Monday, February 08, 2010

Best Colleges 2010

United States Military Academy

Work 600 Thayer Road West Point, NY 10996-2101
Work(845) 938-4041
Web site: http://www.usma.edu
  • 14Rank
  • 83Score
Tier 1
College Category:
Liberal Arts Colleges

Overview : United States Military Academy

General Information  
Institutional Control: Public
Year founded: 1802
Religious affiliation: N/A
Academic calendar: semester
Total number of undergraduates: 4,553
Setting: suburban
Endowment: $155,600,000
Fall Admissions  
Application deadline: 2/28
Application fee: N/A
Fall 2008 Acceptance rate: 15.7%
Selectivity: more selective
Expenses  
Costs: 2009-2010 In-state: $0; Out-of-state: $0
Mission  
School mission: Since its founding over two centuries ago, the Military Academy has accomplished its mission by developing cadets in four critical areas: intellectual, physical, military, and moral-ethical - a four-year process called the "West Point Experience." Specific developmental goals are addressed through several fully coordinated and integrated programs. A challenging Academic Program that consists of a core of 31 courses provides a balanced education in the arts and sciences. This core curriculum establishes the foundation for elective courses that permit cadets to explore in greater depth a field of study or an optional major. All cadets receive a Bachelor of Science degree, which is designed specifically to meet the intellectual requirements of a commissioned officer in today's Army. The Physical Program at West Point includes both physical education classes and competitive athletics. Every cadet participates in an intercollegiate, club or intramural level sport each semester. This rigorous physical program contributes to the mental and physical fitness that is required for service as an officer in the Army. Cadets learn basic military skills, including leadership, through a demanding Military Program, which begins on their first day at West Point. Most military training takes place during the summer, with new cadets undergoing Cadet Basic Training - or Beast Barracks - the first year, followed by Cadet Field Training at nearby Camp Buckner the second year. Cadets spend their third and fourth summers serving in active Army units around the world; attending advanced training courses such as airborne, air assault or northern warfare; or training the first and second year cadets as members of the leadership cadre. Military training is combined with military science instruction to provide a solid military foundation for officership. Moral-ethical development occurs throughout the formal programs as well as a host of activities and experiences available at the Military Academy. These include formal instruction in the important values of the military profession, voluntary religious programs, interaction with staff and faculty role models, and a vigorous guest speaker program. The foundation of the ethical code at West Point is found in the Academy's motto, "Duty, Honor, Country." Cadets also develop ethically by adhering to the Cadet Honor Code, which states, "A cadet will not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do." The life of a cadet is demanding, but leisure time does permit recreational activities such as golf, skiing, sailing, and ice-skating, Intramural clubs include a cadet radio station, orienteering, rock climbing, and Big Brother-Big Sister. A wide variety of religious activities are available to cadets from virtually all religious backgrounds. 150 cadets per year will study abroad for one semester. The rapid expansion has resulted in the enrollment of cadets at foreign universities beyond the exchange programs with foreign military academies. Initial results are that the cadets return to USMA with much improved foreign language capabilities. The three-week Advanced Individual Academic Development (AIAD) The program has been expanded so that more than 400 cadets will participate in overseas experiences. These programs are open to all cadets not just the ones who speak foreign languages although every cadet has studied a foreign language for at least one year prior to participating in an AIAD.

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