I’m pleased to share with you that U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” rankings for 2018 has listed West Point as the number one public college in the nation. We were also ranked as the number four “Best Undergrad Engineering Program” and the number one civil engineering program, as well as (for the fifth consecutive year), a top pick by high school guidance counselors. The U.S. News rankings come on the heels of Forbes magazine’s annual college rankings, which placed us as the number two public college. This recognition reflects our commitment to providing your sons and daughters a top-tier education and preparing them as leaders of character for our nation. This past month, we hosted our annual Branch Week, a career fair of sorts that exposes cadets to the various Army branches (such as Infantry or Armor) to help them decide their future career paths as Army officers. Over the next several weeks, the Firsties will select their branch preferences and learn of their assignment at Branch Night in November. At the same time, our Plebe class is learning about the various majors we offer through a program called “Wednesday Night Live.” This program, sponsored by the Office of the Dean, is a series of open houses and small group discussions to help inform Plebes as they prepare to select a major in the second semester. Finally, we look forward to welcoming you to Family Weekend, Oct. 20-22. Please check the Parent Information page for the schedule and registration information. As always, thank you for entrusting your sons and daughters to our care!

The 2018 U.S. News & World Report rankings are in! West Point ranks as the #1 Public College and the #4 Undergraduate Engineering Program. In specialty rankings, USMA ranks #1 in Civil Engineering, #4 in Electrical / Electronic / Communications and #5 in Mechanical Engineering. Additionally, West Point "leapfrogs" Annapolis to rank as the #12 Best National Liberal Arts College in the prestigious annual rankings. Read more. USMA Press Release.

For an entire week each fall, cadets participate in Branch Week. September 11-15, cadets from all class years, as well as U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School cadet candidates and ROTC cadets from other colleges visited with branch representatives to help them decide which of the 17 U.S. Army branches interests them for a future career.

In the past there was Superman vs. Batman and Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader. But on September 8, West Point hosted an epic matchup between two real larger-than-life warriors, when Superintendent LTG Robert Caslen ’75 took on Commandant BG Steve Gilland ’90 one-on-one on the Indoor Obstacle Course Test in Hayes Gym. It was nip and tuck for a while. Find out who pulled ahead and will now reign as Academy Leadership IOCT Champion by watching the race video.

On September 18, WPAOG hosted a Class Officers Luncheon for the leaders of the current cadet classes. This luncheon was an opportunity to meet our staff and attend breakout sessions by class to discuss the ways in which WPAOG serves them, as well as how they can serve their classmates during cadet years and after graduation.

WPAOG and several Parent Clubs joined forces to welcome parents and Army fans to start off the Army Football season with a complimentary open house. Co-sponsored by WPAOG and the WPPCs of Connecticut, Illinois, Long Island, and West Point, the event was held on Friday, September 1 at Herbert Hall Alumni Center, the home-away-from-home for West Point grads and families. All who attended enjoyed popcorn, pretzels, drinks, and good conversation as they prepared to cheer for Army and the first win of the season!

WPAOG welcomed members of the Superintendent’s Circle for a special Superintendent’s Circle Weekend September 8 and 9. USMA Superintendent LTG Robert L. Caslen Jr. ’75 greeted guests at a barbeque, and expressed his gratitude for their loyal support.  He also talked about how their giving to the Superintendent’s Annual Fund and the West Point Parents Fund supports a myriad of Margin of Excellence opportunities and resources to benefit the Corps of Cadets, and the life-changing impact this has for cadets. The weekend activities also included a welcome reception at the West Point Club, the Cadet Review, and the Army vs. Buffalo football game.

Parents, grandparents, and family members are invited to attend Family Weekend to learn more about cadet life and West Point. The weekend will include academic presentations, tours, information on athletics and clubs, cadet demonstrations, the Army vs. Temple football game, and much more! Cadets will escort their families unless they have other requirements such as classes or other duties/responsibilities. They will provide you a view of West Point from the cadet perspective. Details are forthcoming on the West Point Parents webpage and the WPAOG Parents Resources webpage.