<p>Just out of curiosity, does anyone know how many/the percentage of kids at USNA that went to private high school? Homeschooled? At my second choice college, it's evidentlly REALLY UNUSUAL for someone to come from a public high school which surprised me, so I started wondering about USNA... I would think everyone's pretty equal footing at the academy (because of being exposed to so much new stuff), but I've also heard that NAPSters do really well because they have the basic military stuff down ahead of time.</p>
<p>
[quote]
At my second choice college, it's evidentlly REALLY UNUSUAL for someone to come from a public high
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I am sure you have specific knowledge about this but I am doubtful of what you say. I don't know of too many colleges where going to a public school is "odd".</p>
<p>I think you will find that a higher percentage come from private schools, simply because, on average, private schools offer more competitive academics, and the stars shine brighter.</p>
<p>That said, there are plenty of folks who went to public schools. I'm not sure if "unusual" would be an accurate term.</p>
<p>hazmat - it was Southern Methodist University in Dallas, I was extremely surprised to hear that too, but that's what a guy from my church said when he came back for break...</p>
<p>My sister went to SMU. She went to a Catholic HS.</p>
<p>Interesting. I'll ask her.</p>
<p>Public HS (4 years) ranked 16th in the country. Private school for PG year. Honest opinion? not much of a difference, at least in these 2 schools- each has their advantages, and each things that could be better. An extra year of prep can't hurt, nor can the experience of adjustment away from home, etc. In the end it all depends on the school and the kid- you get out what you put in.</p>
<p>There are few enough homeschoolers admitted that we all visit back and forth! ;-) Well, not all, but we all know of most of them. Many states consider homeschoolers as private schoolers, so that muddies the numbers somewhat. The AFA now has a specific homeschool liaison officer. The biggest hurdle to homeschoolers to the academies remains varsity sports. My dd is blessed by the fact the in CO, we have access to sports at the public school. The only academy that it still grumpy to homeschoolers is the CGA--they require an "accredited" curriculum, and there is no such thing. Accredited schools, but not curriculum. They also make it hard, requiring filling in class rank. One of the longest-term writers in the homeschool movement's son just graduated from CGA. We usually have one public school student a year or so from our small town at an academy. One girl here this year has two nominations to AFA, but not an LOA. Currently, we have one public schooler at USMMA--my former hired man!</p>
<p>Marmadillo, what school might that be? Patrick Henry?</p>
<p>SMU in Dallas</p>
<p>OK, I spoke with the sis.</p>
<p>Apparently, while having gone to a private school is NOT a requirement to get into SMU, it appears that the lion's share of students DID go to private schools, mostly because the families are very well off, and SMU is one of those extremely-well-regarded PRIVATE universities in Texas.</p>
<p>Her stories of Freshmen driving Rolls Royce convertibles are to die laughing over!</p>
<p>So anyway, there it is...</p>
<p>I live about 2 minutes outside of SMU!</p>
<p>and yes, I heard that most come from private schools also. SMU is located in a very wealthy neighborhood</p>