Academics, Graduate School, and the Academies

Colleges and Universities A-Z Military Academy - West Point
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<p>Hey,
This isnt a chances post but just for some backround, I'm a senior now in high school with 2300+ SAT and salutorian of my class. I've taken all AP's offered, etc. and play a varsity sport and a jv sport. I don't really have many leadership positions on my record, but I have been extensively involved in community service. And, last but certainly not least, I wish to serve my country in the military.
However, I do not believe I will actually make a career of the military. The reason for this is that I have a passion for learning and love to learn just for its own sake.
So my question is, what are the opportunities for pursuing a graduate program of my choosing after leaving the military. Would a service academy degree be viewed favorably by top graduate programs in a given major?
Also, I'm sure this has been asked before, but to what degree is critical thinking and analysis encouraged in the academies? There's some website called something like "How to get into the service academies" that claims that the teaching at the academies is more of an "incalculation" lacking an emphasis on critical thinking. </p>

<p>Basically, I want to serve my country and in addition to that pursue a life of learning by earning at least a Masters and maybe even a Ph.D. in an area I am passionate about. </p>

<p>Thanks for any help, this board has already been a great help to me.</p>

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<p>Oh and also, I was curios as to whether anybody on here had heard of someone able to postpone enrollment into college to serve in the military for say 4 years.</p>

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<p>If you want to go to West Point, that will be your college education and you will graduate with a B.S. Upon graduation you will be required to serve 5 years active duty and 2 (or is it 3?) years in the reserves as a commissioned officer. There are no enlistments if you become an officer. While in the military you will have the opportunity to further your learning as you progress through the ranks if you so choose to do and it will be paid for. As for postponing enrollment to a college I'm not sure, but I would assume you would need to reapply. If you enlist into the military and serve for a certain amount of time (4 years I think) the Army will pay for some or maybe all of your education expenses. If you do want to go to West Point, I suggest (if you haven't already) to start the application process by visiting United</a> States Military Academy at West Point to learn more and apply. Try to get some extra curricular activities and try to earn some leadership positions.</p>

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<p>Search the websites of the academies and you'll find that all the academies heavily promote post graduate studies for their graduates.</p>

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<p>AmericanKid - I commend you for wanting to serve your country, but I get the impression from your post that you may not be fully grasping that WP is a military academy, not a university. I'd like to respond to some of your statements.</p>

<p>"However, I do not believe I will actually make a career of the military. The reason for this is that I have a passion for learning and love to learn just for its own sake." If you've already thought that you won't make the Army a career, why are you considering West Point? You can serve in the military without going to WP, but yet going to WP would take a spot from a young man or woman who would want to make the Army a career. Being in the Army does not prevent you from continuing a lifetime of learning. Check the bio's of the Supe, Comm, and Dean at United</a> States Military Academy at West Point. They all have at least 1 master's degree, extensive military schooling, and the Dean has a law degree. </p>

<p>"So my question is, what are the opportunities for pursuing a graduate program of my choosing after leaving the military." Same opportunities as you would have if you didn't go to WP, it depends on your choices.</p>

<p>"Would a service academy degree be viewed favorably by top graduate programs in a given major?" Most likely, but if you're looking for "prestige," you can get that by attending any Ivy League college.</p>

<p>"Also, I'm sure this has been asked before, but to what degree is critical thinking and analysis encouraged in the academies?" Encouraged? No, demanded. When these cadets graduate, they will be commanding soldiers in the field, most likely in battle situations. The 47 month long program at WP isn't just about getting a degree, it's about preparing these cadets to think critically in a critical situation when they are young officers. </p>

<p>"There's some website called something like "How to get into the service academies" that claims that the teaching at the academies is more of an "incalculation" lacking an emphasis on critical thinking." First, I think you/they mean inculcate. Definition: To impress (something) upon the mind of another by frequent instruction or repetition. Yes, that is what WP does. Does that have to mean that there is a lack of critical thinking? Suggest you review the Thayer Method of instruction that is the hallmark of WP's academics. </p>

<p>My responses may sound like I'm picking on you - that isn't my intention. Your post sounded very much like my d when she wondered if she was good enough to be accepted to WP, without really thinking about the consequences of actually being accepted to WP. </p>

<p>It was announced at this year's graduation that 11 USMA graduates had been killed since the previous graduation. Please make sure that you've thought through WHY you want to go to West Point. Just like there's no "I" in team, there's no "I" in Army either.</p>

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<p>Sorry, I don't think I was clear enough in my post. I'm not set on West Point or any other service academy.
I'm open to any suggestions you may have, now that you know where I'm coming from, concerning the service academies, ROTC, and enlisting. </p>

<p>After reading this forum for many months, I certainly am not one of those who look at West Point as a free education to earn a prestigious degree and then serve 5 years and forget about the Army forever. </p>

<p>I'm open to any suggestions, and thank you for the responses so far.</p>

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<p>There is definately a need for higher education as you pursue a career in the Army. The Army is currently offering a program where officers extend their 3 year reserve commitment to 3 additional years active and in turn get fully funded graduate schooling at the school of their choice, in the degree of their choice. I knew an instructor as West Point who had 3 masters and 2 Ph. D's, so yeah, the opportunity is there. Most Battalion Commander's in today's Army have at least a Masters, it's pretty much a must.</p>

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<p>So if you want to rank up in the military, you should get a masters?</p>

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<p>I think for grades higher than O-3 it is most likely a must, don't take that as fact though.</p>

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<p>This is a very in-depth look at West Point's academic system. </p>

<p>Mapping</a> Student Learning With Precision :: Inside Higher Ed :: Higher Education's Source for News, Views and Jobs</p>

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<p>Petraeus was the General George C. Marshall Award winner as the top graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College—class of 1983.[5] He subsequently earned a M.P.A. degree (1985) and a Ph.D. degree (1987) in International Relations from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. He later served as Assistant Professor of International Relations at the U.S. Military Academy and also completed a fellowship at Georgetown University. He has a BS from the U.S. Military Academy—class of 1974—from which he graduated as a distinguished cadet (top 5% of his class).</p>

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<p>hit enter too soon , but you can see that academics education are valued ...</p>

<p>It is easy to judge, but you are asking some good questions, and hope that IN TOTAL this site and other information can help you and othrs reading</p>

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<p>as to ranking up in the military, I dont know if it is required, but it is a great option that is available... basically if you are staying in for the long haul the opportunity is there so one should take it.</p>

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<p>no offense, but by judging these responses, i think some parents may be slightly disillusioned about west point. i could tell you the majority of cadets would say they will not make a career out of the army, and the majority will not. they require 8 years of service because that is their minimal expectation, and by serving that time their is no shame in leaving after it. a career would be optimal in west point's eyes, but before you get into the army its hard to know what you will really end up doing.</p>

<p>with regards to grad school, a bs from west point makes it a whole lot easier to get into. a lot of schools will add an entire point to your gpa when looking at your transcript, georgetown and duke are two that do that that i'm sure about. of course, if you go while in the army, they will pay for it, and if you retire after 20 years you can still have a pretty nice career in whatever field you may choose to go in to.</p>

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<p>AS a parent, no offense taken. I sometimes lose track of the thoughts of our 'children' ... I think the statistics are something like 25% of West Point Graduates are in service at 20 years ( feel free to correct - I am n ot takign the time to research) </p>

<p>Also, I didnt read closely and Screaming Eagle has a better idea than I on the education needed etc ... </p>

<p>Soldier On</p>