Are the Service Academies Prestigious?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Air Force Academy isn't all that prestigious, but West Point and Annapolis are. But it's still very specialized. Grads concentrate in engineering, defense contracting, etc. I've heard from others that they have a fairly low percentage who go on to professional schools, largely because they have multi-year service commitments and a lot of them end up getting married too, are fairly far along in their careers when they finally go civilian.

In terms of prestige, I would put them a notch or two below the ivy league foremost employers. But for some employers, particularly those in the defense industry, probably a notch above.

Maybe the ones who exit as soon as their military commitment is done don’t go on to additional schooling,but career officers usually have multiple masters degrees by the time they retire. They may not be from top 10 schools but they are often given a year just to focus on school. Heck, my FIL got an MBA from UVA in the Air Force and went on to get PhD in economics from Wharton way back in the 60s.

I agree on their graduates not being in top professional schools. I had only one service academy grad in my law school class, and I just asked my wife about her medical school class and she had none. We were both in top 10 schools.

I personally know service academy graduates with PhDs from Harvard, Princeton, Chicago, and Oxford, so you and your wife are pretty ignorant.

And masterminded the U.S. victory in Europe in WWII and became President of the United States.


This is a pretty dumb comment. Why am I ignorant? I went to Columbia for law school, while my wife went there for medical school at the same time. One service academy grad in my class, and none in hers. I can't change those facts. Maybe they were all at Harvard, Princeton, Chicago, and Oxford getting PhDs, but they definitely weren't at Columbia in law (except for one) or medicine at that time (not giving the exact year, to keep some anonymity, but not ancient here).

Not all the world’s intelligent people attend Columbia or exclusive prep schools. Did you know that a service academy graduate was once President of Columbia?

Given your complete lack of information and awareness of everything, I would never hire you as a lawyer or your wife as a physician.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Air Force Academy isn't all that prestigious, but West Point and Annapolis are. But it's still very specialized. Grads concentrate in engineering, defense contracting, etc. I've heard from others that they have a fairly low percentage who go on to professional schools, largely because they have multi-year service commitments and a lot of them end up getting married too, are fairly far along in their careers when they finally go civilian.

In terms of prestige, I would put them a notch or two below the ivy league foremost employers. But for some employers, particularly those in the defense industry, probably a notch above.

Maybe the ones who exit as soon as their military commitment is done don’t go on to additional schooling,but career officers usually have multiple masters degrees by the time they retire. They may not be from top 10 schools but they are often given a year just to focus on school. Heck, my FIL got an MBA from UVA in the Air Force and went on to get PhD in economics from Wharton way back in the 60s.

I agree on their graduates not being in top professional schools. I had only one service academy grad in my law school class, and I just asked my wife about her medical school class and she had none. We were both in top 10 schools.

I personally know service academy graduates with PhDs from Harvard, Princeton, Chicago, and Oxford, so you and your wife are pretty ignorant.

And masterminded the U.S. victory in Europe in WWII and became President of the United States.


This is a pretty dumb comment. Why am I ignorant? I went to Columbia for law school, while my wife went there for medical school at the same time. One service academy grad in my class, and none in hers. I can't change those facts. Maybe they were all at Harvard, Princeton, Chicago, and Oxford getting PhDs, but they definitely weren't at Columbia in law (except for one) or medicine at that time (not giving the exact year, to keep some anonymity, but not ancient here).

Not all the world’s intelligent people attend Columbia or exclusive prep schools. Did you know that a service academy graduate was once President of Columbia?

Given your complete lack of information and awareness of everything, I would never hire you as a lawyer or your wife as a physician.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I love the “I went to excellent school X and therefore can’t be ignorant” defense. So dumb. Make your argument and let it be judged on merit. You must be smart to have gone to Columbia but it doesn’t mean you can’t be ignorant about something or make a lousy argument. No need to use your sheepskin as rebuttal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Air Force Academy isn't all that prestigious, but West Point and Annapolis are. But it's still very specialized. Grads concentrate in engineering, defense contracting, etc. I've heard from others that they have a fairly low percentage who go on to professional schools, largely because they have multi-year service commitments and a lot of them end up getting married too, are fairly far along in their careers when they finally go civilian.

In terms of prestige, I would put them a notch or two below the ivy league foremost employers. But for some employers, particularly those in the defense industry, probably a notch above.

Untrue. YOu don't know what you're talking about--there is not such thing. If you think there is a field like that, please explain it.

There certainly is the "field" of defense contracting, but not sure about a specific "major". Maybe business. That seems to be a popular major for the defense contractors I know. Along with STEM degrees.

Computer science, business, marketing, and a bunch of others. CS is the biggest degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Air Force Academy isn't all that prestigious, but West Point and Annapolis are. But it's still very specialized. Grads concentrate in engineering, defense contracting, etc. I've heard from others that they have a fairly low percentage who go on to professional schools, largely because they have multi-year service commitments and a lot of them end up getting married too, are fairly far along in their careers when they finally go civilian.

In terms of prestige, I would put them a notch or two below the ivy league foremost employers. But for some employers, particularly those in the defense industry, probably a notch above.

Maybe the ones who exit as soon as their military commitment is done don’t go on to additional schooling,but career officers usually have multiple masters degrees by the time they retire. They may not be from top 10 schools but they are often given a year just to focus on school. Heck, my FIL got an MBA from UVA in the Air Force and went on to get PhD in economics from Wharton way back in the 60s.

I agree on their graduates not being in top professional schools. I had only one service academy grad in my law school class, and I just asked my wife about her medical school class and she had none. We were both in top 10 schools.

I personally know service academy graduates with PhDs from Harvard, Princeton, Chicago, and Oxford, so you and your wife are pretty ignorant.

This is a pretty dumb comment. Why am I ignorant? I went to Columbia for law school, while my wife went there for medical school at the same time. One service academy grad in my class, and none in hers. I can't change those facts. Maybe they were all at Harvard, Princeton, Chicago, and Oxford getting PhDs, but they definitely weren't at Columbia in law (except for one) or medicine at that time (not giving the exact year, to keep some anonymity, but not ancient here).

The most talented get accepted to the Military Med School. Imagine graduating from undergrad and med school with no loans! It is very hard to get accepted into the program. I know 2 drs who went that path. They could have gone to just about any med school in the country.

[Anonymous]

To answer the question:

It is very competitive to get into a Service Academy.

Service Academy Graduates go on to be Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall scholars etc.

The go to law school, med school, and other graduate programs at top universities

They work for a variety of employers in many industries.

..... and some die while serving our country during their service commitment.

[Anonymous]

Very impressive. I run in to very accomplished academy grads at the Council on Foreign Relations and McChrystal Group.

Graduate an officer, constant leadership experience while at academy, many at AFA and NA go fighter pilot route and heavy STEM/engineering. If choose to stay in get more leadership and mgmt experience, top secret clearance and forced teamwork all the time. Graduate degrees must be earned in order for certain promotions, all schools love these grads if they can commit to a full-time program while working, often they cannot or take leave to go do their computer science or med or JD or Kennedy school masters degrees.

The most amazing thing about academy grads is their ability to work with people of all ranks, backgrounds and skills.
- They have no choice but to create a team out of entry level hispanics/blacks/whites/men/women, train others all the time, improve processes all the time, directly communicate ideas/improvements then move on and implement things (and no hard feelings, too much to do, too important to sulk).

Honestly, this country could really culturally benefit if it incorporated a 2 year mandatory National Service program for all citizens during age 18-30. You could do military if you're up for basic training, physicality and teamwork, or you could do a Department desk job. This could really create unity and teamwork and understanding among the ever-heterogeneous America.

Right now all sides just talk over or across each other, the lack of understanding is awful. The lack of understanding of civics, the military, geography, U.S. history, and each other in this country is also awful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are trying to evaluate the academies by the USNews categories, but they are really in their own category.

True. The 4 year college part can be compared to other colleges, but you can't view them as colleges in isolation from the rest of it. They're 4 year colleges + six year service commitments. So they really are not like any other colleges.

Plus they are a $400k education for free to the admit.

Admit must get senator nomination from their state senator.

Aggregate GPA is a function of academic GPA, military history GPA, leadership GPA, athletic GPA.

Seriously guys, just look at the websites at West Point, Air force academy, naval academy or coast guard. It's impressive.

I remember my 7th grade Civics class trip to WDC included a tour of Annapolis and the naval academy and it was damn cool. They offer free tours, go drive 40 minutes and take one. Learn something firsthand about America, the academy, integrity, hard work, and sacrifice.

I'd love to sponsor a midshipman during the year; they have "homestays" for weekends or days off campus if they like. But DC is probably too far.
I wish them all the best of luck in their personal and professional endeavors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Annapolis and West Point, yes. Coast Guard and Air Firce, not so much.

AFA is most academic plus has more female cadets and teachers. Best retention, lower wash-out rate as well.

Plus, ask anyone in any country's military what it takes to be chosen for fighter jet training and then succeeding. As impressive as seal training.

- IDF'er

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Air Force Academy isn't all that prestigious, but West Point and Annapolis are. But it's still very specialized. Grads concentrate in engineering, defense contracting, etc. I've heard from others that they have a fairly low percentage who go on to professional schools, largely because they have multi-year service commitments and a lot of them end up getting married too, are fairly far along in their careers when they finally go civilian.

In terms of prestige, I would put them a notch or two below the ivy league foremost employers. But for some employers, particularly those in the defense industry, probably a notch above.

Untrue. YOu don't know what you're talking about--there is not such thing. If you think there is a field like that, please explain it.

There certainly is the "field" of defense contracting, but not sure about a specific "major". Maybe business. That seems to be a popular major for the defense contractors I know. Along with STEM degrees.

Computer science, business, marketing, and a bunch of others. CS is the biggest degree.

Yup. STEM degrees are common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Air Force Academy isn't all that prestigious, but West Point and Annapolis are. But it's still very specialized. Grads concentrate in engineering, defense contracting, etc. I've heard from others that they have a fairly low percentage who go on to professional schools, largely because they have multi-year service commitments and a lot of them end up getting married too, are fairly far along in their careers when they finally go civilian.

In terms of prestige, I would put them a notch or two below the ivy league foremost employers. But for some employers, particularly those in the defense industry, probably a notch above.

Untrue. YOu don't know what you're talking about--there is not such thing. If you think there is a field like that, please explain it.

There certainly is the "field" of defense contracting, but not sure about a specific "major". Maybe business. That seems to be a popular major for the defense contractors I know. Along with STEM degrees.

Computer science, business, marketing, and a bunch of others. CS is the biggest degree.

Yup. STEM degrees are common.

STEM is a generic term for anything computer, math and science. Computer Science is a very specific degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Air Force Academy isn't all that prestigious, but West Point and Annapolis are. But it's still very specialized. Grads concentrate in engineering, defense contracting, etc. I've heard from others that they have a fairly low percentage who go on to professional schools, largely because they have multi-year service commitments and a lot of them end up getting married too, are fairly far along in their careers when they finally go civilian.

In terms of prestige, I would put them a notch or two below the ivy league foremost employers. But for some employers, particularly those in the defense industry, probably a notch above.

Maybe the ones who exit as soon as their military commitment is done don’t go on to additional schooling,but career officers usually have multiple masters degrees by the time they retire. They may not be from top 10 schools but they are often given a year just to focus on school. Heck, my FIL got an MBA from UVA in the Air Force and went on to get PhD in economics from Wharton way back in the 60s.

I agree on their graduates not being in top professional schools. I had only one service academy grad in my law school class, and I just asked my wife about her medical school class and she had none. We were both in top 10 schools.

I personally know service academy graduates with PhDs from Harvard, Princeton, Chicago, and Oxford, so you and your wife are pretty ignorant.

This is a pretty dumb comment. Why am I ignorant? I went to Columbia for law school, while my wife went there for medical school at the same time. One service academy grad in my class, and none in hers. I can't change those facts. Maybe they were all at Harvard, Princeton, Chicago, and Oxford getting PhDs, but they definitely weren't at Columbia in law (except for one) or medicine at that time (not giving the exact year, to keep some anonymity, but not ancient here).

Not all the world’s intelligent people attend Columbia or exclusive prep schools. Did you know that a service academy graduate was once President of Columbia?

Given your complete lack of information and awareness of everything, I would never hire you as a lawyer or your wife as a physician.

+1 If you think one law school is a sufficient sample size, then you're really a moron. I think most service academy grads would only consider a top five law school, and wouldn't stoop so low as to attend Columbia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Air Force Academy isn't all that prestigious, but West Point and Annapolis are. But it's still very specialized. Grads concentrate in engineering, defense contracting, etc. I've heard from others that they have a fairly low percentage who go on to professional schools, largely because they have multi-year service commitments and a lot of them end up getting married too, are fairly far along in their careers when they finally go civilian.

In terms of prestige, I would put them a notch or two below the ivy league foremost employers. But for some employers, particularly those in the defense industry, probably a notch above.

Untrue. YOu don't know what you're talking about--there is not such thing. If you think there is a field like that, please explain it.

There certainly is the "field" of defense contracting, but not sure about a specific "major". Maybe business. That seems to be a popular major for the defense contractors I know. Along with STEM degrees.

Computer science, business, marketing, and a bunch of others. CS is the biggest degree.

Yup. STEM degrees are common.

STEM is a generic term for anything computer, math and science. Computer Science is a very specific degree.

Air Force, West Point and Annapolis have dosie doed with Caltech and MIT as top 5 engineering programs in America for decades.
# of engineering majors is a high number and penetration as well.

Face it, your kid isn't going to chose the mental, physical and academic challenge of a service academy if they're not willing to work hard and see the big picture. You won't even make it through summer basic training, if you even get nominated.

[Anonymous]

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-overall

[Anonymous]

CS is also a major graduate degree amongst active academy grads.