<p>For sure. You'll be a plebe. No credit transfer.</p>
<p>Depending on the classes, you may be able to transfer credit from some of them. However, you would definitely not get any special treatment or spend any less time at the Academy (i.e. finish sooner). Your course load would not even be thta much smaller; you'd just end up with more credits at the end.</p>
<p>zpm ~</p>
<p>As you can see from my name, I'm a Mom, so I won't even mention the underage drinking thing. I think your peers have addressed it well.</p>
<p>Regarding your major choices though - you do realize that the AFA is the only place you can get a true 4 year astrospace degree??</p>
<p>As far as I can tell from my son's experience - leadership, leadership, leadership. He did not have a varsity letter - did not play any sports beyond his sophomore year. He was in band - marching, symphony, and jazz. He was the field commander for marching band his senior year. He is graduating 4th in his class with a 3.969 unweighted. </p>
<p>Apply! What have you got to lose?</p>
<p>The degree AFAMom mentions is "Astronautical Engineering." It's not the ONLY place you can get one as an undergrad in the US, but there are very few others. USAFA offers Aero and Astro Engr degrees--not aerospace or astrospace. At most others, the emphasis in Astro (and most engineering) is placed on the graduate students and their research. At USAFA, the focus is on undergrad education--a critical difference characterized by small classes and involved, accessible instructors.</p>
<p>I stand corrected on using the term "Astrospace" in place of "Astronautical". However, I must refer to USAFA handbook which states "Cadets who successfully complete this major are awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering........This is unique, since no other university in the nation offers an accredited undergraduate degree in this field."
Are they wrong?</p>
<p>Listen to what Doc has to say on that matter, he's definitely in the know with regard to that topic.</p>
<p>USAFA's may be the only ACCREDITED Astro Engr major for undergrads. Engr majors are accredited by ABET (Accreditation Borad for Engineering and Technology)--a very rigorous examination of programs.</p>
<p>If you are looking at ABET undergrad programs in Aerospace Eng there are about 50 programs, Aeronautical Eng about 10 and Astronautical Eng about 5 (USAFA, Ohio State, Purdue, Univ of Illinois and Univ of Wash) Embry Riddle supposedly has an excellent Aerospace Eng program ranked year after year.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.abet.org/schoolareaeac.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.abet.org/schoolareaeac.asp</a></p>
<p>There are others that are "Aeronautical and Astronautical" (e.g. Ohio State, Illinois and no different than aerospace, really) and "Aeronautics & Astronautics", but the ONLY pure Astronautical Engineering degree accredited at the BS level is at USAFA.</p>
<p>I guarantee you that none of those A&A programs comes close at the undergrad level to USAFA's programs--I know firsthand(A&A MS from Stanford)</p>
<p>docfrance-
no debate regarding the best program; just info for similiar programs.</p>
<p>No problem at all. </p>
<p>I think a lot of folks don't understand the advantages that an undergrad only or undergrad-focused institution provides to students--especially in engineering. Sure, Ohio State, Illinois, Texas, Stanford, etc are great schools with great reputations, but at the undergrad level, they're very much the same. Large classes, graduate assistants teaching and grading, boiler-plate courses. USAFA, USMA, USNA, USCGA, USMMA, and schools like Harvey-Mudd, Rose-Hulman, etc focus on undergrads. You have small classes, hands-on work, professors that focus as much or more on teaching as they do on research, and many other advantages. Activities reserved for graduate students at most schools (like building a real satellite) are integrated into the whol core program at USAFA. It's hard to beat. Just pointing out factors...</p>
<p>Have a great AF day! </p>
<p>Note: "June Week" officially kicks off at USAFA tomorrow with the Class of '06's Ring Dance. Parades, banquets, and balls through the Memorial Day weekend and into Tuesday culminate with Graduation next Wednesday morning--guest speaker is the VP. Congrats to '05 and welcome to the Long Blue Line!</p>
<p>Minor correction (typo I'm sure)... zeroSIX's Ring Dance is tomorrow. At last, haha.</p>
<p>I wholeheartedly agree; a fine institution-can't beat it!</p>
<p>Doh! You'd think I wouldn't make THAT mistake given my close genetic relationship to a soon-to-be fellow ring knocker... (correction made)</p>