<p>Why did your son or daughter choose a service school over the other colleges and universities he or she applied to?</p>
<p>I'm very interested in what you have to say. Thanks!</p>
<p>That is a good question, the answer to which, I am still not sure I have.</p>
<p>My son was a top student [not too different from others] that had his choice of top-ranked schools. [Duke, Yale, Rice, UT, Stanford, etc.] We discussed his choices and what he wanted to do with his life. He wants to be an astronaut. More astronauts have graduated from USNA than any other school so this was a big factor.</p>
<p>He attended SS. [That's summer seminar for us civilians.] He was VERY impressed with the sense of teamwork, honor, accomplishment. He felt that the education would be comparable [in some cases actually better than] that he would receive at a civilian school. </p>
<p>Just as important, I think, he thought it would lead to an honorable, meaningful career straight upon graduation. Compared, for example, to many civilian graduates that are not employed upon graduation. </p>
<p>Finally, and probably most importantly, he felt that this was the difficult choice. The easy choice, for him, would have been to attend a civilian school. Academics come easy to him. The mental, physical challenges he now faces at the acadamy are ones that he has not faced before. [He was not involved in high school sports, for example, just to give hope to those that are similarly situated.] Given the difficulties of being appointed, he felt that if he did not go, he would question that decision for many years.</p>
<p>The USNA was the only academy he applied to because he felt it was the one that met his academic requirements. [Seeing some of the USMA pictures, I now agree with his choice; I am not sure the "warrior" aspects would completely agree with him. Although he has taken to the training evolutions very well.] It takes all kinds of [really excellent] kids to fill these academies. I think, given the selection process, the ones that are appointed to respective acadmies are properly chosen. They are amazing institutions.</p>
<p>In no particular order:
* He's always enjoyed competition and physical challenges, i.e. Boy Scouts, athletics
* He realized that USMA is a top quality education with very small classes and personalized attention
* Family - grandfather and two uncles (by marriage) are USMA grads, my dad (corporal in a mortar squad) saw combat action in WWII
* Recognition that freedom is not free - 4 of his great-grandparents came from Eastern Europe and escaped oppression and annihilation by coming to the United States
* 9.11.01 - our town overlooks NYC, some of our schoolchildren that day watched out their school windows as the building their parent(s) worked in were attacked and collapsed, our next door neighbor was murdered by Bin Laden and the Islamofascists, as were three of my good friends and 50 other people I had worked with in the World Trade Center. My children, including my son, spent a lot of time with me in the WTC and knew my friends who were murdered. The attacks of 9.11 had a very real impact. This was not something we watched on television - it was real.
* My son recognized that he was giving up a "normal" college education by going to West Point - but he also recognized how much he'd gain at USMA that he wouldn't find at a normal college.
* He received several ROTC scholarships that would have taken him to the same place - but he felt that the leadership training at West Point was superior to even the best ROTC program.</p>
<p>Welcome hollyert! Interesting question to which will surely come several varied answers. In our son's case, academy life chose him not the other way around. We watched our son gravitate towards leadership positions during high school and gain an interest in becoming a Naval officer. Could have been his Great-Grandfather's WWII naval service that motivated him to follow this path. He also genuinely & strongly believes that he owes this country his services due to those who came before him. He felt he needed to obtain an appointment to USMMA to get the tools he needs to meet his goals. This Academy hit home for him as they've often helped in disaster relief efforts and during the 9/11 attack. Its hands on so to speak. As with most kids his age at any college, civilian or service academy, he doesn't yet know where the winds will blow him, just that he wants to be involved in some way and make a helpful difference in a little piece of the world. Shipping moves the world, he says, and to have the knowledge to move products on a large scale in every manner from food, goods, military supply, ect., is where he wants to be. USMMA doesn't offer many majors except the ones dealing with engineering of this sort. He looked into several colleges, none offering the direction he wished. Sure, he could have just stepped up to the plate and served as a cilvilian in his community and I'm sure he will do that in time. But, he just felt that for him, this was the best of opportunities. There are many misconceptions out there that these academies are bredding another generation of "warmongers". I STRONGLY disagree. They produce our Presidents, Congressmen/women, our peacekeepers, teachers, lawyers, mothers and fathers. They are up in the spcae shuttle as we speak. I'm always taken aback when I have the chance to speak to one of these kids. They are so impressive. They seem to have such high goals already established. I would never belittle the kids that choose a different path. There is going to be some great leaders come from this generation without being taught a regimental lifestyle. Its not for everyone's kid, but for mine, he is where he belongs. He thrives being pushed to his limits to see how far he can go. You can count on one thing with him. If he sees someone in need of help, he will move heaven and earth to make help happen. I sure like that about him....Thats it in a nutshell I guess.
My sugar must be low. I'm rambling again on here. Its Chocolate-thirty people!</p>
<p>Wow. Thanks for your responses so far. It sounds like going to an academy is not as much as a sacrifice but a step up. Very honorable choices. You have given me a bit more interest in them now!</p>
<p>Here are some of the non-military reasons our son told me he had for chosing USMA over a civilian college. I certainly don't mean to discount military reasons but I sense your question may be looking for some of the less obvious reasons for selecting a military academy. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Comraderie. Our son thought he would enjoy the team/band-of-brothers atmosphere of the USMA. Some of his favorite memories in high school were times spent with his athletic teams. During those times he felt a comraderie that was not present in the classroom environment. He loved being part of the team, a feeling he thought would be prevalent at West Point.</p></li>
<li><p>Desire for independence and something different. Our son wanted to "be on his own". He viewed civilian college as an extension of high school. The requirement to become legally independent as an active member of the Army, earn a salary, and make his own choices(within USMA bounds) appealed to him. Although he didn't say so, I suspect he liked the fact his parents have little or no control of his life at West Point.</p></li>
<li><p>Desire to Serve his Country. Despite a relatively isolated life, our son realized that he lived a very privleged lifestyle. He felt, rightfully, that he had been on the receiving end of things most of his life. That made him uncomfortable. While he wanted to continue with his education, he felt it was time to start giving something back. Being part of our country's military forces was a way to start "contributing to the pot".</p></li>
<li><p>Desire to be treated like an adult. This may sound strange since he knew he would be "ordered around" and required to live a highly regimented life at USMA. Our son talked with a couple of his friends who were currently in an academy and came away with the impression that, compared to other friends in college, cadets were held to a higher level of personal responsibility. Also he felt the leadership development activities and assignments the cadets experienced while at the academy made the cadets, at the end of 4 years, far more mature than their civilian college counterparts.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Don't know if this will help as it is a very personal process and every kid is different....but will re-wind the tape~</p>
<p>in our case our son was interested in a major that is only offered in a handful of schools in the country...so the college choice was a bit limited, although we expanded it to other areas of engerineering that were "close cousins"....</p>
<p>His other criteria was that he wanted to continue to play his sport...so that made the list even shorter....6 schools in fact, including USNA and USMMA...USMA, while not his exact major, had terrific coaches and a great team.....so was added to his list! We also looked at several regular colleges (ND, U-Mich and other strong engineering schools)....</p>
<p>one road trip lead to the USNA....we took 2 of his friends along who were interested in seeing U-Maryland...(interesting to go on these adventures with a "group"....we found our son to be much more vocal with his friends than he would have been :( with "just his parents"....on the way down he made it clear he was not "joining the military" but we encouraged him to just look at the program itself since the other engineering programs all compared themselves to the Navy's program...it was the "gold standard' ....and from there it took on a life of its own. </p>
<p>Having gone through the college process with our older daughter, as a parent all we wanted was to have our kids happy with their choice, and we did our best to expose both of them to as many opportunities as we could and them let them decide their fate....the formula seemed to work well for our daughter (now entering her senior year as a physics major rowing D-1 varsity crew)...so we opted for the same with our son.....
In his case the transformation was particularly interesting to observe...</p>
<p>We could "see" his interest evolve during that very first visit to USNA....he liked the yard, which was the start....we went on a tour and he got to see the plebes going about their training, and that caught his eye....we walked everywhere and his eyes just kept getting bigger and bigger...</p>
<p>so by the end of the day the "I'm not interested in the military" changed to "its a possibility...keep in on the list"....</p>
<p>Off we went to look at U-Maryland (which his friends just loved)...on the way home we casually suggested taking the scenic way home...and perhaps revisiting the yard ....our son jumped at the idea....(his friends were not interested at all but were very interested in shopping/exploring/eating in Annapolis).....so they did... and we just walked around the yard again, this time exploring on our own.... we could see him keeping a sharp eye on everything the plebes were doing....all he kept saying was "that doesn't look so hard" and "I can do that"....he saw some plebes sailing and others on line to get their "free computers"...(that made an impression....go figure!)....we even stopped to watch a sports scrimmage (?tryouts?)....we saw some upperclass returning and walking about so we stopped them and asked lots of questions.....they were all, to a one, accomodating....</p>
<p>A week later he was contacting the BGO and writing to the coaches.... he was invitied for a visit early spring (his junior year) and we attended one of the games....in the meantime, we visited Notre Dame again, made another visit to U-Michigan, as well as schools in maine, massachuttes, new york and NJ.....met with admissions staff, coaches, players....</p>
<p>He narrowed his choices to 5 and did overnight stays at each (with the exception of USNA....he applied but was not selected for summer seminar but the coaches invited him to attend summer sport camp)...so he got to observe a bit of the academy life for a week....came home with lots of enthusiasm and lots of stories....and very tired with lots of blisters to boot!</p>
<p>That summer he applied to those 5 schools which included 3 academies; ultimnately he was accepted to all (4 directly, USNA through the foundation program-which he eventually opted for.)</p>
<p>He based his choice on the career path, major, sports, and then the "intangables"....he had several opportunities to visit and spoke to mids on several occassions.... he wanted a career at sea (his objective from the start).... he thought what the plebes did was "cool"....he liked the challenge...he liked the thought of doing "something meaningful" with his life and a career that was "respected"....and he thought the best path was at an academy over a civilian school.....he was VERY IMPRESSED with the midshipmen he met...(he mentioned that they made camp "interesting" and a lot of fun).....he liked the idea of being a leader and a Naval Officer (a "cool job" with a "lot of responsiblity")....he liked the idea of the honor code and everyone having to be at the top of their game....he liked the "structure and the discipline" (his exact words).....he wanted to do something after 9/11 (especially having lost several of the parents in our community)....I think it was a comfortable "fit"....that somehow the civilian school environment did not offer....and lastly, i think he caught the "pride bug".....he often said it was "in the air"...."he could feel it"....</p>
<p>I think he went with one idea in mind, but at least an open mind to consider everything.....the academy "sold itself".....as did the "Navy" (he met a lot of retired Navy at the VA hospital and heard lots of stories)....as parents (I assume you are one?) we felt it to be our role to expose him to everything.....we did our best to do that.....and we made it very clear that the choice was his to make....</p>
<p>He was very fortunate to have great choices in the end, which was a blessing and a curse....he had 5 great programs to chose from, some very great coaches interested in him as well....and he especially was not looking forward to disappointing them in the process...so that was a bit tough, especially when it came down to the 2 final schools.....one academy with a direct-admitt, and the USNA with a year of foundation prep....</p>
<p>We watched him loose some sleep over that for about 3 weeks, so in order to try and help him sort things out we made yet another trip to both in back-to-back weekends....he had the opportuntiy to speak to officials at both...in retrospect I am so very glad we did that, because he was able to make his decision and he has not looked back with any second thoughts or regrets....and we are just so very proud of him....
what else could a parent ask for?</p>
<p>I don't know if this will help you--as I said, each kid is different and the journey is unique for each....just follow what your head/heart/gut tells you....formost, keep your eye on the WHERE you want to end up int eh end...the academies/colleges/universities are just a 4-year starting point from which you will jump to the rest of your life.....so the END is really the starting point of the process...from there you just have to figure out the best road that will take you there...</p>
<p>best of luck~</p>
<p>Actually, navy2010, I'm a freshman in highschool! All your stories are very inspiring. I am not a "warmonger" myself (I nearly got suspended for having a political fight with a teacher two years ago fighting agains the war!) but I strongly support the military in principle and, as both of my grandfathers were in it, am immensely drawn toward serving America. Most of the replies were about West Point and the Naval Academy (where one of my grandfathers went-- he speaks of it so highly!) I am mostly interested in the Air Force Academy. So, if anyone has anything else different about USAFA, I'd like to hear it! However, everyone's replies have further convinced me to keep looking at the academies. Thanks!</p>
<p>in addition to this thread, be sure to post your question on the USAFA site!!!</p>
<p>Holly
My son had plenty of choices, but he never considered any school other than USAFA. He has had posters of jets on his walls all his life. He has always wanted to fly.
Our family background probably had some bearing on his choice to attend a Service Academy instead of a typical college. My father is retired from the Army,my older brother spent eight years in the army, and my wife and I met while we were both serving in the army as well. As a result my son grew up hearing stories about our time spent in the military, and even more colorful stories from my dad and brother.
The Air Force Academy gave my son the opportunity to get an outstanding education, and the best chance at flying the jets he has loved since he was a little kid.
The fact that The Air Force Academy is in the Rocky Mountains and my son's love for anything associated with mountain climbing/biking, hiking, camping or the outdoors in general, and his desire to fly jets made the decision to attend USAFA a no brainer for him.</p>
<p>Holly; My daughter chose USNA for a lot of tangible reasons but moreso for a feeling she got when seeing the academy. Like the others, she wanted engineering; either nuclear or chemical and set her sites on the best colleges for her with those majors. We visited schools from coast to coast; north to south and when we happened upon the academy during a trip out east (at my urging), she got this feeling that she just had to go there. During the application process, her resolve to attend the academy faltered a bit proportionate to the process involved (various hoops to jump through). The stress of the application process often had her questioning if this was even where she wanted to go. I felt it my job to remind her of that feeling she had when she saw the school and to finish what she started. Well, she was initially rejected from USNA. I can remember that day like yesterday. It was like a morgue in our house. We ALL were depressed as it was the end of a looooonnnngg process that the whole family seemed to be involved with. By the following day, daughter decided to appeal the decision and eventually was given a NAPS spot. This was all around graduation time where all of her friends had their plans set. DD had her roommate even for civilian college and had resolved herself to attend there when the offer came in. She has questioned from time to time during the past year if this is right for her, but in one of her letters home this summer said that she had that same feeling one day on the yard that she had when she first saw the academy. Found it ironic that it was during plebe summer, but was happy she was there and after doing a year at NAPS, knew she was there for HER and noone else. As you begin to look at schools, I think you will get a feeling for where you will fit. Remember to work your hardest so you get to make those decisions and not someone else. Good luck.
NAPS05mom</p>
<p>I'm in a very weird situation and I don't know if this thread is really for me, but I figure I'd share my story anyway.</p>
<p>February 2004 was when I started really thinking about colleges. I started with considering where my parents went. My mom is an Arizona State grad. Not wanting to really go to a big university, ASU was quickly out as an option. I then started to think about where my dad went, and where I grew up: the Air Force Academy. My parents were shocked. I was never really into athletics or anything physical. At the time, I hadn't shown a lot of dedication to any organization besides band and scouts. My dad sat down with me and talked about the Air Force Academy, telling me first that my ADD medicine would probably be a big factor, and that if I didn't want to be a pilot, that I probably shouldn't go because his experience at the Academy was that "If you're not looking to be a pilot, you're crap." Not knowing anything concerning what I wanted to do, but all of a sudden interested in the military, I decided to look at the other academies.</p>
<p>I went to Boys State and I stayed a month in Europe that summer and I really grew (tip to any parent out there unsure of sending their kid either to Boys or Girls State or halfway across the world: do it!). At Boys State I had almost a religious experience: I realized that at an Academy life would be very similar (structured, everyone has a responsibility, surrounded by incredible, outstanding, life-changing people), and while I was already a huge proponent of American policy and a heavy believer in American ideals, I was even more convinced of how great America was at Boys State. In Europe I saw a distorted mirror of all that America is, and while I loved the history of Europe, I knew it was all there because of those who came before me, of all the family that I had that lost so much to bring that continent out of war.</p>
<p>When I got back from Europe, I learned how bad having taken ADD medicine was, in terms of getting medically qualified. I instantly demanded that I be taken off my medicine. Having been on it since 7th grade, this was a leap of faith, but I wanted an Academy education at almost any cost. Throughout this last year, my senior year, I was president of the school Band and Model UN. I learned so much about leadership and I became obsessed with becoming the greatest leader I could. I completed the applications to all the service academies, took nearly the hardest courseload possible, and balanced it out with some demanding and incredibly rewarding leadership roles.</p>
<p>However, while this helped me grow like I couldn't believe, DODMERB wasn't a big fan of my medical history, and I was found medically disqualified. And so, I've started the process again. I retook the SAT, I've done chunks of my applications again, and I've started reworking my essays. I'll be attending Washington and Lee University this fall and I'll be doing Army ROTC at the nearby Virginia Military Institute.</p>
<p>I often ask myself when I run my miles, take my standardized tests, lift my weights, fill out my applications and write my essays, "Why am I doing this?" And my friends also ask me why I'd put myself through so much crap to go learn how to shoot other people and possibly be put on the frontlines and die. I think it's a pretty legit question, or else it wouldn't pop in my mind all the time. It's not like I'm going to a bad school: W&L is tied for 12th best liberal arts college in the nation. But it's not what I want. I want to go to an Academy because I want my college to be like Boys State: structured and full of incredibly bright and dedicated people. I want to go to an Academy because the people they produced saved Europe from utter destruction. I want to go to an Academy because I felt incredibly powerless on 9/11 and when the Iraq War started. I want to go to an Academy, so I can grow as a better person and learn what sacrifice, obedience and loss really means.</p>
<p>Congrats to those parents who see the value of an Academy education, and congrats to your kids. Hopefully I'll see (and be yelled at by) some of them starting next summer. Thanks for reading and good luck to all of you and your kids in the future.</p>
<p>I'm really starting to appreciate the effort it takes to get in, and it is kind of ironic (aside from being very distressing as well) that you can work and work and work to get in, and let something beyond your control (or anyone else's) lessen your chances.</p>
<p>Skirbyy- I wish you very good luck getting into USAFA!</p>
<p>I see some common threads here, including pride, commitment and service. Our daughter fits these threads also. Her story started in junior high. We have a friend who works in the intelligence community and has been able to share only very little about what she does, but the little bits have always been of extreme interest to my daughter. Then in freshman year of high school, immediately after 9/11, she said that she wanted to do something to help the US. She told me that she is so fortunate to have the advantages she has by living here and she just wants to pay back her country. (Yeah, that was the first time during the experience that I cried.) She just didn't know how.</p>
<p>Then sophomore year the college brochures began arriving. We joked about the girl reading under a tree whose leaves were turning colors. Also, every college in the country seemed to hold class outside - in circles. This was also amusing to her. She thought that the schools had a template for creating the brochures and none of them would really tell her anything different. Then one day we received a brochure that talked about service, challenge, honor, and hard work. The kids wore uniforms and had camo on their faces. They marched with swords. She lit up and for the first time thought a school was interesting. I'm a product of the 60's and really didn't expect any sane child of mine to be interested in a military career especially with the war just starting. So since I didn't expect her to remain interested, I just said "Go ahead and do your research. Let me know what you find out."</p>
<p>The more she told me, the more intriguing the option became for her and the more I saw she was becoming serious. Her career goal is to work in intelligence. At what civilian college will she learn as much in preparation for this career as she could at a service academy? And how could she guarantee a shot at training in military intelligence without this education? As soon as I realized she was committed I began doing my research also. </p>
<p>She talked to alumni of WP. We visited many colleges (which all paled in comparison to her eyes) and ROTC programs. She looked at all of the service academies, but fell in love with WP and, for her, nothing could compare. In the meantime, she knew that receiving an appointment would be challenging. She planned for disappointment and applied to ROTC programs at a couple colleges also. She attended IAW (SLS) and described it as the best week of her life. She found others who thought like her. She completely believed in the mission and the honor code.</p>
<p>One day I asked her if she would go to the Prep School if it was offered instead of a direct appointment. She said that she wouldn't hesitate. The next week she received an ROTC scholarship commitment and then 45 minutes later she received the phone call that the appointment had arrived in the mail. All of a sudden she was confused. A normal life at a civilian college and starting a career with the same rank as the kids who went to WP sounded like a great option. That's when we all realized that she had made a full transition. She was no longer just looking at what WP could do for her. She was talking about a military career and the kinds of contributions she could make. She chose WP for the total immersion into the military lifestyle. In the meantime, I fell in love with the whole idea also - for her. It's certainly not for everyone.</p>
<p>Every kid here has been through a long thought process to get to where they are today. And they took many paths to get to this point. I wish all of them the chance to reach their goals. And Holly, I wish you all the best as you start this trip.</p>
<p>(With marchback starting in just a few hours, I think I'm starting to get a bit sappy again. Bear with me until after A-Day.)</p>
<p>Mom of Twins-- I know 14 years should have afforded me a better vocabulary, but her (and your's too!) story brings up one word-- COOL!</p>
<p>I'm not sure that my parents will be as accepting as you and all the others on here. My mom went to Berkeley during the 70s and hasn't changed all that much politically, and my dad pretty much chimes in with echoes of mom's rhetoric. I may be on my own, but isn't that the whole point of college in the first place?</p>
<p>The one drawback to me is that I'm not very athletic. Though, yes, I'm only a freshman, pretty much all I'm good at is X-Country and push-ups. I know that practices makes perfect, but I just wasn't built tall and poweful like many of the talented athletes that apply. I suppose that you do the best you can, but you have to pass every stinking one of those PAE-type tests to be considered.</p>
<p>So my praise goes out to all the parents that let their kids put their lives in danger to defend what they believe in. Their sons and daughters should be so lucky!</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>PS- What's all this I hear about "returns" and "marchbacks" ?</p>
<p>Hollyert</p>
<p>Your biggest problem is going to be the ADD. Beyond just getting off the meds, I suspect you will need an affirmative diagnosis that ADD is no longer a problem.</p>
<p>For each of the academies, academics make up somewhere between 60 -70% of your evaluation score. Leadership activities make up 20 - 30%. Athletics only about 10%. Granted, the vast majority of appointees have been involved with athletics; assuming that you can pass the PAE, then do not let a lack of athletics from pursuing an appointment.</p>
<p>Medical disqualificaitons seem to be much more of a problem than lack of athletics.</p>
<p>Bill- I wasn't the one with ADD, that was Skirbyy. Also, thanks for the admissions figures! They will definitely prove useful in the future.</p>
<p>This is soo weird calling parents by their first names. LOL, how about Mr. 0510?</p>
<p>holly,</p>
<p>The good news is that you have several years (!!) to get ready for the PAE/CFT. There are a lot of great training programs and you can ask your coaches for more information. My daughter really liked following the Naval Academy Workout Book (I can never remember the right name). It's a 6 or 8 or 12 (I'm forgetting lots) week program. You can spend a couple months on each week of the program and be ready for that fitness test easily. Also, we ordered some cd's (from Amazon) that were running to cadences. She absolutely loved running while listening to them. Very Huah!</p>
<p>My only advice is: do your homework. Do your research and find out when the service academies will be having presentations in your area. It's a difficult decision and a huge commitment. The more you know the better you will be able to decide. And make sure you keep your parents informed. Good luck.</p>
<p>I think I saw the Naval Academy workout online somewhere... 8 weeks long I think. I'll have to pull that back up again. Since I do have 3.5 or so years to relax in the balmy weather of L.A., I guess there's no panicking yet. But if I'm already excited about the whole college thing already, Lord knows how bad I'll be when I'm a junior! Again, thanks everyone. You're all so nice! :D</p>
<p>Well, they say that there is now something call Adult onset ADD. [Something like that, but I got distracted while trying to think of it.]</p>