Admissions Major Jon Belmont Updated as

Directorate of Admissions Major Jon Belmont Updated as of: 11 Nov 2011

admissions. westpoint. edu jonathan. belmont@usma. edu (845) 938 -5721 catherine. muller@usma. edu (845) 938 -5753 sheila. murry@usma. edu (845) 938 -7580 FAX: (845) 938 -3021

THE PROFESSION OF ARMS A PROFESSION, not just an OCCUPATION -Lengthy, Intense, Specialized training -Self-government… we perform a crucial role for society -Selfless service – part of something more important than ourselves FIVE BRANCHES OF UNIFORMED SERVICE -Army -Navy (& Marines) -Air Force -Coast Guard (Dept of Homeland Security) -Merchant Marine (Dept of Transportation) 3

OFFICERSHIP vs. ENLISTMENT TWO TO THREE “TIERS” WITHIN EACH BRANCH -Enlisted / Non-Commissioned Officer – The DOERS -Warrant Officers – The TECHNICAL EXPERTS -Officers – The LEADERS / PLANNERS OFFICER = LEADER of the other ranks of the armed services (Junior enlisted, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Warrant Officers) FOUR PATHS TO OFFICERSHIP -Service Academy (aka “the volume knob is stuck at ELEVEN”) -Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC in one word: FLEXIBILITY) -Officer Candidate School (“Green to Gold” or you already have a degree) -Direct Commissioning Program (medical/legal/religious professionals) 4

West Point Mission To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army. Educate Train Inspire

The Recruiting Funnel What is our workload? find PROSPECTS: Quality students everywhere inform LEADS: Students interested inspire CANDIDATES: Open files 539, 107 36, 959 10, 000+ NOMINATED 3, 500+ QUALIFY QUALIFIED 2, 000+ SELECT OFFERS ~1, 600 inform ACCEPTS ~1, 300 inspire NEW CADETS ~1, 30 0

Four “pieces of the puzzle” Qualify Academica lly Obtain a Nominatio n Earn a Cadet Appointm ent Qualify Physicall y Qualify Medicall y

Whole Candidate Concept ACADEMIC ABILITY 60% CADET LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL 30% CANDIDATE FITNESS ASSESSME NT 10% West Point seeks well-rounded young people who demonstrate excellent academic ability, leadership potential, and overall fitness.

A College degree in one hand…

… A “License to Lead” in the other!

ULYSSES S. GRANT Class of 1843 JOHN J. PERSHING Class of 1886 DOUGLAS MACARTHUR Class of 1903 DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Class of 1915 “Much of the history we teach was made by people we taught. ” JOHN P. ABIZAID Class of 1973 DAVID PETRAEUS Class of 1974 LLOYD AUSTIN Class of 1975 RAYMOND ODIERNO Class of 1976

• 2 U. S. Presidents • 4 Heads of State • 4 Five-Star Generals • 88 Rhodes Scholars • 18 U. S. Cabinet Members • 37 Governors of States or Territories • 33 Members of Congress • 16 Ambassadors • 18 Astronauts • 23 University/ College Founders or Presidents JAMES KIMSEY Co-founder AOL Class of ‘ 62 JACK REED Senator from RI Class of ‘ 71 ERIC SHINSEKI MIKE KRZYZEWSKI Secretary Veteran Affairs Coach at Duke Class of ‘ 65 Class of ‘ 69 BOB MCDONALD Procter & Gamble CEO Class of ‘ 75 BUZZ ALDRIN Apollo 11 Class of ‘ 51

The West Point Experience – Military Academy – Honor Code – Senior Class Responsible for Leadership – Summer Training – Broad Academic Experience – Activities – Financial Independence – Army Career Opportunities

Elements of Excellence – Whole Person Development • • Leadership Education Small Classes, Excellent Faculty Spiritual and Physical Development – Support System • • Field Force Sponsor Program Parents Clubs West Point Societies – Academic Achievement • 90% with Graduate Degrees • Rhodes, Marshall, and Hertz Scholars

National Scholarships Rhodes (since 1923) Marshall (since 1982) Harvard 323 Yale Princeto n USMA 217 Stanford 82 : 192 88 : USNA 45 USAFA 35 Harvard Princeto n Stanford Yale MIT Brown USMA : USNA USAFA 112 64 54 49 45 43 33 : 23 10 Hertz (since 1969) MIT 99 Stanford Princeto n USMA Harvard USAFA : Yale USNA 62 40 37 36 28 : 14 9 As of October 2011 Source: www. dean. usma. edu/scholarships

Sustained Excellence In 2011, West Point is receiving rave reviews: w #3 COLLEGE in America-Only Service Academy in Top 6 in past 3 years Forbes. com w #1 PUBLIC LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE in America 4 Years in a row U. S. News & World Report w TOP 10% of UNIVERSITIES in America State. University. com w #3 among BEST UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING PROGRAMS in America* U. S. News & World Report * At schools whose highest degree is a bachelor's or master's

Academic Program The Curriculum 10 -14 Electives for Major 8 Military Science 7 Physical Education 16 Courses in Humanities, Behavioral Sciences, and Social Sciences The Core 11 Courses in Math, Basic Sciences, and Information Technology 3 Courses in an Engineering Sequence

Academic Program The Curriculum Fourth Class “Plebe” Mathematical Modeling Chemistry I Psychology History Composition Calculus I Chemistry II Info Tech I History Literature Third Class “Yearling” Calculus II Physics I Philosophy American Politics Foreign Language Probability & Statistics Physics II Physical Geography Economics Foreign Language Engineering Sequence #1 Info Tech II Elective Engineering Sequence #2 Elective Advanced Composition Elective for Major Engineering Sequence #3 Elective Law History of Military Art Elective for Major Elective Elective History of Military Art Elective for Major Second Class “Cow” First Class “Firstie” International Military Relations Leadership Elective for Major

ACADEMIC MAJORS 45 total to include… – – – – Arabic, Chinese, and Russian Art, Philosophy, and Literature Civil and Mechanical Engineering Defense and Strategic Studies Economics Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering History International Relations Kinesiology Life Sciences (pre-med) Management Operations Research (Math) Physics Psychology Systems Engineering

FACULTY • 55% Active Army officers on 3 -4 year assignment • 27% civilian professors • 18% Active Army officers permanently assigned to the United States Military Academy

Military Program 4 th Class – Freshman – “Plebe” w 7 -Week Cadet Basic Training (General Military Skills) w Marksmanship Fundamentals & First Aid w Mountaineering & Obstacle course w Physical Training & Foot Marches w 6 Nights in the Field w New Cadets formally accepted into the Corps 3 rd Class – Sophomore – “Yearling” w 4 -Week Cadet Field Training: Buckner & Fort Knox w Marksmanship & Land Navigation w Mounted Operations & Patrolling w 5 Nights in the Field w General Military Instruction w 4 -Week block for Individual Advanced Development

Military Program 2 nd Class – Junior – “Cow” w Second Class Detail (CBT or CFT) w Cadet Troop / Drill Cadet Leader Training w Individual Advanced Development w Military / Academic / Physical w Military Leadership Courses w Corps NCO Leadership 1 st Class – Senior – “Firstie” w First Class Detail (CBT or CFT) w 4 -Week Cadet Leader Development Training w 6 x 3 -Day Committees (Plan, Rehearse, Execute Model) w 17 Nights in the Field w Individual Advanced Development w Military Leadership Courses w Corps Officer Leadership

CULTURAL EDUCATION Individual Advanced Development – Semester Abroad: 140 Cadets studied language/culture in 10 nations including Egypt, Morocco, China, Germany, Russia, and France – Over 300 developmental programs for summer enrichment: • 60+ cultural immersion opportunities • 200+ opportunities supporting Army research • 30+ opportunities with federal agencies and congressional offices (White House, CIA, NASA) • 30+ with the Army and Department of Defense

Physical Program BEST program in the Country! 4 th Class – Freshman – “Plebe” w Boxing; Combatives w Military Movement 3 rd Class – Sophomore – “Yearling” w Fitness Leadership I w Close Quarters Combat In addition to classes, every cadet must participate in a competitive sport 2 nd Class – Junior – “Cow” w Fitness Leadership II w Survival Swimming w Lifetime Sport (Elective) 1 st Class – Senior – “Firstie” w Lifetime Sport (Required)

Athletic Program Every Cadet an Athlete, Every Athlete Challenged Company Athletics Competitive Clubs NCAA (Corps Squad) # Sports 14 27 23 % of Corps 60% 14% 26% “Upon the fields of friendly strife, are sown the seeds that upon other fields, on other days, will bear the fruits of victory. ” - GEN Douglas Mac. Arthur

TYPICAL CADET DAY Class or Study Time 0600 0705 Breakfast Formation Class or Study Time 1155 1250 Lunch Formation 1615 Dinner 1830 Intramural, Club or Intercollegiate Athletics Taps 1930 2330 Evening Study Period 2400 Lights Out

The Candidate

Evaluation Process – Academic (60%) • High School Rank • SAT and/or ACT – NOTE: Must take ACT Writing Test • Transcript – Leadership (30%) • Extracurricular Activities • Athletic Participation • Faculty Appraisals – Candidate Fitness Assessment (10%) • Modified Sit-Ups • Basketball Throw • Push-Ups • Pull-Ups • 40 -Yard Shuttle Run • 1 -Mile Run

Academic Preparation Recommended English 4 Years Mathematics (including Trigonometry and Pre. Calculus) 4 Years Laboratory Science 2 Years Foreign Language 2 Years United States History 1 Year Computer Technology 1 Year

Cadet Profile: Class of 2015 Top 20% of High School Class 71% Valedictorians 8% Salutatorians 4% National Merit Scholarship Recognition 18% National Honor Society 60% Boys/Girls State 17% Class or Student Body President 19% Scouting Participant 36% Eagle Scout or Gold Award Winner 13% Varsity Letter Winners 87% Team Captain 62% Mean SAT: Verbal - 627, Math - 646 Mean ACT: English - 29, Math - 29, Sci/Reas - 28, Reading - 30

Steps To West Point The Admissions Process NUMBER OF CANDIDATES ~1, 300 2, 500+ TIME OF ACTION Report as a Cadet JULY OF YEAR OF ADMISSION Visit West Point Await evaluation and status Complete testing 3, 500+ Obtain nomination WINTER OF SENIOR YEAR Complete USMA Forms Apply for a Nomination 10, 000+ Start a File at West Point Determine whether you meet the basic requirements SPRING OF JUNIOR YEAR

Academic and Physical Qualification • Personal Data Record • Request for Transcript • SAT/ACT Scores • NOTE: Must take ACT Writing Test • Class Rank • Grade Point Average • School Official Evaluations (SOE) • English, Math, & Chemistry or Physics • Essay / Candidate Statement • Candidate Activities Record • Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA)

Medical Qualification – Medical Qualifications: • Good physical and mental health • Pass a Qualifying Medical Exam – Do. DMERB and YOU!!!!! • QUALIFIED • REMEDIAL • DISQUALIFIED – Medical Waivers • Case by Case Basis

Obtain a Nomination Congressional w Each Member of Congress is authorized five (5) Cadet Appointments at West Point at any one time. w Each Member may nominate up to ten (10) young people to fill each vacancy. w The Vice President has five (5) Cadet Appointments for applicants from the United States at large. Contact Congressional offices EARLY; each member has his/her own time schedule & process

Obtain a Nomination Service-Connected w Presidential: Sons & Daughters of career military personnel w Regular Army & Reserve Components w ROTC & JROTC Schools w Sons & Daughters of deceased & 100% disabled veterans w Sons & Daughters of Medal of Honor awardees 100 85, 85 20 ~15 Unlimited

Obtain a Nomination – Nominations are due to West Point no later than 31 January – Make the best impression possible; be prepared for your interview – Be aggressive in pursuing nominations! – A Nomination is NOT an Appointment

Earn a Cadet Appointment – Files must be complete by 28 February unless otherwise noted in official correspondence • Rolling Admissions • Early Completion means Early Qualification – Majority of offers in Jan-Feb-March – Each nomination allows you to compete with the pool of Candidates that have earned the same nomination as you – The more places you compete, the better – You also compete on a National Level (National Waiting List)

Filling the Class Qualified and Nominated Congressio nal 536 + Service Connected 355 + National Waiting List ~400 CLASS OF 2016 ~1, 300

Visit West Point – Candidate Orientation Visits • available Monday through Friday during the academic year • Daily Visits: for students who are at least in their sophomore year of high school • Overnight Visits: for those who are competitive for an offer of admission – Visits are cadet-escorted and offer a real “inside look” at the Academy To set up a visit sign-up online or call 845 -938 -5760

Report as a New Cadet – Reception Day (“R-Day”) – Come prepared • physically • mentally • emotionally – We will provide you with lots of information • read it! • share it!

No Surprises – Read monthly mailings • Letter from Honor Chairman • Description of Summer Training • Superintendent’s Video – Explore www. westpoint. edu • Books, Magazines, Documentaries – Ask Questions • Regional Commander • Field Force members • Local Area Cadets and Graduates – Visit West Point

Reasons for Coming to West Point Class of 2015 Reason Overall % Desire to be an Army Officer 30 Self-Development 18 USMA’s Overall Reputation 16 Leadership Training 14 Academic Program 13 Other: Athletics 5 Family Influences 2 Economics 2

Graduation Rates* Selected “Best National Universities” & Military Academies Institution % Graduated Harvard University 98 Princeton University 97 University of Notre Dame 95 Stanford University 94 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 94 University of Chicago 91 Vanderbilt 88 United States Military Academy 81** United States Air Force Academy 81 Texas A&M 77 University of Texas at Austin 75 Ohio State 71 Average: Tier I Universities 76*** * Average of ‘ 05 actual graduation rates (six year average) ** The USMA graduation rate excludes Cadet Basic Training losses *** Average is based on ‘ 05 graduation rates for top 126 National Universities (source USNews)

Admissions Strategy – Apply to all available nomination sources Early – Complete Candidate Kit Early – Take ACT and/or SAT multiple times; if taking the ACT, USMA requires you to take the optional Writing Test – Practice for the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) – Prepare file carefully with emphasis on the Personal Statement – Fully Qualified Non-Select – Consider ROTC in addition to West Point – Make the Admissions Decision that is Right for YOU

Admissions Geographic Regions Northeast Admissions Team Far West Admissions Team MAJ Andrew Dermanoski Mrs. Zulma Melvin Ms. Laura Lanier (845) 938 -5719 Andrew. Dermanoski@usma. edu AK WA Great Lakes Admissions Team MAJ Brendan O’Hern Mrs. Amy Rosado Ms. Heather Fox (845) 938 -5728 Brendan. OHern@usma. edu ME VT NH ND ID MN WI SD IA NE DE OH IL IN MAJ Burns MAJ Belmont WV MD VA CO KS NC MO TN HI Minority Recruiting MAJ Michael Burns OK NM Mrs. Maureen Velez (845) 938 -5720 Michael. Burns@usma. edu SC AR MS TX AL GA MAJ Tolman LA FL ODIA & Congressional Liaison MAJ Matthew Childers Ms. Joyce Adams (845) 938 -5723 Matthew. Childers@usma. edu Southwest Admissions Team MAJ Mark Mc. Clellan Ms. Gladys Grady (845) 938 -5717 Mark. Mc. Clellan@usma. edu MAJ Liebhaber Southeast Admissions Team MAJ Tom Tolman Mrs. Jodi Hendrickson Mrs. Pat Adams (845) 938 -5726 Tom. Tolman@usma. edu MAJ Childers USMAPS & WPPSP MAJ Ryan Liebhaber Mrs. Reeva Johnson Ms. Kathleen Carrillo (845) 938 -5780 Ryan. Liebhaber@usma. edu RI NJ KY AZ CT PA MI NV UT MA NY WY CA MAJ O’Hern MT MAJ Dermanoski OR MAJ Jonathan Belmont Ms. Cathy Rush Ms. Sheila Murry (845) 938 -5721 Jonathan. Belmont@usma. edu MAJ Mc. Clellan Emails: firstname. lastname@usma. edu Website: http: //Admissions. West. Point. edu/

Outreach Geographic Organization Academic Year 2011/2012

Class of 2011 w 1049 Graduates* – 1031 Army commissions – 2 Inter-service transfers – 10 International Officers – 6 medical non-commissioned w Infantry: 26% of men w Combat Arms: 73% of class – 81% of men – 32% of women w Branch detail: 6% of class – 8% of men – 0% of women w ADSO: 46% of class – 48% of men – 35% of women *As of 1 Sept 2011