I am very interested in attending West point; I am about about to apply for SLE. I have been told by multiple people that while test scores do matter, SLE is a recruiting tool, so applicants will be more likely to be accepted if they live in a certain area. Does anyone know which states are more represented than others?
@goldenwarrior33 Hmmm I was accepted to SLE at West Point and at USAFA but I could only go to USAFA. While I was there, states like California and Texas were more represented than certain other states (like North Dakota or Montana) I would say. But there applicants from every state and there was even someone from Germany. It isn’t necessarily true that applicants will be more likely to be accepted if they live in a certain area, however the Academy does want to ensure a diverse mix of kids. So someone applying from Alaska could have an advantage over someone with the same stats applying from a region where they have already accepted a lot of kids.The good thing is that attending SLE doesn’t give anyone an edge when applying, so if you don’t get in, no worries. However, it may help YOU decide if attending USMA is a right fit. Regardless of whether you get in or not, make sure to apply to Girls/Boys State. Attending will increase your leadership score when you apply. Good luck!
Since attendance at USMA depends upon a congressional nomination and since each state’s representation in congress is based on their population, the demographics of the USMA student body would pretty closely mirror that of the US. The Academy does admit active duty soldiers and some percentage of each class are other than principal nominees but otherwise the state representation of USMA would mirror that of the US
There are a lot of other cadets that I meet from Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, along with a lot of other east coast states. Like @Wje9164be said, USMA is a pattern of population, so there will be more students from highly populated states.
I can answer for USNA but the principle is the same. It is generally easier from sparsely populated states with like Idaho or North Dakota. It is hardest if you are coming from Virginia or Maryland where there is strong Naval presence and USNA’s backyard.
I expect it’s harder in states with a high Army concentration (North Carolina?) and probably states near NY. I can’t tell you which states are hardest but yes, geography matters.