An elite US military school has denied an incoming student's request to wear a traditional Muslim headscarf.
The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, announced on Tuesday that the head covering would not be consistent with the school's policy of having cadets look similar.
"Uniformity is the cornerstone of this four-year leader development model," Citadel President retired Lieutenant General John Rosa said in a statement.
"The standardisation of cadets in apparel, overall appearance, actions and privileges is essential to the learning goals and objectives of the college."
He added that he hoped the student would still attend The Citadel in the fall despite the school's decision.
A spokesman for the girl's family said she would not enrol unless the policy was changed.
Ibrahim Hooper, of the Council on American-Islamic Relation, added that the family is considering legal action.
He said the girl cried after she received word of the college's decision.
She told the school's commandant over the phone it was not fair that she had to choose between her faith and going to the school, Mr Hooper said.
A spokeswoman for the 174-year-old public military college said that while The Citadel has had a number of Muslim students, the request to wear the headscarf was a first.
The school admitted its first woman student in 1995.
Earlier this year, 14 cadets were dismissed, suspended or dealt on-campus punishments after images appeared on social media showing them wearing white pillowcases resembling Ku Klux Klan hoods.
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