Why are the service academies so selective?

[Anonymous]

Because tons of parents who either served themselves, can't afford college or refuse to pay for it pressure their kids into doing this.

I know families who refuse to give their kids any money for college or help them navigate the financial aid process - they just make them join a service academy instead.

I fully admit I couldn't do it but I had a family who always talked about going to a selective college instead. I didn't have that mind set. Maybe those who are raised to think this is their best or only option are very dedicated to the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because tons of parents who either served themselves, can't afford college or refuse to pay for it pressure their kids into doing this.

I know families who refuse to give their kids any money for college or help them navigate the financial aid process - they just make them join a service academy instead.

I fully admit I couldn't do it but I had a family who always talked about going to a selective college instead. I didn't have that mind set. Maybe those who are raised to think this is their best or only option are very dedicated to the process.

As if... I couldn't pressure my kid into throwing a football or liking Brussel sprouts. You think joining the military is something people are coerced into? I come from a Military family. Every man born since 1910 and 1980 served except me. I was "all in" my whole young life but decided it wasn't for me. And I had a relative who was an academy admissions officer! I would have waltzed right in.

Unlike students at most colleges who can try out majors and then completely change their minds about life after graduating - those who attend the service academies have to be solid and certain about what it is they are signing up for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because tons of parents who either served themselves, can't afford college or refuse to pay for it pressure their kids into doing this.

I know families who refuse to give their kids any money for college or help them navigate the financial aid process - they just make them join a service academy instead.

I fully admit I couldn't do it but I had a family who always talked about going to a selective college instead. I didn't have that mind set. Maybe those who are raised to think this is their best or only option are very dedicated to the process.

You seem uninformed about the process and judgemental from an outside perspective. As if half the people can force their children to go. Half of mine wouldn’t pass the medical exam (I am the poster with one who was accepted but disqualified in the medical process). Sure, there are some military families where it’s core to their family values, just as Ivies are to some families. It’s not as easy as “just force them to go” when you don’t have college funds.

[Anonymous]

The service academies are selective for those who apply. However, the most selective students opt-out so the remaining pool is not as selective as T25 colleges.

[Anonymous]

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

You can't possibly be that dense. It is an experience and commitment like no other school (save, perhaps, a seminary). Not only are they selective when it comes to applicants but the applicants have already self-selected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH graduated #1 in his school class and was selected for both West Point and The Merchant Marine Academy. He chose the latter. He served in the reserves for 6 years but started with a DoD position directly after college, with 4 years of federal service already credited to him. Top-level clearance. His family was so poor he could never have dreamed of getting such a fabulous education completely for free.

The Merchant Marine Academy is often overlooked, but really does set one up for success.

Unless you're talking about a woman, then it sets you up for abuse and trauma.

Wut?

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/03/08/us/us-merchant-marine-academy-sexual-assault-report-invs/index.html

[Anonymous]

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

“Free” if you disregard the multiyear commitment where you might get killed on the back end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

You can't possibly be that dense. It is an experience and commitment like no other school (save, perhaps, a seminary). Not only are they selective when it comes to applicants but the applicants have already self-selected.

Seminarians. Good analogy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

“Free” if you disregard the multiyear commitment where you might get killed on the back end.

I don't think an enormous opportunity cost means what you think it means for selectivity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The service academies are selective for those who apply. However, the most selective students opt-out so the remaining pool is not as selective as T25 colleges.

NP and I don't agree with this. My DD is currently at West Point, and she was admitted to the one Ivy she applied to. Her school's college counselor could not believe she would turn down X university for West Point, but it's because my DD's high school is in the elite civilian college bubble and don't "get" service academies. My DD's friend at West Point turned down Harvard for West Point.

Both of these kids come from non-military families, and West Point was their #1 choice.

I do think that for the military-connected applicants, it's a bit easier to get in because they can get a nomination through more channels. However; that might not be a blessing because it's such an intense experience, if the fit is not right, the kid is more likely to drop out. My DD has a friend who is considering a transfer right now and it sounds like it's that kind of situation.

The academies are selective in a different way than civilian colleges, so it's a bit of apples to oranges. Your kid could be the perfect candidate for an elite college based on grades, rigor of classes taken, extracurricular activities, and standardized tests, but if they can't pass the fitness test, don't have proven leadership experiences, or have had some medical situation (stuff like allergies, meds taken for stuff like anxiety or ADHD etc) they probably won't get in. (and if they have those things, the academies are more forgiving on the standardized tests)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

“Free” if you disregard the multiyear commitment where you might get killed on the back end.

I don't think an enormous opportunity cost means what you think it means for selectivity.

I think a lot of great kids are going to pass on service academies because of the commitment to military service afterwards. Is that what you think I meant? 🙄

[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 self-obsession of people on this board is breathtaking sometimes. Since you don’t know anyone personally, you can’t fathom why anyone else might be interested?

Where did your parents go wrong with you, exactly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

I don’t get it. First of all, get away with what, exactly? And secondly, it sounds like applicants are just effectively getting their “rejection letters” earlier in the process than at a typical college.

(AFAIK colleges don’t refuse to let you even apply if they don’t consider you qualified, they just don’t waste any time rejecting you. But please correct me if I am wrong!)

At a school for geniuses like Stanford, they have two key screening questions:

1) Can you fog a mirror?

2) Have you got $75?

If YES to both, you are qualified to apply!!!

Over at West Point they do things the stupid way which is:

1) Hey should we even bother reading this app if this kid can’t even pass the basic physical exam?

2) Maybe we should farm out pre-screening to Congress and let those clowns do all the work finding the best candidates from their area for us?

You are a sad little bitter pill.

Stephen Hawking would not have been able to lead soldiers into combat for purely physiological reasons. Others can't because they don't have the sort of personality that inspires their peers to fight through adversity. And others - most others - put their own safety and well-being before any other concern or bigger picture idea.

Also, we have serious shortages in talent for some MOS’. The Services understand this. They need cyber folk and these kids look and act different than the high school soccer star and team captain who took a decent but not ridiculous course load and got good but not brilliant grades. The selection criteria at the academies will have to change over time. That being said, we have some enormously gifted STEM kids at the selective academies already - just probably not enough of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The service academies are selective for those who apply. However, the most selective students opt-out so the remaining pool is not as selective as T25 colleges.

Ton of students who can get in T50 or T100 wouldn't choose military life style.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a serious question??

Do you want the leaders of our military to be anything but the brightest and best?

They are not the brightest.
Average SAT only 1300

True. They don’t base admission solely on test scores. But they are certainly well rounded in leadership, athletics and academics.

?? all the other good schools have the 'holistic' admissions

What? No, they don’t. Half the kids at other top schools can’t even function with stimulants and SSRIs