<p>This is a paraphrase from my post in the Parents’ forum…</p>
<p>As a highschool or college student, what drew you to USAFA over traditional colleges? What special qualities brought you to USAFA? Was it an easy choice, or was it a tough deliberation?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help!</p>
<ol>
<li> I wouldn't just be another college student. I would be at a special place, surrounded by special people, doing challenging things that others couldn't even imagine.</li>
<li> It offered me more options and opportunities than any other college experience.</li>
<li> It was free.</li>
<li> Guaranteed job with leadership opportunities and great chances for advancement after graduation.</li>
<li> Large core curriculum since I didn't know what I wanted to major in.</li>
<li> More than 2 hours away from home.</li>
<li> Chance to serve my country.</li>
<li> Enforced, strict honor code.</li>
<li> It was difficult to get into and even harder to stay in.</li>
<li> Great after graduation education opportunities.</li>
</ol>
<p>Oh, and it was the only school I applied to out of HS. Not a tough decision to go. Often a tough decision to stay during the first 18 months or so.</p>
<p>Also, "I get to fly" and/or "I get to shoot guns" are more popular reasons than most people might think</p>
<p>True. Even though I'm not a pilot and didn't enter USAFA with a PQ, the soaring program was a big draw for me--as freefall parachuting is to many as well.</p>
<p>I'll add that going to USAFA was a way for me to break from home. I had a great family environment, but I didn't want to be dependent on my parents for my education. USAFA was an excellent opportunity for me to leave the nest.</p>
<p>Absolutely, Lukester! I was very proud of the fact that my parents didn't pay a penny towards my education and felt no obligation/debt to them. It feels great to be an adult in charge of your own life. Great point that I only hinted at with my comment about being more than 2 hours away from home.</p>
<p>Here are a few of my reasons:
To serve my country as an officer
The challenge associated with it
To get an awesome education (and the fact it's "free" didn't hurt!)
The Honor Code
Leadership opportunities
A foundation for a great career afterward
To fly (which is on my list, but was not my primary reason by far)</p>
<p>One of the reasons i want to go to the Academy is to serve my country.</p>
<p>That sadly gains some bad reputation. First people say its too "Cliche" and if you say it to half the population, they call you pawns of President Bush.</p>
<p>But yes, i am willing to serve, fight and die for my country which is why (but not limited to)i have chosen a military path through the Air Force Academy.</p>
<p>Snipper,
Although it is unfortunate that some people had a negative attitude toward such reasons. I, for one, am glad that so many people have that reason. Despite why people initially come here, I hope that in time that continues to be (or become) one of the reasons they end up staying. I say this because every person who graduates from this institution vows to give their life for this country if that is what is demanded of them. This does not just affect people who plan on making a career in the AF. </p>
<p>Looking at the names War Memorial Wall and doing a little research quickly shows that grads have been called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice at all different times, some decades into their service and others within just a couple years. This is one of the biggest differences I see between the military academies and civilian universities. Some of the things you learn here and directly following graduation have the very real potential of saving (or not saving) your life or the lives of those around you. The bond you build with people where is extremely strong, which makes sense. There will come a time in just a few years when many current cadets who go to classes together, get trained together, and do many other things together may have to put their life in one of their classmates' hands (or other grads from different classes). Even if people do not come here wit this in mind, I surely hope they realize it by the end.</p>
<p>You're doing an excellent job, UN! We appreciate your insight!</p>
<p>"Even if people do not come here with this in mind, I surely hope they realize it by the end."</p>
<p>Maybe I'm a "glass is half full" person, but I truly believe that once a cadet makes it all the way through the academy, at least SOME of the essence of the core values are instilled----Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence in All We Do"................I believe the military academy experience certainly has the potential to create some of our nation's most committed public servants---in war time or in peace.</p>
<p>The Honor Code is a huge perk here as well. There is an extraordinary amount of trust between cadets (regardless of class) just because everyone here knows that everyone else swore to uphold the same oath they took. In general, cadets don't think twice about things that would never happen at a civilian college. For example, I've given a cadet I didn't even know a fair amount of cash to deliver to one of his squadron mates without it ever crossing my mind that it wouldn't make it to the rightful recipient, Also, last semester, another cadet was going to be gone for the weekend but had a book I wanted to buy, so we made an arrangement for me to just go in his room, get the book off his shelf, and put the money in its place. During final exams, many of them aren't even proctored. I've gotten up in the middle of several of them before, left it face up, and just taken a walk around the building (lasting up to about half an hour), then came back without even thinking someone could have looked at my paper and without anyone else thinking my absense was suspicious. The list goes on and on. This extends into the graduate community as well. The Code is something that is not taken lightly in any way (which is why it is such a huge deal when people do betray that trust).</p>
<ol>
<li>excellent education</li>
<li>free education</li>
<li>all around character development
4 around like-minded people</li>
<li>serve my country</li>
<li>fly (will have PPL by end of this month)</li>
<li>Set for life</li>
<li>Multiple opportunities in and out of AF</li>
<li>reputation for core values</li>
<li>independence</li>
<li>challenge</li>
</ol>
<p>Not in any specific order, all factor in.</p>
<p>dang. thanks</p>