Ivy / MIT vs West Point University

[Anonymous]

An alternative is to go through the ROTC program at the university of choosing (most offer rotc). DC was awarded HSSP scholarship for AFROTC that covers tuition and fees anywhere that offer AFROTC. DC is currently a first year engineering student at Cornell. Once complete, DC will commission as second lieutenant in active duty same as if DC went to the Air Force academy. At least DC will have regular college life most of the days during college and only few days in uniform per week. Better balance maybe? Just another option in serving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Everything PP said. This, and then when you're 9 years in and an officer (and for sure you are married at this point; all officers are) then you realize with the promotions and the potential promotions, you're going to stay in for the full 20. Very few don't.

So you're talking 20 years. Which by that point, you definitely want. It's your life.

[Anonymous]

"the fitness requirement" is no light matter.

Like PP said, the vast majority of 17-18 year olds won't qualify in the first place for basic health deficits (asthma, ADHD, anxiety, imperfect eyesight, food allergies, IBS, eczema, and so on). Then, the ongoing fitness testing is ... very punishing.

[Anonymous]

Lots of prestigious and great FREE options beyond west point too -

Naval Academy
Air Force

[Anonymous]

It's an incredible education but a very very intense commitment. Not just in terms of time as the PPs have said, but also in terms of commitment and discipline, which extends to EVERY aspect of life. I did a tour of the Naval Academy and they talked about how there are (were?) requirements for minimum/maximum number of bites for each piece of food. I grew up with a kid who went to West Point - he was super smart, valedictorian, all the things. He lasted 3 days, had to come home and go to community college. I have a lot of admiration for service academy graduates but I would be very careful about pushing a kid in that direction unless they understand what it means and are fully on board with it.

[Anonymous]

Free college then potentially lead others to their death in combat. What not to like?

[Anonymous]

I hope OP is a troll rather than a complete idiot, but there is a good book from 2004, American Made, about studentd at West Point and their experiences, if someone’s kid is actually interested in it. It’s probably dated but still a good read.

[Anonymous]

The way the world is today- do you want your kid on active duty ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

For a nomination they like high academic kids who are also stellar athletes, have leadership and involved in the community. They conduct interviews and you have to be able to discuss why you want to serve your country as an army officer. They are in the business of making the best military officers possible.

[Anonymous]

If your DC is interested in attending an Academy, I recommend the Service Academy Forum. You will get a lot more specific answers to your questions by people who have gone through the process and have served in the military

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope OP is a troll rather than a complete idiot, but there is a good book from 2004, American Made, about studentd at West Point and their experiences, if someone’s kid is actually interested in it. It’s probably dated but still a good read.

The wild card, of course, is the historical moment. Among Eisenhower's West Point class in 1915, one third ended up as generals. But good lord, did they ever earn it. To come out of West Point as a 2nd Lieutenant at the height of WWI, and then be the senior military leaders in WWII, with those responsibilities - the lives of millions and the fate of civilization. It is an incredible responsibility.

Some people lament how few young Americans are capable of being officers.

But it is good that it is challenging and difficult for those that are admitted to the academies and the ROTC scholarships. Best and brightest, even today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Everything PP said. This, and then when you're 9 years in and an officer (and for sure you are married at this point; all officers are) then you realize with the promotions and the potential promotions, you're going to stay in for the full 20. Very few don't.

So you're talking 20 years. Which by that point, you definitely want. It's your life.

No. You can do the Army ROTC scholarship, and it's four and out. A trifle longer will also pay for an MBA - and the M7 do like their elite soldiers. And of course, consulting, finance, and the corporate world are keen on smart lieutenants and captains from top schools and the academies.

Medical school will be a longer commitment. But it will be paid for and it will be interesting. The doctors I've met over the years, uh, like the action. So, again, maybe not for everyone.

Flying is another thing and it's own subculture.

West Point, Annapolis, Air Force and ROTC at T20 schools are best for young people that are really keen to push themselves. Go to Annapolis on a Saturday afternoon. They are all working out. If you have that drive, it's a good thing. If you don't, that space is not going to work out well. You've got to want it. And then one thing leads to another, and it's a hell of a lot more interesting than what most 20somethings are doing.

[Anonymous]

OP, thank you for this thread. My DS is also considering West Point and I appreciate these posts.

Agree with the other poster that you might want to check out the Service Academy Forums.

https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?forums/military-academy-usma.4/

[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

The academy is not just another institution that you strive for to continue to take advantage of the American Dream. It is one of the places that built the American dream, through blood, and continues to. If you want to see our country continue force projection around the world, go to war for ourselves, and gasp, sometimes go to war for our allies (who may not want what your home country wants), them go for it. Other than that, the academy is not a hack to get free college and a good job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The way the world is today- do you want your kid on active duty ?

How is the world "today"?
Record low number of american soldiers in war zones.