Hello All!
Thank you all for the wealth of information and experience that this forum provides. I have been using it for the past month or so to learn more about the whole process of applying to Service Academies for our DS. I thought it was time to join in.
A little about us. We are not a military family. We have a few distant family members in the Marines, Army and Air Force but no one we are particularly close too. Our DS, the oldest of four, is currently finishing up his sophomore year. He is always shown interest in joining the military but honestly when he was younger I chalked it up to being a boy and thinking it was cool. The past year plus he has started showing a lot of interest attending a Service Academy. We have waited to see if this was a passing fancy or if he was seriously considering it. It is safe to say he is serious. He is trying to narrow down which Academies to apply to. DS is a strong student, active in track and football (lettered in both) and also involved in a number of school groups. He qualified for the national DECA competition this spring and really enjoyed the experience. He has a pretty well rounded resume all and all.
When we realized this was something he truly wanted to pursue we started researching the process. To say it is overwhelming would be an understatement. We sat down and made a list of all the things he needs to do this summer to prepare. The first thing he’s working on is studying for the ACT and will take it in June.
I am concerned that we are from small town USA, so DS does not have the option of AP classes and some activities found in the bigger schools and communities. He will start taking a couple college courses through the local community college next year. He works part time and helps on the family farm. I guess you make the best out of what is available to you.
My husband and I hope to guide him as best we can. But we told him if this is something he wants, he must steer the ship.
Thanks for listening and I look forward to learning more as the process unfolds.
Thank you all for the wealth of information and experience that this forum provides. I have been using it for the past month or so to learn more about the whole process of applying to Service Academies for our DS. I thought it was time to join in.
A little about us. We are not a military family. We have a few distant family members in the Marines, Army and Air Force but no one we are particularly close too. Our DS, the oldest of four, is currently finishing up his sophomore year. He is always shown interest in joining the military but honestly when he was younger I chalked it up to being a boy and thinking it was cool. The past year plus he has started showing a lot of interest attending a Service Academy. We have waited to see if this was a passing fancy or if he was seriously considering it. It is safe to say he is serious. He is trying to narrow down which Academies to apply to. DS is a strong student, active in track and football (lettered in both) and also involved in a number of school groups. He qualified for the national DECA competition this spring and really enjoyed the experience. He has a pretty well rounded resume all and all.
When we realized this was something he truly wanted to pursue we started researching the process. To say it is overwhelming would be an understatement. We sat down and made a list of all the things he needs to do this summer to prepare. The first thing he’s working on is studying for the ACT and will take it in June.
I am concerned that we are from small town USA, so DS does not have the option of AP classes and some activities found in the bigger schools and communities. He will start taking a couple college courses through the local community college next year. He works part time and helps on the family farm. I guess you make the best out of what is available to you.
My husband and I hope to guide him as best we can. But we told him if this is something he wants, he must steer the ship.
Thanks for listening and I look forward to learning more as the process unfolds.