<p>He has continued to talk of the service for years and now that he is a sophmore almost junior in HS......we as parents are beginning to listen.</p>
<p>He is an 80-90 avg student w/ an upward trend and has signed up for a difficult course load next yr ( jr yr)</p>
<p>We are not from a military background and know very little about his options, as far as college and the military.</p>
<p>apparently in order to apply to military academies he must have a reccomendation from a congressman? And do most canidates have relatives who are enlisted in service? Is the selection as competetive as the tougher colleges?</p>
<p>ROTC and scholarships? </p>
<p>He has a strong interest in Math and Science......he is considering engineering as a path. But really is still not sure. He used to love meteorology but says he has lost interest.</p>
<p>What should we be aware of as parents a and how can we start learning all we can about combining a college education w/ a military training for our son.</p>
<p>He may grow out of this, but who knows.....it may be right for him. We'd like to explore the options avail;able to hin and help him decide as he gets closer to Hs graduation.</p>
<p>luliztee - you have found a great site with a wealth of information. This WP site: <a href="http://admissions.usma.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://admissions.usma.edu/</a> will likely answer many of your questions about how the admissions process works for the USMA. It is a highly competitive process. The summer leaders seminar is a great opportunity to see if an academy if what your son is looking for.</p>
<p>I also recommend a summer experience at any of the academies. Pick one and see how it feels ...... what he thinks. This is a great way to really find out what the academy life is like and what kind of people it attracts.</p>
<p>Ditto above and cruise around this area for LOTS of ideas. As a sophomore, do the research, check out summer programs, get great grades in hard courses (esp. math & science), get involved in leadership activities and do well on the upcoming PSAT. It is not just a practice test, but can elevate you for Merit programs all over the place, plus scholarships. The 5 federal academies (USMA, USNA, USAF, USCG, USMMA) and ROTC all have differing admissions processes and all are complex and require EARLY action. So you are not thinking that far ahead! Read some of the application timelines and the wise do start sophomore year. Good luck - have your son join in the CC discussions here as well!</p>
<p>luliztee- when our oldest son told us he was interested in AF or WP, he was just starting his junior year in HS. We have no connection to any branch of the service other than three of my siblings enlisted after HS. We went to an informational meeting hosted by AF("grass roots") held the week after Thanksgiving. Spring of last year, we went to a presentation which respresnted ALL of the service branches along with spokespersons from our Senator's and Congressman's offices.<br>
Our son's class rank was barely in the top 20% and his ACT and SAT scores were good, but there was plenty of room for improvement. I'm able to report that his scores went up to a competative level after the 3rd time. During the entire application process (starting spring of Junior year) we still wondered if he would even get a nomination. He received a Cong. nom. to AF and WP. He was offered an Appointment to AF in December. He has since received a Senatorial nom. to WP. We have an Army interview in our home tomorrow.
What we have learned from this whole process is they look at the WHOLE package the applicant brings to the table. In our case, it was not a matter of "who you know" or "where you come from". Academic Composite makes up 60% of a candidate's evaluation score. The other 40% is from Extracurricular Composite (20%) and Admissions Panel (20%).<br>
The best thing you can do for your son is support his decision and get all paperwork done as early as possible. Our son took his dodMERB physical June before his senior year. Even his requests for letters of recom. where sent out in July. You do want your son to enjoy his senior year with out the stress of paperwork deadlines. Best Wishes to your son....keep us posted on his progress.</p>
<p>Luliztee: Here's a book you and your son might want to read - "Absolultey American" by David Lipsky. Lipsky is a writer at Rolling Stone who initially went up to West Point to write an article. He was anti-military and really didn't want to write the story or spend any time at West POint - so he told the Army he'd only do the story if he was given unlimited access to all cadets and all areas of the Academy (assuming they'd say no and he'd be off the hook to spend time there) The Army said 'SURE' - anywhere and anybody - Lipsky was stuck - he ended up spending - on and off - four years going to West Point and his book takes the reader through the experiences of a class at West Point. It's a great book that doesn't sugarcoat anything.</p>
<p>If you son is interested in Engineering - be aware that West Point is ranked in the top 5 in several types of Engineering. Also, if you son is interested in Leadership - and not flying or steering big pieces of equipment - he should also think about West Point. Think Jimmy Carter (Navy) vs. Dwight Eisenhower (Army). Technician vs. Leader.</p>
<p>Finally, if your son makes it there - don't expect him to like it. My impression from my plebe son is that it's a place best admired in your rearview mirror - someplace to be from - at least until your 25th reunion.</p>