The folks who went to West Point/Annapolis def got way more respect than Ivy Leaguers where I group up; no contest. (Rich coastal area)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Like to an average layman? Maybe not as prestigious as Harvard and Yale, but up there with Penn and Brown? Just curious. This really impressive great-at-everything senior boy in our son’s school is heading to one and I sense parents are not impressed. And most kids don’t seem to have a clue what a service academy is, how selectivity, process of getting in, and commitment. I honestly think most sort of conflate it with just enlisting?

OP, this is exactly the type of kids that typically go to service academies. They are the best of the best.

Yep. They are looking for kids who excel at academics, leadership and athletics.

They are looking for boy scouts. Seriously, you gain a specific number of admission points if you are an Eagle Scout or participate in Boys State. The process seems a bit anachronistic to me.

The points for Boy/Girl Scouts count in the leadership category. So, three buckets: academics are 60%, leadership 20%, and athletics 20%. These are rough estimates from going to admissions briefings at both USNA and USMA. And lots of different leadership experiences count for points in that bucket.

They are looking for kids who are the whole package: smart, fit, and ability to work well with others.

Anonymous wrote:It’s great academically. But there’s a trade off. Students have to be willing to kill.

so many Jags and doctors with blood on their hands.

It’s great academically. But there’s a trade off. Students have to be willing to kill.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Like to an average layman? Maybe not as prestigious as Harvard and Yale, but up there with Penn and Brown? Just curious. This really impressive great-at-everything senior boy in our son’s school is heading to one and I sense parents are not impressed. And most kids don’t seem to have a clue what a service academy is, how selectivity, process of getting in, and commitment. I honestly think most sort of conflate it with just enlisting?

OP, this is exactly the type of kids that typically go to service academies. They are the best of the best.

Yep. They are looking for kids who excel at academics, leadership and athletics.

They are looking for boy scouts. Seriously, you gain a specific number of admission points if you are an Eagle Scout or participate in Boys State. The process seems a bit anachronistic to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When a resume comes across my desk with USNA or USMA I am much more impressed than any other school

How about AFA or CGA? Citadel or VMI?

USAFA or CGA, I'm impressed and actually think that the odds are less likely than at USNA or West Point that the applicant is a douche.

Citadel or VMI, exact opposite reaction - I presume they are douches and knuckleheads until proven otherwise.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The recent scandal isn't helpful.

There have been 3 cheating scandals in the history of the academy. How many were there last year at the most prestigious schools?

Ah the dreaded they did it too defense. Scandal is bad. Pretend it isn’t all you want.

Anonymous wrote:When a resume comes across my desk with USNA or USMA I am much more impressed than any other school

How about AFA or CGA? Citadel or VMI?

Anonymous wrote:The recent scandal isn't helpful.

There have been 3 cheating scandals in the history of the academy. How many were there last year at the most prestigious schools?

When a resume comes across my desk with USNA or USMA I am much more impressed than any other school

Anonymous wrote:The recent scandal isn't helpful.

Or, it could be seen as an indication of how they treat cheating and expect their cadets to act with integrity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is your reaction when you hear that a kid turned down at top 20 school for an academy?

I admire the kid. Especially since the ones I know in this exact position had parents who went batshit crazy when these kids turned down top 20 (Ivys) to attend West Point and USNA.

+1

The recent scandal isn't helpful.

Anonymous wrote:What is your reaction when you hear that a kid turned down at top 20 school for an academy?

I admire the kid. Especially since the ones I know in this exact position had parents who went batshit crazy when these kids turned down top 20 (Ivys) to attend West Point and USNA.

Similar SAT average as Virginia Tech. If that helps.