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Key Findings

1. Two of the three admissions factors used by the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) — the academic composite and leadership composite — predict outcomes of interest (e.g., graduation and promotion down the line).
2. But higher scores given by a panel of raters at USAFA who provide an overall rating of applicants (i.e., selection panel scores) are associated with a lower likelihood of success in many of the outcomes, which argues for removing selection panel scores from the selection composite formula and readjusting the formula accordingly.
3. The U.S. Military Academy's (USMA's) whole candidate score (WCS) — a composite of academic score, physical aptitude exam score, and community leadership score — has a statistically significant relationship with both USMA graduation and probability of promotion to O-5 in the Army. Thus, using WCS as the primary basis for admission decisions is warranted.

The U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), and the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) provide undergraduate education and training for students who will become commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. Like all institutions of higher education, military academies rely on a set of admission criteria, but beyond that, they are particularly concerned about the outcomes of those admitted, because the goal is for those who graduate to move on and become successful as commissioned officers.