Why are the service academies so selective?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because it’s not a normal experience. Most people couldn’t/wouldn’t tolerate it (myself included).
Are you willing to shave your head? Be scheduled from sun up to sun down? Do basic training? Not be allowed to come and go from campus at will? Commit to being deployed once college is over? Nothing is free. You pay for it somehow.

What does that have to do with the question?

Not that poster but the government doesn't want to invest in people who will wash out. They want people who are most likely to complete all four years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know how the service academies are, but in the other parts of the military you can get a waiver for a wide variety of physical & mental issues.

Because you’re already in (and often those are caused by service anyway) When they’re deciding whether or not to invest a ton of money into four free years of education and training, they are less flexible, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The admission stats at the Naval Academy are nearly identical to Virginia Tech. So, stats wise, it’s not selective. But they put up a bunch of hoops that make it difficult to be accepted.

Stats are the easiest box to check in the application prices for sure. And I don’t mean they’re easy- just relative to the rest of the requirements. 4.5 and 1550 is totally irrelevant if you’ve taken ADHD meds, antidepressants, aren’t an athlete, or have any health issues at all.

How will they know what medications anyone has taken, or what health issues there are?

The medical portion is intense. They send you to a military hospital where you go to pretty much every department and are checked inside and out. DC was at the hospital for 4 hours. They have all of your previous records and double check everything. Broke your arm in 3rd grade, they're checking to see if it healed properly.

And a past mental health issue is a non-no?

Which makes sense. Though my neighbor's kid who would have been a stellar officer (he's already a stellar human being) was dinged b/c he saw a therapist for a semester after 9th grade when his parents unexpectedly (in his view) divorced and things got a little messy. Since then, no need, happy and well adjusted kid with all the right stats, motivations, and stuff to contribute to the military. Oh well, West Point's loss is Dartmouth's gain.

Past mental health issues are automatic disqualifiers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The admission stats at the Naval Academy are nearly identical to Virginia Tech. So, stats wise, it’s not selective. But they put up a bunch of hoops that make it difficult to be accepted.

Stats are the easiest box to check in the application prices for sure. And I don’t mean they’re easy- just relative to the rest of the requirements. 4.5 and 1550 is totally irrelevant if you’ve taken ADHD meds, antidepressants, aren’t an athlete, or have any health issues at all.

How will they know what medications anyone has taken, or what health issues there are?

The medical portion is intense. They send you to a military hospital where you go to pretty much every department and are checked inside and out. DC was at the hospital for 4 hours. They have all of your previous records and double check everything. Broke your arm in 3rd grade, they're checking to see if it healed properly.

And a past mental health issue is a non-no?

Which makes sense. Though my neighbor's kid who would have been a stellar officer (he's already a stellar human being) was dinged b/c he saw a therapist for a semester after 9th grade when his parents unexpectedly (in his view) divorced and things got a little messy. Since then, no need, happy and well adjusted kid with all the right stats, motivations, and stuff to contribute to the military. Oh well, West Point's loss is Dartmouth's gain.

Past mental health issues are automatic disqualifiers

But only if you sought treatment...

[Anonymous]

I've heard about the physical fitness tests. I also am aware of the physical examinations and review of health/mental history as part of the admissions process. To the point about any untreated mental issues, do they administer any tests to try to suss that out

[Anonymous]

So if you seek mental health treatment you are automatically disqualified?
Any age? Or is it a certain amount of years prior to your application?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So if you seek mental health treatment you are automatically disqualified?
Any age? Or is it a certain amount of years prior to your application?

Mental health treatment covers a wide spectrum. If it's depression I would imagine you will be disqualified. If it's I needed a shrink in 8th grade after my brother was killed by a drunk driver, I think that is something that will be viewed differently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The admission stats at the Naval Academy are nearly identical to Virginia Tech. So, stats wise, it’s not selective. But they put up a bunch of hoops that make it difficult to be accepted.

Stats are the easiest box to check in the application prices for sure. And I don’t mean they’re easy- just relative to the rest of the requirements. 4.5 and 1550 is totally irrelevant if you’ve taken ADHD meds, antidepressants, aren’t an athlete, or have any health issues at all.

How will they know what medications anyone has taken, or what health issues there are?

The medical portion is intense. They send you to a military hospital where you go to pretty much every department and are checked inside and out. DC was at the hospital for 4 hours. They have all of your previous records and double check everything. Broke your arm in 3rd grade, they're checking to see if it healed properly.

And a past mental health issue is a non-no?

Which makes sense. Though my neighbor's kid who would have been a stellar officer (he's already a stellar human being) was dinged b/c he saw a therapist for a semester after 9th grade when his parents unexpectedly (in his view) divorced and things got a little messy. Since then, no need, happy and well adjusted kid with all the right stats, motivations, and stuff to contribute to the military. Oh well, West Point's loss is Dartmouth's gain.

Past mental health issues are automatic disqualifiers

But only if you sought treatment...

Doesn't someone who recognizes the need treatment, get treatment, and are better because of it a better bet for a future officer than those not aware enough to know they have issues?

[Anonymous]

OP, the service academies are so selective, because they have to be. One day they will have their finger on the proverbial or literal trigger. You want the smartest, toughest, of the highest character, who will not succumb to mental or physical presssure and flinch when the time comes to make that all important judgement call. It's life or death. Both awe inspiring and frightening to think that 22 year old graduates will have this responsibility.

[Anonymous]

It's like a niche sports like lacrosse for a small segment of population
It's still not an easy entry and you still need to try out for a varsity team.

Academically highly selective kids don't choose service academies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The admission stats at the Naval Academy are nearly identical to Virginia Tech. So, stats wise, it’s not selective. But they put up a bunch of hoops that make it difficult to be accepted.

Stats are the easiest box to check in the application prices for sure. And I don’t mean they’re easy- just relative to the rest of the requirements. 4.5 and 1550 is totally irrelevant if you’ve taken ADHD meds, antidepressants, aren’t an athlete, or have any health issues at all.

How will they know what medications anyone has taken, or what health issues there are?

The medical portion is intense. They send you to a military hospital where you go to pretty much every department and are checked inside and out. DC was at the hospital for 4 hours. They have all of your previous records and double check everything. Broke your arm in 3rd grade, they're checking to see if it healed properly.

And a past mental health issue is a non-no?

Which makes sense. Though my neighbor's kid who would have been a stellar officer (he's already a stellar human being) was dinged b/c he saw a therapist for a semester after 9th grade when his parents unexpectedly (in his view) divorced and things got a little messy. Since then, no need, happy and well adjusted kid with all the right stats, motivations, and stuff to contribute to the military. Oh well, West Point's loss is Dartmouth's gain.

Past mental health issues are automatic disqualifiers

DP but context matters. We’re taking about 14,15,16 year olds being disqualified for appropriately addressing life’s stressors. Way different than someone diagnosed as bipolar or schizophrenic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
It's like a niche sports like lacrosse for a small segment of population
It's still not an easy entry and you still need to try out for a varsity team.

Academically highly selective kids don't choose service academies.

Not true at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
It's like a niche sports like lacrosse for a small segment of population
It's still not an easy entry and you still need to try out for a varsity team.

Academically highly selective kids don't choose service academies.

The true patriots, courageous, and politically ambitious do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The admission stats at the Naval Academy are nearly identical to Virginia Tech. So, stats wise, it’s not selective. But they put up a bunch of hoops that make it difficult to be accepted.

Stats are the easiest box to check in the application prices for sure. And I don’t mean they’re easy- just relative to the rest of the requirements. 4.5 and 1550 is totally irrelevant if you’ve taken ADHD meds, antidepressants, aren’t an athlete, or have any health issues at all.

How will they know what medications anyone has taken, or what health issues there are?

The medical portion is intense. They send you to a military hospital where you go to pretty much every department and are checked inside and out. DC was at the hospital for 4 hours. They have all of your previous records and double check everything. Broke your arm in 3rd grade, they're checking to see if it healed properly.

And a past mental health issue is a non-no?

Which makes sense. Though my neighbor's kid who would have been a stellar officer (he's already a stellar human being) was dinged b/c he saw a therapist for a semester after 9th grade when his parents unexpectedly (in his view) divorced and things got a little messy. Since then, no need, happy and well adjusted kid with all the right stats, motivations, and stuff to contribute to the military. Oh well, West Point's loss is Dartmouth's gain.

Past mental health issues are automatic disqualifiers

But only if you sought treatment...

Doesn't someone who recognizes the need treatment, get treatment, and are better because of it a better bet for a future officer than those not aware enough to know they have issues?

That is a key issue. Reading comments here suggests not getting treatment and choose self medication with alcohol (and other rec drugs) is preferred. People lie about sex, drugs and mental health, that’s not debatable.

[Anonymous]

No, waivers AREN’T just if you are already in. I’m closely involved in this topic.