What is the "college experience" like at West Point, USNA and USAFA?

[Anonymous]

Friend also wanted DD to come to a dance. I'll find you a date the friend said (obviously more girls were needed) DD said find someone who voted as a Democrat (why waste time when they're not compatible ..) Friend couldn't find her a date who had voted for Obama. Some claimed to have not voted, but no Obama voters. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - you should go spend some time on serviceacademyforums.com - lots and lots of information and way more expertise than DCUM on service academies. there are many posts on this topic. And, the academies have different characters.

Your daughter should definitely do an overnight visit.

FWIW, my child is a plebe at USMA. Not the typical college experience and yes, many rules, but terrific opportunities that don't exist at other colleges. Also, my child has been home two long weekends since leaving in June, went to NYC for the T2T 5K and is flying to TX so see the USAFA v. USMA football game.

Does USMA pay any expenses related to travel for away football games?

Sometimes. USMA suggested they would defray some costs on this one. Don't forget Cadets are getting paid a stipend while attending USMA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Friend also wanted DD to come to a dance. I'll find you a date the friend said (obviously more girls were needed) DD said find someone who voted as a Democrat (why waste time when they're not compatible ..) Friend couldn't find her a date who had voted for Obama. Some claimed to have not voted, but no Obama voters. Sad.

wrong. I can count many Obama voters among the USMA grads I know and Biden voters in the current class. Please don't stereotype so broadly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - you should go spend some time on serviceacademyforums.com - lots and lots of information and way more expertise than DCUM on service academies. there are many posts on this topic. And, the academies have different characters.

Your daughter should definitely do an overnight visit.

FWIW, my child is a plebe at USMA. Not the typical college experience and yes, many rules, but terrific opportunities that don't exist at other colleges. Also, my child has been home two long weekends since leaving in June, went to NYC for the T2T 5K and is flying to TX so see the USAFA v. USMA football game.

Does USMA pay any expenses related to travel for away football games?

Sometimes. USMA suggested they would defray some costs on this one. Don't forget Cadets are getting paid a stipend while attending USMA.

They do, but a lot of it ends up getting a lot of it debited to pay for things like uniforms

[Anonymous]

Echo earlier PP who suggested serviceacademyforums.com as a much better source of info on this topic than DCUM. wealth of info there and current cadets participating on the forums.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Echo earlier PP who suggested serviceacademyforums.com as a much better source of info on this topic than DCUM. wealth of info there and current cadets participating on the forums.

There are some real wackadoodles on that site….too.

[Anonymous]

Do they drug test? If a kid smoked weed at home during the holidays, in a state where it’s legal, can he/she get in trouble for that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they drug test? If a kid smoked weed at home during the holidays, in a state where it’s legal, can he/she get in trouble for that?

"state where it's legal" lol

Heard of the supremacy clause? Yes, the kid would be breaking federal law and subject to military discipline.

[Anonymous]

If the kid is stupid enough to risk their career over a joint, they shouldn’t be an officer.

[Anonymous]

Another rec for the serviceacademyforum. My kid is currently at USNA and loves it. Definitely not for everyone. Take a tour and do the candidate's visit, if you're invited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another rec for the serviceacademyforum. My kid is currently at USNA and loves it. Definitely not for everyone. Take a tour and do the candidate's visit, if you're invited.

Should also add that plebe summer and plebe year have lots of rules and restrictions but they do get liberty and leave for holidays. It's not that bad and everyone's in the same boat. It's less restrictive with each year.

[Anonymous]

Wake Forest grad here who went to the game on Saturday v. West Point. Seemed like any big school football game I've experienced, except that a helicopter fly by rattles the stadium, the student body is all in uniforms (looking spiffy, if conformist), a parachute team does a dazzling display pre-game and at half-time, push ups are done by all (from head of school to cheerleaders to students) after every home team touchdown, and canon fire takes place throughout the game, bursting many a fans ear drums...

[Anonymous]

^ ick

[Anonymous]

I grew up in a west coast college town and live in Annapolis now and I would say as a passive observer the experience seems wildly different. Whereas back home you’d regularly see kids passed out in lawns, in Annapolis it’s all uniforms and uber polite conduct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Army-Navy football game is the definition of memorable college experience.

+ 1. Go Army. Beat Navy!