Ivy / MIT vs West Point University

[Anonymous]

West Point is a very good military school and some say it is like Ivy / MIT and it is free. Why are students or parents not interested in West Point? Is it the courses offered or military commitment needed or the location.....my child attended their CLD STEM camp and likes West Point a lot so would like tp get some honest feedback

[Anonymous]

West Point University? LOL!

[Anonymous]

Many reasons. Service is a calling, which not all teenagers have. You’re making a 9 year commitment, which is more than a lot of teenagers want to give. The physical difficulty. The competition to even get in (it seems impossible to get a nomination if you live around here).

[Anonymous]

Parents and students are interested in it. The totality of the admissions process for the academies is every bit as competitive as the ivies

[Anonymous]

The name is the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The military commitment and the difficult lifestyle deter many.

It's not the location, LOL.

[Anonymous]

You have to have a real passion for military service. Most kids don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many reasons. Service is a calling, which not all teenagers have. You’re making a 9 year commitment, which is more than a lot of teenagers want to give. The physical difficulty. The competition to even get in (it seems impossible to get a nomination if you live around here).

Is getting nomination the hardest?. What do the senators office look for to provide nomination (we are naturalized parents so no military experience)

I know it is a very long process which starts in Junior year and multiple interviews as well (for nomination and for admissions)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The name is the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The military commitment and the difficult lifestyle deter many.

It's not the location, LOL.

Difficult lifestyle? Can you elaborate?

My child is interested in Bio and want to go to Med school as well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The name is the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The military commitment and the difficult lifestyle deter many.

It's not the location, LOL.

Difficult lifestyle? Can you elaborate?

My child is interested in Bio and want to go to Med school as well

It's a military school with all that implies. Back in the day we used to watch parades at the Naval Academy. At least a few midshipmen would pass out from having to stand at attention too long

[Anonymous]

If your kid wants medicine go to regular undergrad and then go military.

[Anonymous]

Do not want to serve in the military.

[Anonymous]

It’s not a free college, it’s joining the military.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The name is the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The military commitment and the difficult lifestyle deter many.

It's not the location, LOL.

Difficult lifestyle? Can you elaborate?

My child is interested in Bio and want to go to Med school as well

Difficult lifestyle meaning your life is not your own for 9 years. You live where they station you. Do the job they tell you. Wear what they tell you, cut your hair how they tell you. Take vacation when they allow, which is much less than if he went to traditional college. Lots of adults I know who went there or the naval academy love it and talk glowingly about it. But it’s very hard and not for everyone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:West Point is a very good military school and some say it is like Ivy / MIT and it is free. Why are students or parents not interested in West Point? Is it the courses offered or military commitment needed or the location.....my child attended their CLD STEM camp and likes West Point a lot so would like tp get some honest feedback

It’s not the location. It’s beautiful up there.

For most, it will be the service commitment. I believe it’s 5 years active for West Point grads. And then there’s the application process itself, which is nothing like a normal college application. The fitness test is a big component, and most high school students would never pass it. Then there’s the necessity of being a top student, a community and school leader, and usually a top athlete.

Then there are all the realities of passing the various Army tests - can’t have ADHD and a whole host of other fairly common conditions. Eyesight will be checked. Every health detail will be measured and cross checked. Obviously, substance abuse and problems with the law are automatic disqualifiers.

Less than 25 percent of American 18 year olds are even eligible to join the military at all, much less have all the other qualifications to even apply to an Academy.

And then there’s the need for a Congressional Nomination, which is no easy thing. Every senator and house member has a committee that will go through the applicants from their district or state. And then they interview the candidates.

It’s a lot for an 18 year old. Even among those interested, most don’t come anywhere close to getting to the stage where they can actually submit a completed application.

My son went through it. Got the Congressional Nomination. But he also applied for the 4 year ROTC scholarship, which he received. West Point does not accept Early Decision applications. My son got into his Top 20 ED school and subsequently withdrew his West Point application as required.

He has no regrets about choosing the 4 year ROTC scholarship and a T20 over West Point. So far, the Army has paid more than $300,000 for my kid’s education. And he got the post college branch he was seeking. Plus, the ROTC Army active duty requirement is 4 years, which isn’t bad.

So far, so good. Both the academies and ROTC can be a great experience for the right students. You have to want it though. It’s not for everyone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:West Point is a very good military school and some say it is like Ivy / MIT and it is free. Why are students or parents not interested in West Point? Is it the courses offered or military commitment needed or the location.....my child attended their CLD STEM camp and likes West Point a lot so would like tp get some honest feedback

It’s not the location. It’s beautiful up there.

For most, it will be the service commitment. I believe it’s 5 years active for West Point grads. And then there’s the application process itself, which is nothing like a normal college application. The fitness test is a big component, and most high school students would never pass it. Then there’s the necessity of being a top student, a community and school leader, and usually a top athlete.

Then there are all the realities of passing the various Army tests - can’t have ADHD and a whole host of other fairly common conditions. Eyesight will be checked. Every health detail will be measured and cross checked. Obviously, substance abuse and problems with the law are automatic disqualifiers.

Less than 25 percent of American 18 year olds are even eligible to join the military at all, much less have all the other qualifications to even apply to an Academy.

And then there’s the need for a Congressional Nomination, which is no easy thing. Every senator and house member has a committee that will go through the applicants from their district or state. And then they interview the candidates.

It’s a lot for an 18 year old. Even among those interested, most don’t come anywhere close to getting to the stage where they can actually submit a completed application.

My son went through it. Got the Congressional Nomination. But he also applied for the 4 year ROTC scholarship, which he received. West Point does not accept Early Decision applications. My son got into his Top 20 ED school and subsequently withdrew his West Point application as required.

He has no regrets about choosing the 4 year ROTC scholarship and a T20 over West Point. So far, the Army has paid more than $300,000 for my kid’s education. And he got the post college branch he was seeking. Plus, the ROTC Army active duty requirement is 4 years, which isn’t bad.

So far, so good. Both the academies and ROTC can be a great experience for the right students. You have to want it though. It’s not for everyone

Thank you for the detailed response. Yeah we have seen the campus when he did the STEM leadership camp there and we love it. I know they have a fitness requirement. He is still in Junior year but I know the application process is lengthy beginning with Congressional Nomination. Any tips on getting Congressional Nomination?