<p>I'm a little confused. I see Forbes just ranked universities again - I see West Point dropped down to #4 but I don't see Annapolis in the top #25.</p>
<p>Is there any reason why you feel it should be in the top 25?</p>
<p>Probably just because someone has a hard on for gray monkey suits. Everyone knows that the academics at all the service academies are about equal except for the guy who made up whatever purely subjective metrics that they use to rank schools and sell magazines.</p>
<p>HA! This ranking is laughable. They also ranked USMA over MIT. I dont think so. At least they watch football because they ranked USNA over Notre Dame.</p>
<p>In my opinion, all the service academies are so similar that wherever one is ranked, there can be no justification not to rank the others similarly. </p>
<p>West Point, undoubtedly, has more name recognition. In fact, the average person recognizes the term “West Point” more readily than “The United States Military Academy.”</p>
<p>whether 1st or last, these are silly things. but they sell magazines, nurture word or mouth marketing and buzz. absolutely silly …</p>
<p>…and did I mention, fuel and foil egoes? 
</p>
<p>"…and did I mention, fuel and foil egoes? " </p>
<p>lol.</p>
<p>I think you forgot to mention “fuel and foil egoes.”</p>
<p>So from what I have seen (I am a Mid on exchange at West Point right now) West point actually has a much more diverse and fluid academic side than Navy, which is very lock step and matrix driven. I would honestly prefer the range of course selection at WP as well as the engineering tracks all group non engineering majors have to take here over the very rigid structure that navy fosters. It is a little bit more about learning here, where Navy is all about pumping out degrees. </p>
<p>That and their facilities here are years ahead of ours back in Naptown.</p>
<p>just my $.02</p>
<p>Nice to have an honest, up close and personal assessment from one who has seen both sides of the coin. Thanks for that contribution.</p>
<p>
While this is a common thought, it is perpetuated by those who “assume”. In fact, it is not true at all. There ARE significant differences in what is taught and how it is taught. If folks would do their homework and closely examine the curricula, methods and objectives they would see stark differences. This is not to say one is ‘better’ but that they are individual and serve the needs of their branch.</p>
<p>That said - rankings are most valuable to those at the top, others will. They are easy to dismiss when you are not at the top. I am quite sure that if the rankings were reversed - Navy #1 and West Point down around #25 - the bells would be ringing in the Naval Academy chapel. It’s just human nature.</p>
<p>Of course it is. All like being #1. Especially to those standing on top of the hill, acting like they belong there, and all the time. Btw, USNWR ranks USMA as the equal of USMA. Now go figure! How could there be such disparity??? </p>
<p>But in the end, up or down, rankings are silly and breezy, made for dreaming, hoping, and bragging. </p>
<p>Get ready, the winds are about to change. How do we know? Because USNWR, The Princeton Review, Forbes, Kiplingers etc. etc. etc. need to sell magazines and books next year to stay in business … publications that are new, fresh, different. Dare we use that newest of cruel, curse words …“Change(d)!” :eek: Oh, Lord, help us! :(</p>
<p>Otherwise, the dog-eared 1997 edition would merely be passed down to the next fool who thinks it means something, especially for their ego and offspring. It’s merely collegiate musical chairs or “who’s on first.” </p>
<p>“That’s right. And USMA’s on 2nd.” 
With USNA coming to bat, pointing to the right field fence! 
</p>
<p>GO NAVY! Beat Army! Again and again and again … :p</p>
<p>midn’12 - what’s your major? Doesn’t that have a lot of play into your schedule flexibility? I was Naval Architecture and I dont remember having too much flexibility, but that’s because Naval Architecture is very specialized. I only remember being able to choose a few in major electives and 3 history classes.</p>
<p>I am a chemistry major. Any of the STEM majors will generally have 3 major electives and then a research project, that is the extent of the selectivity at USNA. </p>
<p>USMA on the other hand has for every non engineer, 5 or 6 engineering “tracks”. Whereas at Navy we are all roped into EE, at West point, they take 2 or 3 courses in an engineering of their choice. </p>
<p>All that said, I would still prefer navy to west point and am looking forward to christmas as much as the next squid up here.</p>
<p>Two items about West Point of interest in today’s news …</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Joe Miller, a WP grad, whooped up on Lisa Murkowski in Alaska! Way to go, Joe.</p></li>
<li><p>And WP might rank #1 in a rather dubious way according to NY Times today …
<a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/nyregion/25cadet.html?_r=2[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/nyregion/25cadet.html?_r=2</a></p></li>
</ol>
<p>Mid12 wait until you get into the “Thayer” system of learning and then come back and tell us about it…Christmas will be here soon…</p>
<p>Yeah, I am seeing the Thayer method in all of it’s glory. But seriously, if I were a teacher, I wouldnt want to teach either</p>
<p>If there really is a difference, perhaps it is due to the Thayer method. Instructors at WP is 80% military. Even the senior military instructors are relatively new to teaching. The Thayer method compliments these inexperienced teachers greatly. Back intheday at USNA, the Thayer method was used for core plebe and youngster science, math, and engineering. I have always considered these courses the highlight of my educational experience. First, one learns to study together (teamwork) before class, then one learns to defend their beliefs in front of the class. USNA also stresses competitiveness. So there is something deeply satisfying about being the only one in class to be able to solve a differential equation. </p>
<p>My good friend and roommate to this day introuduces me as the peron responsible for his graduating since I was responsible for getting him through plebe calculus. He went back later as a calculus instructor. Thanks to this thread, I now have something to talk about when we drive up to Baltimore next weekend.</p>
<p>The method has merit provided one is able to dedicate the time for each subject. When carrying 21 plus hrs something is going to have to give.</p>
<p>“The method has merit provided one is able to dedicate the time for each subject”</p>
<p>—++ahh but there’s the “rub”–West Point is all about not having enough time for anything part of the training.</p>
<p>Contrast that to somewhere like the AF Academy where our WP grad spent a semester during her cow year----she thought she had been shipped off to “Club Med” in terms of the amount of free time she had there</p>