West Point Struggles to Fill Ranks

Qualified candidates dwindling

By Alexa James
Times Herald
WEST POINT — While the volume of applications to the U.S. Military Academy is on the rise, the number of qualified contenders to choose from is shrinking.
The reason for the disparity isn't grades or test scores or extracurricular accolades. The problem is physical fitness: An increasing number of applicants are out of shape or taking potentially disqualifying medications for conditions such as asthma or attention-deficit disorder.
"The youth in America are becoming heavier and heavier and, in some cases, obese," said Col. Deborah McDonald, West Point's director of admissions.WEST POINT — While the volume of applications to the U.S. Military Academy is on the rise, the number of qualified contenders to choose from is shrinking.

Her office has received more than 11,000 applications for the Class of 2013. That's 10 percent more than last year. Still, McDonald has concerns about filling the ranks. Last year, fewer than 2,000 met West Point's standards. "I do see a problem," she said, considering West Point will extend offers to as many as 1,600 applicants.Her office has received more than 11,000 applications for the Class of 2013. That's 10 percent more than last year. Still, McDonald has concerns about filling the ranks. Last year, fewer than 2,000 met West Point's standards. "I do see a problem," she said, considering West Point will extend offers to as many as 1,600 applicants.
The reason for the disparity isn't grades or test scores or extracurricular accolades. The problem is physical fitness: An increasing number of applicants are out of shape or taking potentially disqualifying medications for conditions such as asthma or attention-deficit disorder.
"The youth in America are becoming heavier and heavier and, in some cases, obese," said Col. Deborah McDonald, West Point's director of admissions.

West Point's student body of about 4,400 cadets balances a high-pressure mix of academic and military training. Cadets pursue bachelor's degrees on par with those of the Ivy League while training for five-year commitments as Army officers. Tuition — worth about $202,000 over four years — is free in exchange for service.
In tough economic times, it's not unusual for West Point to garner more interest, but to increase its presence among America's best and brightest, the Academy is implementing a host of changes to make its grueling, 18-month application process easier to complete.
Next year, the entire application will be available online. West Point is also retooling its Web site with new recruiting videos, including one targeting minority students.
The Class of 2013 has attracted larger numbers of minority applicants. Hispanic candidates are up 9 percent, and the African-American pool, which has been West Point's biggest challenge, is also increasing.
Admissions officials worked hard last year to build stronger relationships among minority members of Congress. The application requires a nomination from a senator or representative, so West Point staff met with minority caucus members on Capitol Hill to discuss the process. The face-time seemed to work.
"Our African-American nominations are up by 15 percent and congressional black caucus nominations are up by 50 percent," McDonald said.
West Point has begun extending offers of admission for the Class of 2013. Pine Bush senior Opeyemi Ifafore, 17, is among hundreds waiting for word.
"It's a great education," she said. West Point's discipline and leadership training is the experience she's looking for. "I know it's going to be tough," she said. "It's worth it."
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Top military schools report applicant rise

ANNAPOLIS, Md., June 18 (UPI) -- Officials at three of the top U.S. military academies say they are enjoying a boost in applications thanks in part to the economic downturn.

Officials at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, along with the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., have confirmed application increases for the incoming Class of 2013, The New York Times said Thursday.

The military academy officials also credited the application increases to the declining number of casualties in Iraq and aggressive marketing efforts.

The Naval Academy has enjoyed the most significant increase in applications with 15,342 individuals applying for the chance to be among the nearly 1,240 Class of 2013 cadets. The application tally was the highest for the Maryland academy since 1988.

Meanwhile, West Point in Orange County, N.Y., received 11,106 applications for its nearly 1,320 open places in the incoming class. The Air Force Academy has nearly 1,350 class places available and received 9,890 applications.

The Times said the West Point and Air Force academy tallies marked a 9.6 percent and 10 percent increase, respectively, compared with last year's application totals.

I agree and disagree at the same time

Why We Should Get Rid of West Point

By Thomas E. Ricks

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Want to trim the federal budget and improve the military at the same time? Shut down West Point, Annapolis and the Air Force Academy, and use some of the savings to expand ROTC scholarships.

After covering the U.S. military for nearly two decades, I've concluded that graduates of the service academies don't stand out compared to other officers. Yet producing them is more than twice as expensive as taking in graduates of civilian schools ($300,000 per West Point product vs. $130,000 for ROTC student). On top of the economic advantage, I've been told by some commanders that they prefer officers who come out of ROTC programs, because they tend to be better educated and less cynical about the military.

This is no knock on the academies' graduates. They are crackerjack smart and dedicated to national service. They remind me of the best of the Ivy League, but too often they're getting community-college educations. Although West Point's history and social science departments provided much intellectual firepower in rethinking the U.S. approach to Iraq, most of West Point's faculty lacks doctorates. Why not send young people to more rigorous institutions on full scholarships, and then, upon graduation, give them a military education at a short-term military school? Not only do ROTC graduates make fine officers -- three of the last six chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reached the military that way -- they also would be educated alongside future doctors, judges, teachers, executives, mayors and members of Congress. That would be good for both the military and the society it protects.

What do you think?