I know this thread has been going for quite a while. But there is so much good information in it. I really think it is probably one of the most educational threads that have been on this forum. Not just from some of the very experienced people who have gone through a lot of this as well as the current cadets; but also because of perspectives of the new applicants and others, has made this a powerful thread.
No matter how long you've wanted to apply/attend a military academy; and no matter whether you know what you want to do with your life after graduation; this thread has a very underlying question for each current and future cadet needs to ask themselves.
WHY DO I REALLY WANT TO GO TO THE ACADEMY?
I'm not saying that there are any right or wrong answers. Neither that some answers are better than others. But one thing I ask; and have always asked young men and women interested in the military when I was a recruiter and in other capacities; (Whether it's the academy, ROTC, or enlisting out of high school); is a simple yet complicated question.
"In your perfect dream world, if you were offered the scholarship to the school of your choice; or money was not an issue; and you got accepted to any school in the country; WOULD YOU CHOOSE THE MILITARY OVER THAT??? Obviously there are many different answers; especially for those who are enlisting and not trying to become commissioned officers. Many of them don't have the grades or the money to go to a prestigious college or the academy and sometimes ANY college. But if they DID have the grades and such; the military isn't usually their 1st choice of what to do after high school. There are some that have always wanted it, but not usually the majority.
Now the academy is different because just about every single cadet here and those considered competitive in the application process; does have the grades to go to numerous other colleges. When I ask those future cadets and prospects, I usually get 2 distinct answers. 1) The military/Air Force is all that I've ever really wanted; or something I've come to really want. I definitely would still choose the academy. 2) Well; if money wasn't an issue either internally or through scholarships; and I could get accepted to a list of other schools; I would probably take one of the other schools.
This is a very important question to ask yourselves. Why? Because this is your life. It's not your parent's, teacher's, family's; etc... it's yours. Let me clarify; there is NOTHING WRONG with applying and attending the academy or enlisting in the military in general, if you WOULD HAVE chosen something else if it were available. As long as you live up to your responsibilities; that is all that anyone SHOULD expect.
The reason I bring this up is because of 2 scenarios I have witnessed in the past so many times. 1) A person is so gung-ho wanting the academy. It's something they've always wanted. It's the ONLY thing they want. That they don't apply to other colleges. Or, they realize that if they don't get in they'll just go to "State or Community" college. I really think this is a shame. Because of the 10,000 that apply to the academy; the majority probably have excellent grades and such. Good enough to get into the academy. It's just that the academy can't take but around 1400. Even if the academy and military is your dream; you really need to have other schools lined up. Not just a "Safety" school in case you don't get in. But the Cornells, Princetons, Browns, USCs, William and Mary, Georgetown, etc... If you can get accepted into the air force academy, you can definitely get accepted to these other schools. You can use these avenues if the military is still your dream. If you care about serving that badly, then the military wants you and there are so many ways to serve.
2) The other scenario are those in a similar boat, but they probably would have taken a different course if it was made available. Again; NOTHING WRONG with applying and attending the academy if it isn't/wasn't your dream career your whole life and you wish you had other choices. Nothing wrong with this at all. However; a lot of these people do the same type of applying. Basically; military academies and the state university is their safety school. I'm here to tell you the same exact thing. If you're good enough to get into a military academy, you're good enough to get into most colleges and universities in the country. The key is to Not Sell Yourself Short. It's late in the year, but for those looking at applying to the academy next year or further on, keep this in mind. Apply to every school that interests you. NOT the one's that interest your parents. (Yes, there is some politics involved. Always apply to at least ONE that they want). And don't worry about the money. The money is there; it really is. Unfortunately, most of your parents and relatives (My generation); access to college was SO MUCH MORE DIFFICULT than it is today. But that is what THEY remember. They don't always have such updated information to tell you when you're growing up. To many kids by the time they are in Junior High have been told that they can only go to state university, community college, or the military because that's all "We Can Afford". SUCH A SHAME!!! So many schools have merit scholarships, private scholarships, grants, etc... It's easy. Anyway; make sure you are applying and chasing YOUR DREAM.
Whether the air force academy is one of your "SAFETY" schools; or whether the academy is your "PRIMARY" school; you should be applying to all the schools that YOU ARE INTERESTED IN. Both in case you don't get accepted to the academy and in case the academy isn't really your first choice. Get into the school you want. Of course there are some that have their heart set on only 1 or maybe 2 schools. And if they don't get accepted then they don't want anything else and go for their safety. Sorry, but you need to broaden your horizons. I.e. It is EASIER for a kid in texas to go to Washington State than it is to go to the University of Texas. But if you limit yourself to only certain choices, you'll never be happy.
And of course, there are plenty of cadets; whether the academy was 1st choice; 2nd choice; or safety school that applied to a lot of others. Good for them. Anyway; for those applying next year and in the future. Know why you are applying. Do it for yourself. Not your friends, family, the prestige, etc... Don't sell yourself short. Go after the education YOU WANT. And give yourself as many choices as possible. Best of luck.... Mike....
, community, cost, education, service, geography, uniforms (yeah, I'm one of the crazy public-schoolers who actually WANTS uniforms. They just make school better IMO)
I know you come to this site looking for encouragement about the process but don't get brain washed. Don't do this to please or prove something to your mother, father, grandparents, Barack Obama. Do this because you want to, it's the only thing you can see yourself doing, and your world won't be right if you don't. 
LOL
