If you’re heading to West Point as a cadet, congratulations!
You’re about to embark on the most rewarding and rigorous experience of your life so far. The U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, is one of America’s most prestigious military institutions of higher learning. For generations, West Point has been associated with developing cadets into capable soldiers. These days, the mission remains the same.
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Graduates sometimes refer to the academy as “Army” or “the Long Gray Line,” signifying the ties that bind all West Pointers.
Built by the Continental Army a mere 50 miles from New York City, West Point is nestled in the picturesque Hudson Valley. It sits high on cliffs overlooking the Hudson River. Of the five American military academies, West Point is the oldest.
West Point History
It got its start in 1778 as a fort.
After President Thomas Jefferson decided the country needed a military academy in 1801, West Point opened its doors a year later. These days, the campus is an official national landmark and its buildings draw large crowds of tourists who want to check out the oldest Army museum and the campus’ Norman-style buildings.
In any given semester, more than 4,000 cadets call West Point home. The garrison includes active-duty service members and families along with civilian contractors.
West Point was the first American college to have an accredited civil engineering program. It was also the first to have class rings, way back in 1835.
Notable Alumni
As you might expect, notable alumni from The Long Gray Line including military leaders, politicians, and others.
Famed generals like Ulysses S. Grant, John Pershing, and Norman Schwarzkopf were all once plebes at West Point.
Plenty of other notable leaders spent time at West Point, too. Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon, graduated in 1951. President Dwight D. Eisenhower graduated way back in 1915, and Douglas MacArthur, a Medal of Honor recipient, finished his studies at West Point in 1903.
Additionally, the academy routinely produces Marshall and Rhodes scholars. American poet Edgar Allen Poe attended West Point, as did the presidents of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and the Philippines.
How Future Cadets Get into West Point
Welcome to West Point: Inside the US Army's prestigious military academy
There’s no sugarcoating it. Admission to West Point is tough but not impossible.
On average, about 14,000 hopeful cadets apply each year. Of those, about 1,300 are appointed. When you step on campus, you’re a candidate. You can call yourself a West Pointer only after you graduate.
In order to apply, you need a nomination from a member of Congress, the president, or the vice president. The majority of nominations are congressional. Your state’s congressional representative or senator can offer a nomination.
You’ll need to write a letter. Most often, children of career military personnel and JROTC cadets have a better chance of receiving a service-connected nomination. Be sure you apply for every possible nomination.
You also must score highly on both the ACT and the SAT. On average, cadets have a SAT score of 1340 and an ACT score of 29.
When to Begin the Application Process
The best time to begin the application process is in the middle or end of your sophomore year in high school. Your physical fitness needs to be top-notch, too. That’s not to say any of this is impossible. But like any career in the military, it’s going to require planning ahead of time.
The Army fully funds tuition in exchange for an active-duty service obligation after graduation.
When you finish, you’ll have a bachelor of science degree. Graduates commission as second lieutenants in the Army. Foreign cadets commission into the armies of their home countries.
Cadets are required to compete in one sport every season, which includes NCAA, intramural, and club teams.
Directions and More
But if you’re heading to West Point as an instructor, you probably have more practical questions about housing, schools, and what the heck there is to do in this northern New York town. Here is what you should know:
Directions: From New York City, first navigate onto the FDR north. Then, take exit 24 for I-95 toward the George Washington Bridge. Take exit 73/74 toward Palisades Interstate Parkway N. next, then use the traffic circle to exit onto Route 9W N. First you’ll need to merge onto NY-218 N, then turn slightly right onto West Point Highway. Next, turn right onto New South Post Road and follow the signs.
Transportation: Being so close to New York City means there are countless ways to arrive at West Point. Of course, John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport are easy options. You could also arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Amtrak services Penn Station in NYC, making that an option, too.
Gates and Hours: Because it’s an academy and not just an installation, the Visitors Control Center operates as a central meeting point for families and tourists. Scheduled tours and museum visits also start at the center. West Point has two gates (the Stony Lonesome Gate and Thayer Gate) that are 24/7 and a third (Washington Gate) that is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily for Defense Department card holders only. There is no visitor access at the Washington Gate.
Important Contact Numbers
Army Housing Office: (520) 718-0293
Barber shops: (845) 839-0019
Commissary: (838) 677-4037
DEERS Office: 520-706-8658
Exchange: (845) 446-5404
Finance Office: (520) 706-8661
Legal Office: (845) 938-3205
Library: (845) 938-2230
Post Office: (845) 446-8749
Visitors Control Center: (315) 774-9235
Mission and Units
U.S. Army Garrison West Point’s mission is to provide services, programs, and infrastructure to sustain the community.
Major units include units relating to the management of the academy. Additionally, you’ll find the Director of Admissions, the Criminal Investigation Command, the Staff Judge Advocate, and others.
Things to Do Around West Point
The West Point weather means snowbirds will delight in the winter. Because the military academy is located in a valley, the installation experiences all four seasons. Summers are very mild, and spring and fall are pretty chilly. It’s usually cloudy, and the wet season generally ends by August. That said, you’ll never run out of indoor or outdoor activities, thanks in part to West Point’s closeness to New York City.
Hotels
If you’re going to a graduation, book your hotel early. Here are some recommendations:
Bear Mountain Inn and Overlook Lodge: (855) 548-1184
Holiday Inn Express and Suites: (845) 446-4277
The Thayer Hotel: (415) 985-6545
Food Scene
Foodies, rejoice.
The Hudson Valley gives you all the culinary delights you could ever want. Because the Hudson Valley was once a driver of American agriculture, farm to fresh is deeply entrenched just about everywhere.
Spend some time picking your own fruits and vegetables. Lots of orchards and farms are open year round. There’s also a vibrant wine and microbrewery scene in the Hudson Valley.
During the cooler months, be sure to sip on some local cider. You can find it dry, spiced, hopped, or even barrel-aged!
Activities
Of course, you’ll want to visit the West Point Museum. Breathe in fall and take a train trip through the Hudson Valley. Don’t forget to pick some apples. Hike the trails, have a picnic in the mountains, or just enjoy being in one of the most beautiful places in the country.
If you crave a dose of city life, you can always hop the train to New York.
West Point Housing
The cost of living in the Hudson Valley is extremely high.
Living in privatized housing might be the most economical choice. That said, several communities near the installation might suit your needs.
Balfour Beatty, operating as West Point Family Homes, owns and manages on-post housing. The average wait time for housing is 30 days. During peak season, it can be up to 90 days or longer. Call the housing office as soon as you receive orders to find out about current wait times.
There are no unaccompanied officer or senior enlisted quarters. Soldiers E1-E5 typically are required to live in the barracks. However, the barracks are under construction as part of a long-term modernization plan, so all soldiers have to reside off-post.
Speak with the housing office for updated information about barracks construction.
Schools Near West Point
Military families stationed here can take advantage of the West Point Public School District. This school system offers education for mil-kids from pre-K all the way through 12th grade.
On post, you’ll find a child development center, too. Lots of other private options for schools and child care are also available.
Speak with the School Liaison Office for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA do you need to get into West Point?
You’ll need a competitive GPA and high standardized test schools for an appointment.
Is West Point for the Army only?
After graduating, cadets commission as second lieutenants in the Army.
Is tuition free at West Point?
Yes, but the Army requires active-duty service after graduation.
Can you go to West Point without joining the Army?
No. If you attend and graduate, you are obligated to serve at least five years in the Army. However, if you drop out in the first two years, you won’t owe any money or have a service commitment.
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