age limit on entering USMA

Colleges and Universities A-Z Military Academy - West Point
1

<p>I just spoke to someone in admissions today who said that I cannot be 26 before June 1st of the year I graduate. However, it was my belief from the website that you just could not be over 22 when you entered in June. Does anyone have any definitive answers on this?</p>

2

<p>According to the eligibility standards; it says:</p>

<p>At least 17, but less than 23 years of age by July 1 of the year you would enter. The age requirement is public law and cannot be waived.</p>

3

<p>Federal Law is pretty clear on the age requirements for West Point.</p>

<p>TITLE 10 > Subtitle B > PART III > CHAPTER 403 > § 4346</p>

<p>**Cadets: requirements for admission</p>

<p>(a)** To be eligible for admission to the Academy a candidate must be at least 17 years of age and must not have passed his twenty-third birthday on July 1 of the year in which he enters the Academy.</p>

<p><a href="http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/10/usc_sec_10_00004346----000-.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/10/usc_sec_10_00004346----000-.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

4

<p>That is exactly what I was basing my information on. I would be 22 on May 18 of next year making me 26 by the time I graduate. According to the MAJ in admissions I spoke I would not be eligible because I will be 26 by June 1 of the year I graduate. I hope he is mistaken.</p>

5

<p><a href="http://admissions.usma.edu/FAQs/faqs_admission.cfm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://admissions.usma.edu/FAQs/faqs_admission.cfm&lt;/a>
The USMA admissions page says nothing about your age when you graduate, it only states you must not yet be 23 by July 1 of the year you enter. What you were told doesn’t make sense because anyone showing up on R-day that is already 22 will be 26 when they graduate. I think someone in admissions made a mistake.</p>

6

<p>Because graduation is ALWAYS before July of each year; just realize that you CAN'T be 27 years old when you GRADUATE. (Except for rare circumstances)</p>

<p>Look at it like the store that shows that the sign "YOU CAN BUY CIGARETTES IF YOU WERE BORN BEFORE THIS DATE". In this case it's the opposite.</p>

<p>"YOU CAN GO TO THE MILITARY ACADEMIES IN 2008 IF BORN AFTER:"
JULY 1st 1985</p>

<p>"YOU CAN GO TO THE MILITARY ACADEMIES IN 2009 IF BORN AFTER:"
JULY 1st 1986</p>

<p>Basically, if your birthday is June 30th 1985 or earlier, you CAN'T go to the academy.</p>

<p>P.S. It doesn't need to mention the max age at graduation, because unlike a traditional school you HAVE to graduate in 4 years. There are exceptions for 4 consecutive years due to injury, health, academic waiver, etc... but you only get 4 years to get your degree. It is possible to be 27 years old at graduation.</p>