"Thank you, we're very proud..."

I like the comments that start with "Don't worry maybe when he finishes there he will go to college."
 
Military Academys

I tend to look at most things positively and feel that ignorance is probably the majority of the "problem".

I have been employed in higher education for 25+ years, and although I knew about the Army, Navy and Air Force academies, I was unaware of the Coast Guard Academy till 4 years ago, (and now my daughter has been admitted to USCGA; class of 2012). I didn't know about the Merchant Marine Academy till my daughter started applying to USCGA. So I can see that unless your family has a military tradition (either service in or attendance at an academy), you might be unaware of the academies and how they function.

My response to those who inquire and show ignorance (and my perception is that very few show any malice in their statements), is something like....

"...the US Coast Guard Academy is one of the most highly ranked engineering schools in the country and very selective. Far more selective than Purdue (where I work) and almost as selective as some of the Ivy League schools. After graduating with a degree in engineering, my daughter will serve at least one tour of duty as an active duty officer in the US Coast Guard and maybe longer......."

Their reaction is usually something like "...Wow I didn't realize that, congratulations!...."

So I figure that I nicely made my point, and more importantly educated them a little.....all-in-all a good thing.....

Mike
 
If we're looking at "selectivity" alone, you can rank most of the academies higher than most Ivy Leagues....my year Juliard was more selective.
 
Selectivity

Your statement about selectivity is true, although comparison between "normal" colleges and the service academies is hard to do because of the unique entry requirements, (academic, medical and congressional), and self selection of the SA's. In any case, my statement usually makes the point to the person who I am talking to, and I think they begin to understand a little better at that point just what the deal is.

Some stats (as last reported by the schools, usually class of 2011) to be taken as EXAMPLES and not to start any arguments :biggrin: are:

USCGA admits 11.7%
USAFA admits 14%
USMA admits 14%
USNA admits 10%
USMMA admits 16%

Harvard admits 9%
Yale admits 9.6%
Princeton admits 9.5%
MIT admits 12.3%
Cornell admits 20.5%
Stanford admits 10.3%
Northwestern admits 29%

Purdue (my school) admits 80% but ends up enrolling 35% (public schools get a LOT more applications but fewer actual enrollees.)
University of Michigan admits 50% and enrolls 21%

Any way you look at it, the SA's are right up there and ahead of most!

Mike
 
Just out of curiosity (not questioning the validity of the figures), where did you find those numbers?
 
numbers

All over the place. I have my own schools data (Purdue), but pretty much googled the rest. Googleing something like "(university name) student profile" will usually get you there. If you are looking for somewhere specific and can't find it, let me know.

Maybe we will see you sometime at the academy when we drop off/visit my daughter.

Mike
 
Profs have secret little networks!


Thanks for the numbers! That is most outstanding.


In 2001, Julliard was at 7%, as I remember it. Well, I'd like to take a walk around that school, with my ears wide open.
 
On all of the Academy websites, they post a variety of stats of the current class. As with most statistics, they are open to interpretation and you have to be careful to not jump to invalid conclusions. The number of applicants are those who 'start' the application process (regardless of how far they get). From other sites, I have read that some never even complete the application (i.e. change their mind, find it too time consuming, etc.), so the calculation of that final % can be a bit misleading or at least difficult to compare to other colleges.

For example, for USNA, in the Admissions section the 2011 class stats:

http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/documents/Classof2011Profile.pdf
 
I have heard some say that getting through the application(s) itself/themselves (I had a total of 5 applications for USAFA... 4 nom apps and the actual app) is the first step of the weeding out because it shows that you're at least driven enough to spend a few hours banging away at the often lengthy app, so I think using 'applicants' as those who just open the app is legitimate.
 
I think the degree of ignorance about the SA's is very dependent on your location and the culture of your town/suburb/city and high school.

Our high school has sent boys (no girls lately!) to the USMMA, the USCGA and the USNA every other year or so....for as long as I can remember. A boy from the high school down the road went to USMA this year. Everyone around here knows of the SA's pretty well.

I haven't had anything less than a *hugely enthusiastic* congratulatory response since son got his appointment last week! :thumb:

SO-proud mom of USNA 2012-- :shake:
 
The Road Less Traveled

I am a West Point Grad - Class of 1978 - which means I entered USMA just as the Vietnam War was spinning out of control. Not a very popular time to choose an academy. I am very glad I selected the road less traveled.

Now, retired after 24 years in the Army, I am fortunate that my new career allows me to travel to all the service academies several times a year. My co-workers fight to accompany me on these trips – why – because of the cadets/midshipmen they interact with during the trip. If restores their faith that we as a country are still doing some things right. One of those is sending our finest to the academies.

We all know how the poem ends.
 
I didn't want to edit your post without being certain, but I think you meant 1968. :smile:

Good year, too! I was born then! :biggrin:
 
Welcome Rustypc. Like the name by the way. It is indeed a fact that there are great kids out there willing to serve our great country! When you say "all of the academies", I hope you have been to USMMA as well! :thumb:
 
USMMA

Absolutely - I visit USMMA about 3 times a year. Great school. I will be back up there for A-day, I have to pass out those "Proud Parent" bags.
 
Next time you swing by USMA, shoot me a PM. I live less than 45 minutes from there.

Yeah, it's behind enemy lines, but SOMEBODY'S gotta give the place some class! :biggrin:
 
I like this thread

and can so relate. We have a rich tradition of military service in our family (both officer and enlisted, and have covered every branch except the Navy) and thru the years have heard just about every comment you can imagine. I truly think family & friends mean well; sometimes in the spirit of good wishes the funny stuff slips out...
My son received his appt to the USCGA on Monday, and of course, we are thrilled beyond belief, as it was his first and only choice of the service academies.
Here are some of the more interesting comments we've heard the past week:
"You have to go to school to be in the Coast Guard? Wow!"
"Hey, that's great! And aren't you glad it's free!!"
MY daughter told her friend, her promptly called her mom and said, "yeah they got the good news! He's going to the Coast Guard Academy and then he'll be in the Army!"

But my favorite so far,
"Congrats, the Coast Guard! Aren't you glad he won't be in the military?!!":confused:
 
We have been a Coast Guard family since 1980. I find it amazing the amount of people who do not know what the Coast Guard does...a lot only know it at as search and rescue and drug busts. My dd tried to educate a lot of her fellow students in her ROTC class, only to be chided and to listen to jokes about it being in the department of transportation and dad being a bus driver???? She had to educate them again about the department transferring to Homeland Security and other missions of the Coast Guard. I guess somethings never change. I do look forward to her returning to her HS after all is said and done.
 
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