<p>One of my cousins is deciding between applying to Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and the United States Military Academy. He still has some time to go, but he was wondering what the benefits and disadvantages of each would be. Here is a list that I could come up with on the spot.</p>
<p>TEXAS A&M BENEFITS:</p>
<p>Distinct area of studies...more open than West Point (so I have heard)
More time devoted to academics
Supposedly, more Extra Curriculars
Easier admission than West Point
Stories of less hazing than West Point (you guys will have to give me more info on this one)</p>
<p>WEST POINT BENEFITS:</p>
<p>More distinctive training in army (is it actually harder than the Corps?)
More time devoted to specifically military training
More experienced professors and officers, I suppose
More prestige in the military world</p>
<p>As you can see, I'm pretty clueless...do you guys have any comparisons?</p>
<p>In the end, its all about what the individual wants. West Point definatley has prestige, but its something you must want more than anything else in the world. I get teased all the time when people tell me that I won't have a real summer or any fun for the rest of my life, but at my overnight alot of the cadets told me that summers at USMA are pretty fun in their own right: Airborne School, CDLT, traveling to other nations, and even Beast to some extent. You are doing something that most others will never experience, and as they matured in college their high school friends actually started envying them. I don't know about hazing, but for the more generic and conventional college experience, Texas A&M would probably provide it, while a more focused and one-of-a-kind experience would be offered at USMA. You will spend plenty of time on academics at the Academy, no doubt about that, and they have a club or sport for pretty much everybody. The important thing is what type of experience your cousin wants during his college years and to remember that either way he's coming out an officer and will be leading troops in a challenging world.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that Airborne School, Air Assault School, CTLT, internships in LT positions in OCONUS, etc. are all availible through ROTC, so those aren't USMA specific opportunities. USMA is undoubtedly a different experience from any ROTC program at any senior or junior military college, let alone a ROTC program at a nonmilitary college. I'm ROTC at a private college and I'm doing Airborne this summer. Also, the difference is in being at a service academy vs. being at a college. A military college is not the same as a "civilian" college, but there are immense differences between any college and USMA. Keep that in mind. --College experience/military college experience/service academy experience- they're all different--</p>
<p>This one perhaps I can help with. I am a parent of 2 sons. Oldest Class of 2007 USMA. Youngest is on the NWL for the Class of 2009, but not hopeful at this point, but accepted at Texas A&M with a Corps scholarship (non-ROTC).</p>
<p>The Corps of Cadets at TAMU is about 40% military (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines). No required ROTC past the sophomore year. Total number is about 2000 in the Corps amongst a total enrollment of 44,000 students. The balance of the Corps is made up of the band and others with a non-military commitment.</p>
<p>Hazing is not permitted at either.
USMA is more focused - You will graduate in 4 years.
Both stress leadership training, although USMA is the premier leadership institution.
Both are well recognized. A TAMU graduate is well thought of in Texas, where a USMA graduate is well thought of throughout the world.
TAMU talked about balancing studies, Corps activities, other activities, student life, etc. There most of the activities are optional. USMA is likely a pressure cooker compared to TAMU.
TAMU has nice weather in the winter.
USMA has nice summer weather.
ROTC training opportunites are similar to those offered through USMA, although more limited.
You can graduate and be commissioned as a 2nd LT from either institution.</p>
<p>My older son is glad he is at USMA and is majoring in Mechanical Engineering and focused on the future. He plans to branch Aviation.
My younger son would prefer USMA but will do well at TAMU also. By the way, he is planning on participating in the Corps on a non-military basis and major in Petroleum Engineering.</p>