Sophia David, 18, of Granger recently received her appointment — that is, she was accepted for admission– to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point) in West Point, N.Y.
David, currently a senior at Woodward-Granger High School, is the daughter of Don and Susanne David. She is the second-eldest of six children. Her elder sister, Savannah David, is currently a freshman at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Sophia David will report to the West Point campus for cadet basic training July 2. She is one of about 1,200 appointees in the 2020 class, chosen from an applicant field of more than 11,000. She was nominated for the appointment by former U.S. Congressman David Young.
For Granger’s David, the road to earning the nomination and appointment began after her junior year, when she attended the summer seminar programs for the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Aacademy and West Point. She said these seminars were important in learning about the application process and meeting Academy personnel and cadets, and she earned the “Best Squad Member” award at West Point’s summer seminar.
“In order to receive an appointment to one of the academies, you have to have a nomination from a member of congress, senator, or the Vice President,” David said. “When I got a call from Congressman Young notifying me that I had received the principal nomination, it was amazing news. I am honored to represent Iowa at West Point, to serve my country and to become an officer in the U.S. Army.”
Of the more than 11,000 applicant files that are sent annually to the U.S. Military Academy, 3,500 applicants are nominated for an appointment, and some 1,200 nominees are offered and accept an appointment.
Established in 1802, the U.S. Military Academy is a coeducational, public, liberal arts college offering students a strong background in military training and leadership experience that prepares them to become officers. Students graduate with a rank of second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
West Point has an 8 percent acceptance rate, and the cadets receive four-year scholarships that include uniforms, health coverage, monthly salary, tuition, development opportunities and room and board. Cadets commit to five years of service as a second lieutenant upon graduation.
The process towards earning a nomination/appointment is a multi-step and parallel application process. Class standing, grade-point average, SAT/ACT scores, physical fitness test, medical review, interview with an Academy liaison officer and gathering recommendations are taken into consideration just to be qualified for admission.
