Describe the people....

M

MonkeyToes

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I’ve read a lot of different forums describing the differences between USAFA and USMA regarding the culture, classes, locations, training, etc. Can someone please tell me about the people? I’m sure there will be lots of different types of people and personalities at each, but my guess is that there are also some stereotypes and generalizations that likely hold some degree of truth.

What can you tell me about the people would be his fellow cadets, roommates, classmates, and friends?
 
WARNING: Super broad generalization ahead

USMA: Played sports in HS earned a Varsity letter and more often than not, was Captain of the team. Got good grades. Scored a 29 on the ACT, 650 on SAT Math and 631 on SAT Reading.

USAFA: Played sports in HS and most likely earned a Varsity letter. Got really good grades - more likely to be in top 20% of class and be in NHS relative to USMA. Scored a 30, maybe even a 31 on the ACT, 673 on SAT Math and 661 on ACT Reading.

Both academies will have fun, good-hearted classmates along with a few jerks. Both will have brainiacs that crush every class. Both will have cadets who want to go Special Forces and work out like fiends. USAFA cadets are more likely to have a pilot's license and like aviation. USMA cadets may want to fly, but also like tanks.

You can see from the above profile comparisons (Class of 2020 vs 2021) while imprecise can give you an idea that one leans slightly more athletic and one slightly more academic. Its not a huge difference and the venn diagrams overlap considerably so you should find a group that you can mesh well with at either service. Both are great schools with amazing opportunities for Grad School.

So, in general they are full of young kids that are very similar. Some know what they want to do, some don't. They are all interested in serving their country at least long enough to pay back their college.

My West Point buddy used to joke that USMA were the Alpha Betas and USAFA were the Tri-Lambs (Revenge of the Nerds reference). That's pretty far from reality, but has 1-2% truth to it.
 
If you are trying to decide between the two, I would look at majors and careers. For the most part, the cadets will be cut from the same cloth, smart, athletic, overachievers. There will be minor differences as buckeyedad20 mentioned above, but the bigger difference will be the overall mission and culture you are training to join.

For example, if you want to lead soldiers, command an armored division, and love to be outdoors, go USMA.

If you want to fly or go cyber, USAFA is for you.

Yes there are overlaps and these are broad generalizations; however, the Army and Air Force contribute differently to the overall mission of protecting us and projecting power throughout the world.
 
Interesting question... older son graduated from USAFA and younger son from USMA. Great people at both... my impression, and I emphasize that that this is one data set....USMA is incredibly intense 24 hours a day and USAFA gives the cadets a few more liberties. This changes every few years with changes in Sup and Commandant of Cadets. We met many more A-type, gung ho, cadets at USMA. Many of our USMA grad’s friends are now Rangers. Most of our USAFA grad’s buds are pilots including him.

I have been on this earth close to 60 years and both places rank in my top 5 of places I have ever visited.

Our younger son chose West Point over USAFA because he had no interest in flying. Now he is on his way to flying for the Army.
 
These are all great answers and I appreciate it. The limitations in place this year have prevented current seniors from getting the same kind of visits and tours they would normally get before having to make a decision. Understanding that these are broad generalizations, they are still very helpful.
 
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