* High school GPA: A strong academic record is essential.
* Leadership and extracurricular activities: Demonstrated leadership and significant involvement in extracurriculars are critical.
* Physical fitness: Meeting the rigorous physical fitness standards is mandatory.
* Character and integrity: West Point emphasizes strong moral character and integrity.
* Letters of recommendation: Strong recommendations from teachers, counselors, and other relevant individuals are important.
* Nominating process: You need a nomination from a U.S. Senator, Representative, or the Vice President.
In short, focus on excelling in all aspects of your application, not just the ACT. A high ACT score is a helpful component, but it's just one piece of a much larger puzzle.