<p>I'm interested in pursuing graduate school before I enter the Army. I won't be attending West Point (turned it down for a ROTC scholarship at a lesser New York institution), but I suspect the Army's policies are the same for all cadets. I know there are a number of programs available for students who trade a sponsored education for extra service. I'm not sure I want to make a career out of the Army though, and would like to know whether officers/students are able to pursue graduate education at their own expense and serve the standard commitment afterwards. Any input would be great.</p>
<p>Um...I think the Army sends alot of majors to a civilian grad school before they can make LTC, but I'm not 100% positive about that. I remember reading somewhere that 75% of West Point grads who spend more than 5 years on active duty end up getting a masters that is paid for by the Army in exchange for at least three more years of service or something, but I'm not sure about getting a masters BEFORE entering. You said you're doing ROTC...so...are you trying to do 4 years of ROTC, get your degree, but NOT commision, go straight to grad school, and commision after your get your masters? I don't know if you can postpone your commisioning like that. The only thing I can think of would be taking the ROTC classes but not contracting, getting both your BS and masters at your own expense, and then going to OCS, but I'm just speculating here.</p>
<p>If you are going ROTC - one option available to you is to get commissioned in the Army Reserves and then you can go to grad school. You don't have to serve your time Active duty. Of course then the Army would not be paying for grad school but you would have a part time job already!</p>