A few questions from a parent of a son considering military academies

Colleges and Universities A-Z Service Academy Parents
1

<p>Hi</p>

<p>I felt a bit intimidated posting here since I know so little of this subject and my son is only curious but not serious yet about applying to an academy. He is 16 and beginning his jr yr in hs this fall. I am just beginning to research colleges and academies with him. If any parents would mind indulging me I would appreciate it.</p>

<p>1)What do you think of the summer before senior yr week/s training programs offered to hs students to see if they are a match for the academy? My s is considering this next summer. Apply this winter, I believe. How tough is to get admitted? and is there an advantage in the admission process?</p>

<p>2)He is not sure if he is a competitive canidate and realizes he has to train and perhaps improve his grades and study hard for the SAT/ACT. And serve more in his community,school or &/or church. I will provide a bit of background about him, would someone please let us know what he needs to add?change and howto accomplish this in order to be considered a competitive applicant to one of the academies?
B+ gpa, no significant service or Ec's,avg physical condition not in top shape,strong interest in the military/also interested in law enforcement as civlilian as an alternative, loves outdoors,belongs to young riflemans club and hunts with his grandfather,does best in and enjoys math. </p>

<p>3) our family is not politically active at this time. I am concerned about requestung a nomination. Presidential,congressional? Not sure how to go about this and what criteria my s would need to be granted a naomination, leadership skills, grades.service? What can he do to prepare for writing to his congressman requesting a nomination and how hard is this to recieve if our family has beeb inactive. How would we be more involved if this is something that is expected from us?</p>

<p>4)Do you think by joining track in jr yr of hs and using this next year to work out and train for the test given(forget letters that it stands for) he will be ready to pass it? Do the coaches at hs help if he tells them this is his goal? And when do you ask them to administer the test for the application?</p>

<p>5) We are trying to learn the differences between a Military Academy, A Military College, and attending civilian college while participating in ROTC. We like the idea of a military college like Norwich University or a civilian w/ ROTC because he would have the first two years of college to observe and participate in a military training and recieve basic training w/o making a commitment. It would give him the chance to decide if that is what he really wants. Right now we are still in the gathering info stage, He is not sure if he wants to make a full commitment and/or what it will take for him to get ready should he decide he wants to apply to a military academy right from high school.
The academies he is considering are: Merchant Marines Kings Pt, Coast Guard new london,Military Academy West Pt. We are also looking at Norwich University ( I have a friend who is going to Vermont next week who agreed to visit and check it out for me)and Maritime College. What is your opinion of pros and cons and differences of attending a Military academy, a Military College, or a civilian college that offered ROTC training? And if you comment on ROTC in civilian college, which ROTC unit in NY do you think is best and why, at which college location( considering SUNY brockport,geneseo,albany and Sienna college, Marist college, Hartwick and some others.)</p>

<p>6)Any insights on the questions above would be aprreciated as well as any general info you would like to share with a son and mom trying to understand the process.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>luliztee - </p>

<p>Any one of those questions is worth a separate thread, and I'd recommend you take some time to read through about a year's worth of the individual school forums. Here's a head start, though, on some of your questions:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>The summer program is absolutely worth it. Great insight into the academy in question, and a high % (40?) go on to enroll. You can do more than one. To be competitive for this, your son needs strong PSAT scores and GPA. What can he do now? PREP FOR THE PSAT IN OCTOBER.</p></li>
<li><p>EC's will be a big issue for him if he has not been involved so far. Joining the HS track team would be a great idea - not just to get in shape, but also to demonstrate participation in a varsity sport. The CFA (Candidate Fitness Assessment) is administered either at the summer seminar or by a gym teacher sometime during the summer before senior year or senior fall. You can download instructions from the academy website and he can practice on his own.</p></li>
<li><p>Need to find an opportunity for him to demonstrate leadership - school team, club, church organization, community service, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>Being active politically is NOT important, for the majority of states/locations, in receiving a nomination. The other stuff is.</p></li>
<li><p>Take the opportunity this year, if possible, to have him spend the day at a couple of the military academies. This will tell him if he's interested in the lifestyle.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Finally, welcome. We've all been where you are. It's a long road ahead!</p>

3

<p>Welcome luliztee and please don't feel intimidated! We don't bite...usually :D.</p>

<p>Anyway, I will try to tackle some of these questions.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>The summer programs are a very good opportunity for your son to see what academy life is like and whether it's something he'd really be interested in. He applies next winter for the programs of next summer.</p></li>
<li><p>His grades seem ok but he would have to show some ec's and leadership positions. Physical conditioning is important as well as membership on a sports team in his school. He should get involved in a sport; cross country would serve that purpose as well as help in his conditioning. The coaches would definitely work with him. He should also start working out this summer on his own to get a jump on the fall season.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Being good in math helps!</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Being politically active is not important to the nomination process. This is supposed to be outside the realm of politics so don't get overly concerned there. Also, the CGA does not require a nomination unlike the other academies. Check out your senators and reps web sites. They have a lot of info on the process and how to reply. This should be done in the second half of his junior year.</p></li>
<li><p>By all means have him join cross country and track. The coaches will work with him and they will administer the physical fitness test early in his senior year.</p></li>
<li><p>I think I'll leave this one to the other posters. In summary, he may be a little behind the curve as far as getting into one of the academies. He needs to have some kind of service component and leadership qualities to show them. He should get involved in church or community activities. Good luck to him and yourself. I'm sure many people will chime in with advice.</p></li>
</ol>

4

<p>luliztee,</p>

<p>Here's a link to the "West Point Candidate Book" by William Smallwood. It will provide a lot of information you're looking for. So will the USMA website.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.dusagiftshop.com/product157.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.dusagiftshop.com/product157.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>We're glad you found us. I was behind the 8-ball and didn't find college confidential and these boards until after the nomination interview. It would have been extremely helpful to go into this process with somebody who had done it before.</p>

<p>The advice you have received for your son so far is dead on. Prep for the PSAT, SAT and even the ACT. Summer is a great time to get ready for that PSAT. He'll only get one shot at it this year. And the results are part of the decision criteria for summer programs. The other tests can be taken later. Start a running program right now. That way he'll be conditioned for the fall cross country season in high school. Track will be a benefit as it will help improve his times and therefore his score on the CFA. Definitely try to get into SLS (my son wants to attend also) and other summer programs next summer. He'll see if it's something worth pursuing or not. Read "Absolutely American" and "Duty First". </p>

<p>Last, but not least, make sure this is his process. He should do the reading and the research. A large number of the parents here were surprised when their kids expressed an interest in a military career. We supplemented their research with our own. That way we can be better informed regarding their decisions and the ups and downs of the admissions process.</p>

<p>Welcome aboard! I look forward to hear about his progress.</p>

5

<p>I think I will take my S for a visit and get the handbook there. We do not live too far. Would also like to tour Kings Pt and Maritime. Just have to make the time.</p>

<p>thanks for all this helpful advice everyone!</p>

6

<p>Hi luliztee & welcome! All of the suggestions here are awesome. I recall being in your same position of trying to get information a few years ago. I'm no expert by any means but I learned so much here and I think you'll get alot out of reading this forum. No question is deemed to silly to ask. Trust me on that one. :D </p>

<p>If you are able to do the visits, that would be so great. You've got such good resources in the people here because they all have such great knowledge about all of the academies. I'm the resident KP cheerleader so glad to see your son has some interest there. If he's interested in maritime, you guys should check out the Coast Guard Academy (Boss' favorite) & Suny Maritime as well. </p>

<p>On most of the academy web sites, you can obtain their catalogs. Good thing ya'll are starting early. With so many options, there's alot to figure out. Check out the Indoc photos pages that are going on at KP. That will give you a little look into what the first week is like there. We'll be around! </p>

<p><a href="http://www.usmma.edu/parents/2010_indoc_general.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usmma.edu/parents/2010_indoc_general.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>GO KP BEAT COAST GUARD! :)</p>

7

<p>"3) our family is not politically active at this time. I am concerned about requestung a nomination. Presidential,congressional? Not sure how to go about this and what criteria my s would need to be granted a naomination, leadership skills, grades.service?"</p>

<p><a href="http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:...l%2520Guide.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:...l%2520Guide.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>You can also find this under the "Congressional Guide to Admissions..." thread in this forum. Good luck!</p>

8

<p>For the nomination process you do not have to be politically active; however, your son has to be active in the sense that next summer he does need to contact his Senator and Congressman to find out their requirements. Some staffers can help him through the process but many of the Congressman and Senators have fairly time consuming processes and requirements, eg application, essays (sometimes as many as four), CFA results (great if it is from the summer seminar which you can request the results of-takes time though), medical exam results-passed or pending status. And then finally interviews. My son had three interviews (same night) with different panels for his Congressman. </p>

<p>My son chose the Naval Academy and his Senator asked him to interview for Kings Point which he turned down. So your son needs to really decide if he wants to apply to any and all service academies (which I recommend) all just one or two. My son considered my advice and then said he ONLY wanted to go to the Naval Academy. But, I would definitely consider Kings Point as an option as it has the most career choices upon graduation.</p>

<p>The best advice is for your son to understand the timeline and get the application, letters of reference and essays completed as early as possible as these are usually fairly early in admission cycle when compared to other colleges and universities and your son can get these out of the way as early as late summer before school starts and all the other requests he will have and essays to complete early in the school year. Best of luck.</p>

9

<p>luliztee, I can comment about NROTC because that's what my S does at our State U. He is on a 4yr. NROTC scholarship as are most in his battalion. He started the application for the scholarship during the summer after his Jr. yr. in h.s. The earlier you apply, the better. If you don't get a 4 yr. scholarship, you can still be in the ROTC program. A NROTC scholarship pays for tuition/fees/books/uniforms and midshipmen are paid a monthly stipend that increases each year you're in the program. Some schools cover room and board for scholarship recipients. Ours does not. If you have a 4 year NROTC scholarship, the first year is a "try it out year". If you choose to quit during the summer after freshman year, there is no obligation. When you start your sophomore year you are then obligated to the Navy. </p>

<p>As a NROTC student at a regular college, he would take one NROTC course each semester (usually a 3hr. credit course) in addition to his regular classes required for his major. There is also a weekly 2 hr. ROTC lab. PT (physical training) as a group takes place twice a week (early mornings!). They are required to wear their Navy uniform to all classes one day per week.<br>
You can choose to major in anything you like in NROTC and I believe the same goes for Army ROTC. Air Force ROTC is more restrictive in choice of majors. There is usually a very wide selection of majors at the universities with ROTC units.</p>

<p>My S considered applying to the Academies and Miliatry colleges (The Citadel and VMI)for a long time but finally settled on ROTC. He likes the civilian college life balanced with his battalion responsibilites. While academy life is certainly more structured and rigorous, ROTC is a different challenge in that you have to be focused on your goal and self-motivated to get up and run for miles early in the a.m. and then come back and put on a uniform to go to class when those around you are sleeping late and going to class in jeans and flipflops. There is a close comraderie in ROTC because they are a small group in a large school. It's a very individual choice that can ultimately lead to the same goal. If your S does not get into a service academy but desires to be a military officer, consider going the ROTC route.</p>

10

<p>luliztee-two of brothers and brother-in-law graduated from SUNY Maritime (waaaay back). They got good educations and an opportunity to accept a commission if they wanted one. They also had some great experiences during their summer cruises. It could be good option if your son is not definite about the military commitment required by a service academy or ROTC program. I went to SUNY Albany (also waaaaay back). The choice between those schools (the SUNYs) really depends on how near to a city he wants to be. Geneseo and Brockport are pretty remote, if my memory serves. I loved Albany. Take the tours and visit all of the campuses. It might be wise to visit them in the fall so you can get a feel for the student populations. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

11

<p>What great posts!!!</p>

<p>Let me add my welcome luliztee! </p>

<p>There is not a thing I can add to whatever has been posted, but would like to re-emphasize the "must do's" (IMHO)- call it the "12-step process".</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Buy and read Smallwoods book- on each academy you are applying for. Consider it a "must read"</p></li>
<li><p>Visit each school on your son's list- attend the information sessions- do the tours. Go home and research each one. Think about life after the academy (or college)- options, choices. Think about the schools themselves- majors, EC's, sports, lifestyle, options, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>Narrow down the choices and visit again. Do an overnight stay at top 5 schools. Better yet, apply and attend a summer session.</p></li>
<li><p>Follow Smallwoods advice to the letter. Download the applications early and see what is needed and when. COntact your nomination sources and see what they need and when they need it. Download the admissions profile for each school of interest- will list "mid 50 percentile" GPA, SATs, ECs, etc for the last year's admitted students. Get an idea of what is realistic, what they are looking for, and what you need to strenghten in your "package". Get moving on any areas that fall short.</p></li>
<li><p>Visit again. Ask lots of questions- outside the formal admissions spiel. Ask students, teachers, coaches, parents, ask on this site- ask graduates if you can find them- </p></li>
<li><p>Contact your BGO- the sooner the better. A little early to start the formal process, but letting them know of your interest is good. Have your son make the contact (not you). As someone said, this is their process to do (mentor/support/guide as necessary).</p></li>
<li><p>Make a calender or spreadsheet listing all items necessary for admissions and deadlines. WHen it comes to the academies, there is lots of paper, lots of requirements, and lots of deadlines. Heed all.</p></li>
<li><p>Sports- get started. Today. Do not underestimate the need to 1. be in shape 2. demonstrate leadership 3. perform well on the physical test that will be part of the "whole person" admission score. Start yesterday. </p></li>
<li><p>Leadership- need to demonstrate. Team captain, school government, eagle scout, etc.....there are many ways to do it....but once again, an essential component.</p></li>
<li><p>Academics: need good GPA and SATs. Take SATs over if needed. See what admitted students have scored in past.</p></li>
<li><p>Look up evey post from Zaphod, and read them all. Print them out if necessary. Follow the advice. He has BTDT. He needs to write a book. </p></li>
<li><p>Final note: look up DoDMERB site for list of "disqualifiers". If you have any automatic disqualifiers, put your efforts elsewhere. Sorry but necessary fact of life. Might even recommend moving this up to spot #2 on the list.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Best of luck! You will find lots of helpful folks here- they were a Godsend to us as we were where you are now! So welcome and best of luck! </p>

<p>Oh- and fasten your seatbelt- this is going to be a bumpy ride!</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
Look up evey post from Zaphod, and read them all. Print them out if necessary. Follow the advice. He has BTDT. He needs to write a book.

[/quote]

Wow. :o</p>

<p>Welcome, luliztee. I've sent you an IM. I'm too pooped to type much tonight. :)</p>

13

<p>^^^ well, what did you expect? You've earned it! Now get it done! :)</p>

14

<p>Luliztee,
I highly recommend going to West Point to visit. Check the football schedule and see if you can schedule an overnight during a home game. There's lots to do and see and be invovled in, and your son will get the full USMA experience. </p>

<p>After the admissions brief from the office, you will get to meet a real, live cadet. We volunteer for this, mostly because we love our school and we want to share that with other people. Ok, there's also a pizza lunch at the end of the year, and sometimes we get to go out to dinner with guidance counsellors from all over the US, but it's mostly altruistic. The only requirement is that you have your third hour off and sign up. They'll talk for a bit about Beast and Plebe Year, and life at the Academy, and then they'll open the floor to questions. </p>

<p>Ask the cadet anything. There is nothing worse than asking for questions and not getting any. And, trust me, we've heard it before. From the standard: "So would you do it again?" "Why choose USMA" "What were your other options" "What can we do to prepare" to the more, pointed, like "What really happened with the sexual assault cases and how bad is it here," to, my all time favorite, "Is it more difficult to be a woman or a person of color?" I've talked candidly about drinking at the Academy, sex, race relations, and sexual harassment. None of the briefers are going to lie to you, but it is just their experience and their opinion, so if you live really, really close, you may want to try and hit the briefing twice and get it from two different cadets. </p>

<p>To make your son more competitive, I would highly recommend the Summer Program, and any of the academic competitions that USMA hosts. If he can get his Boy Scout troop involved in the USMA Jamboree in the spring, that'd be good too. </p>

<p>Finally, make sure he comes and visits CC too! There's a lot of great people and good information out there, and a lot of people to answer questions and get advice. Just ask!</p>

15

<p>
[quote]
I highly recommend going to West Point to visit.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yeah. Find out early that Navy is best. :D</p>

16

<p>^^^ LOL! That's EXACTLY why I suggested to read all your posts!</p>

17

<p>I just can't help myself sometimes. ;)</p>

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<p>
[quote]
I just can't help myself sometimes.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>We know. But we love you anyway!!! ;)</p>

19

<p>you all are a great help. I am little by little learning. Thanks for all the suggestions and advice.</p>

20

<p>Just don't listen to all this Navy stuff. It's so much more biased than the objective comments you'll hear from the Army parents. ;)</p>