<p>As reading through the service academy forums, I am amazed at how many parents are on them. I look at other colleges and I see few parents, if any parents on the boards. Why are you here?</p>
<p>My parents arn't on these sites discussing applying. Why arn't your kids here? This obiously demonstrates that you have more interest than your kids, which isn't going to help come basic and plebe year. I understand that you are trying to help and all, but I mean come on!!!! For instance, if your kid is trying to chose between usna and mit rotc, why arn't THEY researching which one is better? It is their life. Why arn't THEY taking an active part in their application? </p>
<p>I'm not trying to offend parents(like half the people here), but I think its sad if you have more interest than your kid.</p>
<p>My kid's too busy (like so many others) with AP classes, varisty wrestling, volunteering, student council, engineering club, part time job, weightlifting, etc. to mess around here. I am the one with the free time! </p>
<p>Spider made his mind up long ago what he wanted to do. He's out there making it happen. I'm just here for the humor and the virtual merlots. And the underwear/boots information. And the recipes. And the political debates. etc, etc. etc.</p>
<p>It's called love, curiosity, and ....addiction!
My son has absolutely no interest in online forums (yet). He got all his info from BGO and online searches/websites. But it is nice because when he has questions (has, does and will), I can over wisdom and advice for further research.</p>
<p>It's a no brainer for me. Why wouldn't I want to be informed? At least when we sit down when his decision is/is-about-to-be final, I will be informed enough to make sure he has no misconceptions or bad information by doing MY homework.</p>
<p>westpoint2010: I can understand your question, especially if you haven't been here long enough to build a relationship with some of the participants. So let me introduce my purpose for visiting, reading & posting here.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The Academy admission process (as you know) is complex and multi-dimensional -- and not always easy to understand. </p></li>
<li><p>The very best source of information for prospective applicants would be current mids/cadets.</p></li>
<li><p>The reality is that current mids/cadets have so little time that not many can be here (and certainly not very often) to share their experience. When some of our "old friends" who are in the Academy now drop by its always a treat!</p></li>
<li><p>Believe it or not, parents just might be the next best thing to having access to a current mid/cadet. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I've observed the process as a parent twice: for a candidate coming right out of high school and another applying after a year college (both successful). Because I'm local to Annapolis, I often host multiple mids at my home, and have the opportunity to hear many different perspectives -- not just my kids.</p>
<p>Dare I say it? I actually know a few things! </p>
<p>So why do I post -- because I am so in awe of the midshipmen I know, and in awe of the young men and women like yourself who aspire to join them, that I am more than happy to do what I can to support the applicants and their families with whatever information I can share as a proxy for my mids.</p>
<p>And... you may have noticed that many of the conversations on this board have to do with subjects that the parents are acutely interested in -- and that other parents are the best to ask: what day to arrive for PPW, what to send in "care packages" during Plebe summer, best hotels in Annapolis, restaurants for large groups, etc.</p>
<p>westpoint 2010
I am on this forum because when I first saw the "disqualification note" posted on our daughter's DoDMerb in August....she certainly had NO IDEA what it meant. I didn't either. So I poked around on the internet and discovered this forum and found it a lifeline for information.</p>
<p>Like another parent posted....my daughter leaves the house before 7 am every day for school and is up till midnight most days, if not later, 7 days a week - doing the homework for 6 AP/IB classes. This is in addition to all her leadership/community/church activites.</p>
<p>She is most appreciative that I am on this forum - sharing information, getting questions asked - and is not the least bit interested in taking more time from her pressed schedule to sit at this computer screen and get basically the same information that I can get in the leisure of my day as a stay-at-home mom.</p>
<p>As for why parents are on the Academy forums and not the other college forums, I have found that parents of members of the military pay more attention to what their sons and daughters are getting into. While I agree that kids planning on going to Annapolis or Westpoint have a lot going on, I also know that kids going to Harvard, Yale, or Stanford have a bunch of activities/homework too. There is something about the military that draws the parents in. I know it drew mine when my brother joined the army and now when I'm applying to USNA.</p>
<p>westpoint2010 - The parents on here may infact be more interested than the kid, I know my Dad seems to be (he never posted here, but his enthusiasm towards my school in general and I could tell he probably wanted me to come here) but for 99% of the people on here, they are getting help/advice/coping with other parents who go through this. I mean, you talk to your friends at school about the whole "college thing" they talk to other parents, it's natural. </p>
<p>That being said, since I go to an academy, I'd hope to God my parents were interested as much as me if not more in order to help me through. They have been awesome and gone way above and beyond on numerous occasions to help me out. Without them I wouldn't be here, but at the same time I am here because of what I have done so far. </p>
<p>The lesson, don't knock the parents and don't put your parents in the rear seat, they're the ones who help you get through the bad and rough times.</p>
<p>I dunno, I'm one busy person myself, getting ready to apply, work, sports, etc. Getting up at atleast 5:30 every morning fo rmy work out... Well, this place is my procrastination place because atleast I don't feel like I'm procrastinating <i>too</i> badly!
I know my mom looks around but doesn't post ( HI MOMMY! ), but it's kind of nice to see different perspectives and here some seasoned tips...</p>
<p>Same here, I stop by to post and read through in between multiple activites. The parents/alumni/adults here offer a ton of help, support, views, advice, and a good laugh or two. My mom pokes around here too once in a while if she is looking up information. I dont see why parents wouldnt be here, the USNA is as much of a journey for them as their kids, just in a slightly different way.</p>
<p>This subject came up last year also and I bet it will come up next year. I can certainly understand that you may be puzzled at all the parents on the SA boards. And some of the discussions can occasionally (only occasionally though ;)) be over the top. However, I agree with the points others here have made, especially oiixxg. </p>
<p>I started by looking for information, then found a community that includes parents who are dealing with the same pride, fear and concern that I feel. My friends with kids at civilian colleges really don't understand some of the issues we deal with here. Their big questions are revolving which dorm their kids are selecting or whether they will rush a fraternity/sorority or not.</p>
<p>All of the kids here have gone through or will go through a very unique experience. Those parents who stick around to encourage next year's class are doing so because we have learned and want to share. And because we're addicted. :D Finally, I think we have fallen in love with these exceptional schools.</p>
<p>westpoint2010 - My kid used to get on here. He doesn't anymore because I talked about his underwear. He's never been back. I don't get to talk to him anymore cause he's too "academy" busy. If I didn't have these other parents to talk to, I would have killed myself with death by 300 lbs. of chocolate. Here's the thing. Try talking about USMA with someone who doesn't know what it is. Put yourself in the position of having a question but not knowing where to find an answer. This place is user friendly. You don't have to seek someone who knows what you're talking about. </p>
<p>"why arn't THEY researching which one is better? It is their life. Why arn't THEY taking an active part in their application?"</p>
<p>They're not? You parents - better get to beating those kids into shape!
Hey, you've got a cool website BTW! That took alot of work. If you don't realize it yet, you've played your part here by helping the incoming class understand what they're up against by reading your site. And ya just can't ditch parents. We send really good boodle plus bling for bus fare.</p>
<p>I agree with what the rest of the candidates are saying about the parents information being very valuable. I don't post much, but I think I have read every forum on here atleast once, and the parents community is a great aset on this site.</p>
<p>My kiddo is taking
AP/IB English
IB History of the Americas
AP Calc BC
AP Statistics
AP Biology
and in an after school class with a few others and her teacher:AP Government</p>
<p>
[quote]
Why arn't THEY taking an active part in their application?
[/quote]
Well, I guess I would just say that you don't get accepted early to 2 of the most selective schools in the country without having an active part in your application! ;) Just because he doesn't roam or lurk these forums, doesn't mean he's not doing what he needs to do.</p>