Why are the service academies so selective?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because more people are interested in that education and experience than they can accommodate.

But why? We don't currently know any, and we're a military family (dual, at one point in time).

The academies, particularly West Point and Annapolis, have long been regarded as elite schools. There are very few 18 year olds who are fit enough, smart enough, and well-rounded enough to get a Congressional Nomination, which is necessary to be considered for admittance. Upon graduation - debt free - graduates are obliged to serve as officers for four years. The pay isn't bad these days, particulalrly since a young officer has basically no expenses, and the job is probably a lot more interesting than most first jobs. Academy grads tend to get first priority for the more desirable tracks.

The M7 business schools love academy grads. So too does MBB consulting. Not to mention the corporate world. An academy degree probably doesn't do much in tech, but elsewhere it opens a lot of doors. The networking is unparalleled.

It's not for everyone, but for the right kid, it's a great launching pad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Published July 2023:

"The West Point Acceptance Rate originates from the total number of applicants that start files with the West Point Admissions team. This doesn’t include qualified candidates, only students who are interested in attending. They haven’t received a congressional nomination yet or gone through any of the admissions processes. From a recent class profile, this totals 12,294.

Since only 1,210 were admitted, this leads the public to believe that the admissions rate was 9.8%.

In reality, only 2,228 were qualified academically and in physical aptitude according to the admissions team. This results in a much higher acceptance rate of 54% if you are qualified."

Published where? How do they get away with this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because more people are interested in that education and experience than they can accommodate.

But why? We don't currently know any, and we're a military family (dual, at one point in time).

We’re not a military family but live in Colorado Springs so we have a lot of military and academy alumni friends who we’ve met via our kids over the years. We know one family who currently has 2 kids at USMA, another whose oldest just started there (both legacy families), and DS has a former soccer teammate—not from a military family—who is a freshman at USAFA after a year of hard work post high school to get in.

None of the children of USAFA alumni we know had any desire to go there—but the West Pointers seem to have greater love for and connection to the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Published July 2023:

"The West Point Acceptance Rate originates from the total number of applicants that start files with the West Point Admissions team. This doesn’t include qualified candidates, only students who are interested in attending. They haven’t received a congressional nomination yet or gone through any of the admissions processes. From a recent class profile, this totals 12,294.

Since only 1,210 were admitted, this leads the public to believe that the admissions rate was 9.8%.

In reality, only 2,228 were qualified academically and in physical aptitude according to the admissions team. This results in a much higher acceptance rate of 54% if you are qualified."

Published where? How do they get away with this?

Applying to West Point, Annapolis, or the Air Force Academy is not like applying to a normal school. You have the fitness tests to begin with. That eliminates nearly 80 percent of all 18 year olds. And then there's the Congressional Nomination, which is very difficult to get. Very few kids receive one. But once you have it - if I recall - the odds of getting into an academy are about 50 percent.

So it's not like applying to Penn or wherever. West Point doesn't receive 10,000 applications and simply chooses the best 1000. It's a layered process and potential applicants are eliminated along the way before they even get a chance to formally apply. Getting a Congressional Nomination is key. And they're not handed out like candy. There are panels and all sorts of hoops to go through. Anyone that gets one is a very accomplished young person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Published July 2023:

"The West Point Acceptance Rate originates from the total number of applicants that start files with the West Point Admissions team. This doesn’t include qualified candidates, only students who are interested in attending. They haven’t received a congressional nomination yet or gone through any of the admissions processes. From a recent class profile, this totals 12,294.

Since only 1,210 were admitted, this leads the public to believe that the admissions rate was 9.8%.

In reality, only 2,228 were qualified academically and in physical aptitude according to the admissions team. This results in a much higher acceptance rate of 54% if you are qualified."

Published where? How do they get away with this?

Applying to West Point, Annapolis, or the Air Force Academy is not like applying to a normal school. You have the fitness tests to begin with. That eliminates nearly 80 percent of all 18 year olds. And then there's the Congressional Nomination, which is very difficult to get. Very few kids receive one. But once you have it - if I recall - the odds of getting into an academy are about 50 percent.

So it's not like applying to Penn or wherever. West Point doesn't receive 10,000 applications and simply chooses the best 1000. It's a layered process and potential applicants are eliminated along the way before they even get a chance to formally apply. Getting a Congressional Nomination is key. And they're not handed out like candy. There are panels and all sorts of hoops to go through. Anyone that gets one is a very accomplished young person.

Stop. There are other nomination paths, and one academy that doesn't require one at all.

[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?

DP You need to prove that you have the mental strength and maturity to handle the mental and physical rigors on top of the heavy academic demands. Add on the health history limitations and the PT requirements and there aren’t that many 17 year old who check all the boxes.

They routinely turn down Ivy qualified kids ever treated for ADHD, anxiety, or depression.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it just because they're free?

It’s not free. What a stupid thing to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just because they're free?

It’s not free. What a stupid thing to say.

My brother did ROTC because he couldn't afford college any other way. It's not a stupid thing to say!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just because they're free?

It’s not free. What a stupid thing to say.

At least for the academies that I’m familiar with, students don’t pay to attend, and actually earn a salary while they’re enrolled. So: no tuition or room and board payments, no student loans, and a reliable income, plus a guaranteed job. I’d say that the PP’s “free” comment is hardly “stupid”, and a huge positive for most, if not all students who are genuinely considering attending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just because they're free?

It’s not free. What a stupid thing to say.

At least for the academies that I’m familiar with, students don’t pay to attend, and actually earn a salary while they’re enrolled. So: no tuition or room and board payments, no student loans, and a reliable income, plus a guaranteed job. I’d say that the PP’s “free” comment is hardly “stupid”, and a huge positive for most, if not all students who are genuinely considering attending.

Does PP mean it in a “the taxpayer is paying the bill kind of way”? Or “freedom isn’t free”?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because more people are interested in that education and experience than they can accommodate.

But why? We don't currently know any, and we're a military family (dual, at one point in time).

The academies, particularly West Point and Annapolis, have long been regarded as elite schools. There are very few 18 year olds who are fit enough, smart enough, and well-rounded enough to get a Congressional Nomination, which is necessary to be considered for admittance. Upon graduation - debt free - graduates are obliged to serve as officers for four years. The pay isn't bad these days, particulalrly since a young officer has basically no expenses, and the job is probably a lot more interesting than most first jobs. Academy grads tend to get first priority for the more desirable tracks.

The M7 business schools love academy grads. So too does MBB consulting. Not to mention the corporate world. An academy degree probably doesn't do much in tech, but elsewhere it opens a lot of doors. The networking is unparalleled.

It's not for everyone, but for the right kid, it's a great launching pad.

It actually opens a lot of doors in tech. Showing you can get a computer science or engineering degree from one of the academies while balancing the other demands is a huge plus for tech companies. We have a family friend whose kid is majoring in CS at one of the academies. He is a sophomore and has already been approached by tech companies about joining after he is done serving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because more people are interested in that education and experience than they can accommodate.

But why? We don't currently know any, and we're a military family (dual, at one point in time).

The academies, particularly West Point and Annapolis, have long been regarded as elite schools. There are very few 18 year olds who are fit enough, smart enough, and well-rounded enough to get a Congressional Nomination, which is necessary to be considered for admittance. Upon graduation - debt free - graduates are obliged to serve as officers for four years. The pay isn't bad these days, particulalrly since a young officer has basically no expenses, and the job is probably a lot more interesting than most first jobs. Academy grads tend to get first priority for the more desirable tracks.

The M7 business schools love academy grads. So too does MBB consulting. Not to mention the corporate world. An academy degree probably doesn't do much in tech, but elsewhere it opens a lot of doors. The networking is unparalleled.

It's not for everyone, but for the right kid, it's a great launching pad.

It actually opens a lot of doors in tech. Showing you can get a computer science or engineering degree from one of the academies while balancing the other demands is a huge plus for tech companies. We have a family friend whose kid is majoring in CS at one of the academies. He is a sophomore and has already been approached by tech companies about joining after he is done serving.

LOL. No tech company plans 6+ years ahead.

[Anonymous]

Because they will potentially lead people into battle, be responsible for a $1B piece of equipment and asked to defend the country?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because more people are interested in that education and experience than they can accommodate.

But why? We don't currently know any, and we're a military family (dual, at one point in time).

How can you be a dual military family and not know any academy grads?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because they will potentially lead people into battle, be responsible for a $1B piece of equipment and asked to defend the country?

I believe the real question was why are so many applying.