USNA's Whole Person Multiplier

Let's explore the components of the WPM!

The US Naval Academy uses a scoring concept called the Whole Person Multiple (WPM). The score is used to compare one candidate to another as USNA Admissions selects appointees for the next entering class. The WPM is based upon the Whole Person Concept, which is the ideal that a good officer candidate is a well-rounded individual. She or he does many things well. Ideally, they are a scholar, an athlete and a leader.

As noted in the diagram above from the USNA Admissions website, the score is divided into two halves: 50% of the score is based on academic performance and the remaining 50% is based on leadership and experiences. Let's explore these two areas in more detail.

Your academic performance is scored through the following components:

• 22% is based on your GPA and class rank. Students should strive not only to perform well in their classes, but to take challenging academic courses and follow the recommended academic regime noted on the US Naval Academy Admissions site. If your school does not provide a class rank, then USNA will calculate one for you.

• 18% is based on your math score from the SAT, ACT or Classic Learning Test (CLT). Since the Naval Academy (and the other SAs) use superscoring, I recommend that students take these tests 'early and often' to maximize your superscore.

• 10% is based on your English and reading scores from the SAT, ACT, or CLT. I recommend taking a variety of tests to determine which one fits you best. Often, I find students prefer and perform better on one test over the others.

• Note that USNA will 'mix' results. For example, they will use your SAT math score and pair the results with your ACT English and reading scores, if these components are your best ones.

Your leadership and experiences account for the other 50% of your WPM through the following components:

• 24% is based the recommendations from your math teacher, English teacher and Blue and Gold officer (BGO) along with the three optional recommendations included in your application.

• 16% is based on your athletic extracurricular activities. Playing sports with teams and individually are an important component of strong WPM. What's more, you should seek responsibilities with the team, including acting as team captain, organizing tasks for events, and serving other roles.

• 10% is based on your non-athletic extracurricular activities. School clubs and groups, such as Scouts, Sea Cadets and Civil Air Patrol are good examples. As with your sports teams, candidates should seek responsibilities through different leadership roles in their ECAs.

Ideally, a strong candidate will perform well in all of the areas noted. Increasing your WPM score will improve your chances of earning a Naval Academy (or frankly, any other service academy appointment), so consider the following strategies.

ACADEMICS:

• Pursuing a minimum GPA of a 3.7 (non-weighted) in a rigorous curriculum is essential. Achieving a strong GPA in a demanding academic program signals to the USNA's Admissions board that a candidate can handle challenging coursework. This involves taking advanced placement (AP) or honors classes, which not only boost a student's GPA but also prepares each candidate for the rigors of college-level work. Your GPA is a foundational element of a competitive application, showcasing both academic ability and perseverance.

• Superscoring allows a student to concentrate on a math, reading or English component of the SAT, ACT, or CLT in separate tests. Doing the work and using prep tools, such as Kahn Academy or other online tools, should allow you to improve from test to test.

• Striving to be in the top 20% of your graduating class is another important goal. This goal encourages candidates to focus on their studies, engage with their teachers, and seek help when necessary.

EXPERIENCES:

• Play a sport! If you don't now, then find one or more as soon as you can. Any one of the martial arts, for example, is an athletic endeavor that is quite flexible. Club sports outside school will provide opportuities to participate in a sport. Also, check your school's cross country and track teams. Often, they are "no-cut" sports that allow anyone to participate.

• Lean into your current ECAs. Seek more responsibilities and volunteer for additional roles. USNA (and other SAs) are not impressed with a high number of clubs and other activities. Instead, they will be impressed by the quality of your participation, including impactful leadership roles.

LEADERSHIP:

• Seeking leadership roles in your ECAs, both within your school and out in your community, will greatly enhance your USNA application. Engaging in leadership roles, whether through student government, clubs, sports teams, or community service organizations, allows you to develop essential skills, such as teamwork, communication, and decision-making.

The last WPM 'contributor' is the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA). A candidate must pass the CFA in order to receive an appointment, no matter the WPM score that you may have. A low, but passing score, will deduct up to 2.5% from your overall WPM.

Thus, as you might anticipate, I recommend achieving a high CFA score. Prepare well and seek to retake the exam if you believe you can perform better. An improvement will demonstrate your dedication to peak physical fitness. The WPM is adjusted higher (up by as much as 2.5% for a maximum score) based on your CFA performance.

The USNA Whole Person Multiple is a key concept to understand and use as guidance for your high school planning around academics, activities and athletics. Seek to do and be your best, and you will increase your WPM to the point of winning a Naval Academy appointment!

[I would welcome a chance to discuss details with you. I offer coaching services to pace and prepare you (and your parents!) for the entire Academy application process . . . including counseling and coaching around the Naval Academy WPM! Contact me at chris@cbbrechin.com and/or 503.515.7406 -- my contact form is here]