FAQs about Summer Leaders Seminar (SLS)

Q: What summer program does West Point offer for high school students?
West Point conducts the Summer Leaders Seminar (SLS) for high school juniors going into their senior year. It is a fast-paced program of academic classes, military training, physical fitness training and intramural athletics conducted during the second or third week in June each year. West Point cadets serve as squad leaders for all aspects of the weeklong seminar. 800 high school juniors are selected to attend the seminar each year from an applicant pool of approximately 3000-4000 students.

Q: What is a typical day like during SLS?

• 5:45-6:30 AM Physical Training
• 7:00-7:20 AM Breakfast in the Cadet Mess Hall
• Remainder of the day: classes, military training, athletics, and social events
• 11:00 PM Lights out

Q: How do students apply for the Summer Leaders Seminar?

If you will be a high school junior in the Fall of 2008, you can apply for the 2009 Summers Leader Seminar online between mid-December 2008 and April 1, 2009.

Please keep in mind we use a rolling acceptance process so we recommend you apply early. Please ensure that you've read and understand everything on this page as well as the SLS page; you can then sign up here for SLS 2009. Note that this is a two-step process. You must do both of the following to complete the application: 1) submit the Candidate Questionnaire, AND 2) complete the Workshop Preference worksheet.

Q: How do students get selected/invited to the Summer Leaders Seminar?
Invitations to the seminar are awarded on a competitive basis using the academic, athletic and extracurricular information provided on the SLS application form.

Q: What does the SLS cost?
The average cost of the SLS is around $325.00 which covers room, board and all classroom/training materials. It does not cover transportation to / from West Point.