<p>I'm thinking about attending one of the summer seminars done by the Naval Academy, West Point, and the Air Force Academy. They only last a week, but I think participating in one would help me decide if a service academy is right for me. Here's an overview of the Naval Academy's seminar, which is similar to the ones offered by the other two:
<a href="http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/activities.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/activities.htm</a></p>
<p>If I choose not to go a service academy and apply to other schools, will college adcoms be impressed that I did the program? Admission to the seminars is very competitive.</p>
<p>Sounds like a glorified college visit?</p>
<p>Your summer is much longer than 6 days. I think colleges will be much more interested in what you did the rest of the three months you have off.</p>
<p>First -- if you are at all considering a service academy, you need to attend the summer seminar. Those who attend the summer seminars definitely have a leg up on admissions.</p>
<p>The summer seminars are definitely not a glorified college visit -- but a chance for you to see if a service academy is right for you (it certainly isn't the right place for many students).</p>
<p>it certainly won't look bad to colleges -- they are looking to see that you spent your summer productively, and the seminar can be one part of that (they are competitive to get into) but you also need to do some other things.</p>
<p>also -- if you are seriously considering the service academies, think about checking out more than one (I know kids who have gone to all the summer seminars). Most kids who are pretty serious about attending a service academy apply to more than one -- and don't forget to check out the Coast Guard Academy, it has a great program and sometimes gets overlooked.</p>