Ivy / MIT vs West Point University

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"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.

I just want to underscore this. In addition to what everyone else has said, even a "physically fit" kid could be disqualified during the fitness component. The service academies exist to train the next generation of military leadership, and the physical requirements are very narrow, and have not necessarily caught up to modern science.

[Anonymous]

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

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.

Interesting, and I appreciate this perspective.

[Anonymous]

I think West Point is a better option for a kid that wants to go into business (or stay in the service) as opposed to medicine.

Employers and Business schools love the leadership of West Point graduates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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/

Thank you. Will check it out

[Anonymous]

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

West Point exists to develop military officers. Very few can go to medical school during their service obligation. I know one who did - one of a handful. He was a multiple All American in his sport (D1), and his father was a prominent coach at West Point and he was in the top 5 in the class

[Anonymous]

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.

+1 West Point is a great education for free. But not every kid wants to do a military career.

[Anonymous]

It's equivalent to T50

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many reasons. Service is a calling, which not all teenagers have. You’re making a 9 year commitment, which is more than a lot of teenagers want to give. The physical difficulty. The competition to even get in (it seems impossible to get a nomination if you live around here).

Is getting nomination the hardest?. What do the senators office look for to provide nomination (we are naturalized parents so no military experience)

I know it is a very long process which starts in Junior year and multiple interviews as well (for nomination and for admissions)

Getting a nomination is easier than most people think. You don't have to know the senator or congressman. You apply to all nominating sources. Some senators or congressman does interviews and some don't. Some do in person and some over a Zoom call. My DD got a nomination from her senator, and there was no interview. A lot depends on how competitive your district is, and your overall stats GPA/SAT/CFA score. Even if you don't get a nomination, and if they really want you, they'll find one for you. No, you don't have to start Junior year. In between your Junior and Senior year during the Summer is fine. The process is long because they want people who really want to be officers in the military as they will be investing a lot of money on that individual. It is a weeding out process.
The acceptance rate is much higher than what they adverstise because they count people who started the application as applicants not just those who complete the application. Ultimately, my DD went to an Ivy on a ROTC scholarship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many reasons. Service is a calling, which not all teenagers have. You’re making a 9 year commitment, which is more than a lot of teenagers want to give. The physical difficulty. The competition to even get in (it seems impossible to get a nomination if you live around here).

Is getting nomination the hardest?. What do the senators office look for to provide nomination (we are naturalized parents so no military experience)

I know it is a very long process which starts in Junior year and multiple interviews as well (for nomination and for admissions)

Getting a nomination is easier than most people think. You don't have to know the senator or congressman. You apply to all nominating sources. Some senators or congressman does interviews and some don't. Some do in person and some over a Zoom call. My DD got a nomination from her senator, and there was no interview. A lot depends on how competitive your district is, and your overall stats GPA/SAT/CFA score. Even if you don't get a nomination, and if they really want you, they'll find one for you. No, you don't have to start Junior year. In between your Junior and Senior year during the Summer is fine. The process is long because they want people who really want to be officers in the military as they will be investing a lot of money on that individual. It is a weeding out process.
The acceptance rate is much higher than what they adverstise because they count people who started the application as applicants not just those who complete the application. Ultimately, my DD went to an Ivy on a ROTC scholarship.

Can anybody get ROTC scholarship or you have to be Military family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many reasons. Service is a calling, which not all teenagers have. You’re making a 9 year commitment, which is more than a lot of teenagers want to give. The physical difficulty. The competition to even get in (it seems impossible to get a nomination if you live around here).

Is getting nomination the hardest?. What do the senators office look for to provide nomination (we are naturalized parents so no military experience)

I know it is a very long process which starts in Junior year and multiple interviews as well (for nomination and for admissions)

Getting a nomination is easier than most people think. You don't have to know the senator or congressman. You apply to all nominating sources. Some senators or congressman does interviews and some don't. Some do in person and some over a Zoom call. My DD got a nomination from her senator, and there was no interview. A lot depends on how competitive your district is, and your overall stats GPA/SAT/CFA score. Even if you don't get a nomination, and if they really want you, they'll find one for you. No, you don't have to start Junior year. In between your Junior and Senior year during the Summer is fine. The process is long because they want people who really want to be officers in the military as they will be investing a lot of money on that individual. It is a weeding out process.
The acceptance rate is much higher than what they adverstise because they count people who started the application as applicants not just those who complete the application. Ultimately, my DD went to an Ivy on a ROTC scholarship.

Can anybody get ROTC scholarship or you have to be Military family?

Anybody who is a United States citizen with a high school diploma between 17 and 31 and have taken the SAT or ACT. You don't have to be a member of a military family.

[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

West Point exists to develop military officers. Very few can go to medical school during their service obligation. I know one who did - one of a handful. He was a multiple All American in his sport (D1), and his father was a prominent coach at West Point and he was in the top 5 in the class

They accept around 20 each year to go to medical. This seems like a small number but not that many people apply. Getting accepted to a medical school is hard, top 10 percent of class and high MCAT score. This weeds most people out. If you can get inot a medical school, West Point will most likely sponsor you, but the service commitment will be much higher than the standard 5 years active duty.

[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

West Point exists to develop military officers. Very few can go to medical school during their service obligation. I know one who did - one of a handful. He was a multiple All American in his sport (D1), and his father was a prominent coach at West Point and he was in the top 5 in the class

They accept around 20 each year to go to medical. This seems like a small number but not that many people apply. Getting accepted to a medical school is hard, top 10 percent of class and high MCAT score. This weeds most people out. If you can get inot a medical school, West Point will most likely sponsor you, but the service commitment will be much higher than the standard 5 years active duty.

The commitment is higher, but the lack of loans and a salary for those who get into USU shouldn't be overlooked either

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many reasons. Service is a calling, which not all teenagers have. You’re making a 9 year commitment, which is more than a lot of teenagers want to give. The physical difficulty. The competition to even get in (it seems impossible to get a nomination if you live around here).

Is getting nomination the hardest?. What do the senators office look for to provide nomination (we are naturalized parents so no military experience)

I know it is a very long process which starts in Junior year and multiple interviews as well (for nomination and for admissions)

Getting a nomination is easier than most people think. You don't have to know the senator or congressman. You apply to all nominating sources. Some senators or congressman does interviews and some don't. Some do in person and some over a Zoom call. My DD got a nomination from her senator, and there was no interview. A lot depends on how competitive your district is, and your overall stats GPA/SAT/CFA score. Even if you don't get a nomination, and if they really want you, they'll find one for you. No, you don't have to start Junior year. In between your Junior and Senior year during the Summer is fine. The process is long because they want people who really want to be officers in the military as they will be investing a lot of money on that individual. It is a weeding out process.
The acceptance rate is much higher than what they adverstise because they count people who started the application as applicants not just those who complete the application. Ultimately, my DD went to an Ivy on a ROTC scholarship.

Can anybody get ROTC scholarship or you have to be Military family?

You are not from the U.S.

[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

West Point exists to develop military officers. Very few can go to medical school during their service obligation. I know one who did - one of a handful. He was a multiple All American in his sport (D1), and his father was a prominent coach at West Point and he was in the top 5 in the class

They accept around 20 each year to go to medical. This seems like a small number but not that many people apply. Getting accepted to a medical school is hard, top 10 percent of class and high MCAT score. This weeds most people out. If you can get inot a medical school, West Point will most likely sponsor you, but the service commitment will be much higher than the standard 5 years active duty.

Yes my friend spent 25 years in the service. Duke Medical School. Still, the numbers you cite reflect West Point is not the place to choose if med school is the objective, especially given the ups and downs associated with getting through West Point.

[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

Mostly because Annapolis is also free.

It's almost entirely the military commitment.