<p>I think you are right wstcoastmom. I've seen a few that my daughter goes to school with that are so focused on excelling academically without much else in their lives. Some are to the point where they consider themselves failures if they can't get into "an ivy league" school. A shame because there are so many options for getting a great education yet they approach getting into "the right" college as just another of our society's "beauty contests". Probably us as parents that are often to blame for perpetuating the idea that "where you learned it is more important than what you learned."</p>
<p>shogun, wstcoastmom actually made the statement regarding the 3 yr. varsity letters. I was only replying to her statement.</p>
<p>HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!</p>
<p>Shogun,</p>
<p>There is great wisdom in your words, and the vast array of institutions of higher education in our country sets the United States apart from other developed nations. There are extraordinary opportunities for a fine university education in our state (UCs, Stanford, Claremont Colleges, etc.) and nationwide. That being said, what really appeals to us (and probably most candidates and their families) about the service academies is best expressed by the USNA mission statement: "To develop midshipmen morally, mentally and physically...to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government." </p>
<p>Good luck to your daughter, she sounds like a superstar!</p>
<p>Navgirl,
Thank you for your kind words.</p>
<p>I hope '09 brings a little more to the table than '08 did...they are hurting everrrrywhere...</p>