<p>I am a junior in high school and my parents are really cracking down on me to start researching colleges. I am an average student, 4.0 gpa weighted, played Lacrosse for 2 years, a lot of community service dealing with church including a big praise band show and an inner city mission trip. Anyways, enough about me, I need some help in deciding either to go to the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, or apply to a state school. I do not have much information about the Air Force or Navy, and i'm wondering if any of you guys have any information on applying, how to get in, etc. . . I already know there is an athletic portion of the application, but i'm wondering will it be difficult for me to be accepted since I did not take ROTC in highschool? And what other information should I know about before applying, etc...</p>
<p>Don't sweat the lack of JROTC. Most applicants don't have it, either.</p>
<p>As for which one to apply to, I recommend you apply to both, and then decide as you learn more about them (which you will as you go through the application process). Instructions for applying can be found on the respective websites.</p>
<p>They're both worth it, but Navy is better. :D</p>
<p>j3ffff: if the federal academies are on your radar, a good place to start with understanding the admissions process is obtaining the books written by Smallwood...."Candidates Guide to (USNA, USMA, USAFA).... you can find them on amazon.com- best of luck!</p>
<p>Both of the previous posts are what I would say, too, Jeff. I would add that you should try as much as possible to talk with graduates from both schools and hang around with folk from both the Navy and Air Force as officers. You will get a definite completely different sense from those who serve in both branches. There is a mindset in the Air Force that is nothing like the mindset of Navy...same with Army/Coast Guard. Some of it comes from the fact that they are tasked with different missions....some comes from the focus of the service academy's education. We have friends currently at AFAcademy and Coast Guard and West Point....and are learning that their training while having alot of overlap, definitely has different emphases in each school. You will have to decide what YOU want to do for the next about 10 years of your life...counting school/service. That's why I would encourage you to do a heck of alot of research on site and in person as much as possible.</p>
<p>Our kiddo has met, talked with, visited with, had meals with, probably 100 different officers and families of officers in the past 5 years... It's pretty easy for us since we live in San Diego county, 10 miles from Camp Pendleton, and she is in the Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol and has travelled nationally with CAP. We also attended all the orientation sessions provided by the Service Academies in our area whenever they came around. It was very helpful to get a feel for which service mentality worked best for her.Even though she attended both USNA and AF Summer Seminar it was a no brainer for her, she only applied to USNA, only asked for a Congressional Nomination to USNA and plans on going Marine upon graduation. ( She also had applied and recieved a MCROTC scholarship, so don't forget that approach, too)</p>
<p>I'm afraid Zaphod is hopeless prejudiced about USNA and the Navy. Can't help it, you know. It comes with being a graduate of the FINEST INSTITUTION in the world. How can I disagree with someone with HIS credientals, especially since I 100% agree with him. So that makes 2 of us with a biased opinion, even if it IS the correct one! :-)</p>
<p>I personally am greatful for any and all young people who rise to the call of using their mental, physical, spiritual and intellectual gifts in service to our nation as Military Officers. I salute your desires and applaud your achievements, one and all.</p>
<p>Good advice from all. I would only add to look into USMMA -- Kings Point -- as well. It provides the broadest options to serve your country upon graduation -- an active duty commission in any of the services, or a USNR Commission and a private sector maritime career. Plus you will spend an entire year at sea as part of your training.</p>