How does the ranking at the United States Naval Academy work?

I'm curious about how rankings work at the United States Naval Academy. How important are class rankings, and what factors contribute to it? Any insight would be awesome since I'm considering applying next year.

At the U.S. Naval Academy, class ranking is an important aspect of cadet life and can impact future assignments and opportunities. Class standing is calculated using the Order of Merit principle, which considers three critical elements: academic performance, military performance, and physical fitness.

Academic performance contributes to 60% of the Order of Merit score. This element includes your GPA and the difficulty of your chosen major. As you might imagine, maintaining strong academic performance is crucial throughout your time at the academy.

Military performance, which comprises 30% of your ranking, is based on your leadership roles, evaluations, and contributions within the academy's regimental structure. This includes your skills and aptitude as a future military officer.

The final 10% of the score comes from your physical conditioning, which is evaluated through various fitness tests. The Naval Academy values physical fitness and places an emphasis on continual improvement in this area.

Ranking starts after the first semester of sophomore year, and it's used to determine assignments upon graduation, including the type of vessel to which you might be assigned, or selection for Naval Aviator or Submarine training.

Keep in mind that while these rankings are important, they don't exclusively define your experience at the Academy. There are many leadership opportunities, chances to serve, and stimulating intellectual challenges that will contribute to your growth, regardless of your final standing. Make sure to also focus on these aspects during your time at the academy.

Good luck with your application!