I was accepted into both and I’m leaning towards West Point, but both places are incredible… which one would you pick - I know a lot about both so if you have questions, or are thinking about having a go at applying to either, I’d be happy to help you.
My main reason for posting is to just see if there’s an overwhelming negativity to one of the two that I haven’t been exposed to thus far.
I would choose Harvard, but that’s just me. If you like military stuff, then West Point is better for you.
Depends. What career/major/field are you interested in? Can you/your family handle the cost of a Harvard education? Are you willing to give up the traditional college lifestyle and commit to a few years out of college to a job in the military? Is grad school something you’re concerned about paying for? Is job security a concern? Are you cut out for West Point?
My cousin chose Air Force Academy over full rides at Cornell and a few other places. Aspiring aerospace engineer. She complains sometimes and misses home a lot…but then she gets to fly planes and spend summers jumping out of them, and she remembers what she went for. :]
I have friends applying to AFA, West Point, the like, and for awhile I thought about it. Just because of the /amazing/ perks that come with credentials like that. However, I’m still very indecisive about my future and can’t commit to absolutes when there aren’t any in my mind. So it’s off to college as an undecided major for me!
If you have what it takes and are willing to commit, without a doubt, I’d say West Point. Remember. A Harvard degree is a degree from Harvard. Any reasonably intelligent, hard working, talented student has the potential to graduate. A West Point degree is a lifestyle/career choice not everyone can make, that will also open many, MANY doors for you.
It is really comparing apples and oranges.
It is not a question of which one is “better”.
If you are truly interested in the military, and are truly willing to forego four years of relative “fun” at college to undergo the rigors of West Point, then you should do it.
It is probably the kind of thing where you hate it while you are doing it, but that after you do it, you will be glad you did.
If you can get into Harvard undergraduate, then I would say that after going to West Point, you can get into a Harvard level graduate school, and the military would probably even pay for it.
So it would not be like you were giving up an Ivy education. You would just be foregoing it until graduate school.
But you better be ready, because it will be really tough. No doubt that they try to weed out those who are tentative.
Also, there is the service commitment after you graduate. That may seem like a daunting amount of time when you are young, but from the perspective of a 56 year old, trust me, it really isn’t. You will still have time to go to graduate school, or have a long non-military career.
Do you want to be an officer in the Army?
If yes, go to WP. You’ll get to eat, sleep, and breathe Army…or spend your time wishing for/daydreaming of something NOT-army…
Both schools are unquestionably excellent at what they do, but their area of focus is certainly different. I’m a USAFA grad, and very happily so. If being an officer is your goal, there are not many better ways than a service academy.
I don’t know if this helps, but have you considered ROTC?
Westpoint, hands down.
Woah! Both acceptances are amazing! You really can’t go wrong with either one
if you are not fully committed and interested in being a part of the military do not go to west point.