African-Americans continue to be under-represented at the highly selective U.S. Military Academy at West Point, but medical issues may contribute as much as academics to low admission rates. Although applications from Black students are on the rise, officials say their often unhealthy lifestyles make it hard for them to meet the academy’s admissions standards.
According to West Point officials, the past five years have seen more Black high school students fail required physical fitness requirements because of health issues like diabetes, asthma and obesity. SAT scores for Black men have also been dropping at the academy, where Blacks currently make up only 6 percent of the student population.
“You can’t be in the Army if you’re not fit,” says Capt. Rance Lee, a minority enrollment officer in the admissions office. “And kids these days just don’t exercise.”
About 1,320 cadet candidates were accepted this year, including 181 women, 101 Hispanics, 79 Asian Americans, 78 Blacks and 13 American Indians. The academy received nearly 10,300 applications for the 2006-2007 academic year.
“There are health problems across the board, not just minorities,” says Lt. Col. Deborah J. McDonald, West Point’s associate director of admissions, enrollment and recruiting. “But there is no marketing campaign that can influence [leading a healthy lifestyle].”
Officials say they’re pleased to see applications rebound after a dramatic post-9/11 dropoff. So far, Black applications are up 10 percent from last year’s figures, and Hispanic application has jumped 24 percent, McDonald says. The application process ends in February.
The Reserve Officers Training Corps has also seen poor health bite into its ranks, says Paul Kotakis, a spokesman for the program.
