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[quote=Anonymous][quote=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.[/quote]
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)[/quote]

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