About Bill Taylor Expertise I can answer questions about admissions to West Point; about the history of West Point; about how to travel to West Point, where to eat, where to stay, etc.; and about West Point`s alumni organization, the West Point Association of Graduates.
Experience I am a 1970 Graduate of West Point. I served six years on active duty and another 8 years in the active reserve. I have been actively involved as a Field Admissions Representative for over 15 years and have participated on my Congressman's Academy Selection Panel for over 20 years. I am actively involved in West Point Alumni affairs, serving in roles both with the West Point Association of Graduates and the local alumni chapter in Annapolis, MD. I also have two sons who graduated from West Point in 1995 and 2001. Both are veterans of the Iraq war and continue to serve on Active Duty in the Army.
Question I am a senior and a current candidate of the United States Military Academy. I attend a very challenging high school that has been consistently ranked among the top 5 in the country. Every course I take is IB/AP and I have a 3.8 weighted GPA. My class rank is roughly 160/320, which I know is not close to the expected class rank of most candidates. My class started with 475 kids but we have had many drop out, and this has been one reason my class rank has suffered. Will admissions take this factor into account?
I also have a 2170 on the SAT (690 Verbal, 680 Math, and 800 writing). I am captain of both my club and school soccer team, I have acquired many community service hours, and am the vice-president of a school club. I expect to do very well on my CFA. Is my class rank too much of an issue to be overcome?
Answer Hi, Walter, it's good to hear from you. Thanks for your interest in West Point.
While class rank may be the most important measure predicting academic success at West Point, your current ranking is by no means disqualifying. The nature of your high school is taken into account and they look closely at the percentage of graduates that go on to a four year college. Those figures for your school should help you in your evaluation.
As to the SAT, only the verbal and math are considered. Your score of 1370 is around 100 points above the incoming class average. That is certainly good for your candidacy.
So, to answer you directly, the class rank issue can certainly be overcome and your SAT scores help a lot in that regard. You didn't mention athletics, but having that balance is important to maximizing your competitive position. Earning a varsity letter is the key achievement they look for, so work hard to achieve that if you have not done so already.
