<p>I just received appointments to both the USAFA and USNA, and now I have to make a decision. I'd like to get a degree in Aerospace Engineering, and have intentions to be a jet pilot or astronaut. I also row, and plan on doing that for the Navy. I'm curious if I have a better chance to accomplish my goals at one academy than the other. Or, if you have any other information that could help me make a decision, please let me know. Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>congrats on the appointments ... terrific work! My only suggestion would be go to the NASA website and check out the background of the astronauts (especially the pilot types) and see if there are a lot more Navy or Air Force gals and guys.</p>
<p>Check out this link: <a href="http://nasajobs.nasa.gov/astronauts/%5B/url%5D">http://nasajobs.nasa.gov/astronauts/</a>
Of current active astronauts, 25 are USNA grads, 14 are USAFA grads. If you sift through the profiles of all astronauts (active, retired or deceased), I think that you will find that more have been graduates of USNA than USAFA. Hopefully, you have had the opportunity to spend some quality time at both academies. From what I have been told, there are some definite differences. Of course, if you want to participate in crew---no better place than Annapolis!</p>
<p>c_healy,</p>
<p>Congratulations to you! It looks like you have a marvelous dilemma. I'd like to add that although USNA may have more astronauts, nyminute is correct. You need to be confident that you are at the best place for you. Visit, talk to students, alums, and instructors. Rather than letting the stats help make the decision (because really both schools will be great preparation for NASA), you need to include your heart in the decision making process. Where will you be so happy that you are best able to reach your goals?</p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>I'd say go to Navy. The Naval Academy has a proud history within NASA. Also, if you decide to to go there and don't get to fly for some reason, you won't be stuck behind a desk for the rest of your career. Good Luck!</p>
<p>I am partial to Navy since my dad was in the Navy (and the uniforms are way cuter. LOL) But, with your obvious strengths, you could have a stellar career at both Academies. It all depends on which branch you feel more comfortable in. Congratulations to you.<br>
Naps05mom</p>
<p>you're gonna do fine at both academies....</p>
<p>but please! the NAVY's academy over the chAir Force's? c'mon!</p>
<p>lol, jk, good luck</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great advice. :) I'm taking it all into consideration. I attended the Naval Academy Summer Seminar, but not the Air Force's. What I saw at Annapolis- the students, the campus, the professors - I really liked. Unforunately, I have nothing to compare it to, and living in Oregon, it is hard to find the time or money to take a trip to either Academy... Once again, thanks for the help!</p>
<p>Has anyone ever found something that shows the career choices for the Class of 2004 for the Air Force Academy. According to their website, over half of the class can be selected for flying training. Does anyone know if there is a percent of the class that can be selected for flight training for the Naval Academy? For the class of 2004, ~27% chose flight training. Is this because that's all that wanted to go for flight training, or is there a certain number/percent it is capped at?</p>
<p>There is a cap on the number of USNA pilots , but it varies from year-to-year based on the needs of the fleet. Generally, if you are medically qualified and not in the bottom 15% of your class, you WILL be able to get a naval aviation spot. The Marine pilot spots are far more competitive, and usually represent only about 6-8% of the class.</p>
<p>DeepThroat</p>
<p>I am pursuing the same initiative of aerospace engineering and becoming either a pilot or working for NASA. Those stats are all correct and therefore I chose USNA because of them and the atmosphere. And not to forget, how much more popular are Blue Angels than Thunderbirds? j/k Well, in addition my B and G Officer also told me one has a much better probability of becoming a pilot at USNA than USAF which is often looked over due to the fact that USAF has"air" in their name, although I don't know where he received the facts.</p>
<p>Most pilots in the navy also have to land on the very short and pitching deck of an aircraft carrier. Takes a bit of skill and finesse. Not quite as easy as a 10000 foot runway.</p>
<p>Healy, I was recruited by the USAFA for soccer. I also went to the USNA Summer Seminar. Now let me give a disclaimer: this is my PERSONAL opinion. It is not meant as an insult to the USAFA, for it is most certainly a fine institution. </p>
<p>Compared to the USNA, I was not at all impressed with the USAFA. The Cadets as a whole were much more cynical and extremely unhappy with the Administration. I didn't like the USAFA's campus (too techno for me). I don't know, though. Heck, I'm going to West Point!</p>
<p>Or, you could just go to west point and do both :)</p>
<p>nah, i'll just go to west point so i can hang the degree from my rearview mirror in the car as an excuse for handi-capped parking. ;)</p>