<p>I met some really cool Coast Guard Academy guys at UPenn's Model United Nations Conference and it made me want to look into the place (i'm a prospective transfer to cornell, so hey why not). I'll keep it short - I have always been a Navy fan but the Naval Academy guys were simply wayy too uptight and standoffish - total disappointment, I expected that out of the West Pointers but they were awesome like CGA too. I saw in a thread here that CGA doesn't allow social networking sites. USNA & USMA do, so what gives? Please don't take this the wrong way - but why on earth would the Coast Guard be so strict? I never thought I would say this but USMA seems cool to me now.</p>
<p>My son is a Plebe at the US Merchant Marine Academy. He was wait listed at Coast Guard but loves it at USMMA. Do your self a favor and check it out as well. Good luck with your search.</p>
<p>Regarding the social networking sites, that's only for your first year. It's supposed to keep you focused on your studies, but we find other ways to waste our time. If you're interested I would look... but quickly. Early decision has come and gone and regular decision approaches fast.</p>
<p>i wouldn't let a social networking site, ie myspace or facebook determine what branch of the military you are thinking of joining, as ogden said we cant use it for the first year...which is probablly best because we would waste alot of time that we dont have on it anyway..granted there are some ways to get around that but its really not worth it and its not that bad...and i just call my freinds when i actually have time anyway..</p>