How Many Schools Did You Apply to?

cc.cg

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Hello, My father says that the more schools I apply to the better, he thinks I should apply to the bigger SAs and try and get more nominations and that way MMA may consider me more? Just because of the other bigger schools they will see on my application that I am applying to, I just want to know if anyone else has done this before? So I just want to ask people who went to MMA, what other SAs or schools they applied to? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Probably a good idea, and who knows you might end up getting into one of the others... the USMMA actually seems more difficult to get into then a few of the others!
 
I doubt that civilian colleges or SA's care how many places you applied (and would they even know?) You should only apply to colleges you are serious about attending because eventually you can only choose one. During you MOC interview if they ask you why you applied to so many colleges (assuming they know), your answer shouldn't be that you thought it increased your chances of getting a NOM.

Many applying to SA's also pursue ROTC programs more as a Plan B rather then some effort to 'game' the application process.
 
I don't think the admissions people at USMMA care one way or the other which schools you apply to. If you have a sincere desire to attend another service academy and go into the career path where that would lead, then apply there. If not, then don't.
 
He seems to care about you and your best interest. With that in mind, it wouldn't hurt to apply to a few schools that your father approves of. (I'm guessing if the application has costs, he's going to cover it for you.) However, you should only apply to schools that you would like to attend. If USCGA or USMMA are your top choices, what's your "plan B" schools? I would also say, what are your "plan C" schools. I'm not one to advocate for a kid to apply to dozens of schools, but 5-10 is doable. USMMA was my DS's #1 choice. He applied to one school that my wife wanted him to attend as a back up. He also applied to two back up schools of his own. (One tough to get into and one easy) He also applied to about 10 schools that were actively recruiting him for football and baseball that waived the application fee. (He wouldn't have applied to all of them if we had to pay for the application, but maybe 1 or 2.) Applying to a few extra schools is a good idea, but at the end of the day, you need to choose the school you want to attend for the next four years that will affect the rest of your life. Don't choose the school your parents want you to attend...you'll just be miserable. Good luck.
 
However, you should only apply to schools that you would like to attend.
+1 KP2020Dad

I also agree that a larger net should be cast. You just never know what is going to happen. A friend of my DD many years ago applied to only two schools. USAFA, and one of the "public" Ivies. She panicked and changed her mind about the USAFA, and was then TWE'd by the public university. As a result, this A+ student had nowhere to go that Fall!

Don't apply just for the sake of applying, or to impress anyone. Evaluate schools that truly interest you and apply to those you can envision attending.
 
However, you should only apply to schools that you would like to attend.
+1 KP2020Dad

I also agree that a larger net should be cast. You just never know what is going to happen. A friend of my DD many years ago applied to only two schools. USAFA, and one of the "public" Ivies. She panicked and changed her mind about the USAFA, and was then TWE'd by the public university. As a result, this A+ student had nowhere to go that Fall!

Don't apply just for the sake of applying, or to impress anyone. Evaluate schools that truly interest you and apply to those you can envision attending.
I think four is a good number. Apply to your #1, Plan B Reach school, Plan B attainable school, and one with a high acceptance rate.
 
I doubt that civilian colleges or SA's care how many places you applied (and would they even know?) You should only apply to colleges you are serious about attending because eventually you can only choose one. During you MOC interview if they ask you why you applied to so many colleges (assuming they know), your answer shouldn't be that you thought it increased your chances of getting a NOM.

Many applying to SA's also pursue ROTC programs more as a Plan B rather then some effort to 'game' the application process.
I completely understand, thank you for your advice but I found the paper copy of MMA and it said check all the places your applying to here is the link:
https://cms.usmma.edu/sites/usmma.edu/files/docs/Application_Part_II.pdf
 
I completely understand, thank you for your advice but I found the paper copy of MMA and it said check all the places your applying to

While MMA asks for that, none of the other SA's to my knowledge do. All of the SA's recommend you apply for all the of the NOM's for which you are eligible.
 
I applied to one school and one school only
Do you mind sharing your stats if you dont mind or were you a recruited athlete?

SAT 1090, GPA 2.9. Not a recruited athlete.

Whaaaat!?!?!? Most people are saying right now. I got in by some combination of bonus points for determination (applied 3 times and only school I wanted to go to), clerical error, weak applicant pool that year and/or excessive prayer by my parents.
 
My sons college counselor was sort of annoyed with us because my son (really me) applied to many many schools. The issue was that my son couldnt decide which path to take. The first path was to play D3 baseball at college. So he applied to the schools who were interestd in him. The problem with these schools is that you need to get in and then they will really talk to you about playing. Most of those schools are smaller and he probably would have majored in criminal justice or business. The other path he was looking at was majoring in Professional Pilot (becoming a pilot) For the most part, these are all larger schools where they have D1 programs and he wouldnt be able to play ball. So he applied to those. As a backup he applied to schools like Oregon and Washington, big schools with tons of of majors where he would have a good educational experience. He was accepted by the colleges in all three catagories. He initally visited the baseball and flying colleges, but eventually decided he wanted to fly. So he only had to choose between Purude, FIT, Univ of ND and Embry Riddle and chose Purdue. I know it was overkill on my part, but I wanted to make sure he had choices. Honestly when he decided to give up baseball, it almost killed me:). I wanted him to play club baseball for Purdue but he felt that baseball would take up to much time and he wanted to concentrate on AFRotc. To this day, he and my younger son tell me to let it go whenever i bring up baseball.
 
SAT 1090, GPA 2.9. Not a recruited athlete.

Whaaaat!?!?!? Most people are saying right now. I got in by some combination of bonus points for determination (applied 3 times and only school I wanted to go to), clerical error, weak applicant pool that year and/or excessive prayer by my parents.

Guessing you are an engine major. How difficult do you find the material?
 
They aren't going to really care which schools you applied to. For all you know they're just trying to determine if you only applied to them, and had your heart set on them. Apply only to the schools you would like to attend.
 
SAT 1090, GPA 2.9. Not a recruited athlete.

Whaaaat!?!?!? Most people are saying right now. I got in by some combination of bonus points for determination (applied 3 times and only school I wanted to go to), clerical error, weak applicant pool that year and/or excessive prayer by my parents.

Guessing you are an engine major. How difficult do you find the material?
Its wasn't the material, it was the professors that made it hard or easy. To be honest, I barely cracked a book.
There is a difference of opinion if that makes me smart or dumb. I re-took more than I should have and spent more years there than I should have but it all worked out OK for me in the end so c'est la vie.
When I went back to sea after 10 years on shore I realized that I learned way more at KP than I thought I did.
 
The academies are looking to see if you want to serve. Its not all about being an officer for a selected branch. Its about your willingness and commitment to sacrifice and serve this country. That being said, you should apply to all of the academies and show your intent is to get into that single one. Like in one interview say you want USMMA and the next USAFA. Its all on preference though. Let me know if you want to know my stats. Best of luck.
 
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The academies are looking to see if you want to serve. Its not all about being an officer for a selected branch. Its about your willingness and commitment to sacrifice and serve this country. That being said, you should apply to all of the academies and show your intent is to get into that single one. Like in one interview say you want USMMA and the next USAFA. Its all on preference though. Let me know if you want to know my stats. Best of luck.
I really like your opinion on this! My priority is to serve my country but if I was to word that in an essay like "although I applied to all of these schools I really want to attend yours the most" Without offending MMA how would I word that? Just let me know thanks!
 
I applied to one school: West Point. That was not the best decision and my parents were not too pleased; however, I was accepted. In interviews it was quite entertaining watching their reaction to this fact when they asked where else I was applying. It probably did indicate a sort of dedication to only apply to one place, but if I had not decided on enlisting if I was rejected, then I hopefully would have applied to other places (Maybe not though, as I wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere else).

I can tell you that applying to a host of colleges and all of the service academies will probably not give off a sense of a deep desire to attend MMA. A stellar applicant in my district with an LOA did not even receive a nomination in large part- I believe- because he wanted to attend multiple other service academies over West Point. So I would recommend having solid backup options that you would be content with if you don't get in, but limit them to a reasonable number of schools that you would be excited to attend.

Take that for what you will as I have precisely zero knowledge of MMA admissions save for its similarity to the other SAs. Best of luck to you.
 
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