DUSHANBE, November 21, 2011, Asia-Plus -- The United States Embassy in Dushanbe announces the annual competition for the United States Military Academy at West Point admission for Class of 2016.

The United States Military Academy, founded on March 16, 1802, is a college that educates, trains and inspires the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country.  West Point graduates earn Bachelor of Science degrees and an officer commission in the Tajik Military.

West Point is consistently recognized as one of the best undergraduate colleges in the U.S.

International cadets are fully assimilated into the Corps of Cadets.  Their four-year experience here is identical to that of U.S. cadets.

To apply for admission to West Point, persons interested must send a one page statement of interest in English outlining their academic qualifications, their reasons for pursuing this scholarship, and other relevant information to [email protected] at the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan.  This office serves as the link between the student, the host nation and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

The West Point application process for international students is essentially the same as that for U.S. citizens. General requirements include:

• Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 22;

• Applicants must have strong English proficiency;

• Applicants must not be married, pregnant, or have any legal obligation to support

Children;

• Applicants must plan to fulfill Tajik military service for 10 years after completion of their West Point bachelor’s degree.

Interested applicants must send a letter of interest and their academic credentials to the U.S. Embassy no later than December 10, 2011.  Applications will be vetted by a panel at the Embassy, and competitive applicants will receive instruction on the next steps.  Tajik nominees will be reviewed in the United States by the Admissions Office of the United States Military Academy at West Point.  Awards for successful candidates will be announced in spring 2012 for Fellowships to cover full tuition for the 2012-2016 academic years.