<p>My husband wants to offer our son, who is a 3 degree this year, the opportunity to try to apply to an Ivy or other top tier university to see whether he would be accepted (whereas he may not have been right out of high school) and to help him decide whether he still wants to continue at USAFA and commit to a career as an officer. Our son currently has his heart set on a medical career, is in an appropriate science major, and has attended sessions for cadets interested in medical school. (In fact, he states that almost everyone in his major wants to go to medical school, which I am sure is far more than the alotted quota.)</p>
<p>My question is, what potential harm would applying to other universities but later deciding to stay at USAFA pose for a cadet who is in all around good to excellent standing? USAFA has been an overall very good fit for his personality, but we want him to be given every opportunity to explore the options a final time.</p>
<p>Hmm ive read about this but i may be interpreting this wrong so dont take what i say as final (never should anyways :-))</p>
<p>Anyways if you seperate yourself from the Academy before your second class year, i think that it does not incure a commitment of any form. However, i have also read that you may induce a charge from the government for how long your son was their. Estimates are all over the place but its between $20,000-$40,000/year. So between 40,000 and $80,000 in your sons case.</p>
<p>The point of us making sure he knows his options now is that he will need to sign a commitment before entering classes the beginning of his third (2 degree) year at the Academy. If he leaves the academy after the summer of his 3 degree year but before setting foot into class his 2 degree year he owes nothing in money or military service. So, essentially, anyone can have two years free college education at any service academy. The end of the second year is when quite a few cadets decide they don't want to commit. Leaving during your 2 degree or 1 degree years incurs financial and/or military service as an airman. I'm not sure for how much or how long, and I think it varies based on circumstances surrounding the departure.</p>
<p>Why not ask your son? See what HE wants. I don't know him so I can't hazard to guess, but if he's happy where he is now, that's probably better for him than trying to get him to switch "for his own good." Remember it's his life and you should be supportive and not try to sway him either way as a result of what you think is better as a well-intentioned parent.</p>
<p>In response to "So, essentially, anyone can have two years free college education at any service academy.":</p>
<p>While individuals can leave after 2 years without owing anything, I would never encourage anyone to come here just for that. It's one thing if a person comes here and realizes that it's not for them for whatever reason. However, it's different to come here and plans from the beginning to leave after 2 years, getting taxpayers to foot the bill for that while never intending to use this institution for it's purpose of creating Air Force officers (and taking someone else's spot in the process).</p>
<p>If the intention is to leave after the second year, I think that during the interviews, that this plan will become evident, even though not stated directly. Responses to questions regarding military service will probably be evasive, and I think the interview committees will pick up on the lack of committment.</p>
<p>My point is that I believe the committees will weed out applicants who do not have the committment to follow through.
CM</p>
<p>usafaparent: Regarding your question about the potential "harm" that could result from applying to another college while at USAFA, here's a couple of my thoughts.</p>
<p>My worst case scenario is that your son gets accepted into his "dream pre-med college" but ultimately decides to stay at USAFA. He is tagged as a "disloyal" cadet for having considered leaving. Other cadets and academy administration harass your son the rest of his time at USAFA. Upon graduation from USAFA , he does not get into medical school suspecting he was somehow "black-balled" by the academy. He leaves USAFA dissappointed, disheartened and second-guessing his decision to stay at USAFA. Puts in his minimum commitment, leaves the Air Force and lives the rest of his life as a bitter man.</p>
<p>Was that "worst case" enough for you ?</p>
<p>Realistically, I don't see much downside risk to testing your son's options. Most cadets consider leaving the academy at some time during their tenure and I don't see his loyalty being questioned as long as he is making a good faith effort at USAFA and is honest about his motives for being there.</p>
<p>I assume his applying to another college would have to be made known to USAFA since I expect the college would want an official transcript of your son's classes and grades. </p>
<p>"My point is that I believe the committees will weed out applicants who do not have the committment to follow through."</p>
<p>While many people think this would be the case, as it makes sense, the system is not perfect. There are people who slip through the cracks and get in each year with the intention of never actually graduating from ehre and becoming an officer.</p>
<p>With all the pain, agony, and work required to apply to the academy and actually get accepted... you'd think most people would weed themselves out</p>
<p>Just for everyones info I believe and education at the USAFA is 35,000 a year last i read. Only if you incur financial commitment by leaving thoug will you owe this.</p>
<p>IMHO if son truly wants to do this it can be done by him during Christmas break. If he is leaning that way, then he has probably done research, etc. and if the idea comes from him and he is motivated, then, sure. Help with apps, discuss the pros and cons, etc. </p>
<p>However, if the idea is yours, leave it alone. Do you really need the "But what ifs?" directed at you for the next 20 years? If you do it, or broach the subject, could you possibly undermine his confidence, commitment, or his morale? And, as stated above, what does that do for the remainder of the time there? And what if he is again rejected? From reading the transfer threads here, it is even more difficult to get in as a transfer than straight out of HS.</p>
<p>Anyway, why should this be the "final" time for admission to medical school? You have to have an undergrad degree first, and he is pursuing that. Active duty commitment is 5 years. I am certain that he could apply to programs through the service later on, or get out and go to medical school, with that academy education and training standing him in good stead on applications and in experience with a rigorous program. </p>
<p>Good luck with whatever course you choose. I know that you have only the best interest of your son at heart. I really hope that everything works out well and that your cadet is safe and happy wherever he finds himself.</p>
<p>Hey, NavyDocUSNA91 just joined the discussion in the USNA forum. He went to Med School "on the Navy's dime." Perhaps he would be a good resource for you in assessing your son's options. Good Luck!</p>
<p>On the flip-side, I was asked to talk to a fourth class cadet a few weeks ago who wanted to quit. His parents had talked everyone (including themselves) into thinking the kid was just having problems here because classes were hard. As it turns out, the kid really dislikes it here as it's just "not for him" and classes really don't factor into it. As a result, his parents were trying to force him to stay here by putting a guilt trip on him and threatening to not let him come home if he left. I'm not really sure what ended up happening, although I'm pretty sure the kid left. My point is to listen to your son and be supportive; have faith that since he was mature and responsible enough to get into a service academy and you allowed him to go that is he also mature and responsible enough to make educated decisions concerning the path of his own life.</p>