Westpoint vs UF (full ride)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Military Academy - West Point
1

Hello everyone, id really appreciate some insight from you guys!

Well first, I guess I’ll say that I’m not looking to drink/smoke or party that hard in college-I’m fine with the westpoint lifestyle (I think). It seems like one of the best routes, considering the stellar education and foundation of principles, discipline, and value one can build upon.

That said it certainly entails a lot of sacrifices, particularly sleep, to me! One of the things I’m scared will happen at UF is that I’ll become much lazier, waking up late, taking late classes etc.

Given the service requirement however, and that it isn’t really my desire to become an officer or go to war, (although I love what the military does in terms of engineering, intelligence, etc), which option would you recommend?

UF would be a full ride, with possibly being paid to attend, vs westpoint, possibly the most prestigious institution in the country?

2

You have no decision to make; if it isn’t your desire to become an officer, West Point (or any service academy) is not in your future. You would not be able to get past your congressional nominations panels and, without a nomination, your application would not even make it to the WP admissions pool. Buy a Gators tee-shirt and don’t look back.

3

You clearly have no interest in West Point. You didn’t even spell it correctly in your post title. There is no way you will have the motivation to get through 4 years at West Point when you will then face 5 years of active duty service and then 3 more years of reserve duty. If you are looking for discipline, why not try a senior militiary college like the Citadel or Virginia Military College. These schools do not require military service when you graduate but will learn discipline and values.

4

I’m not sure how you could even consider West Point then?

5

I appreciate your input guys; you’ll have to forgive me for the spelling error.

I was considering West Point mainly due to its stellar education comparable to that of Harvard or Princeton, as well as the focused nature of the institution (not looking to go crazy in college).

It’s my understanding that at 18 years of age, it’s tough to know whether or not one wants a career in the military, or to become an officer. My grades are pretty good, as I’m in the top 10 of my class, and have varsity letters for multiple sports as well. The only thing holding me back would be my hesitancy in signing away 5 years of my life as a service requirement.

I’m not trying to mooch a free education or waste taxpayer money - I care about serving society but in the best way possible. If my interests can be developed at West Point, as I already perceive the value of the institution, maybe something can be done? It just seems that it is a perfectly good alternative to HYPSM for the serious student.

Just as a question in general, do West Point grads earn similar to grads of HYPSM? Just a simple google search seems to indicate so, comparing mid career salary etc.

6

It just seems that it is a perfectly good alternative to HYPSM for the serious student.

This is true only for the serious student who is also interested in military service for FIVE years of active duty and THREE years of reserve duty. And yes, many 18 year olds do know if they want to pursue military service. My son knew by age 14 that he wanted this and he spent all of his time in high school preparing for this.
You have yet to express an interest in military service, so WP is not a good option for you.

7

@swimguy1234, you are not alone in your thought process. A lot of people at West Point are not sure if they want to be officers, they do not want to deploy, and have no real interest in leading Soldiers. They are great people and they don’t intend to swindle the taxpayers: they are just kids who want a prestigious degree and want to be successful and want to ensure they had a competitive mid career salary, etc.

And some people who start out at west point thinking that way change their mind by the time they reach their junior year and have to commit to finishing school and serving 5 years active duty and 3 years reserve. The day you raise your hand and commit and the night before classes start (which people think solidifies your commitment) is the scariest day of some Cadets’ lives. Nobody knows for sure. There are eagle scout, JROTC, gung-ho warriors who spend every day as an officer trying to weasel their way out of their obligation and their are guys who wanted to quit west point every day who end up staying in the army for their whole career.

You don’t know if you’re going to like; Nobody really knows if they are going to stay in. But if you are honest through the application process and west point decides to take a chance on you and accept you and you want to take a chance on the experience, you might just find yourself 20 years from now commanding a battalion and running around on forums answering potential cadet’s questions.

That being said, and in less fiery and aggressive terms, the reason to go to West Point or to even take a chance on West Point is not for academic prowess, or future earnings. The thought of a competitive mid-career salary never got anyone through a Thayer-week, followed by a SAMI, followed by a parade, followed by a snowy, pass-less winter (that’s west point speak for $&!% storm). You go to West Point for the same reason that your future Soldiers are joining the army: serve your country and to fight for and alongside the guys to your left and your right.

Academics, in most departments, are going to be more elite at UF than at USMA. Academics, in every department, are going to be more scholastic at the Ivy leagues.

West points academics will be extremely broad and not very deep. The breadth of knowledge and requirements are meant to stress you out more than make you an expert on any particular subject. You’ll learn to work hard and efficiently to accomplish and communicate the mission which is more important to the army than your ability to contribute in depth to an academic outlet.

You can work with the army engineers and army intel community without being in the army.

If you have no interest in the army, west point is not for you. If you think you might have an interest in the army, and you are honest on your application and in your interviews, then maybe it is for you.

If I were in the business of giving advice, I’d say that salary and prestige are cheap when compared to purpose and motivation.